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-SC.007.0237.001

Pepper Onion Relish

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

RCI-ND.001.0089.001

Pepperoni Pizza Pasta

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Hoyt Estate in Allen, Texas in 1989.

RCI-MT.005.0233.001

Peppers filled with Meat

In Romanian: Ardei umpluti cu carne

RCI-RC.004.0219.001

Peppy Franks with Rice

Makes 4 servings

RCI-SF.001.0278.001

Perch Polish-style

In Romanian: Salau polonez

RCI-BR.006.0255.001

Perfect Apple Pie

Perfect Apple Pie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-EG.001.0045.001

Perfect Date Omelet

Have a great and nutritional breakfast, even more fun if you are sharing it with a date :) Makes 6 main-dish servings.

RCI-BV.008.0064.001

Perfectly Chocolate Hot Cocoa

Makes 1 serving

RCI-DS.001.0412.001

Perfect salad

Perfect salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.005.0234.001

Perkedel

Perkedel (potato croquette filled with beef meat) is Indonesian side dish that is originated from dutch food's frikandel. But Indonesia's perkedel is different from Dutch's frikandel.

Perkedel Djagung
RCI-SN.002.0241.001

Perkedel Djagung

Indonesian corn burgers.

RCI-SP.003.0500.001

Perry Bay Stew

This is really a hearty stew and great during the winter months.

RCI-DS.004.0211.001

Persian Apple Dessert

Persian Apple Dessert from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.004.0248.001

Persian Beef and Couscous

This is a great Persian dish that isn't too spicy. Substitute any kind of meat or poultry you want.

RCI-VG.001.0453.001

Persian Cucumber-Yogurt Salad

Persian Cucumber-Yogurt Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0641.001

Persian Cutlet

I first had these on a trip to California with my friend and his sister. We had them picnic-style, served cold, with nane lavash, and chutney. You can serve them warm also. They are good as an appetizer as well as a main course.

RCI-MT.003.0072.001

Persian Kebabs

Persian Kebabs from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.1017.001

Persian Kidney Beans

A great vegetarian entree, this is a little bit spicy but can be adjusted to taste. Adapted from a recipe by Molly Katzen.

RCI-RC.001.0153.001

Persian Rice

While this seems unusual, I am told it is common in Iranian (Persian) households. I got the recipe from a young Iranian girl I worked with years ago; the recipe is from her mother. The one time I made it, it fell apart; I hope you have better luck!

RCI-VG.003.0095.001

Persian Spinach and Black-Eyed Peas

Sabzi

RCI-MT.005.0235.001

Persian-style Lamb Meatballs

Persian-style Lamb Meatballs from the Recidemia collection

RCI-RC.001.0155.001

Persian Tahdeeg (Rice and Potatoes)

This is my daughter Nomi's all-time favorite way to eat rice. My friend Debbie, who is married to a Persian, makes this for her every time we're over at their house for a meal.

RCI-VG.001.0454.001

Persian Tomato and Cucumber Salad

A very light and refreshing salad that goes well with everything. The longer this stays the better it taste. You will also notice that the liquid increases as the salad sits.

RCI-BR.005.0501.001

Persimmon Cookies

Moist cake-like cookie full of nuts and raisins. This is modified from an old Mennonite Cookbook recipe from 1948.

RCI-MT.001.0202.001

Peruvian Anticuchos

Peruvian Anticuchos

RCI-BR.003.0320.001

Peruvian Gingerbread

Peruvian Gingerbread

RCI-SF.002.0203.001

Peruvian-style Mussels

Peruvian-style Mussels

RCI-BR.008.0164.001

Pesach Blintz Leaves

Pesach Blintz Leaves from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.003.0321.001

Pesach Popovers

Pesach Popovers from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.005.0130.001

Pesto I

Another name for Genovese sauce! Here's a quick garnish to serve over chicken, fish, etc.

RCI-SC.005.0132.001

Pesto Sauce I

Original recipe Source: dLife Servings: 48

RCI-SC.001.0044.001

Peterseliesaus

This parsley sauce goes well with all kinds of boiled and with carrots, garden peas or new potatoes.

RCI-VG.004.1020.001

Pe Thee Pin Pauk Ngabaung Kyaw

Bean sprouts fried in batter is a simple and easy to prepare Burmese vegetarian main dish. It can also be served as an appetizer (by frying small balls) or snack.

RCI-MT.004.0645.001

Petto d'Anatra al Miele e Marroni

Duck breast with maroon glace and honey. To serve six.

RCI-BR.005.0503.001

Pfeffernusse Crescents

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 5 dozen cook

RCI-SP.003.0505.001

Phaksha Pa

Phaksha Pa from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.003.0506.001

Phak Sha Paa

Pork stew with radish

RCI-BR.007.0096.001

Phil's Bacon Spanikopita

Phil's Bacon Spanikopita from the Recidemia collection

RCI-ND.005.0117.001

Pho Chay

Pho Chay is a vegetable pho soup, that can be served hot.

RCI-SW.002.0081.001

Piadine with Caesar Salad with Roasted Garlic Paste

Yield: 1 piadine and 1 cup of roasted garlic paste

RCI-MT.005.0236.001

Picadillo

The Mexican dish picadillo is a great filling for tacos.

RCI-MT.004.0646.001

Picana de Pollo

Picana de Pollo from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0647.001

Picante de Pollo

Picante de Pollo from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.006.0256.001

Picante Peach Cobbler

Picante Peach Cobbler

RCI-BR.001.0196.001

Pickert

This is the traditional Lippischer , a type of potato dish somewhere between a dumpling and a pancake.

RCI-VG.005.0148.001

Pickled Daikon Sushi

Makes 12 pieces Daikon

Pickled Eggs
RCI-VG.005.0149.002

Pickled Eggs

Pickled Eggs

RCI-VG.005.0149.001

Pickled Eggs

Pickled Eggs from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.005.0151.001

Pickled gherkins

Traditional Estonian pickled gherkins are made in a large wooden barrel. cucumbers are placed between layers of blackcurrant leaves, dill stalks and slices of horse radish.

RCI-VG.005.0153.001

Pickled Herring

Makes 3 pints Prep Time: 1 day, 1 hour Cook Time: 5 minutes