Is Morton Salt a Table Salt? The Definitive Answer

January 12, 2026 •

3 min read

It is a fact that the iconic blue canister of Morton Iodized Salt has been a staple in American kitchens for decades. Many people use it daily without ever stopping to question: is Morton salt a table salt? The simple answer is yes, but the details reveal a fascinating look into salt production and variety.

Quick Summary

Morton produces a fine-grain table salt sold in its signature blue canister, which is the company's most recognized product for cooking and seasoning.

Key Points

Yes, Morton is a table salt: The company's famous blue canister contains refined table salt for everyday use.
Refined vs. Unrefined: Table salt, including Morton's, is highly refined to create uniformly small, dense crystals.
Iodized or Plain: Morton table salt is available in both iodized (with added iodine) and plain versions.
Additives for Flow: Anti-caking agents are included in Morton table salt to prevent clumping and ensure a free-flowing product.
Different Salt, Different Uses: Morton also sells other salts, like Kosher Salt, which have different crystal sizes and are not interchangeable by volume.
Baking Precision: The uniform crystals of Morton table salt make it ideal for baking, where precise measurements are crucial.
Source Varies: Unlike sea salt, Morton's standard table salt is mined from underground deposits, not evaporated from seawater.

Yes, Morton Salt Is Table Salt

For many, the terms "Morton salt" and "table salt" are interchangeable, and for good reason. The most well-known product from the Morton brand, sold in the distinctive round blue canister with the girl and the umbrella, is indeed a refined table salt. This all-purpose salt is a kitchen essential, used for everything from baking to filling table salt shakers.

What Exactly Is Table Salt?

Table salt is primarily sodium chloride (NaCl) that has been mined from underground deposits and put through a refining process to remove impurities. This process creates small, uniformly shaped cubic crystals. To ensure the salt remains free-flowing and doesn't clump together in humid conditions, anti-caking agents like calcium silicate are often added. Most table salt is also iodized, meaning a small amount of iodine has been added as a dietary supplement.

Iodized vs. Plain Morton Table Salt

Morton offers both iodized and plain (non-iodized) versions of its table salt. The iodized version is fortified with potassium iodide, an essential nutrient that the body uses to produce thyroid hormones. This practice was widely adopted in the early 20th century to address widespread iodine deficiency issues. For those who prefer to get their iodine from other sources or simply prefer a non-iodized product, the plain version is also readily available.

The Difference Is in the Details

While the answer to "Is Morton salt a table salt?" is a clear "yes," it's important to recognize that Morton sells a variety of salt products, each with different properties that are best suited for different culinary tasks. The differences primarily come down to crystal size, shape, and composition.

The Role of Crystal Size in Cooking

The uniform, small crystals of table salt dissolve quickly and evenly, making them ideal for baking where precision is key. In contrast, coarser salts like Morton Kosher Salt or Coarse Sea Salt have larger, less dense crystals. When measuring by volume, this difference is significant, meaning a teaspoon of table salt will be saltier than a teaspoon of a coarse salt. This is why many cooks prefer to season with coarse salts, as the larger crystals are more forgiving and easier to control by hand.

Common Uses for Morton Table Salt

Cooking: An all-purpose seasoning for everyday cooking.
Baking: Ensures even distribution and flavor in doughs and batters due to its fine crystals.
Table Seasoning: Fills salt shakers perfectly for seasoning dishes at the table.
Brining: Can be used in brining solutions, although coarser salts are often preferred for larger-scale projects.
Preserving: A long-standing preservative, though less common with modern refrigeration.

Comparison of Morton Salt Products


Feature	Morton Table Salt	Morton Kosher Salt	Morton Fine Sea Salt
Granule Size	Very fine and uniform cubic crystals	Coarse, irregular flakes (pressed cubes)	Small, fine granules, similar to table salt
Additives	Anti-caking agents and optional iodine	Anti-caking agent (calcium silicate), no iodine	All-natural, no additives
Best For	Baking, measuring precisely, filling shakers	Seasoning meat, brining, general cooking	Baking, marinades, all-purpose seasoning
Source	Mined from underground deposits	Mined from underground deposits	Evaporated from seawater
Flavor	Consistent, pure salty flavor	Distinctly clean salty flavor due to no iodine	Richer flavor from trace minerals
Density	High density, very salty by volume	Lower density, less salty by volume	Medium density

Conclusion: A Trusted Kitchen Staple with Specific Uses

In conclusion, Morton salt is indeed a table salt—specifically, the refined, finely ground product in the blue canister. However, the brand name “Morton” encompasses a family of products, including Kosher salt and various sea salts, which all have different crystal structures and best-use cases. Understanding these distinctions allows a home cook to select the right salt for the job, ensuring consistent and delicious results. While the table salt is perfect for baking and everyday seasoning, other Morton products offer different textures and flavor profiles for more specialized cooking techniques. You can learn more about their product range by visiting the Morton Salt official website.

Visit the Morton Salt website to see their full range of products.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary difference is the addition of iodine. Morton iodized table salt is fortified with potassium iodide as a dietary supplement, while the plain version does not contain added iodine.

Yes, Morton manufactures and sells a variety of salt products, including Kosher salt, different types of sea salt, and other specialty salts for cooking, canning, and other purposes.

You can, but you must adjust the quantity. Because of its larger, hollow crystals, Morton Kosher Salt is less dense by volume, meaning you would need about 1.5 times more kosher salt to achieve the same level of saltiness as table salt.

An anti-caking agent, such as calcium silicate, is added to table salt to absorb moisture and prevent the small, uniform crystals from clumping together, ensuring it remains free-flowing.

Salt is iodized to help prevent iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs), such as goiter. Iodine is a necessary nutrient for proper thyroid function, and adding it to a common food product like salt was a public health initiative.

No, they are different. Morton Table Salt is a mined and refined product with anti-caking agents, while fine sea salt is produced by evaporating seawater and contains trace minerals that give it a slightly different flavor profile.

Morton Table Salt is best used for baking, where its small, uniform crystals are crucial for accurate measurement and even distribution. It is also a reliable choice for everyday cooking and seasoning at the table.

Yes, beyond culinary uses, Morton also produces salt for water softening, de-icing roads, and other industrial applications.