10 Best Kosher Salt Substitutes
Need a kosher salt substitute? You are in luck; I have the ten best kosher salt substitutes to help you in any cooking situation! Since not all salts are created equal, the details of each salt will help you determine which salt is best for your needs!
What is Salt?
Salt is a natural flavor enhancer and universal seasoning used thorughout the world. Natural salt is found in salt mines, seawater, and salt pans and comes in various forms, including rock salt, sea salt, and evaporated salt. In addition, salt helps to balance all the different flavors in a dish; It can counteract excessive sweetness, neutralize acidity, and moderate spiciness.
Salt can also be necessary for preserving food and even as a deicer for sidewalks, something we value in Colorado!
Unique and uncommon salts have increased in popularity. Each salt can vary by mineral content, flavor, and even color. Salt specialty stores have been popping up worldwide, expanding salt options for the everyday cook.
In Japan, there is even a salt store that sells 360 different salts! It is on my bucket list to visit this store!
What is kosher salt?
Kosher salt is a coarse-grained salt that’s historically used in accordance with kashrut, Jewish dietary laws. Kosher salt does not contain additives like iodine, anti-caking agents, or other chemicals found in some table salts. This purity and lack of additives make kosher salt desirable in everyday cooking and baking.
The main characteristic of kosher salt is its coarse texture, which makes it ideal for drawing out moisture (blood) from meat during the koshering process. Kosher salt’s coarse texture allows it to penetrate the meat effectively.
Did you know the term “kosher” originates from Jewish dietary laws, known as kashrut, derived from the Hebrew Bible (the Torah)? These laws dictate what foods are permissible for consumption and outline specific rules for their preparation and consumption.
What is the difference between table salt and kosher salt?
Table salt and kosher salt differ in texture, grain size, and usage. Table salt has been ground into a fine texture, while kosher salt has large coarser grains. Also, kosher salt is designed to have a flaky, irregular shape, making it easier to handle and sprinkle.
Table salt often contains additives like iodine, whereas kosher salt is typically free from additives. The larger grains of kosher salt can make it useful for seasoning meats or rimming cocktail glasses, while the delicate texture of table salt is better for general cooking and baking.
Because table salt and kosher salt differ greatly, I recommend trying to find another substittue first. If all else fails, then use table salt.
Best Kosher Salt Substitutes
1. Corase Sea Salt
Sea salt is pretty much what it sounds like; it is made by evaporating seawater. Sea salt contains minerals that flavor food slightly differently than kosher salt, but the flavor is still very similar. In addition, it has a coarse texture similar to kosher salt. For these reasons, coarse sea salt is my first choice as a substitute.
Where you can find it: Coarse Sea Salt is available at most grocery stores.
2. Corase Himalayan Pink Salt
Himalayan pink salt is mined from the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan. The minerals within the salt give it a distinctive pink color. Himalayan pink salt has a milder flavor than kosher salt. You can find Himalayan pink sea salt in fine and coarse textures. I love this salt for the subtle sparkle of color it can bring when topping a dish.
Where you can find it: Coarse Himalayan Pink Salt is available at most grocery and fine food stores.
3. Celtic Sea Salt
Celtic sea salt is harvested from the coastal areas of France. It is known for its grayish color and slightly moist texture. The salt is unrefined and retains a variety of minerals. It has a briny taste and can be used as a substitute for kosher salt in most recipes. This salt comes in many grain sizes, but if you want coarse salt, look for the light gray whole crystal salt package.
You can find it at Sprouts, Walmart, and Target. You can also order it through Amazon.
4. Maldon Sea Salt
Maldon salt is a high-quality sea salt hand-harvested in England. It consists of delicate, pyramid-shaped flakes with a unique texture and a clean flavor. Maldon salt’s pure taste and absence of additives make it a desirable option for those seeking a natural, additive-free seasoning.
While Maldon salt is not a direct substitute for kosher salt in grain size, its versatility and ability to provide a burst of saltiness make it a great alternative. Its distinctive texture and flavor make it an excellent choice for finishing dishes and candies and enhancing their taste.
Admittingly, I love this salt so much that I have been known to have a flake or two (maybe three or four) by itself.
Where you can find it: I always order it on Amazon for convenience.
5. Fleur de Sel
Fleur de sel is a premium French sea salt hand-harvested from the surface of evaporated salt ponds. Known for its delicate crystals, Fleur de Sel also has a subtle flavor and moist texture. Fleur de sel is often used as a finishing salt to enhance the flavor of dishes just before serving. This might be a good option if your recipe calls for kosher salt as the final step before serving (finishing salt).
Where you can find it: I find it at fine food stores and online. Occasionally, I see it at Safeway.
6. Pickling Salt
Pickling salt, or canning salt, is primarily used for pickling and preserving food rather than for direct consumption. Like kosher salt, pickling salt is free of additives like iodine and anti-caking agents.
While it is commonly used for bringing and canning, pickling salt can be an excellent alternative if you want to draw moisture from the meat. Its fine grain is easily evenly distributed across the meat.
Where you can find it: Pickling salt is easily found during the canning season in late summer or early fall. Outside the fall, you can find it online or at places with larger canning supplies, such as small hardware stores.
7. Hawaiian Red Salt
Known for its distinctive dark red color, Hawaiian red salt (alaea salt) has an earthy and slightly sweet flavor. Available in a coarse texture, Hawaiian red salt is excellent for seasoning grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables. In addition, the rich mineral content and unique color of Hawaiian red salt can add a nice visual, especially with lighter-colored foods.
I put Hawaiian red salt lower on this list because it is harder to find than the other salts.
Where to Buy: Hawaiian red salt is also called alaea salt. I have found it at World Markt, fine grocery stores, seasoning shops, and online.
8. Black Salt
Next on the list is black salt, also known as kala namak. Black salt is a type of rock salt with a strong sulfurous aroma. It is commonly used in Indian cuisine and adds a unique flavor to dishes.
It is important to note that black salt has a strong flavor, much more potent than kosher salt. For this reason, start with 1/4 of the amount needed for kosher salt. You can always add more but can’t take back or neutralize too much salt!
Where you can find it: Black salt is easy to find at Indian or Pakistani grocery stores. You can also find it online at Amazon.
9. Table Salt
Table salt can be used as a substitute for kosher salt in recipes, but there are a few factors to consider. Kosher salt has larger grains and is less salty by volume than table salt. Therefore, you may need to adjust the quantity when substituting table salt for kosher salt.
As a general guideline, use about 1.5 times more table salt than the amount of kosher salt specified in the recipe to achieve a similar level of saltiness. Additionally, since table salt dissolves more quickly, it might affect the texture and dissolution rate of certain dishes compared to kosher salt. It’s always a good idea to gradually taste and adjust the salt levels as you cook to achieve the desired flavor.
Where you can find it: At any grocery store.
10. Celery salt
Celery salt can be used as a substitute for kosher salt in certain dishes, but not all. That is because celery salt has a distinctive, wait for it, celery flavor.
I would consider using celery salt as a substitute for soups, stews, or a Bloody Mary cocktail recipe. In these instances, the flavor of celery can be complementary. However, if the recipe needs a neutral flavor, I recommend one of the salts higher on this list, such as sea salt or Himalayan sea salt. Celery salt is not a good substitute for koshering meat.
Where you can find it: Almost any grocery store or on Amazon.
Salt Comparison Chart
| Salt Type | Source | Grain Size | Color | Culinary Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coarse Sea Salt | Evaporated seawater | Coarse | White | Cooking, seasoning, brining, finishing |
| Coarse Himalayan Sea Salt | Salt mines | Coarse | Pink | Cooking, seasoning, grilling, curing |
| Celtic Sea Salt | Evaporated seawater | Coarse | Light gray | Cooking, seasoning, baking, pickling |
| Maldon Sea Salt | Salt pans | Flaky | Off-white | Finishing, salads, roasted vegetables, caramelizing |
| Fleur de Sel | Salt pans | Fine, delicate | Off-white | Finishing, salads, desserts, chocolates |
| Pickling Salt | Synthetic | Fine | White | Pickling, canning, brining, preserving |
| Hawaiian Red Salt | Salt pans | Coarse | Red | Seasoning, grilling, roasted meats, seafood |
| Black Salt | Volcanic rock salt | Coarse | Gray to black | Vegan dishes (resembles egg flavor), chaat masala, chutneys |
| Table Salt | Salt mines | Fine | White | General cooking, baking, seasoning, table use |
| Celery Salt | Blend of salt and celery seeds | Fine | Light green | Seasoning, soups, stews, salads, vegetable dishes |
