Home » Condiment Recipes

My Go-To Spicy Salt Recipe

ByKristen Wood Last updated

No ratings yet

This post may contain affiliate links which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Skip to Recipe Pin Jump to Video

If you love a little heat, my homemade spicy fire salt deserves a spot in your spice cabinet. Made with coarse kosher salt, dried chiles, citrus peel, herbs, and warming spices, it adds smoky, spicy flavor to everything from roasted vegetables and soups to popcorn and avocado toast!

A glass jar filled with spicy salt sits on a brown surface, surrounded by dried red chili peppers, with a spoonful of the chili salt nearby.
This homemade fire salt is one of the seasonings I reach for most often. A small sprinkle adds smoky heat, bright citrus notes, and plenty of flavor to everyday meals.

A Note From Kristen

I created this spicy salt blend because I wanted an easy way to add a punch of flavor and heat to everyday meals. I often tweak the blend based on the dried chiles and spices I have in the pantry, which makes every batch a little unique. It’s one of those seasonings I reach for constantly, and you’ll almost always find a jar tucked away in my kitchen. Fellow heat lovers, this one’s for you. Enjoy!
~Kristen

A glass jar filled with spicy salt sits on a brown surface, surrounded by dried chili peppers, with a spoonful of the spicy salt nearby.

Key Ingredient Notes

A few quick notes on the ingredients that matter most. Find the full ingredient list and instructions in the recipe card below.

  • Coarse Kosher Salt: Substitute with coarse sea salt if needed to maintain a similar texture. Don’t use fine salt, as it might clump and when blended will turn into more of a powder than a nice finishing salt.
  • Dried Chiles (Cayenne, Thai, Guajillo): Use varying amounts depending on your flavor preference or spice level tolerance. This is a flexible recipe!
  • Grapefruit Peel: Dried lemon or orange peels are good options, too.
A glass jar filled with spicy salt sits open on a brown surface, surrounded by dried chili pieces, with a spoonful of the salt nearby.

How to Make Chili Salt

01

COMBINE INGREDIENTS

Place the salt, dried chiles, grapefruit peel, herbs, and spices in a blender or food processor.

A close-up of various dried herbs and spices, including chili peppers, rosemary, chopped ginger, and spicy salt, inside a transparent container.

02

PULSE OR BLEND

Pulse until the chiles and seasonings are finely chopped and evenly mixed into the salt. Leave some texture rather than blending to a powder.

Ground dry ingredients and spicy salt in a blender, forming a coarse mixture with visible small pieces and specks of various colors.

03

STORE OR USE

Transfer to an airtight jar or spice container. Enjoy wherever you need a little extra heat and flavor!

A glass jar of spicy salt sits open on a reddish surface, with a spoonful of the mixture nearby and dried chili peppers scattered around.

Flavor Variations

One of my favorite things about this fire salt is how easy it is to customize! For a milder blend, use extra guajillo chile and reduce the Thai chiles. If you prefer more heat, add another Thai chile.

You can also adjust the flavor profile by playing with the aromatics. Add more grapefruit peel for a brighter citrus note, increase the rosemary for a more herbaceous finish, or add a little extra ginger for warmth. No matter how you tweak it, you’ll end up with a flavorful seasoning blend that’s uniquely your own!

A glass jar of spicy salt blend sits on a brown surface next to a spoonful of the mix and several dried red chili peppers scattered around.

Ways to Use Fire Salt

  • Sprinkle it over roasted potatoes, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes.
  • Toss it with grilled corn on the cob.
  • Finish avocado toast with a pinch.
  • Sprinkle a little inside a quesadilla or over a fresh batch of nachos.
  • Mix it into olive oil and drizzle over fresh tomatoes.
  • Add it to scrambled eggs, sautéed mushrooms, tofu, or roasted chickpeas.
  • Sprinkle it over freshly popped popcorn.
  • Use it to rim margaritas or citrusy mocktails.
  • Finish soups, grain bowls, tacos, or salads with a little extra heat.
A spoon filled with spicy salt rests on a reddish surface, surrounded by scattered dried chili pieces and salt.

Salt Like a Pro

  • Lightly toast the dried chiles before blending for a deeper, smokier flavor.
  • Pulse in short bursts and stop while the mixture still has some texture. This fire salt is best with a little crunch.
  • Store in an airtight container away from heat and sunlight to preserve its flavor.
A spoonful of spicy salt on a reddish surface, surrounded by dried chili pieces, with an open jar of chili salt nearby.

More Tasty Seasonings To Try

A glass jar filled with spicy salt sits on a brown surface, surrounded by dried red chili peppers, with a spoonful of the chili salt nearby.

Homemade Spicy Chili Salt Recipe

Author: Kristen Wood
1kcal
No ratings yet
Print
Share Remove Ads
Prep 5 minutes
Cook 0 minutes
Total 5 minutes
This spicy chili salt recipe combines smoky salt, dried chiles, citrus peel, herbs, and spices into a flavorful seasoning blend that's easy to make and even easier to use. Keep a jar on hand to add heat, crunch, and bold flavor to vegetables, eggs, popcorn, and your favorite savory dishes!
Servings 48 servings
Course Condiments
Cuisine Fusion
Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Add as a Preferred Source on Google

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup coarse kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons smoked salt
  • 2 dried cayenne chiles stemmed
  • 2 dried Thai chiles stemmed
  • 1 dried guajillo chile stemmed
  • 1 tablespoon Aleppo pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon dried grapefruit peel
  • 1 tablespoon dried lemongrass
  • 2 teaspoons dried ginger root
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary

Method

  1. In a blender or food processor, add the course salt, smoked salt, dried chiles, pepper flakes, grapefruit peel, lemongrass, ginger and rosemary.
    A close-up of various dried herbs and spices, including chili peppers, rosemary, chopped ginger, and spicy salt, inside a transparent container.
  2. Pulse or blend in short bursts until the chiles and aromatics are finely ground and the salt is evenly mixed. Aim for a textured finish, not a fine powder.
    Ground dry ingredients and spicy salt in a blender, forming a coarse mixture with visible small pieces and specks of various colors.
  3. Transfer the fire salt to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and store in a cool, dark place for up to 4 months. Enjoy!
    A metal spoon with spicy salt rests on top of chopped dried red chili peppers, with some salt and seeds scattered on a brown surface.

Notes

Storage
Store the salt in an airtight container and keep it in a cool, dark place for up to 4 months. Keep the container away from any heat or light sources, as they might affect its color and potency. 
Join Our Free Community! ➜

Nutrition

Serving1teaspoonCalories1kcalCarbohydrates0.2gProtein0.04gFat0.03gSaturated Fat0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat0.02gMonounsaturated Fat0.01gSodium2062mgPotassium7mgFiber0.1gSugar0.04gVitamin A59IUVitamin C0.5mgCalcium2mgIron0.1mg

Nutritional information is automatically calculated using a third-party calculator and is an estimate only.

Have You Tried This Recipe?

Rate and comment below to let us know how it was!

Kristen is a writer, photographer, recipe developer, and certified functional nutrition expert. She is also the author of Fermented Hot Sauce Cookbook, Vegetarian Family Cookbook, and Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners. Her work has been featured in various print and online publications including Elle, NBC, Chicago Sun-Times, Martha Stewart, MSN, New York Daily News, Healthline, and many more. Kristen is also a syndicated writer for The Associated Press.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating