SO MANY Cooking Salts: The One to Use

Let’s talk about something we all use in the kitchen but might not give much thought to: salt. It’s not just the regular table salt – there’s a whole bunch of them out there. From humble table salt to exotic pink Himalayan salt, each type has unique flavors and textures. So which one should you use?

In this article, I’ll cover all of the different salts, their tastes, textures, where they come from, and which one (or two) every cook should stock in their kitchen!

There’s a lot to consider, so let’s get started!

Types of cooking salts

Here’s a quick overview of the different types of salts and what they’re best used for (I’ll go into more detail and show pictures below):

Table salt:

• Fine texture, easy to overpour in recipes.
• Best for: Everyday use, seasoning pasta water, sprinkling over popcorn.

Kosher salt:

• Larger, flakier crystals, less salty by volume compared to table salt.
• Best for: General cooking, seasoning meats.

Sea salt:

• Coarse for finishing salads, grilled vegetables, and meats.
• Finer varieties for baking and general cooking.
• Best for: Various textures and colors, adds briny flavor and crunch.

Pickling salt:

• Best for: Pickling, free from additives, fine grains for clear brines.

Pink Himalayan salt:

• Distinct pink hue from mineral content.
• Use for grilled meats or finishing chocolate desserts.
• Best for: Cooking and finishing dishes.

Red Hawaiian salt:

• Vibrant red color from volcanic clay, slightly earthy taste.
• Best for: Seasoning seafood and grilled dishes.

Black salt:

• Sulfurous aroma, used to add an egg-like flavor.
• Best for: Indian cuisine, chaats, chutneys, vegan dishes.

Salt flakes:

• Thin, delicate crystals, ideal for salads, desserts, and grilled meats.
• Best for: Finishing dishes where a subtle crunch is desired.

Celtic grey sea salt (sel gris):

• Moist and unrefined, with a complex mineral profile.
• Coarse texture suitable for salt crusts on baked dishes.
• Best for: Enhancing natural flavors of vegetables, meats, and stews.

Fleur de sel:

• Harvested from salt pans, delicate and slightly moist.
• Cherished for its subtle crunch and nuanced flavor.
• Best for: Finishing salt on salads, grilled meats, or chocolate-covered caramels.

Truffle salt:

• Infused with the earthy aroma of truffles.
• Use sparingly on popcorn, fries, scrambled eggs, or pasta.
• Best for: Gourmet dishes, elevating flavor.

Smoked salt:

• Infused with real smoke, adds a rich, smoky flavor.
• Best for: BBQ lovers, grilled meats, rubs, soups, stews, roasted vegetables.

12 types of cooking salts

1. Table salt

Let’s start with the most common one – table salt. This fine-grained salt is perfect for everyday use, from seasoning your pasta water to sprinkling over your popcorn. However, due to its fine texture, be mindful when using it in recipes that call for a specific measurement of salt, as it can be easy to overpour!

2. Kosher salt

Known for its larger, flakier crystals, kosher salt is excellent for general cooking. It dissolves easily and is often used for seasoning meats, as its larger crystals adhere well to the surface. Keep in mind that kosher salt is less salty by volume compared to table salt, so adjust quantities accordingly.

3. Sea salt

Harvested from evaporated seawater, sea salt comes in various textures and colors. It adds a briny flavor and a delightful crunch to dishes. Use coarse sea salt for finishing touches on salads, grilled vegetables, and meats, while finer varieties are great for baking and general cooking.

4. Pickling salt

This salt is free from additives like iodine or anti-caking agents, making it ideal for pickling. Its fine grains dissolve easily in brines, ensuring a clear solution and preserving the crisp texture of pickled vegetables.

5. Pink Himalayan salt

Mined from ancient sea beds, pink Himalayan salt boasts a distinct pink hue due to its mineral content. It’s perfect for both cooking and finishing dishes. Use it to impart a subtle mineral flavor to grilled meats or as a finishing touch on chocolate desserts.

6. Red Hawaiian salt

This vibrant salt gets its color from volcanic clay. With a slightly earthy taste, it’s excellent for seasoning seafood and grilled dishes. The striking red hue also makes it an attractive finishing salt.

7. Black salt

Also known as kala namak, this salt has a sulfurous aroma and is popular in Indian cuisine. It’s often used in chaats, chutneys, and vegan dishes to add an egg-like flavor. Sprinkle a pinch on fruit salads for a unique twist.

8. Salt flakes

With its thin, delicate crystals, flake salt is perfect for finishing dishes where a subtle crunch is desired. Sprinkle it over salads, desserts, or even a perfectly cooked steak just before serving to add a burst of texture.

9. Celtic grey sea salt (sel gris)

Harvested from the Brittany coast, sel gris is moist and unrefined, with a complex mineral profile. Use it to enhance the natural flavors of vegetables, meats, and hearty stews. Its coarse texture makes it a great choice for salt crusts on baked dishes.

10. Fleur de Sel

Harvested from the surface of salt pans, fleur de sel is considered the “flower of salt.” Delicate and slightly moist, it’s perfect as a finishing salt on salads, grilled meats, or even on chocolate-covered caramels. Cherish it for its subtle crunch and nuanced flavor.

11. Truffle salt

Infused with the earthy aroma of truffles, this salt is a gourmet delight. Use it sparingly to enhance the flavor of popcorn, fries, scrambled eggs, or pasta dishes. It adds a touch of luxury to your everyday meals.

12. Smoked salt

Infused with real smoke, this salt is a game-changer for BBQ lovers. Sprinkle it on grilled meats or use it in rubs for a rich, smoky flavor. It also elevates the taste of soups, stews, and roasted vegetables.

My picks for general cooking

While the variety of salts is impressive, for everyday cooking, I recommend keeping both kosher salt and sea salt in your pantry. The versatile nature of kosher salt makes it perfect for cooking and seasoning, while sea salt, with its range of textures, is ideal for finishing touches. Together, they cover a broad spectrum of culinary applications, ensuring you’re well-equipped for any recipe that comes your way!

Experiment with other salts for special occasions or to add a unique twist to your dishes. After all, cooking is an adventure, and the right salt can be your secret ingredient!

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