Skip to content

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-MT.005.0016.001

Bacon-wrapped Mini Meat Loaves

Purchased from Bowers Estate in Fort Worth, Texas in 1994. Dated 1941. This is a very good recipe. I made it about once a month and it never gets old.

RCI-VG.004.0033.001

Badendjal

Algerian Eggplant

RCI-SF.001.0009.001

Badhapu Malu

Sri Lankan fried fish

RCI-VG.004.0036.001

Bagare Baingan

Stuffed Eggplant

RCI-VG.004.0037.001

Baghala Polo

Iranian rice with lamb, dill and lima beans. I found this in a cookbook of Middle Eastern cooking and posted it by request. I have not yet tried it. The recipe says you can use frozen lima beans for fresh, if you prefer.

RCI-BR.008.0010.001

Baghrir, Algerian Pancakes

Baghrir, Algerian Pancakes from the Recidemia collection

Baguette
RCI-BR.001.0016.001

Baguette

The is a variety of bread distinguishable by its much greater length than width, and noted for its very crispy crust. The standard girth size of a baguette is about 5 or 6 cm, but can be up to a meter in length. It typically weighs 250g.

RCI-BR.003.0026.001

Bahama Bread

Bahama Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.003.0043.001

Bahamas Fish Soup

I first had this dish on little Exuma island in the Bahamas, where the locals eat it regularly for breakfast. They use any white meat fish that is not too oily and the small tabasco type peppers that are very hot.

RCI-BR.004.0028.001

Bahamian Carrot Cake

Bahamian Carrot Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.002.0029.001

Bahamian Crab and Rice

The most important part of the national dish of the Bahamas. Eaten almost everyday with steamed Nassau grouper, coleslaw and fried plaintain especially between the months of June and August.

RCI-DS.001.0037.001

Bahamian Guava Duff

I had this dish one time on a business trip to the Bahamas... Unbelievably good!

RCI-SP.005.0010.001

Bahamian Lamb Curry

Bahamian Lamb Curry from the Recidemia collection

RCI-ND.006.0005.001

Bahamian Macaroni and Cheese

Bahamian Macaroni and Cheese from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0039.001

Bai Cai Xiang Gu Bao

Hot Pot : Stew cabbage

RCI-VG.004.0040.001

Baigan aur Tamaatar

Baigan aur Tamaatar from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.006.0002.001

Bajak Chili Sauce

Bajak Chili Sauce from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0029.001

Bajan Black Cake

Bajan Black Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0027.001

Bajan Sweet Bread

Bajan Sweet Bread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0028.001

Bajan Sweet Bread I

Bajan Sweet Bread I from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.001.0011.001

Baked Bass

Yield: 6 servings

RCI-VG.004.0049.001

Baked Beans à la Crockpot

Baked Beans à la Crockpot from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.003.0011.001

Baked Beans Vegetarian-style

Baked Beans Vegetarian-style from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.003.0012.001

Baked Beans with Pineapple

Purchased from the Woods Estate in Canton, Texas in 1988. These are yummy. I made them right after I got the recipe and they are very good. Make them 2-3 times each month, especially when we have hamburgers. Dated 1964.

RCI-MT.005.0017.001

Baked Beef and Lima Deluxe

I obtained this recipe from a garage sale in Quinlan, Texas in 1988. Date and source unknown. It is very good. I make it on a very regular basis. Always gobbled right up.

RCI-BR.007.0008.001

Baked Brie in Puff Pastry

This dish is perfect for your next dinner party. To reheat, place in an aluminum foil pouch and warm in a 200° oven.

RCI-EG.003.0013.001

Baked Brunch Omelet

Omelet Recipes Serves 8-10.

RCI-RC.006.0013.001

Baked Bulgur with Pecans

.

RCI-VG.004.0050.001

Baked Butternut Squash

This is an old recipe handed down from my mom, she got it from her mom, etc... Perfect for the wet, windy fall time of the year. Squash is baked in the oven with a mixture of butter, Bacon, maple syrup and rosemary. Super easy, and a real family hit.

RCI-SN.002.0025.001

Baked Cheese Wedges

Baked Cheese Wedges by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe

RCI-MT.004.0040.001

Baked Chicken à l'Orange

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

RCI-MT.004.0042.001

Baked Chicken and Dumplings

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Williams Estate in Tyler, Texas in 1994.

RCI-MT.004.0043.001

Baked Chicken and Rhubarb

Yields 4 to 6 servings.

RCI-MT.004.0045.001

Baked Chicken German-style

Contributed by SF&SC Y-Group. * Servings: 6

RCI-MT.004.0048.001

Baked Chicken with Rice and Corn Dressing

Makes 6 servings

RCI-SF.001.0012.001

Baked Chilean Sea Bass with Tomatillo Sauce

This recipe yields 4 servings.

RCI-VG.005.0005.001

Baked Chiles Rellenos

Baked Chiles Rellenos from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0038.001

Baked Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce

Baked Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.003.0014.001

Baked Corn

(tyler, Texas) (purchased in 1992, Date on Card Says 1911)

RCI-MT.001.0010.001

Baked Corned Beef Hash

Contributed by Jenn B aka Mom2Sam and Tiny at World Re

RCI-DS.001.0042.001

Baked Custard I

Baked Custard I from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0018.001

Baked Doughnuts II

Baked Doughnuts II from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.001.0017.001

Baked Flounder au Gratin

Excellent seafood dish!

RCI-VG.003.0015.001

Baked Golden Potatoes

Baked Golden Potatoes from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.003.0001.001

Baked Lamb and Yogurt

Baked Lamb and Yogurt is an Albanian recipe.

RCI-SP.004.0017.001

Baked Lamb with Vegetables

Baked Lamb with Vegetables from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.0057.001

Baked leeks

(Tavë me presh) is an Albanian recipe.

RCI-VG.003.0021.001

Baked Limas with Sour Cream

From my Aunt Maggie’s Collection. Notation on card said it was a family favorite and served at many Sunday dinners. Dated 1942.

RCI-MT.001.0011.001

Baked Liver

Baked Liver from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.001.0049.001

Baked Liver Paste

In Romanian: Pasta de ficat copt