This vegan Smoked Sea Salt Popcorn recipe was inspired by the bacon-flavored popcorn at one of my favorite Atlanta restaurants.
In the spirit of Halloween, this month’s recipe redux theme is spooky spices. You know – the herbs you bought and used once or those jars of obscure spices you somehow acquired but just can’t seem to part ways with? I’m sure you can relate.
When I saw the theme I checked to see which spices were lurking in the dark corners of my pantry. Because I recently cleaned and reorganized the pantry, there weren’t many extra spices hanging out in there. I did find a few that I purchased with good intentions yet never cracked the seal. One of which was this Smoked Sea Salt from Trader Joe’s.
I thought… what better time than now to crack that seal? I started thinking about all things smoky which naturally led me to bacon. And those thoughts of bacon led me to the popcorn at The Shed at Glenwood. Instead of the usual pre-meal bread and butter, the folks at The Shed serve up little bowls of smoky and slightly addictive bacon-flavored popcorn. And that’s what inspired this recipe.
Popcorn is one of my favorite snacks. There are few things better than salt on hot popcorn… except maybe this smoked salt, olive oil and Italian herb mixture on hot popcorn. Check out the easy recipe below…
Smoked Sea Salt Popcorn
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil + 2 T olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 ½ t Italian herb seasoning
- ⅓ cup unpopped white popcorn
- ½ t smoked salt finely ground
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine ¼ cup olive oil, crushed garlic cloves and Italian seasoning. Heat over medium heat just until the garlic is fragrant, not browned. Remove the garlic from the pot and briefly set aside.
- For the stovetop popcorn, follow the package instructions or do what I did:
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and ⅓ cup unpopped popcorn kernels to a large, heavy-bottom pot. Cover and turn the heat to medium-high. Listen. As the kernels pop, shake the pot to make sure all kernels are heated. Periodically open the lid to allow steam to escape (away from you). Once the popping slows down, remove the pot from the heat and remove the lid.
- Add the popcorn to a large bowl. Drizzle the hot popcorn with the warm olive oil and herb mixture. Sprinkle with the smoked salt, toss and serve immediately.
Notes
Final verdict on TJ’s Smoked Sea Salt? Ehhh… I liked it but I wanted a more pronounced smoky flavor. Next time, I will try one with a bolder flavor… maybe a hickory smoked salt.
Check out the recipes below to see what the other Recipe Reduxers brewed up with their “spooky” spices this month.
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Elizabeth @ Eating Local in the Lou
Ive seen this smoky sea salt at TJs but haven’t pulled the trigger to buy it. I think I might give your popcorn a try!
Min
Good for you for cleaning up your spice drawer! Now onto restocking hehe that’s the best part, I think. I’m getting ready to do my annual replenishing myself ;). I’ve never purchased smoked sea salt before, but it is def on my radar now thanks to you! Now if I can only pop some popcorn, sit back, and watch movies all day long…wishful thinking.
Marisa
I know. Feet up, watching movies… I long for that day!
I am now excited to try other smoked salts. Adds such a unique flavor.
Katie @ Mom's Kitchen Handbook
Love smoked salt! Never thoughut about using it on my popcorn, but now I will. Thanks for the inspiration. P.S. We met in the press room at FNCE, I believe. Nice to find your blog!
Marisa
Hi Katie, Glad to inspire! Thanks for stopping by!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens
I’ve never made my own popcorn before but would love to try. Love how simple you kept it1
Marisa
Stovetop popcorn is so incredibly easy. And the aroma in the house makes it totally worth the effort! Hope you love it!
Deanna Segrave-Daly
Stop the presses – I have FIND this at my Trader Joes – smoked + salt = heaven to this girl!
Marisa
I’ve been on a little smoked salt kick since this recipe… I won’t say it tastes better than bacon in my Brussels sprouts recipe but it adds a really nice flavor.