4 Excellent Kosher Salt Substitutes

Kosher salt does not mean that it can only be used by those that cook kosher. Its name comes from the size of its crystals, which are ideal for drawing out moisture from meats. The crystal size comes from its use in the koshering process and makes it suitable for cooking.

Kosher salt is not expensive and will mostly be free of additives, caking agents, and iodine. Note that iodine is added to many salts and subtlety changes the flavor, so check the label if you do not want iodized salt.

What if you don’t have kosher salt? There are recommendations listed here we suggest:

  • Coarse sea salt
  • Himalayan pink salt

Both coarse sea salt and Himalayan pink salt have coarse grains, so you can use them as replacements for kosher salt.

Sea Salt

Sea salt and kosher salt are similar in grain size and taste and are used to draw the moisture out of meats. Use sea salt in cooking recipes, depending on the size of the flakes. 

Most substitutions of sea salt for kosher salt would be one-to-one for finishing meats. If used in cooking recipes, you may need more sea salt.

Replacement for kosher salt:

= coarse sea salt in a 1 to 1 ratio for meats

= 1 teaspoon of course sea salt for 1-1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Himalayan Pink Salt

The pink color of this salt comes from where it is mined in the mountains in Pakistan’s Punjab region. The color adds decoration to foods and is often found in sweet foods. It has more prominent grains, and like sea salt, Himalayan pink salt can be used in place of kosher salt. The flavor of Himalayan Pink Salt is a bit sharper, so depending on your taste, it may require less than a recipe requires.

Replacement for kosher salt:

= 3/4 teaspoon of Himalayan Pink Salt to 1 teaspoon kosher salt.

As noted here, course sea salt and Himalayan Pink Salt are favorite substitutes for kosher salt. In a pinch, you can also use table salt or pickling salt.

Table Salt

Table salt can substitute kosher salt and is common in many homes. Often seen on tables in the salt and pepper set, table salt has a more delicate texture, and it is also a seasoning in most recipes.

The grain size of table salt is more refined so that it takes less to replace kosher salt.

For one teaspoon of kosher salt, replace:

= 1/2 or 3/4 teaspoon table salt to taste.

Pickling Salt

Pickling salt, or canning salt, is finely grained to dissolve quickly in the canning process. Most canning recipes do not require a crunchy, more significant grained kosher salt. 

For each teaspoon of kosher salt in a recipe, substitute:

= 1-1/4 or 1-1/2 teaspoon pickling salt.

FAQ

Can I use table salt to substitute for kosher salt?

Suppose you don’t have any kosher salt in your kitchen and need a good substitute. Table salt, is a popular option because it is in almost every home.  It has a finer grain and requires one-half to three-fourths of the amount of kosher salt.

What are good salt substitutes for kosher salt?

The following are good substitutes for kosher salt in different recipes: coarse sea salt (rubs), coarse Himalayan pink salt (rubs), fine sea salt, canning & pickling salt (brines).

Is kosher salt only for kosher cooking?

Its name comes from the size of its crystals, which are ideal for drawing out moisture from meats. The crystal size comes from its use in the koshering process and makes it suitable for cooking by any cook or chef.

About Rachelle

Hi, I'm Rachel! I love cooking and finding new recipes but was always missing one of the ingredients in my kitchen. I created Can I Substitute? for people like me who are one substitute away from a great meal. If you're looking for great ingredient substitutes you've come to the right place. Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.