How to Substitute With Sea Salt

Coarse sea salt measures differently than granular varieties.

Sea salt can be easily substituted for table salt in a savory recipe. Sea salt is left behind when large pools of sea water are left to evaporate. The sodium and other minerals in the water source give sea salt its distinct taste. The variations in granular size and shape make it difficult to accurately measure sea salt by volume. Add a gourmet touch to the salty foods you cook by using all-natural sea salt.

Things You'll Need

• Coffee Filter
• Kitchen scale (grams)
• Table salt (optional)
• Measuring spoons (optional)

Instructions

1. Place a single coffee filter onto the kitchen scale, then turn it on and press the tare button.

2. Pour in the measured amount of table salt required in the recipe into the coffee filter. A teaspoon of table salt weighs approximately 6 grams. Apply this value to the to determine the total weight of salt needed if you do not have any to weigh. For example, if the recipe calls for 2 1/2 tsp. of table salt, the total weight would be 15 grams.

3. Return the table salt to its original container and place the coffee filter back on the scale. Press the tare button again to cancel out the weight of the filter.

4. Sprinkle the sea salt into the coffee filter until the scale shows the total weight that you need. Incorporate the sea salt according to the recipe just as you would the table salt.

5. Sample the final dish before serving to see if it needs any additional sea salt to satisfy your tastes. Just because the substitution was done correctly doesn't mean the recipe wasn't written by someone who is more sensitive to salt.

Tips & Warnings

• Extra sea salt doesn't always equal extra flavor. Err on the side of too little sea salt and allow your guests to season the foods to their personal tastes.

References

• The Cook's Thesaurus: Salt
• Rice University: Salt and the Ultraendurance Athlete
• Gourmet Sleuth: Culinary Salt