Inexpensive DIY Hostess gifts | Herbed Salt and More

Looking for inexpensive DIY hostess gifts that are thoughtful, delicious, and perfect for gifting food lovers? This guide will show you how to make two easy and flavorful treats—Tuscan Herbed Sea Salt and Sweet & Spicy Nuts—that are ideal for foodies or bringing as a hostess gift.

With just a handful of ingredients and a little effort, you can create gifts that are both personal and practical. The Tuscan Herbed Sea Salt is a versatile seasoning blend ideal for enhancing dishes like roasted veggies and pasta, while the Sweet & Spicy Nuts deliver the perfect mix of crunch and flavor for snacking. Check out my Sweet & Spicy Nuts recipe and ideas for gifting. For how to make and use Tuscan Herbed Sea Salt - read on!

These DIY gifts are as budget-friendly as they are beautiful, making them perfect for holiday parties, housewarmings, or anytime you want to share a little homemade goodness!

How to use herbed salt

Herb salt isn’t just a seasoning—it’s a game-changer in the kitchen. Here are some ideas to make your meals even more delicious:

• On Roasted Vegetables: Sprinkle it over carrots, potatoes, or zucchini before roasting for a burst of flavor.
• On Meats: Use it as a rub for chicken, beef, or pork to add depth and an herby kick.
• For Pasta: Add a pinch to freshly cooked pasta with a drizzle of olive oil for a simple, flavorful dish.
• On Bread: Sprinkle it over focaccia or garlic bread for an authentic Tuscan touch.
• In Soups and Stews: Stir a teaspoon into your soups or stews for added richness and aroma.

Gifting Herbed Sea Salt

This Tuscan Herbed Sea Salt Recipe makes for a thoughtful and budget-friendly gift.

Here are some ways to make it extra special:

• Bottles and Jars: Look for small glass jars or bottles. I use 2 ounce glass honey jars – they are the perfect size and the gold lid makes them look fancy.  You can of course, use small mason jars or jars with a swing top or cork stoppers for a rustic Italian vibe.
• Handwritten Tags or Labels: Add handwritten or printed tags with the name of the salt and suggestions for use. Tie them on with twine along with a wooden sugar spoon for a charming touch.  These cork stopper 3.4 ounce jars have both the jars, tags, and twine – perfect for gift giving.
• Little Spoons: Include tiny wooden or ceramic spoons for scooping the salt. They’re not only cute but also practical.
• Gift Sets: Pair the salt with a bottle of olive oil or a loaf of artisan bread for a gourmet gift set.

Tips for Making Perfect Herbed Sea Salt

Wishing you could capture the essence of summer and save it for later? That’s exactly what this Tuscan Herbed Sea Salt does! It’s the perfect way to make the most of your garden’s summer herb bounty, transforming them into a seasoning blend that will keep your meals tasting fresh and vibrant all year long. And don’t worry about shelf life—this salt blend stays good for ages (it is salt, after all!) when stored in an airtight container.

• Jar Recommendations: Choose airtight jars for storage to maintain freshness. For your own kitchen pantry storage grab a mason jar or a swing top glass jar.  If gifting, I like to  use a gold top 2 ounce honey jar  or a cork stopper 3.4 ounce bottle.  
• Herb and Garlic Prep: A rough chop is sufficient. Let your food processor handle the fine chopping and blending.
• Salt Choices: Use a combination of coarse sea salt and flaked sea salt for the best results. Adding the coarse salt to the herb and garlic mixture during blending ensures the flavors combine evenly. Then, mix in the flaked salt before drying—this step is key to achieving a fragrant, flavorful blend. The flaked salt also adds a touch of elegance, making the herbed salt the perfect finishing touch for your dishes. Think of it as a gourmet garnish, perfect for sprinkling over roasted veggies or adding a burst of flavor to your favorite meals.
• Customization: Don’t have all the herbs? Mix and match with what you have available. Basil, tarragon, or even mint can work beautifully.

Tuscan Herb Salt Ingredients

For this recipe, you’ll need a mix of fresh herbs and two types of salt to achieve the perfect balance of flavor and texture. I like to use a fresh herb combination that includes rosemary, sage, parsley, thyme, and oregano—classic flavors of Tuscany that work beautifully together. That said, this recipe is incredibly versatile—you can use any combination of herbs you have on hand.

Whether it’s what’s thriving in your herb garden or a fresh selection from the farmers market, the choice is yours! As for the salt, you’ll use coarse sea salt for blending and flaked sea salt for texture and finishing.

See recipe card for quantities.

How to make herb salt: Step-by-step

Wishing you could capture the essence of summer and save it for later? That’s exactly what this Tuscan Herbed Sea Salt does! It’s the perfect way to make the most of your garden’s summer herb bounty, transforming them into a seasoning blend that will keep your meals tasting fresh and vibrant all year long. And don’t worry about shelf life—this salt blend stays good for ages (it is salt, after all!) when stored in an airtight container.

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Set your oven to 200°F (93°C). While it’s preheating, grab a 12x18-inch sheet pan and set it aside. You’ll use this to dry out the herb salt blend later.

Step 2: Rough Chop the Herbs

Take your rosemary, sage, parsley, thyme, and oregano and give them a quick rough chop. No need to go too fine here—just enough to make them manageable. The food processor will handle the rest.

Step 3: Blend the Ingredients

In the bowl of a food processor or hand blender beaker, add the chopped herbs along with ¼ cup of the course ground sea salt. Pulse the mixture until it has the texture of slightly damp sand. Then, add the garlic cloves and pulse again until everything is well combined. The result should look like wet green sand.

Step 4: Mix and Spread

Scrape the herb mixture onto your prepared sheet pan. Add the remaining sea salt and black pepper. Using your hands, mix everything together until evenly distributed. The salt should take on a gorgeous green hue from the herbs.

Step 5: Dry the Salt

Place the pan in your preheated oven.  Immediately turn off the oven but leave the pan inside for  30 to 60 minutes to cool down and dry completely. This slow drying process ensures the salt absorbs all the herb flavors.

Step 6: Break Up Clumps

Once the salt has cooled completely, rub it between your hands to break up any clumps. For smaller lumps, use a spoon. You’re aiming for a beautifully textured, loose herb salt.

Step 7: Store in Jars

Transfer your finished Tuscan Herbed Sea Salt into airtight jars. It’s now ready to use or gift!

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More inexpensive DIY hostess gifts

Looking for other food gifting recipes like this? Try these: