Wooden spoons on a counter full of different types of salt

Table Salt Vs Sea Salt Vs Kosher: When To Use Each Type For Cooking

NEWS

By MATTHEW LEE

Spilled salt shaker full of table salt

Table Salt

Salt shakers in restaurants, cafés, and even your own kitchen are likely full of table salt. Due to its density, it packs a big punch flavor-wise, so use it sparingly.
Salt shaker on a checkered tablecloth
Its density also means it's slower to dissolve, making it ideal for baking. For recipes where not much salt is needed, you can use table salt instead of the more expensive kinds.
Wooden scooper of sea salt

Sea Salt

Straight from the ocean, sea salt doesn't go through a lot of processing and therefore retains trace minerals, giving it a complex flavor that sets it apart.
Spilled glass canister of sea salt
Its uniquely earthy, briny undertone makes it a great finishing salt. A sprinkle of it to finish steak, for instance, will add an extra layer of flavor on top of the smoky char.
Small glass bowl of kosher salt

Kosher Salt

Whatever task you have in mind — from cooking and seasoning a dish, to canning, pickling, and curing — kosher salt can handle it thanks to its large, coarse granules.
Wooden spoon full of kosher salt
The large grains mean you can sprinkle more easily, giving you better control. Plus, because it's less dense than table salt, you run lower risks of oversalting your food.