The Secret Weapon for Your Pantry: Toasted Sesame & Herb Seasoning Salt

If there is one thing that can instantly elevate a boring weeknight dinner, it’s a good finishing salt. While I love a classic flake salt, lately I’ve been reaching for something with a little more crunch and a lot more nuttiness.

Meet my Toasted Sesame & Herb Seasoning.

Think of this as a Western spin on Gomashio (a traditional Japanese sesame salt). While it keeps that classic nutty base, the addition of paprika, black pepper, and chives moves it into a savory, all-purpose territory that tastes good on just about everything.

It’s savory, aromatic, slightly smoky from the paprika, and has that undeniable "umami" quality from the toasted seeds. Best of all? It takes less than 15 minutes to make and lasts for months.

Why You’ll Love This Blend

• Flavor Bomb: The toasting process releases the natural oils in the sesame seeds, making them incredibly fragrant.
• Texture: It adds a delightful sandy crunch to soft foods like avocados or rice.
• Low Effort, High Reward: You only need a skillet and a blender.
• Giftable: Since this recipe yields a generous 11 ounces, it is perfect for bottling up in cute jars and giving to friends.

5 Ways to Use Sesame Seasoning

Once you have a jar of this in your pantry, you’ll find yourself sprinkling it on everything. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use it:

1. Avocado Toast: Skip the plain salt and pepper; a generous dusting of this adds texture and a nutty depth that pairs perfectly with creamy avocado.
2. Rice Bowls: Sprinkle it over steaming white rice or quinoa for an instant flavor boost.
3. Popcorn: Toss freshly popped popcorn with a little melted butter and a few tablespoons of this blend for a movie night snack that is addictive.
4. Roasted Vegetables: It is fantastic on broccoli, asparagus, or roasted sweet potatoes.
5. Bread Dipper: Mix a tablespoon of the seasoning into a small bowl of high-quality olive oil for dipping crusty bread.

Tips for Success

Watch the Heat Sesame seeds can go from "perfectly golden" to "burnt" very quickly. When toasting them in the skillet, do not walk away. Keep the seeds moving constantly. You are looking for a light golden brown color and a nutty aroma.

Use Dried Herbs Because this recipe is designed to be shelf-stable for up to 6 months, please ensure you use dried chives. Fresh chives contain moisture, which will cause the mixture to spoil or clump if stored at room temperature.

Don't Over-Blend When you move the mixture to the blender, use short pulses. You want a coarse, sandy texture. If you blend it too long, the oils in the seeds will release too much, and you’ll end up with a salty sesame paste (tahini) instead of a sprinkle.

Toasted Sesame & Herb Seasoning

• Prep time: 5 mins
• Cook time: 10 mins
• Yields: Approx. 11 ounces

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup sea salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried chives, chopped

Instructions

1. Toast the Seeds: Place the sesame seeds in a large dry skillet (do not add oil) over medium heat. Cook and stir constantly until the seeds are light brown and fragrant.
2. Add Salt: Stir in the sea salt and continue to cook for 5 minutes more, still stirring constantly to prevent burning.
3. Cool: Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool completely.
4. Blend: Transfer the cooled sesame seed mixture to a blender. Add the paprika, pepper, and dried chives.
5. Pulse: Whirl or pulse for about 1 minute, or until the mixture is finely ground but still loose.
6. Store: Pour into an airtight jar or container. Store in a cool, dry pantry for up to 6 months.