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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-SF.002.0199.001

Pan Seared Scallops

For the past week I've had a powerful desire for these little medallions of happiness. Here's what you'll need for the most awesome plate of pan seared scallops.

RCI-SN.003.0188.001

Panzanella I

Italian bread salad. The consistency is comparable to potato or rice salad. Everything is moist and clinging together but it isnit soupy nor is it dry.

RCI-BR.001.0189.001

Papadum

(also , , , and ) is an Indian and Sri Lankan flatbread. Typically, it is prepared using black gram bean flour, rice flour, or lentil flour with salt and peanut oil added.

RCI-BR.001.0190.001

Papadum

(also , , , and ) is an Indian and Sri Lankan flatbread. Typically, it is prepared using black gram bean flour, rice flour, or lentil flour with salt and peanut oil added.

RCI-SN.003.0190.001

Paparac-Kvietka Salad

Fern flower salad

RCI-BR.004.0393.001

Papaw Upside-down Cake

Papaw Upside-down Cake from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0472.001

Papaya Oatmeal Squares

Papaya Oatmeal Squares from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0441.001

Papaya Salad

Green or unripe papaya sliced thinly with vinegar and salt. A very simple salad.

RCI-SP.005.0186.002

Paprika Chicken

Paprika Chicken is a dish of Hungarian origin traditionally made with chicken, paprika and lard, served over pasta. There is no official recipe. Preparations of this dish often vary between families.

RCI-SP.005.0186.001

Paprika Chicken

Paprika Chicken is a dish of Hungarian origin traditionally made with chicken, paprika and lard, served over pasta. There is no official recipe. Preparations of this dish often vary between families.

RCI-SF.002.0202.001

Parchment-wrapped Summertime Shrimp

Parchment-wrapped Summertime Shrimp from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0402.001

Parisian Chocolate Mousse II

Jersey Fresh Recipes, public domain government resource, recipe contributed by Linda Robinson—original source of recipe

RCI-MT.004.0628.001

Parmesan Chicken

Contributed by Linda in Tennessee via Catsrecipes Y-Grou

RCI-SW.002.0076.001

Parmesan-crusted Veggie Sandwich

Parmesan-crusted Veggie Sandwich from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.005.0141.001

Parmesan-stuffed Onions

Fruit & Vegetable Recipes II by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe : 4

RCI-MT.004.0632.001

Parrillada Argentine

Parrillada Argentine from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.002.0236.001

Parsnip Fritters

A great replacement for potato patties, there is never any left. You can also double the recipe and make them like tater tots and serve as an appetizer. You can also kick them up just add a little cayenne or make a spicy yogurt sauce to go with them.

RCI-MT.004.0633.001

Partridge Roast

In Romanian: Friptura de potirnichi

RCI-RC.003.0016.001

Party Sushi Rolls

Sushi, a representative food of japan, is a vinegared rice garnished with an assortment of fresh vegetables, fish and seasonings. You'll find many of the ingredients ... And the bamboo mat ... At an oriental food store.

RCI-BR.001.0191.001

Paska

1 recipe, makes 3 loaves of bread, 3 Kalachas and 1 longosha (cabbage pie) and 1 portion of Babalki (or 8 loaves of bread) (or 8 Kalachas).

RCI-BR.001.0192.001

Paska I

Easter Bread.

RCI-BR.003.0311.001

Passover Bagel

Passover Bagel from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0473.001

Passover Brownies

These are kosher for Passover.

RCI-BR.004.0394.001

Passover Carrot Almond Cake

Yield: 12 servings

RCI-BR.005.0476.001

Passover Chocolate Chip Cookies I

Passover Chocolate Chip Cookies I from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0634.001

Passover Glazed Chicken with Matzo-Nut Stuffing

Passover Glazed Chicken with Matzo-Nut Stuffing from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.004.0119.001

Passover Granola

Passover Granola from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SW.003.0057.001

Passover Hot Dog Roll-ups

Passover Hot Dog Roll-ups from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0478.001

Passover Mandelbread

Passover Mandelbread from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.004.0120.001

Passover Mandlen

Passover Mandlen from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.005.0049.001

Passover Matzo Balls

Passover Matzo Balls from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0312.001

Passover Muffins

Passover Muffins from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0313.001

Passover Rolls

Passover Rolls from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0402.001

Passover Strawberry-Kiwi Sponge-cake Roll

Passover Strawberry-Kiwi Sponge-cake Roll from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.1005.001

Passover Stuffing with Chestnuts and Mushroom

Passover Stuffing with Chestnuts and Mushroom from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.003.0487.001

Pasta and bean soup

(Pasta Fagioli) is a true classical Italian peasant dish, again overcomplicated all too often by highfallutin' chefs.

Pasta and Vegetable Medley
RCI-ND.005.0098.001

Pasta and Vegetable Medley

This Pasta dish with lightly cooked veggies and a green onion–garlic sauce can be ready in minutes.

RCI-ND.005.0099.001

Pasta and Veggie Salad

Pasta and Veggie Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-ND.002.0082.001

Pasta fresca all'uovo

Yield: About 12 ozs.

RCI-ND.001.0068.001

Pasta Layers

Pasta Layers from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.003.0153.001

Pasta Salad Dressing

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

RCI-ND.002.0086.001

Pasta, Salmon, California Avocado, Cauliflower and Olives

Pasta, Salmon, California Avocado, Cauliflower and Olives from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.003.0192.001

Pasta 'Tuna' Salad

Pasta 'Tuna' Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-ND.002.0093.001

Pasta with Green Vegetables and Herbs

Mixing aromatic herbs like mint and basil with asparagus and peas creates a beautiful green dish. Salty feta sparks it up. ChupaNote: the only change I made to this recipe was to replace the black pepper with 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes.

RCI-ND.002.0094.001

Pasta with Hot Dogs

Pasta with Hot Dogs from the Recidemia collection

RCI-ND.001.0073.001

Pasta with Meat Sauce

Pasta with Meat Sauce from the Recidemia collection

RCI-ND.005.0107.001

Pasta with Oven-roasted Vegetables and Avocado

Pasta with Oven-roasted Vegetables and Avocado from the Recidemia collection

RCI-ND.002.0096.001

Pasta with Peas and Lemon

I started cooking this pasta dish because of my love of frozen peas and my equally strong hatred of creating unnecessary dishes. 4 main ingredients, 1 pot, and it's done in as long as it takes to cook the pasta.

RCI-ND.002.0098.001

Pasta with Portobello Mushrooms in Mustard Sauce

Pasta with Portobello Mushrooms in Mustard Sauce from the Recidemia collection

RCI-ND.002.0099.001

Pasta with Spicy Broccoli Rabe and Raisins

Pasta with Spicy Broccoli Rabe and Raisins from the Recidemia collection