Should You Use Kosher Salt In Baking?

Because salt is one of the most basic seasonings you will find in your pantry, most people don't give salt a second thought. In reality, though, there are different types of salt, and they all work differently in cooking and baking. If you enjoy baking, you may be wondering if you should use kosher salt in baking? We have completed the research for you to bring you the answer to this question.

While some bakers prefer table salt, kosher salt is a popular choice to use in baking. There are several reasons that kosher salt is a good salt to use in baking. Some of these reasons are:

  • It is difficult to confuse sugar for salt because it is more coarse. 
  • Kosher salt is versatile, so you don't have to buy different types of salt for different reasons. 
  • It is more difficult to over salt with kosher salt. 
  • Kosher salt is free of additives. 
  • Kosher salt can also be fine grain, which is the preferred salt texture for baking. 

We will discuss each of these reasons to help you determine whether kosher salt is right for your baking needs.

A kosher salt spilled from a spice jar, Should You Use Kosher Salt In Baking?

Reasons To Use Kosher Salt In Baking

While you can use any type of salt while baking, there are some benefits to using kosher salt. Overall, kosher salt makes the baking process easier and more natural. Take a look at these benefits to see if switching to kosher salt is something you'd like to try.

More Difficult To Confuse With Sugar

Spoons full of salt and sugar

Confusing sugar with salt sounds like an amateur mistake that a seasoned baker would not make. However, their appearance is so similar that it is easy to mistake one for the other at first glance, and if you're busy making large orders, all it takes is one grab of the wrong container. One way to avoid this mistake is by using kosher salt. Kosher salt is coarse, so it is harder to confuse the two.

Versatile

While bakers are split about the use of kosher salt in baking, cooks and chefs agree that kosher salt is preferred in cooking. If you already use kosher salt for cooking, you can save money and space by using kosher salt for baking as well. Even if you prefer another salt for baking, the end result with kosher salt isn't so different that you should have to purchase multiple types of salt.

Reduced Risk Of Over-Salting

Kosher salt's natural coarse texture provides a visual and tactile aid when salting your food. Its large crystals are easier to see than table salt, so you know exactly how much you are adding.

Additionally, a pinch of kosher salt contains fewer grains than a pinch of table salt. If you use kosher salt, you are able to start out with a little amount and add more as needed. This is more difficult with table salt, and you cannot remove salt once it has been added to the food.

Additive Free

Kosher salt is free from the additives and chemicals that are found in table salt. When using kosher salt in baking, you don't have to worry about the salt leaving a bitter taste. Instead, the kosher salt enhances the flavors used in the food you are making.

Available In Fine Grain

The biggest downside of kosher salt in baking is that it is too coarse to break down properly in certain recipes. For this reason, some bakers choose table salt instead of kosher salt.

However, finely textured kosher salt is also available. Choosing a fine kosher salt will give you all the benefits of using kosher salt without having to worry about the uneven salting that occurs when the grains are too big.

Click here to see this fine kosher salt on Amazon.

Other Salts For Baking

If you aren't interested in using kosher salt, there are other options available for you.

Table Salt

Salt shaker on black kitchen table

Table salt is readily available in most homes and serves its purpose in baking. If you don't want to go out and buy different salt for baking, you can go ahead and use the salt that you have for everyday use.

Sea Salt

Spoon with sea salt

While sea salt is more coarse than table salt, there isn't much difference when you use sea salt instead of table salt in baking. It is a little more difficult to dissolve sea salt than table salt, but a bit of patience will ensure that the sea salt dissolves properly. Additionally, you can purchase a fine ground version to make baking easier.

Click here to see this sea salt on Amazon.

Finishing Salt

Finishing salts are not used in the baking process. Instead, these salts are sprinkled onto food after baking as garnish and to add texture.  Finishing salts are gourmet and are free from additives and chemicals. While they have a salty taste, they will not overpower your food. Salted caramel is a good example of a food that would use finishing salts.

Click here to see these finishing salts on Amazon.

Measurement Adjustments

Table salt is general-purpose, so many recipes assume that you are using table salt when preparing their dishes. However, table salt is much finer than kosher salt, so the measurements need to be adjusted if you choose to use kosher salt instead. As a general rule, add an extra 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt for every teaspoon of table salt required in a recipe.

Salt manufacturer Morton Salt created a conversion chart that outlines the adjustments you have to make when substituting one type of salt for another in a recipe.

Why Do So Many Recipes Call For Kosher Salt?

White Coarse kosher salt in basketwork

Kosher salt's coarse crystals make it preferable for many recipes. Because the crystals are larger, replacing regular salt with kosher salt will yield less sodium in your food. Kosher salt makes your food flavorful but healthier.

Is Pink Himalayan Salt Kosher?

Pink salt

While some companies sell pink Himalayan salt that is Kosher certified, pink Himalayan salt itself is not kosher. There are some key differences between pink Himalayan salt and Kosher salt. Healthline reports that pink Himalayan salt is mined primarily in Pakistan, while Kosher salt comes from salt mines worldwide.

Both Kosher salt and pink Himalayan salt are larger flakes of salt instead of the fine grains that are table salt. The main difference in appearance is the color. Kosher salt is a classic translucent white color, while pink Himalayan salt is pink. Iron oxide is responsible for Himalayan salt's pink color. The more iron oxide present in the salt, the redder the salt becomes.

Kosher salt has a bold, pure salt flavor. Pink Himalayan salt, on the other hand, has a milder salt flavor with a more complex flavor profile.

What Is So Great About Kosher Salt?

Kosher salt has a variety of benefits that makes it a good choice for recipes and food seasoning. Because kosher salt has a bolder flavor, you need less to season your food adequately. In addition, kosher salt doesn't contain the iodine that sometimes makes table salt taste bitter.

Kosher salt can be used in a wide variety of dishes. As we've mentioned, it has a pure salt flavor, but it enhances the flavors of the food rather than makes the food saltier.

Kosher salt has modest health benefits. The sodium in kosher salt is comparable to table salt, but since less is needed to get the desired effect, you consume less sodium when using kosher salt. This is good news for those with high blood pressure and other sodium-related health concerns because they can still season their food while monitoring their sodium intake.

Summary

Whether you use kosher salt or table salt in your baking is a matter of preference. There are many benefits of using kosher salt in baking, but some bakers prefer traditional table salt. Experiment with different types of salt to discover which one is right for your baking needs.

To learn more about the best ingredients to use for baking, take a look at these articles:

Should You Bake With Unsalted Or Salted Butter?

Does Flour Brand Matter For Baking?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *