Salt is often seen as the simplest ingredient in the kitchen—just a pinch to season food. But in reality, it’s one of the most powerful tools a cook can wield. Beyond simply making dishes taste better, salt plays a vital role in texture, preservation, and even the science of cooking. By using it creatively, you can completely transform your culinary results.
Here are nine brilliant ways to make salt a star in your daily cooking.
1. Bring Out Natural Flavours Early
Salting at the right time can make a world of difference. Instead of adding salt only at the end, try seasoning ingredients like meat, vegetables, or even dough early in the process. This allows salt to penetrate and enhance natural flavors from within, rather than just sitting on the surface.
2. Tenderise Meat Before Cooking
A dry brine—rubbing meat with salt and letting it rest before cooking—helps break down muscle proteins, making the final dish juicier and more flavorful. This technique works wonders for chicken, beef, lamb, or even fish.
3. Boost Vegetable Sweetness
Sprinkling salt on vegetables before roasting draws out excess moisture, which concentrates their natural sweetness. Try it with tomatoes, zucchini, or bell peppers to intensify their taste.
4. Perfect Your Pasta Water
The age-old advice to “salt your pasta water” isn’t just tradition—it’s science. Salting the water deeply (so it tastes like the sea) infuses the pasta with seasoning from the inside, reducing the need for heavy sauces later.
5. Keep Fruits and Veggies Fresh
A light saltwater soak can prevent sliced apples, cucumbers, or carrots from browning or losing their crispness. Just rinse before serving to keep the flavor balanced.
6. Create Flavour Layers in Soups and Stews
Instead of dumping all the salt in at once, season in stages. A pinch while sautéing onions, another when adding stock, and a final adjustment before serving builds complex, well-rounded flavors.
7. Elevate Your Baking Game
Salt isn’t just for savory food—it’s essential in desserts. A touch of salt in cookies, cakes, and brownies balances sweetness and deepens flavor. For an extra treat, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top of chocolate desserts for a gourmet finish.
8. Make Homemade Seasoning Blends
Mix salt with spices, herbs, or citrus zest to create custom seasoning blends. Lemon salt for seafood, garlic salt for bread, or chili salt for grilled meats can instantly upgrade your meals.
9. Preserve and Pickle
Salt is a natural preservative. From traditional pickles to quick-cured salmon, it helps draw out moisture, inhibit bacteria, and lock in flavor. Experiment with homemade pickling for a tangy, crunchy addition to your meals.
The Takeaway
Salt may seem ordinary, but in the hands of a thoughtful cook, it becomes a powerful ingredient that enhances, preserves, and transforms food. By learning to use salt strategically—not just as a final sprinkle—you can take everyday cooking to an entirely new level.
