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salt

CondimentsYear-round

Salt provides essential sodium and chloride minerals critical for nerve transmission, muscle contraction, and electrolyte balance, though dietary moderation is recommended due to health associations with excessive sodium intake.

About

Salt is a naturally occurring mineral compound composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl), essential for human physiological function and one of the oldest food preservation and flavoring agents known to civilization. Extracted through evaporation of seawater, mineral deposits, or underground salt mines, salt exists in multiple crystalline forms ranging from fine powder to large mineral nuggets. The main types include sea salt, rock salt (halite), kosher salt, and specialty salts such as Himalayan pink salt and fleur de sel, each with distinct grain sizes, mineral compositions, and textural properties that influence their culinary applications.

Culinary Uses

Salt serves as the primary flavor enhancer and seasoning across virtually all culinary traditions, enhancing natural flavors, suppressing bitterness, and balancing sweetness. Beyond its seasoning role, salt functions as a critical preservative through curing, brining, and dry-salting techniques in charcuterie, seafood preservation, and fermented foods. In baking and cooking, salt regulates gluten development, controls fermentation rates, and aids texture formation in breads, pastas, and cured meats. Different salt varieties—coarse kosher salt for finishing, fleur de sel for delicate garnish, and fine sea salt for baking—provide textural variation and mineral complexity to refined preparations.

Used In

Recipes Using salt (6,202)

RCI-SW.004.0031.001

Island Ceviche Tacos

Island Ceviche Tacos from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0494.001

Island Chicken and Rice

Makes 6 servings.

RCI-MT.004.0495.001

Islander Chicken and Rice

Makes 6 servings.

RCI-SC.005.0079.001

Island Salsa Salad

Caribbean cuisine

RCI-SC.007.0171.001

Island Sun Lava Sauce

Island Sun Lava Sauce from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0130.001

Israeli Bagels

Israeli Bagels from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0287.001

Israeli Banana Nut Cake

Israeli Banana Nut Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0245.001

Israeli Doughnuts

Israeli Doughnuts from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0318.001

Israeli Eggplant Salad

Serves 4.

RCI-SF.001.0201.001

Israeli Fried Fish

Israeli Fried Fish from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0246.001

Israeli Honey Orange Muffins

Israeli Honey Orange Muffins from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0319.001

Israeli Marinated Raw Vegetable Salad

Israeli Marinated Raw Vegetable Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.002.0066.001

Israeli Potato Salad

Israeli Potato Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0320.001

Israeli salad

Israeli salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0321.001

Israeli Salad

Serves 6 – 8.

RCI-BR.004.0288.001

Israeli Spice Cake

Israeli Spice Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.001.0230.001

Israeli Techina

Israeli Techina from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0289.001

Israeli Wine Nut Cake

Israeli Wine Nut Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0131.001

Italian Bread

=Italian Bread=

RCI-SP.003.0344.001

Italian Chicken Soup

This satisfying soup gets its Italian flair from fennel, thyme, basil and orzo pasta. If you don't start with a low-sodium or sodium-free stock, advises our Test Kitchen stay, you might want to decrease the amount of salt called for in the recipe.

RCI-MT.004.0498.001

Italian Chicken with Colorful Rice

Makes 6 servings.

RCI-BR.004.0290.001

Italian Chocolate-Ricotta Cake

Italian Chocolate-Ricotta Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.003.0106.001

Italian Dressing

=Variant One=

RCI-EG.001.0030.001

Italian Frittata

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Meadows Estate in Wills Point, Texas in 1991.

RCI-VG.004.0708.001

Italian Green Beans I

Italian Green Beans I from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.001.0232.001

Italian Guacamole

Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts turn this guacamole into a family favorite.

RCI-RC.001.0097.001

Italian Rice Pilaf

This dish has got a lot of Italian flavors, like bay, thyme, rosemary, garlic, and Chianti wine.

RCI-DS.001.0286.001

Italian Rice Pudding

Italian Rice Pudding

RCI-VG.004.0711.001

Italian Roasted Vegetables

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Henson Estate in Dallas, Texas in 1982.

RCI-VG.005.0082.001

Italian Stuffed Peppers

Italian Stuffed Peppers from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.002.0159.001

Italian-style Pork Chops with Spaghetti Squash

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 4 servings.

RCI-VG.004.0712.001

Italian Vegetable Medley

Makes 4 servings.

RCI-VG.001.0325.001

Italo and Sri Lankan Salad

Italo and Sri Lankan Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0366.001

Jackass Corn (Coconut Biscuits)

Jackass Corn (Coconut Biscuits) from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0714.001

Jagacinda

Jagacinda from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0503.001

Jägerschnitzel

Jägerschnitzel

RCI-BR.008.0100.001

Jalapeño-Cornmeal Waffles

.

RCI-SN.002.0179.001

Jalapeno Poppers Salad

Jalapeno peppers are stuffed with a cream cheese mixture then battered and deep fried to make delicious little appetizers.

RCI-MT.005.0132.001

Jamaican Beef Patties

300px| Jamaican Beef Patties

RCI-BR.007.0070.001

JAMAICAN BEEF PATTIES

JAMAICAN BEEF PATTIES from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0505.001

Jamaican Jerk Chicken 2

Jamaican cuisine

RCI-SP.003.0352.001

Jamaican Pepper Pot Soup

There are many, many variations of pepper Pot Soup. This version contains chicken, although one could easily change to beef, by using diced lean Beef and beef broth.

RCI-SP.003.0353.001

Jamaican Pumpkin-Coconut Soup

Very spicy and hot soup.

RCI-RC.001.0098.002

Jambalaya II

Jambalaya II from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.001.0098.001

Jambalaya II

Jambalaya

RCI-DS.001.0287.001

Jam Roly-Poly

Jam Roly-Poly is a traditional British cuisine probably invented in the early 19th century . It is a flat-rolled suet pudding, which is then spread with jam and rolled up.

RCI-VG.004.0716.001

Jani me Fasul

White bean casserole soup

RCI-VG.005.0083.001

Japrak

Japrak from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0288.001

Jasmine Rice Pudding

Serves 6 to 8.

RCI-VG.004.0718.001

Jellied Mushrooms with Mayo

In Romanian: Ciuperci cu gelatina si maioneza