DIY Vanilla Salt – How to make Vanilla salt at home

Vanilla salt is a simple pantry staple made with salt and real vanilla bean. Sprinkle it on desserts, veggies, or cocktails for a sweet-savory twist.

Made with real vanilla bean, this vanilla salt is perfect for sprinkling over cookies, roasted nuts, grilled vegetables, or even cocktails.

Nowadays, with treats like salted caramel, salted chocolate cookies, and maple candied bacon, people have discovered that sweet and salty is a winning combination.

This homemade vanilla salt takes that beloved sweet-and-salty balance to the next level, adding a touch of gourmet flavor to everyday dishes. With just two ingredients, it’s easy to make, lasts for weeks in your pantry, and makes a thoughtful edible gift too.

What is Vanilla Salt?

At its core, vanilla salt is just salt infused with vanilla beans. But the magic is in the details: you can choose coarse sea salt for crunch, fleur de sel for a delicate finish, or even plain kosher salt if that’s what you have on hand. The vanilla comes from the beans — the seeds inside, and often the husks too. Over time, the salt soaks up the aroma, leaving you with a jar that smells as good as it tastes.

Ingredients I will need

To make this recipe, you only need two ingredients:

Salt

You can choose sea salt, kosher salt, fleur de sel, or even Maldon for a gourmet flake. Each type of salt offers a slightly different texture and taste.

Vanilla bean

Both fresh and dried beans work, but fresh beans give a more substantial infusion. Unlike homemade vanilla sugar, which can turn sticky with fresh beans, salt absorbs the moisture and even helps dry out the seeds, making plump beans the best choice here.

You can also use the bean pod (husk) after scraping out the seeds. Tucking the pod into the jar allows the salt to keep infusing over time. If you’ve made custards or homemade vanilla extract, don’t throw away those used vanilla beans, they’re perfect for this recipe.

Optional: Add a few drops of vanilla extract if you don’t have enough beans, or experiment with origins such as Madagascar vanilla beans for deep, creamy notes.

Easy Homemade Vanilla Salt Recipe

Making homemade vanilla salt is incredibly simple. Just follow these steps:

First step: Scrape the Vanilla Bean

Take one whole vanilla bean pod, slice it open lengthwise, and scrape out the seeds using the back of a knife. Place the seeds into a mixing bowl.

Second step: Combine it with salt

Measure out 1 cup of salt and add it to the bowl. Mix the vanilla seeds into the salt, gently massaging the vanilla so the flavor distributes evenly throughout the salt.

Third step: Infuse with the Pod

Cut the empty bean pod into small pieces and stir them into the mixture. The pod will continue to infuse subtle notes of vanilla over time.

Fourth step: Store in a Jar

Transfer the mixture into an airtight container or small jars. Let the salt rest for a few weeks before using if you’d like a stronger aroma, though it can also be enjoyed right away.

How to use Vanilla Salt

There are endless ways to use vanilla salt. 

Imagine adding a gourmet twist to baked goods like cookies, brownies, or freshly baked chocolate chip cookies with a sprinkle of salt.

Enhance roasted nuts, grilled vegetables, or even maple candied bacon for a surprising sweet and savory contrast.

Add depth to desserts like caramel sauce, puddings, or ice creams.

Brighten up cocktails like margaritas, espresso martinis, or even hot chocolate when used as a vanilla sea salt rim.

Because vanilla beans are expensive, using them in salt stretches their life, especially if you add used vanilla beans from making custard, pudding, or homemade vanilla extract.

Tips to make Vanilla Bean Salt

Scrape carefully – those tiny seeds are gold; don’t leave them behind.

Massage the salt – using your hands helps spread the vanilla aroma better than a spoon.

Pick the right salt – coarse salt works for finishing, finer salt blends into doughs and batters.

Store airtight – glass jars keep the flavor locked in.

Be patient – the longer it sits, the more pronounced the vanilla gets.

Why Make Vanilla Salt at Home?

Buying a small jar at a specialty shop can cost a fortune. Making it at home takes minutes, and you control the type of salt and strength of flavor. Plus, it lasts practically forever in the pantry and doubles as a thoughtful homemade gift.

Other edible gifts with vanila pods to try

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does vanilla salt last?

When stored properly in an airtight container, vanilla salt lasts almost indefinitely. The flavor deepens over time, so it often gets better as it sits.

Can I use vanilla extract instead of beans?

Yes, but with caution. Too much liquid can clump the salt. Instead, make a batch with mostly vanilla bean and add just a few drops of vanilla extract if needed.

Do I need fancy salt?

Not at all. While fleur de sel or Maldon make a pretty flavorful salt for finishing, even kosher or table salt works well. The beauty is in the infusion, not just the type of salt.