Everyone has to have a hobby. One of my favorite year-round hobbies is herb gardening. I have several herb gardens surrounding my patio, in front of our home, and behind our home. You might say I am a “herbivore.” Sorry, I couldn’t resist. An abundance of herb gardens is great except that I have an abundance of certain herbs. I’m looking at you mint, oregano, catnip, and thyme. To keep my gardens under control, I began to find creative uses for the herbs. One of my favorites is this fresh oregano thyme salt recipe.
Fresh Oregano Thyme Salt Recipe
This recipe only uses three ingredients, which you probably guessed already; oregano, thyme, and salt. It’s a naturally gluten-free seasoning and is delightful used in meat dishes or in Italian cuisine.
What is the Best Way to Dry Herbs?
The answer is…it depends on the herbs. There are four main ways to dry them; microwave drying, oven drying, air-drying, or using a dehydrator.
What herbs can be dried in the microwave?
Some herbs do better in the microwave than others. These are good choices for microwave drying:
- thyme
- oregano
- chives
- rosemary
- mint
- bay leaves
- sage
- marjoram
What Type of Salt Can be Used in this Recipe?
The best type of salt for this recipe depends, once again, on how it will be used. If you plan to use the salt in recipes, a fine salt is the best choice. If you plan to use the salt as a finishing salt or garnish, use a coarse salt. Any of these salts are a good choice.
- For Use in Recipes:
- table salt
- fine sea salt
- Himalayan salt
- For Use As a Finishing Salt:
- Kosher salt
- Coarse Sea Salt
How to Dry Thyme or Oregano In the Microwave:
- Wash the thyme and/or oregano gently under running water. Pat gently with a paper towel to dry. Discard any wilted or brown leaves.
- Place 4 to 5 stems onto a paper towel. Cover with another paper towel.
- Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Check to see if the leaves are dry and crunchy. If not, flip the paper towels and heat another one to two minutes, checking after each minute.
- Allow the stems to cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the leaves from the stems and crumble.
How to Crumble the Herbs:
- You can crumble the herbs with your fingers
- OR you can use a mortar and pestle
How to Store the Herbs:
- Place the herbs in an airtight jar. (This is a good way to reuse old spice jars.)
- Store the herbs in a cool, dry, and dark place, like the pantry.
How to Make the Oregano-Thyme Salt
- Step 1: You’ll need 1/2 cups each of fresh oregano and thyme. Wash and dry them. Dry them in the microwave as described above. Allow the herbs to cool for 10-20 minutes.
- Pick off any stems. People will be less impressed by your culinary skills if they choke on a stem. Crush the thyme and oregano.
- In a large bowl, mix 1 1/2 to 2 cups salt with the dried herbs. (Use less salt if you would like a sharper herb flavor, more if you prefer less of a herb flavor.
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Spread a piece of wax or parchment on a baking sheet. Spread the salt mixture evenly across the sheet. Bake the salt for 15 to 30 minutes. Stirring after every 15 minutes.
- Remove the sheet from the oven and allow the salt to cool completely.
- Break up any clumps and store the salt in an airtight container.
- The colors will fade over time, but the salt will last at least six months.
Printable Recipe:
How to Make Fresh Oregano Thyme Salt
Ingredients
1/2 cup fresh thyme leaves
1/2 cup fresh oregano leaves
1 1/2 to 2 cups salt
Directions
- Dry herbs in the microwave as directed in the notes. Crush the herbs.
- In a large bowl, mix 1 1/2 to 2 cups salt with the dried herbs. (Use less salt if you would like a sharper herb flavor, more if you prefer less of a herb flavor.
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Spread a piece of wax or parchment on a baking sheet. Spread the salt mixture evenly across the sheet. Bake the salt for 15 to 30 minutes. Stirring after every 15 minutes. - Remove the sheet from the oven and allow the salt to cool completely. Break up any clumps and store the salt in an airtight container.
Notes
- Wash the thyme and/or oregano gently under running water. Pat gently with a paper towel to dry. Discard any wilted or brown leaves.
Place 4 to 5 stems onto a paper towel. Cover with another paper towel.
Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Check to see if the leaves are dry and crunchy. If not, flip the paper towels and heat another one to two minutes, checking after each minute.
Allow the stems to cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the leaves from the stems and crumble.
These salts also make great “just because” gifts because no one has to know how easy and inexpensive they are to make. Note: This salt has a strong flavor, so only a small amount is needed for seasoning.
You can experiment with different flavors of herbs. Use your favorite herb combinations or just use one type of herb with the salt. What is your favorite recipe using fresh herbs?
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Great way to flavor up any dish with cooking.
This would make a nice personalized gift for a foody. It looks pretty in the jar too.
I have all the three ingredients here so I will definitely make this too. Thanks a lot for showing us how.
I love using fresh herbs in my recipes so I have been growing my own herbs for years. We tend to go through them rather quickly too but I have never tried to make this before. Looks simple and delicious!
I did have to laugh when you mentioned that people will not like it if they choke on a stem 🙂 LOL This salt sounds great though!
Oh, my sister will love this! I will share this with her and I am so sure she will make it!
That is a great idea to make for gifting. Especially true if you’re giving it to a gardener or someone who loves to cook!
Ooooo now this is one awesome idea!!! I definitely need to make myself some of this!
I’ve never heard of this before but would love to use some! I’m a seasoning salt freak!
This would be a great gift for the holiday season. I bet it smells amazing too
I would love to try making this on the weekend. I have been trying to add more flavor to my cooking.
I love the herbs that you chose to create this lovely salt! It’s really perfect for adding flavor to food, especially when marinating fish or chicken. It’s easy to do as well!
This sounds so good! I never thought to make a salt like this at home before, it sounds amazing.
Can you say FRESH? THis looks amazing and easy enough for me to try it out
Love your step by step instructions! Will definitely try this and will give it as a gift.
I love herb salts and I would definitely love to try something like this. I bet it smells delicious!
Oh I bet this taste great and looks easy enough to make. I’d love to give some as gifts as well, I know it would be appreciated.
Oh, I am so excited to make this! What a lovely addition to my spice rack!
Oregano Thyme Salt sounds like an interesting seasoning and something I would love to try making. It is so easy to make and would indeed be great gift ideas. Thanks for sharing this easy recipe.
I absolutely LOVE this!!! Why have I not thought of this before?? Oregano is one of my favourite herbs, and I also love salt. I’m definitely going to make some of this!
This would make for a good seasoning for any kind of meat! I don’t have thyme in my herb planter but I can get some at the store. Thanks for sharing. I’m making my own too.
I love making my own seasonings with herbs. Never tried this one before. Thanks! I will try this.
Awesome. I have always wanted to try making my own herb salt. And now I definitely will. Thanks for the recipe.
This looks like such a delicious way to use fresh herbs to give your dish a bit of an extra kick! Love using herbs in any recipe! Thanks for sharing
What a clever idea. I would love to sprinkle that on so many different things.
I love this recipe. This salt would be perfect for seasoning everything from chicken to fish and beef. I can’t wait to try this recipe.
I can never get enough fresh herbs and purchase all varieties on a weekly basis. This homemade salt could make a fabulous holiday gift too.
What a great idea. I bet it smells lovely too, would love to give this a try. Sounds different than anything I’m used to – love fresh herbs!
This sounds like a great combo. What a great use of your fresh herbs! I’d love using this in recipes.
I never thought to make my own herb mixture. I love this idea and it’s so easy to make!
Love this idea! I’m getting more comfortable using salt in recipes, so, this would be fun to try. I’d like to try and grow herbs in my apt for fresh flavor to my recipes.
This is a really great idea! I always use salt when I cook so this would be perfect for adding a little extra flavor to my meals.
Wowwww – such a cool idea, and looks super healthy too! Can’t wait to try it out, thanks for sharing!
Oh wow this is really neat, I would love to make this for sure. I have not even thought about making an herbal salt recipe before.
Oh wow. That stuff sounds amazing. I can see putting this on almost anything.
I also enjoy growing herbs, especially perennials like thyme, oregano and rosemary. I’ve never made my own herb salt, so I’ll definitely try your recipe. I love that the herb salt lasts for at least six months.