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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-SN.003.0141.001

Jellyfish Salad

Source: Vietnam - The Pleasure of Cooking mini-series

RCI-BR.004.0292.001

Jelly Roll

Jelly Roll is a sweet dessert.

RCI-SF.001.0207.001

Jeot Khal

Spiced whitebait Serving Size: 4

RCI-VG.005.0084.001

Jerinkitz Peppers

Jerinkitz Peppers from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.001.0208.001

Jerk Grilled Salmon

Salmon fillets are marinated in jerk spices, such as Scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme, and ginger.

RCI-SC.007.0172.001

Jerk Marinade

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group

RCI-MT.002.0161.001

Jerk-seasoned Pork Chops and Shrimp

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 6 servings

RCI-SF.002.0152.001

Jersey Bay Scallops with Rice

Makes 4 servings.

RCI-VG.001.0327.001

Jicama-Orange Salad

Jicama-Orange Salad this is a crunchy, tangy, refreshing complement to any Mexican dish.

RCI-VG.001.0328.001

Jicama Salad

Jicama is a popular Latin American vegetable that tastes similar to an apple or a pear. The cilantro and lime juice give this recipe an added Latin flavor.

RCI-RC.004.0151.001

Jiffy Chicken and Rice Skillet

Makes 6 servings.

RCI-MT.005.0133.001

Jim Gibson's Barbecue Hash

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: Southern L

RCI-SP.003.0355.001

Jimmy's Minestrone

Jimmy's Minestrone from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0132.001

Jizzali Non

Flat bread with fat

Jjinmandu
RCI-ND.007.0031.001

Jjinmandu

Steamed dumplings Jjinmandu

RCI-SP.005.0123.001

Jocon

Chirmol salsa is a national favorite in Guatemala.

RCI-RC.001.0100.001

Joe Cahn's Jambalaya

Makes 6 servings.

RCI-BR.003.0248.001

Johnnie Cake

Johnnie Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.008.0101.001

Johnny Cakes

Fried dumplings

RCI-VG.004.0722.001

Johnson's Escalloped Onions

This is delicious with roasts and steaks. Nice company side dish.

RCI-RC.001.0101.001

Jollof Rice

Makes 6 servings.

RCI-RC.001.0102.001

Jolof Rice

Jolof rice is a great dish when entertaining. It can be prepared in advance, refrigerated, and simply reheated just before serving time.

RCI-SW.003.0046.001

Jordanian Chicken Wraps

The proportions of spices are approximate... it's a rich yellow with red speckled look and aromatic smell that you should go for. You can eat them hot, or better, at just above room temperature. This is not a quick recipe.

RCI-VG.005.0085.001

Jordan's Beet Cake

Jordan's Beet Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0723.001

Jota

Jota, a sturdy bean soup with sauerkraut from Trieste. " La Jota, piatto tipico triestino, tastes the next day even better.

RCI-MT.002.0163.001

Joulukinkku

Joulukinkku Christmas ham. Joulukinkku is the star of the Finnish Christmas meal. Its preparation is time consuming, but the results are well worth the trouble.

RCI-BR.001.0134.001

Joululimppa

Finnish holiday rye bread Contributed by World Recipes Y-GroupThis Y-group is international. Good food from all parts of the world. A place where we can share the wonderful food from all over the world.

RCI-SN.005.0034.001

Juicy Steamed Dumplings

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group This Y-group is

RCI-SP.001.0066.001

Jui Ji Gou

Chicken wine in clay pot

RCI-SC.003.0109.001

Julia Child's Vinaigrette

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: My old rec

RCI-BR.005.0368.001

Jumbo Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Cookie

Jumbo Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Cookie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0369.001

Jumbo Fruited Oatmeal Cookies

Jumbo Fruited Oatmeal Cookies from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0724.001

Just Beans

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

RCI-VG.004.0725.001

Kaalikääryleet

Kaalikääryleet Cabbage rolls for four - five persons

RCI-SN.003.0145.001

Kabab barg

This kebab is prepared by marinating the meat overnight, and grilling it on open fire. It is usually served with Polo(white rice) or Naan (bread).

RCI-VG.001.0331.001

Kachumber

Kachumber

RCI-SP.005.0127.001

Kadi pakora

Kadi pakora from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.005.0134.001

Kafta bil Sanieh

Baked Kafta right|Kafta bil sanieh

RCI-MT.005.0135.001

Kafta Mishwi

Grilled Kabab Fingers right|Kafta Mishwi

RCI-SC.007.0176.001

Kahlúa Barbecue Sauce

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes about 2 cups

RCI-BR.001.0135.001

Kahlúa Cream Bread

Purchased from Zimmerman Estate in Terrell, Texas in 1989. Notation on card indicates this is a family favorite holiday bread. Dated 1942. Contributed by Cat's Recipes Y-Group and also by World Recipes Y-GroupThis Y-group is international.

RCI-ND.004.0018.001

Kai Keng Khao Poon Chin

Kai Keng Khao Poon Chin from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0514.001

Kai Lao

Laotian chicken

RCI-VG.004.0727.001

Kaima Bona Gatoi

chile sweet potato and Eggplant Crisp.

RCI-BR.008.0102.001

Kaiserschmarnn

Kaiserschmarnn is an Austrian dessert dish similar to an omelet.

RCI-BR.008.0103.001

Kaiser Schmarren

Kaiser Schmarren from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.008.0104.002

Kaiserschmarrn

Austrian Cuisine

RCI-BR.008.0104.001

Kaiserschmarrn

Austrian Cuisine

RCI-VG.004.0728.001

Kala Channa

Contributed by Pressurecookerrecipes Y-Group

RCI-BR.001.0136.001

Kalacs

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group This Y-group is