This recipe for homemade lime salt is quick and easy, and when stored properly, it can last for months! It’s made from coarse sea salt and lime zest, and it comes together in a matter of minutes.
When I was making some fresh margaritas, I wanted to give the cocktail glasses an extra special garnish. Regular salt just wouldn’t cut it, so this lime salt was born! This is a fun seasoning to use as a garnish for any cocktail with lime juice, because it adds both color and flavor to your glassware. But the bonus? You can also use this in your cooking and baking! Use it in a homemade taco seasoning mix or to season your favorite protein for taco night, or use it in dessert recipes that have lime juice to boost the lime flavor.
why this lime salt recipe works:
☀️ bright. Salt allows flavor to shine, and the addition of fresh lime zest brings another layer of flavor that is perfect for highlighting any dish.
♻️ versatile. Use it however you use salt, in any recipe you wish! It works especially well in taco recipes and as a garnish on margarita glasses!
⏱️ quick. Make your own homemade seasoning in less than an hour, from start to finish, with most of the time being hands-off!
🛒 ingredients
See the recipe card for the exact quantities.
🍳 instructions
Step 1: Wash and dry two whole limes. Grate each lime with a microplane grater, being careful only to get the zest, not the white part (the pith). You’ll get about one heaping tablespoon of lime zest.
Step 2: Pour 1/2 cup of flaky sea salt onto the pan with the lime zest. I like to use Maldon brand sea salt. It’s extra flaky, which means it’s a great finishing salt or perfect for rimming a cocktail glass.
Step 3: Mix the lime zest and the salt together on your baking pan, really rubbing together all the salt and zest. Don’t worry about breaking up the crystals of the salt!
Step 4: Bake in the oven at 200º F for 25 – 30 minutes, until the lime zest is completely dried out. Allow the mix to cool, and store it in an airtight container once it’s completely cooled.
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💡tips & tricks for getting it right
🍽️ serving tips
- margaritas – instead of rimming your glasses with regular salt, use this lime salt! It’s especially good when used with spicy margaritas, or not-so-spicy margaritas!
- popcorn – sprinkle this lime salt over your popcorn with a bit of ground cumin, garlic, and oregano for the perfect “taco-inspired” popcorn!
- taco seasoning – this lime salt is my secret weapon in my homemade taco seasoning recipe! It adds a burst of flavor and intrigue that is so special!
ℹ️ troubleshooting tips
- avoid the pith – Be careful only to zest the outer peel of the lime, taking care not to get the pith (the white part) of the lime. The pith can be bitter, which will negatively impact your finished salt.
- flakier salt is best – salt with big flakes, like Maldon sea salt, is best for making homemade salt seasoning because the large flakes can absorb flavor easier than fine-grained salt.
🔆 top tip
If you want a more incorporated lime salt, pulse the lime zest and salt in a food processor for a few seconds to really blend the two together! You can do this before or after baking!
♻️ substitutions & variations
Missing an ingredient? No problem. Check out these tried-and-true substitutions, or comment below with your question. I’m here to help you troubleshoot!
- kosher salt – you can use kosher salt in this recipe instead of sea salt, but I would not recommend using regular table salt.
- other citrus – you can make this salt using whatever citrus you have on hand. Lemons and oranges would work well in this recipe!
- smoked salt – using smoked Maldon sea salt gives this lime salt a smokey flavor perfect for bbq season!
- add sugar – adding 1/2 cup of sugar will give you a sweet, salty and zesty blend of flavors!
🧰 equipment needed & storage tips
🧰 tools needed
🫙 storage tips
Store your homemade lime salt in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months. Technically, it can last even longer, but the flavor will start to lessen in intensity after 3-6 months.
💬 q+a
Can I use table salt to make this lime salt?
I recommend using either kosher salt or sea salt. Table salt contains other ingredients besides just salt, like anti-caking agents, which means your salt isn’t as salty, or you’ll have to use more of it to get the right saltiness. You can use coarse or fine salt for this recipe.
How do I know when the lime salt is done baking?
The lime salt is done when it loses a bit of color and appears dried out, or shriveled up. Be sure to keep an eye on the temperature of your oven, and don’t go much higher than 200º F. If your oven doesn’t go that low in temperature, leave your oven door cracked open a bit at the lowest temperature it will go to.
If you make this recipe, please leave a review in the comments and a star rating!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Homemade Lime Salt (Lime Zest Salt for Garnishing & Seasoning)
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Equipment
- 1 microplane zester grater
- 1 quarter sheet baking pan
- 1 airtight storage container
Ingredients
- 2 whole limes washed and dried
- ½ cup flaky sea salt Maldon brand
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200º F.
- Wash and dry your limes, then using a Microplane grater, zest both limes. You should have about 1 heaping tablespoon of zest.
- Line a quarter sheet baking pan with parchment paper.
- Pour 1/2 cup of Maldon flaky sea salt onto the baking pan, and then add in the lime zest. Mix well to distribute the zest evenly.
- Bake on a baking sheet for 20 – 30 minutes, just until the zest is dehydrated and dried out.
- Remove from the oven and allow the salt mix to fully cool before transferring to an airtight container for storage.
- Store for up to six months.
Notes
Nutrition Information
The information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition facts calculator and actual nutrition facts may vary.
