What Is Kosher salt and How Can I Use It?

Wondering what to do with kosher salt? This guide covers how to pick it, cook it, store it, and swap it, plus 488 recipes to put it to work.

What is kosher salt?

Kosher salt is the cook's everyday salt: coarse, flaky crystals of plain sodium chloride with nothing else added. The name comes from its original job, koshering meat, where the large grains are good at drawing blood from the surface.

Most kosher salt is not certified kosher itself; the name stuck to the grain.

What makes it the salt most cooks reach for is control. The coarse flakes are easy to pinch and to see, so you can scatter them evenly by hand and feel how much you are adding, which fine table salt makes almost impossible.

Why the Brand Matters

Kosher salt is not standardized between brands, and the gap is wide enough to throw off a recipe. Diamond Crystal is light and hollow; Morton is denser and saltier by the spoon. One teaspoon of table salt equals roughly 1¼ teaspoons of Morton or 2 teaspoons of Diamond Crystal.

Pick one brand and stay with it, so your hand learns its salting. Switching mid-recipe without adjusting is a common reason a trusted dish suddenly turns out too salty or flat.

When to Use It

Reach for kosher salt as your default for savory cooking: seasoning meat and vegetables, salting a pot of pasta water, or seasoning a dish in stages as it simmers, the way it goes into a Family Meat Sauce.

It dissolves a touch slower than fine table salt, which helps when you are seasoning by feel.

The coarse grains are also handy for pulling water out of watery vegetables. Salt sliced zucchini or eggplant, give it twenty minutes, then blot away the beads of moisture so it browns in the pan instead of steaming.

The place to leave it out is baking, and any recipe with very little liquid, where the big crystals may not fully dissolve and can leave salty specks. Use fine salt there instead.

For when and how much to salt through the cooking process, and how salt works in bread, see salt.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find kosher salt: Kosher salt is usually found in the spices section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Kosher salt is a member of the Spices and Herbs US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

犹太盐

British (UK) term

Kosher salt

en français

sel kosher

en español

sal kosher

How much does kosher salt weigh?

Related

Spices and Herbs

Recipes using kosher salt

There are 488 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Adam's Chai Latte Ice Cream

My brother Adam loves this ice cream so much that I asked him for the recipe. It's a Chai Latte with chunks of gingerbread cookies hidden within.

Olive Oil Brownies with Coconut

Olive oil brownies with coconut, made dairy-free with fruity olive oil instead of butter, deeply chocolatey from cocoa and two chocolates, with a layer of shredded coconut baked right through the middle and on top.

Simply Refreshing Summer Lime Tart

You can decorate this easy tart to look so elegant, your guests will be impressed.

Chilled Tomato-Yogurt Soup

A velvety chilled soup made with strained yogurt, ripe tomatoes, fresh dill, and a bright splash of white wine vinegar. This no-cook vegetarian recipe is refreshing, tangy, and ready to serve after a few hours in the fridge.

Mini Roasted Leek, Onion & Navy Bean Galettes

These rustic pie like galettes were so delicious. Buttery crust and a delicious filling made with roasted leek and onion, and creamy navy beans. It didn't last long. Yum.

Margarita on the Rocks

Margarita on the rocks shakes premium gold tequila with Triple Sec, Grand Marnier, and sweet and sour mix, poured over ice into a salt-rimmed glass. The double hit of orange liqueur gives this classic cocktail extra depth and punch.

Grainy Mustard Mashed Creamy Potatoes

Grainy mustard mashed potatoes simmered right in cream infused with garlic, thyme, and bay, then mashed silky and spiked with whole-grain mustard. A rich, tangy upgrade on the classic side dish.

Herbed Mashed Potatoes

Our family all love mashed potatoes, we try different kinds of mashed potatoes, this herbed ones are very nice too.

Basic Swedish Meatballs

Classic Swedish meatballs with grated onion, nutmeg and ginger, broiled then simmered in a sherry-laced beef gravy. The smorgasbord original behind the IKEA snack bar version.

Tamatar Bhat (Tomato Rice Pilaf)

Fresh or in a pinch canned tomatoes add depth to the rice in this fluffy pilaf. A great side dish and I usually finish cooking the rice using my rice cooker while I'm busy watching the Food Network!

Whole Wheat Soft Pretzel Bread

Chewy, golden whole wheat pretzel bread with a hint of molasses sweetness, topped with sesame seeds and coarse salt. Just toss everything in the bread machine and let it work its magic!

Waldorf Salad

My slightly sweet version of a classic.

Pear & Lamb Kebabs With Harpoon Ale-Rosemary Pan Sauce

To make the kebabs, you’ll need eight 10-inch wooden or bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 20 minutes. Metal skewers may overcook the lamb, so use only metal if you like your meat well done.

Double-Braided Challah

Double-braided, egg-enriched traditional bread, topped with poppy seeds.

Pumpkin Scones with Two Glaze

Copycat pumpkin scones with two glazes: tender, spiced pumpkin scones finished with a plain sugar glaze and a drizzle of spiced pumpkin glaze. The fall coffee-shop favorite at home.

Fried Goat Cheese

Breaded and golden-fried goat cheese medallions are a great appetizer served with a drizzle of honey, garnished with sliced or diced peppers and spread on baguette slices. These little beauties would also be great atop a green salad.

Five Spice Roast Chicken

Five spice roast chicken rubs cut-up chicken with garlic and warm Chinese five-spice, then roasts it over potatoes, carrots, and onion so the vegetables soak up every drop of the spiced drippings. A complete one-pan dinner.

Caprese Con Mozzarella Di Bufala (Mozzarella,Tomato & Basil)

Caprese Con Mozzarella Di Bufala (Mozzarella,Tomato and Basil) recipe

Easy Tuscan Focaccia

Tuscan focaccia topped with garlic-infused olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, rosemary, and Parmesan. A pillowy Italian flatbread with crisp golden edges and savory toppings.

Moorish Albondigas

The spices used in this recipe give these little meatballs a Moorish influence. A variation of a popular item at tapas bars, these albondigas can be served in a broth or with a sauce for dipping.

Sesame-Ginger Grilled Marinated Flank Steak

The steak was marinated overnight with the wet paste, which not only added tons of flavour to the steak, but also softened up the meat. It didn't take long to grill it. Then we just simply let it rest for about 10 minutes, which is the crucial part of cooking any meat. This step allows meat to rest, and lock all the juice inside the meat when you slice it.

Indian Spiced Potato Stuffed Bread

These flavorful Indian stuffed bread goes deliciously well with chutney and raita, or any Indian main course.

Indian Spiced Potato Stuffed Bread

These flavorful Indian stuffed bread goes deliciously well with chutney and raita, or any Indian main course.

Mushroom Blue Cheese Turkey Burgers

This is the best turkey burgers I have ever tasted, absolutley delicious.

Adam's Sticky Toffee Pudding

My brother's Sticky Toffee Christmas pudding recipe that he serves with homemade Chai Latte Ice cream.

Adam's Sticky Toffee Pudding

My brother's Sticky Toffee Christmas pudding recipe that he serves with homemade Chai Latte Ice cream.

Jamon Jibarito

A Jibarito is a Puerto Rican sandwich popular in Chicago. This is my adaptation of Jeff "Sandwich King" Mauro's recipe.

Arroz Amarillo (Yellow Rice)

With its vibrant color and flavor, yellow rice is a staple in Latin America and the Caribbean. In Cuba, it's traditionally garnished with pimentos, but I sometimes top it with sliced scallions. Serve it with Cuban-style roast pork, ropa vieja or as a side to grilled meats, poultry or seafood.

Asparagus & Mushroom Tarts

Asparagus, mushrooms and a bit of cheese baked on a delicate puff pastry base. Store bought puff pastry saves time while impressing your guests.

Favourite Toasted Pita Chips

Homemade baked pita chips brushed with olive oil and dusted with chili, cumin, and garlic, crisp and golden in under 10 minutes. A warm-spiced, scoop-worthy dipper for hummus or salsa.

Chipotle Coleslaw

Super quick, easy to make, and it's creamy and delicious with some nice crunch and freshness.

A1 Watermelon Salad

A tasty balsamic vinaigrette tossed with watermelon and feta cheese, a fresh and scrumptious salad which works well with any grilled dish!

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Chocked full of fresh mushrooms, dill and parsley, this soup has extremely well-balanced flavors and is very satisfying.

Crockpot Stuffing with Apples & Cranberries

Free up oven space with this hands-off slow cooker stuffing loaded with buttery herb bread cubes, sweet apple chunks, and tart cranberries for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

Very Chocolate Muffin

Because the chocolate is the star in this recipe, spring for the good stuff, like Valrhona or E. Guittard. You can enjoy the muffins as a snack, or at brunch with some crème fraîche or clotted cream instead of normal muffin accompaniments.

Creamy Pasta With Roasted Zucchini, Almond & Basil

Roasted zucchini and almond with whole wheat pasta, topped with creamy basil sauce.

Beef Tenderloin with Gorgonzola Nut & Herb Butter

Beef Tenderloin with spicy Gorgonzola cheese and Pine Nut Herb Butter

Roasted Winter Squash Soup

On a cold day, let this delicious roasted winter squash soup warm up your whole body.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Shallots

An easy and lovely dish. A delicious way to cook brussels sprouts. The caramelized shallots were a bit sweet with nice and smoky taste, and really enhanced the flavour of brussels sprouts.

Orzo with Spinach & Pine Nuts (Milliken & Feniger)

Orzo, spinach and pine nuts, with garlic, tomatoes and a bit of romano cheese makes an elegant side dish.

Alex's Oatmeal

A good start for school day. My granddaughter loves oatmeal, found this recipe, and added a few things of my own.

Montreal-Style Bagels

Sweeter and a bit more dense than traditional bagels, these Montreal-style bagels are hand-rolled and boiled briefly in honey water

Wood-Grilled Trout with Mission Fig Compound Butter

Beer pairing suggestion: American India pale ale or amber ale. The Stone World Bistro & Gardens, in Escondido, California, serves wood-grilled trout with black mission fig butter to make it taste even milder and sweeter. Mission figs are available in the dried fruit section of most large supermarkets. Untreated wood planks for grilling are available in grilling and barbecue sections of hardware store s as well as some supermarkets.

Lexington Red Coleslaw

Not your normal creamy coleslaw. The Lexington style coleslaw is tossed with ketchup, vinegar, and hot sauce, so it tastes quite sweet, sour and slightly spicy. A perfect side dish with Lexington style pulled pork.

Mild Fresh Salsa

Trust me; take the time to make fresh salsa. The jarred salsas can't even come close to the flavor of fresh salsa.

Mexican Breakfast Bagel

A quick eye opener in the morning with my coffee. I always have the ingredients on hand.

Easy Korean Cucumber & Bok Choy Kimchi

There are so many kinds of kimchi. Cucumber and bok choy together make a delicious and crunchy kimchi that goes well with any Korean dishes.

Greek Brown Rice Salad

A hearty Greek brown rice salad tossing nutty whole-grain rice with tomato, cucumber, feta, kalamata olives, and creamy avocado in a lemony, minty dressing. A fresh Mediterranean grain bowl.

Green Bean & Tomato Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

This is a great cold salad. The basil and cherry tomatoes marry perfectly with a high-quality sweet balsamic vinegar along with tender-crisp green and yellow wax beans.

Cherry Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad

There are several kinds of vegetables, goes well with the feta cheese, and very healthy too!

All 488 recipes