Mastering Salt Control: 5 Simple Techniques to Fix Overly Salty Dishes

 

Here are five easy ways to help remove excess salt from a dish:

1. Dilute with Unsalted Ingredients: Increase the quantity of unsalted ingredients in your dish to dilute the saltiness. For example, you can add more unsalted vegetables, grains, or proteins to balance out the saltiness.
2. Add Acidic Ingredients: Acidic ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, or citrus zest can help counteract the saltiness. Gradually add small amounts of acid to your dish and taste as you go until the desired balance is achieved.
3. Increase the Volume: If possible, increase the overall volume of the dish by adding more of the other ingredients (excluding salt). This helps distribute the salt more evenly and reduce its concentration in each serving.
4. Use Potatoes or Bread: Adding raw, peeled potatoes or pieces of bread to the dish while cooking can absorb some of the excess salt. Remove them before serving as they will have absorbed the saltiness.
5. Adjust with Sweetness: A touch of sweetness can help balance out saltiness. Try adding a small amount of sugar, honey, or a sweet ingredient like diced tomatoes to counter the saltiness in your dish.

Remember, it's best to apply these methods gradually, tasting the dish as you go, to avoid overcompensating and altering the flavor profile too much. It's easier to add more of other ingredients than to reduce excess salt once it's already been added.