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Best Substitute for Kosher Salt

Lisa Price
Last Updated on
by Lisa Price

If you prefer coarse grain salt but do not have kosher salt on hand, salts such as sea salt and pink Himalayan salt make an excellent substitute. Kosher salt provides a crunchy texture with its large, coarse granules that can be difficult to find a comparable alternative.

Thankfully, several kosher salt substitutes will help cooks and bakers alike get the exact level of saltiness they desire. Whether you prefer to make sweet treats in the oven, or savory dishes on the stovetop, these salt substitutes are sure to do the trick.

Kosher Salt
Kosher Salt

1. Sea Salt

Sea Salt
Sea salt

Sea salt and kosher salt possess a lot of similarities, which is what makes it an attractive kosher salt replacement. Sea salt is comparable to kosher salt due to its large granules that you do not get with your typical table salt.

One quality that draws salt users to sea salt vs. kosher salt is that, while it does have a coarser grain, it is softer than kosher salt.

Sea salt is minimally processed and draws the attention of healthy food users because it comes naturally from the sea. Various types of sea salt maintain different uses in the culinary world and may make the difference you are looking for in a dish.

Sea salt is my personal favorite for baking bread or other savory foods. The coarse granules dissolve slowly if at all, giving you a crunchy texture that holds immense flavors. There is nothing quite like biting into a warm loaf of bread and being greeted by the flavor pop sea salt gives.

2. Himalayan Pink Salt

Himalayan Pink Salt
Himalayan Pink Salt

Himalayan pink salt has continued to gain momentum over the past several years. With a granule level between kosher salt and table salt, this salt gives that extra crunch that you don’t get with table salt, but not the extensive crunch and condensed flavor you receive when using kosher salt.

Himalayan pink salt is a common substitute for other salts among people attempting to live healthier lives and use healthy ingredients. One of the main health benefits associated with this type of salt is that it has lower sodium than regular table salt and kosher salt. This is due to the saltier flavor, which means people can use less salt to get the desired saltiness.

This salt is a substitute for kosher salt that is typically used as table salt. Its fine granules and health benefits make it a great alternative for everyday salting. It is also a noble salt substitute for individuals with food sensitivities.

I use pink Himalayan salt in place of most other salts in my household. The size of the granules and the health benefits associated with this salt makes it a perfect everyday salt.

3. Pickling Salt

Pickling Salt
Pickling Salt

Kosher salt is oftentimes used as a substitute for pickling salt because of its anti-caking abilities and lack of additives. Therefore, pickling salt can also function as a substitute for kosher salt.

Pickling salt is a delicate salt and dissolves quickly, which is why it is used for canning and preserving produce or meat. It also lacks several additives that can change the color of the brine when using it to pickle.

Because the pickling salt is so fine, when using it as a kosher salt substitute, the ratio of salt used will differ. Therefore, it is important to determine the ratio difference before adding it to a recipe. If you are using kosher salt as a garnish for your dish presentation, pickling salt may not be the best alternative as it dissolves quickly and doesn’t give you the flaky, crystal look.

If you aren’t concerned about the granule size of your salt and are more interested in a substitute that holds the same ingredients – or lack thereof – pickling salt is an excellent alternative for kosher salt.

4. Table Salt

Table salt
Table salt

Oftentimes when baking sweets, the recipe calls for salt. While some sweets intend to highlight the salty flavor, the salt in baked desserts is primarily used to enhance the flavors of the other ingredients.

This is where table salt comes in handy as a kosher salt replacement. Table salt is a finer granule, which makes it easier to disperse the salty flavor among the other ingredients. If using kosher salt for baking sweets, you may find yourself with a saltier dessert than you had planned.

One of the main differences between table salt and kosher salt is the ingredients. Table salt is composed of several added minerals, including iodine that can make foods taste bitter if you use too much.

Kosher salt, while more natural than table salt, has a coarser texture that is not always welcome by salt lovers. Therefore the table salt proves a noble substitute if used in moderation.

5. Soy Sauce

Soy Sauce
Soy Sauce

Soy sauce has an acquired taste that is not favorable to everyone. However, for those that do enjoy the taste of soy sauce, it is a liquid substance that proves an excellent substitute for kosher salt.

Soy sauce is high in sodium which gives it a salty flavor. There are approximately 920 milligrams of sodium in just one tablespoon of soy sauce, which means it must be used in moderation.

Most meat marinade recipes call for soy sauce instead of salt. Since soy sauce is in liquid form and salt is solid, the soy sauce provides a more even coat, and you do not have to go through the trouble of dissolving the salt to ensure an even coating.

If you are planning on using soy sauce as a kosher salt alternative, ensure to take into consideration the ratio between the two substances before adding it to your dish.

Can’t find soy sauce? See recommended substitutes for soy sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use normal salt instead of kosher salt?

Yes, you can use normal salt instead of kosher salt. When using regular table salt as a kosher salt substitute, ensure you consider the granule size Kosher salt has a more coarse texture which means that a recipe calling for a tablespoon of kosher salt only needs half a tablespoon of normal table salt.

What salt is closest to kosher?

Sea salt and Himalayan pink salt are the closest salts to kosher salt. They are both coarse salt that has an equal ratio conversion and does not typically leave the bitter salt taste if overused.

How much regular salt equals kosher salt?

One and one-fourth tablespoon of regular table salt equals one tablespoon of kosher salt. When converting a recipe that calls for kosher salt to table salt, use one-fourth to one-half less than what the recipe states.

Is there a difference between sea salt and kosher salt?

Yes, there is a difference between sea salt and kosher salt. Sea salt has a coarse texture like kosher salt, but it is softer than kosher salt. This means it dissolves easier and doesn’t provide as much of a crunch when using it as a dish enhancer.

What is the advantage of using Kosher salt?

The versatility of kosher salt gives it an advantage over other types of salt. The size of the granules makes it easier to distribute evenly throughout the dish you are cooking. It also is more effective at bringing out the flavor of other ingredients without giving off a bitter taste.

What makes something kosher salt?

Kosher salt is considered kosher because it contains very few – if any – additives. Kosher salt is made of coarse, rough salt crystals, and minimal additives are included in the packaging process.

What is the difference between pink Himalayan salt and Kosher salt?

Kosher salt is typically used for curing meats and has a coarse structure. Pink Himalayan salt is a fine salt that contains trace minerals and is a healthier choice than kosher salt. The pink Himalayan salt is often a substitute for table salt.

What is the difference between kosher salt and iodized salt?

The principal difference between kosher salt and iodized salt is the overall structure of the granules. Iodized salt is a dainty grain salt, and kosher salt is coarse and less likely to contain iodine. Kosher salt is also less likely to contain additives that prevent caking.

Final Thoughts

The coarse granules that make up kosher salt are favorable by chefs and home cooks alike but may not necessarily be everyone’s cup of tea.

Pink Himalayan salt is a noble option for individuals with food sensitivities or those attempting to live a healthy lifestyle and keep a healthy diet.

Sea salt is also a natural alternative to kosher salt and does not typically contain the additives you find in table salt. However, table salt is an alternative to kosher salt that is perfect for baking sweets to bring out the flavor of the other ingredients.

Pickling salt and soy sauce are an excellent alternative to kosher salt for recipes where you need to dissolve the salt to get the full flavor.

As with any salt substitute, ensure to take the ratio of the coarse salt to the fine salt into consideration before adding to your dish.

About Lisa Price
Lisa Price
Lisa is Food Champ's resident fitness enthusiast and nutrition expert. She holds a nutrition degree in her home state of Florida and works for a large health system to ensure sound nutrition and dietetics information is passed on to all members.
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