Ah, smoked salt. That beautiful, salty, smoky flavor that can make any dish taste better. When combined with the right ingredients, smoked salt can elevate any dish to new heights.
From grilled meats to vegetables, a scrumptious smoked salt recipe can add a depth of flavor that is simply unparalleled. And best of all, it’s easy to make at home with a pellet smoker. Or, more specifically, a Z Grills 11002B wifi pellet smoker. This bad boy is an absolute workhorse and perfect for getting nitty-gritty with your smoke salt game.
If you’re ready to take your dishes to the next level, read on for a super simple step-by-step guide on how to smoke salt with a pellet smoker. Anyone can do it, and we guarantee you’ll be impressed with the results.
Table of Contents
What is smoked salt?
Smoked salt is, quite simply, salt that has been smoked. This can be done with a variety of different smoking woods, but the most common are hickory and oak.
The process of smoking salt is relatively simple. First, the salt is placed in the smoker, and smoke from the wood pellets is used to flavor the salt. The longer the salt is smoked, the more intense the flavor will be.
Smoked salt can be used in a variety of different ways. It’s commonly used as a finishing salt, meaning it’s added to dishes at the end of cooking to boost flavor. However, it can also be used in rubs for meats, as well as in soups, stews, and sauces.
Best types of salt to smoke
The type of salt you use for smoking is really up to you. However, we recommend using a flake salt or a coarse salt for best results. Our favorite is Maldon sea salt, but you can really use any type of salt you have on hand. Just ensure that it’s a good quality salt, as the flavor will be amplified once it’s smoked.
Best wood pellet for smoked salt
As we mentioned briefly before, the type of wood you use to smoke your salt will have a significant impact on the flavor. The most common woods used for smoking are hickory and oak. However, feel free to experiment with different kinds of wood until you find a flavor that you like best.
At Z Grills, we have a wide selection of wood pellets to choose from, so you’re sure to find the perfect one for your smoked salt recipe. From Oak, Competition Blend, Hickory, Fruitwood, Apple, and Cherry, the world of wood pellets is your oyster.
How to smoke salt at home?
Now that we’ve gone over the basics, it’s time to get down to business and learn how to smoke salt! The below recipe is simple, but yields amazing results.
Set up for the ultimate smoked salt experience
First things first, you’ll need to set up your pellet smoker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Then, once it’s all set up and ready to go, add your chosen wood pellets to the hopper.
If you’re a proud Z Grills 11002B pellet smoker owner, turn on your smoke setting. This should keep your temperature under 200 degrees Fahrenheit, which is key for smoking salt. If you’re not using a Z Grills smoker, no worries. Just ensure that your temperature is set to 200 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the smoking process.
Hang tight for about 15 minutes to let the smoke build up before adding your salt. This will ensure that your smoked salt has a nice, deep flavor.
Add a thin layer of smoked salt to the bottom of a tin
Once your smoker is all set up and smoking, it’s time to add your salt. Carefully add a thin layer of salt to the bottom of a baking tin or casserole dish. You don’t want the salt to be too thick, as this will make it difficult to smoke evenly. Plus, a thinner layer will ensure that the salt absorbs more of the smoke flavor.
If your pit does not add lots of smoke, add a smoke tube
If you find that your pellet smoker isn’t creating a lot of smoke, don’t worry. This is perfectly normal, and can be easily remedied by adding a smoke tube.
Smoke tubes are filled with wood pellets and help to create more smoke in the smoker. Simply place the tube on the grates of your pellet smoker and let it do its thing.
Smoke salt on a low setting for 1 1/2 Hours
Place your dish of salt in the smoker and leave it to smoke on a low setting for about an hour and a half.
At 1 1/2 hours, mix smoked salt and spritz
After the time has elapsed, remove the dish of salt from the smoker and give it a good mix. This will assist in distributing the smoke flavor evenly.
Next, spritz the salt with water using a spray bottle. This will help to create little pockets of moisture in the salt, which will absorb even more smoke flavor. Just be careful not to add too much, as you don’t want your salt to be too wet and dissolve.
You can also add a little extra unsmoked salt to the mix, just to check for any color changes.
While you have it, go ahead and give the salt a little bit of a mix so that all of the pieces are evenly smoked. Then, put the tray back in for 1 – 1 1/2 hours.
Raise the temperature to 275f and smoke salt until you reach the desired brownness and smokiness
Once you’re happy with the flavor of your smoked salt, it’s time to raise the temperature of your pellet smoker to 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
Leave the salt in the smoker until it reaches the desired level of brownness and smokiness. This can take anywhere from 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the unforgettable smell of smoked salt as it turns into something truly special.
Once you’ve reached the desired level of brownness and smokiness, it’s time to take your smoked salt out of the smoker. Transfer it to a clean, dry container and store it in a cool, dark place. Your smoked salt will be good for up to six months, although we doubt it will last that long -it’s too delicious!
How long to smoke salt
Smoking salt isn’t an exact science, and the smoking time will vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type of salt you’re using, the temperature of your smoker, and how much smoke you want your salt to have.
That being said, we’ve found that a good rule of thumb is to smoke salt for about four hours. This will give it a nice, smoky flavor that isn’t too overwhelming. Of course, you can smoke it for less or more time, depending on your preferences.
Just remember, the longer you smoke and spritz and mix, the more smoke flavor your salt will have. So, if you want a stronger flavor, simply smoke it for longer. If you want a more subtle flavor, smoke it for less time. It really is such a simple smoked salt recipe!
Storing your smoked salt
As we mentioned before, your smoked salt will be good for up to six months. Just be sure to store it in a cool, dark place in an airtight container. We like using mason jars, but any type of jar or container with a lid will work just fine.
What do you use smoked salt for?
From adding a smoky flavor to meats and vegetables to using it as a seasoning for popcorn, the possibilities are endless when it comes to smoked salt. We love using it in grilled vegetables, on roasted chicken, and even in butternut squash.
Basically, if you can think of it, smoked salt will probably make it taste even better. Check out the below recipes for some smoked salt inspiration.
The Conclusion
Alas, we have reached the end of our smoked salt tutorial. We hope you enjoyed it and that you now feel confident enough to smoke your own salt at home. It really is such a fun and easy process, and the results are absolutely delicious.
If you’re using a Z Grills 11002B pellet grill, then you’re in for a real treat. If you’re not, then we suggest you check out our amazing selection of pellet grills. From the budget-friendly 7002C2E pellet grill to the top-of-the-line 11002B Wi-Fi pellet grill, we’ve got a pellet grill for everyone.
If you’re looking for a new grill, Z Grills is the ideal choice for your first wood pellet grill. We’re a grill manufacturer with over 30 years of experience within the industry. With over 650,000 pellet grills sold and 85 million cooks made.
We hope you have enjoyed this blog post on how to make smoked salt. Be sure to let us know how your smoked salt turns out in the comments below!
Could you please explain “your smoked salt will be good for up to six months”? Does it just lose its flavor? Salt, by itself, lasts forever. Thanks.