Does Morton Kosher Salt Contain Iodide? The Definitive Guide

December 24, 2025 •

4 min read

While nearly 70% of table salt in the United States is fortified with iodide as a public health measure, Morton Kosher Salt is not one of them. For those asking, 'Does Morton kosher salt contain iodide?' the simple answer is no.

Quick Summary

Morton kosher salt is a non-iodized salt, produced without added iodide, unlike standard iodized table salt. Its coarse texture and pure flavor make it a favorite for many culinary applications.

Key Points

No Added Iodide: Morton kosher salt is explicitly produced without added iodide, unlike standard table salt.
Clean Flavor Profile: Many cooks prefer its pure, clean flavor, as some find iodized salt leaves a slightly metallic aftertaste.
Ideal for Seasoning: The coarse flakes are easy to pinch, giving cooks more control for seasoning food evenly.
Not for Canning or Pickling: Iodized salt can sometimes affect the color of preserved foods, making non-iodized kosher salt the preferred choice for these applications.
Consider Your Diet: If using non-iodized salt, ensure you get sufficient iodine from other foods like seafood and dairy, or consult a doctor.

The Simple Answer: Morton Kosher Salt is Not Iodized

For home cooks and professional chefs alike, the question of whether Morton kosher salt contains iodide is a common one. The definitive answer is that Morton Coarse Kosher Salt is intentionally non-iodized, a fact explicitly stated on its packaging and verified by product listings. This differentiates it from traditional table salt, which has been fortified with iodide for nearly a century to help prevent iodine deficiency.

What's Actually in Morton Kosher Salt?

Beyond the absence of iodide, understanding the full composition of Morton kosher salt is important for its proper use in the kitchen. The ingredient list is straightforward:

Salt (Sodium Chloride): The primary and core component.
Yellow Prussiate of Soda: An anti-caking agent added to prevent the salt crystals from clumping together.

In contrast, some other salt brands, like Diamond Crystal, are additive-free entirely, but Morton's formula includes this agent to ensure better storage and pourability.

Kosher Salt vs. Iodized Table Salt: A Head-to-Head Comparison

To fully appreciate the differences, it's helpful to compare Morton kosher salt directly with standard iodized table salt. Their distinct characteristics affect how they are used, their flavor profile, and their impact on your food.

Comparison of Salt Types


Feature	Morton Kosher Salt	Iodized Table Salt
Iodide	No added iodide.	Contains added iodide to prevent deficiency.
Crystal Size	Large, coarse, and flaky crystals.	Small, fine, and uniform cubic crystals.
Density	Less dense; takes up more volume per teaspoon.	More dense; packs more saltiness into a smaller volume.
Flavor	Pure, clean taste. Some prefer it for its lack of aftertaste.	Some perceive a slightly metallic or bitter aftertaste due to the added iodine.
Additives	Contains yellow prussiate of soda (an anti-caking agent).	Typically contains both iodine and anti-caking agents.
Culinary Uses	Seasoning meats, brining, creating marinades, rimming glasses.	Baking where precise weight is needed; quick-dissolving in sauces and soups.

Culinary Reasons to Choose Non-Iodized Salt

The non-iodized status of Morton kosher salt is not a drawback but rather a key feature that appeals to many cooks. There are several culinary reasons for this preference:

Cleaner Flavor: For some, the absence of added iodine results in a purer salt taste. This clean flavor is prized by chefs who want to control seasoning without any potential off-notes.
Better Control: The larger, coarse flakes are easier to pinch and sprinkle by hand, allowing for more precise and even seasoning, especially on meats.
Optimal for Brining and Pickling: In some applications like canning and pickling, using iodized salt can potentially darken the color of preserved foods. Non-iodized kosher salt avoids this issue, making it the preferred choice for these tasks.

Understanding the Importance of Iodine

While Morton kosher salt is non-iodized, it's crucial to understand the purpose of iodide fortification. Iodine is an essential mineral that the body needs to produce thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature. A lack of iodine can lead to serious health issues, including an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter), hypothyroidism, and developmental problems in children.

Public health efforts starting in the 1920s addressed widespread iodine deficiency by adding it to table salt, a cheap and effective way to distribute the nutrient. However, modern diets often include sufficient iodine from other sources, which means not everyone relies solely on iodized salt.

Getting Your Daily Iodine Intake

For those who prefer to use non-iodized salts like Morton's for cooking, it's important to ensure adequate iodine intake from other dietary sources. Excellent natural sources of iodine include:

Seafood (cod, tuna, shrimp, seaweed)
Dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese)
Eggs

If you have concerns about your iodine levels, it's always best to consult a healthcare professional. They can provide guidance on whether you should switch to iodized salt or consider a supplement. The choice between iodized and non-iodized salt is ultimately a personal one, influenced by both culinary preferences and dietary needs.

Conclusion: Making the Right Salt Choice for You

In conclusion, Morton kosher salt does not contain iodide and is valued by cooks for its coarse texture and pure flavor. This distinction makes it an ideal choice for many specific culinary tasks, such as brining, seasoning grilled meats, and as a finishing salt. However, it's important to remember that iodized table salt remains a critical source of dietary iodine for many people, and the choice between the two depends on your overall diet and health considerations. For those who get enough iodine from other sources, using Morton kosher salt is a matter of preference. Just be mindful of the different densities when substituting one for the other in recipes, and for ultimate accuracy, measure by weight rather than volume.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Morton kosher salt and table salt are not the same. They have different crystal sizes and densities, and unlike most table salt, Morton kosher salt does not contain added iodide.

Table salt was fortified with iodide in the 1920s as a public health measure to combat iodine deficiency. Kosher salt is typically left non-iodized because a pure salt flavor is preferred for its intended uses, such as drawing blood from meat in the koshering process.

You can use kosher salt, but you cannot substitute it in a 1:1 volume ratio. Because of its larger grain size, kosher salt is less dense. It is recommended to use about half the volume of table salt if a recipe calls for kosher salt, or ideally, measure by weight for accuracy.

No, Morton kosher salt is prized for its pure, clean flavor. Any perceived metallic or bitter taste is more commonly associated with the added iodine in standard table salt.

The ingredients in Morton coarse kosher salt are salt (sodium chloride) and yellow prussiate of soda, which is an anti-caking agent.

No, the yellow prussiate of soda is an anti-caking agent and does not contain iodide. The ingredients list specifically mentions no iodide is added.

One is not inherently healthier than the other, as both have similar sodium content. The choice depends on your dietary needs. Iodized salt is a simple way to ensure adequate iodine intake, while non-iodized is fine if you get enough iodine from other food sources.

Chefs often prefer kosher salt for its large flake size, which provides greater control when seasoning by hand. The flakes also dissolve quickly and have a clean flavor.