What is the substitute for kosher salt? A comprehensive guide

November 24, 2025 •

4 min read

While many chefs prefer kosher salt for its texture and control when seasoning, it's not always on hand. So, what is the substitute for kosher salt when you find yourself in a pinch? The good news is that several common and specialty salts can stand in for this versatile ingredient with a few simple adjustments.

Quick Summary

This guide provides practical substitutes for kosher salt, detailing different types of salt, how to convert measurements, and when each alternative is best used. Proper substitution ensures your recipes maintain their intended flavor profile.

Key Points

Table Salt: Use half the amount by volume when substituting for kosher salt, and taste as you go to avoid over-salting.
Sea Salt: A coarse grind is a good 1:1 substitute, while fine sea salt is denser and requires a ¾ volumetric conversion.
Himalayan Pink Salt: A mineral-rich, clean-tasting alternative with a texture similar to kosher salt, making it a reliable 1:1 substitute.
Pickling Salt: Use this additive-free option for brining and canning, using slightly more by volume (1 ¼ to 1 ½ tsp) for every 1 tsp of kosher salt.
Measure by Weight: For the most accurate substitution, especially in baking, measure all salts by weight to account for different densities.

Understanding Kosher Salt

Before exploring alternatives, it's important to understand what makes kosher salt unique. Its name doesn't refer to its kosher certification, but rather its use in the process of making meat kosher by drawing out blood from the meat's surface.

Key characteristics of kosher salt:

Coarse, flaky texture: Unlike fine table salt, kosher salt has large, irregular crystals that are easy to pinch and sprinkle, providing chefs with excellent control over seasoning.
Additive-free: Most kosher salt brands do not contain anti-caking agents or iodine, which can impart a metallic flavor. This results in a cleaner, purer salt taste.
Less dense by volume: Because of its larger crystal size, kosher salt takes up more space in a measuring spoon than table salt. This means a tablespoon of kosher salt contains less actual salt than a tablespoon of table salt, making measurement conversion crucial.

Your Top Kosher Salt Substitutes

Table Salt

Table salt is the most common and accessible substitute for kosher salt. However, due to its fine grain, it is much denser by volume. It also typically contains iodine and anti-caking agents, which can affect the taste if overused.

Best for: Recipes where the salt will dissolve completely, such as brines, marinades, or boiling water.

Conversion: Use half the amount of table salt for the kosher salt called for in a recipe by volume. For example, if a recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of kosher salt, use 1 teaspoon of table salt. Always add less first and season to taste for savory dishes.

Sea Salt (Coarse and Fine)

Sea salt is produced by evaporating seawater, a process that leaves behind trace minerals which can subtly influence its flavor. It's available in various textures, from fine-grained to large, flaky crystals.

Fine Sea Salt: With a similar grain size to table salt, it dissolves quickly and is a good all-purpose alternative. Use slightly less than a 1:1 ratio by volume to substitute.
Coarse Sea Salt: With larger grains, coarse sea salt is more comparable to kosher salt in texture. It can often be used in a 1:1 ratio by volume, but be mindful of differences in density between brands.

Best for: All-purpose seasoning, baking, and finishing dishes, depending on the grind.

Himalayan Pink Salt

This salt, mined from ancient salt deposits, is known for its beautiful pink color and mineral-rich content. It offers a complex, mild, and clean salty flavor that is less intense than table salt. Its texture is similar to kosher salt, making it an excellent 1:1 volumetric substitute.

Best for: Seasoning, curing meats, or as a decorative finishing salt.

Pickling Salt

Also known as canning or preserving salt, pickling salt is a pure sodium chloride product free of iodine and anti-caking agents. Its fine, uniform grain dissolves cleanly without clouding pickling liquids. If you have this on hand, it makes a very effective kosher salt alternative.

Best for: Brining, pickling, and canning, where the purity of the salt is important.

Conversion: Use 1 ¼ to 1 ½ teaspoons of pickling salt for every 1 teaspoon of kosher salt by volume.

Conversion Ratios: A Practical Table

Here is a quick guide for converting common salts when substituting for kosher salt. Note: These are approximations for volume measurement; for the most accurate results, weigh your salt.


If the recipe calls for:	Substitute with:	Volumetric Ratio	Best for:
1 tsp Kosher Salt	Table Salt	1/2 tsp Table Salt	Brines, sauces, baking
1 tsp Kosher Salt	Fine Sea Salt	3/4 tsp Fine Sea Salt	Baking, seasoning
1 tsp Kosher Salt	Coarse Sea Salt	1 tsp Coarse Sea Salt	All-purpose cooking
1 tsp Kosher Salt	Himalayan Pink Salt	1 tsp Himalayan Pink Salt	All-purpose cooking
1 tsp Kosher Salt	Pickling Salt	1 ¼ tsp Pickling Salt	Brining, pickling

Tips for Successful Substitution

Weigh your salt: For consistent and precise results, especially in baking, a kitchen scale is your best tool. Different brands of kosher salt (like Morton's and Diamond Crystal) have different densities, and weighing eliminates all guesswork.
Taste as you go: This is the golden rule of cooking. When substituting salt, especially in savory dishes, start with less than the conversion and add more if needed.
Consider the texture: If a recipe specifically calls for kosher salt for its flaky texture, such as a finishing salt on meat or vegetables, a finer salt won't provide the same crunchy mouthfeel. In this case, a coarse sea salt or Himalayan salt is your best bet.
Check for additives: If you are sensitive to the taste of iodine or need to avoid anti-caking agents for certain processes like pickling, ensure your substitute is additive-free.

Conclusion

Finding a substitute for kosher salt is straightforward once you understand the key differences in grain size and composition. Whether you opt for the convenience of table salt, the pure taste of sea salt, or the mineral complexity of Himalayan pink salt, success lies in adjusting your measurements accordingly. For everyday cooking, a good coarse sea salt offers a texture and flavor profile most similar to kosher salt. By keeping these simple conversion rules and usage tips in mind, you can confidently substitute and ensure your dishes are perfectly seasoned every time. For further information on salt conversions by weight, a detailed guide can be found on MasterClass's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can use table salt as a substitute for kosher salt. However, because table salt has a finer grain and is denser, you should use approximately half the amount by volume. For savory dishes, add it gradually and taste as you go.

If you are using coarse sea salt, you can typically substitute it in a 1:1 ratio by volume. If using fine sea salt, use about three-quarters of the amount called for, as it is denser than kosher salt.

Coarse sea salt is one of the best all-purpose substitutes for kosher salt, as its flaky texture and clean flavor profile are very similar. Himalayan pink salt is another excellent choice due to its comparable grain size and taste.

For most cooking, the difference is negligible. However, in sensitive applications like pickling or curing meat, the iodine in table salt can sometimes affect the color or flavor. For these uses, an additive-free salt like pickling salt is a better option.

Different salts have different crystal shapes and sizes, which affects their density. Since kosher salt has larger flakes, a teaspoon of kosher salt contains less sodium than a teaspoon of fine table salt. Converting ensures you don't over or under-salt your food.

Measuring by weight is always the most accurate method, especially when substituting different types of salt. This eliminates the uncertainty caused by variations in grain size and density.

Due to its similar grain size and pure flavor, Himalayan pink salt can be used as a 1:1 volumetric replacement for kosher salt. Just be aware that different brands may have slightly different textures, so it's wise to start with a little less and adjust to taste.