
salt
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Paparac-Kvietka Salad
Fern flower salad
Papaw Upside-down Cake
Papaw Upside-down Cake from the Recidemia collection
Papaya Oatmeal Squares
Papaya Oatmeal Squares from the Recidemia collection
Papaya Salad
Green or unripe papaya sliced thinly with vinegar and salt. A very simple salad.
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.
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.
Parchment-wrapped Summertime Shrimp
Parchment-wrapped Summertime Shrimp from the Recidemia collection
Parisian Chocolate Mousse II
Jersey Fresh Recipes, public domain government resource, recipe contributed by Linda Robinson—original source of recipe
Parmesan Chicken
Contributed by Linda in Tennessee via Catsrecipes Y-Grou
Parmesan-crusted Veggie Sandwich
Parmesan-crusted Veggie Sandwich from the Recidemia collection
Parmesan-stuffed Onions
Fruit & Vegetable Recipes II by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe : 4
Parrillada Argentine
Parrillada Argentine from the Recidemia collection
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.
Partridge Roast
In Romanian: Friptura de potirnichi
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.
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).
Paska I
Easter Bread.
Passover Bagel
Passover Bagel from the Recidemia collection
Passover Brownies
These are kosher for Passover.
Passover Carrot Almond Cake
Yield: 12 servings
Passover Chocolate Chip Cookies I
Passover Chocolate Chip Cookies I from the Recidemia collection
Passover Glazed Chicken with Matzo-Nut Stuffing
Passover Glazed Chicken with Matzo-Nut Stuffing from the Recidemia collection
Passover Granola
Passover Granola from the Recidemia collection
Passover Hot Dog Roll-ups
Passover Hot Dog Roll-ups from the Recidemia collection
Passover Mandelbread
Passover Mandelbread from the Recidemia collection
Passover Mandlen
Passover Mandlen from the Recidemia collection
Passover Matzo Balls
Passover Matzo Balls from the Recidemia collection
Passover Muffins
Passover Muffins from the Recidemia collection
Passover Rolls
Passover Rolls from the Recidemia collection
Passover Strawberry-Kiwi Sponge-cake Roll
Passover Strawberry-Kiwi Sponge-cake Roll from the Recidemia collection
Passover Stuffing with Chestnuts and Mushroom
Passover Stuffing with Chestnuts and Mushroom from the Recidemia collection
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
This Pasta dish with lightly cooked veggies and a green onion–garlic sauce can be ready in minutes.
Pasta and Veggie Salad
Pasta and Veggie Salad from the Recidemia collection
Pasta fresca all'uovo
Yield: About 12 ozs.
Pasta Layers
Pasta Layers from the Recidemia collection
Pasta Salad Dressing
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
Pasta, Salmon, California Avocado, Cauliflower and Olives
Pasta, Salmon, California Avocado, Cauliflower and Olives from the Recidemia collection
Pasta 'Tuna' Salad
Pasta 'Tuna' Salad from the Recidemia collection
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.
Pasta with Hot Dogs
Pasta with Hot Dogs from the Recidemia collection
Pasta with Meat Sauce
Pasta with Meat Sauce from the Recidemia collection
Pasta with Oven-roasted Vegetables and Avocado
Pasta with Oven-roasted Vegetables and Avocado from the Recidemia collection
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.
Pasta with Portobello Mushrooms in Mustard Sauce
Pasta with Portobello Mushrooms in Mustard Sauce from the Recidemia collection
Pasta with Spicy Broccoli Rabe and Raisins
Pasta with Spicy Broccoli Rabe and Raisins from the Recidemia collection