Level Up Your Seasoning Game At Home
Ever wondered why TV chefs & critics obsess over salt & seasoning?
Cooking guru Samin Nosrat nailed it in Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat when she called salt the most critical flavour-unlocking element in cooking. But there’s a salty cheatsheet that some home cooks overlook, and it could be holding your dishes back.
What makes salt so magical anyway?
Salt isn’t just seasoning. It’s like a flavour DJ, turning up the volume on everything that’s good in your food. It pulls out those deep flavours that would otherwise stay hidden. It balances sweetness, cuts through bitterness, and adds an addictive quality that makes you go back for seconds. Without it, your dishes can taste flat, a bit dull and ultimately forgettable.
Come on. Salt like a pro
1. Salt Early (But Not Always)
Salting protein like meat and fish ahead of time allows the salt to penetrate deeply, enhancing flavour and improving texture. It works wonders on everything from roast chicken to salmon fillets.
But when it comes to finishing dishes like salads or roasted vegetables, a pinch of sea salt right at the end is all it needs.
2. Season In Layers (Don’t Be Shy!)
The right level of seasoning is up to you, but often when things taste too salty it’s because all the salt has been dumped on at the end.
Our top tip is to season gradually (but confidently), in layers throughout the cooking process. This means you bring out all the flavours of each of the ingredients, meaning your dish tastes full, balanced and not overpowering.
3. Salt Your Water (Always)
Salting water isn’t just about making things taste salty. It’s about ensuring the food absorbs some of salt from within. When you cook pasta, grains, or vegetables, they soak up a little of the salted water, creating a balanced, deeply seasoned taste that you can’t achieve by adding salt just at the end.
4. Finish With A Sprinkle
A final pinch of sea salt on chocolate chip cookies, a fresh tomato salad, or even a simple avocado can elevate your dish with a satisfying crunch and extra burst of flavour.
5. No Table Selling
We don’t recommend salt on the table (or table salt for that matter). It’s often a sign you haven’t quite got your flavour balance quite right and encourages you to unnecessarily add more when we should all be trying to cut back.
Pinchful is naturally high in minerals and lower in sodium content so you can pinch freely and confidently as you cook, building those deep, delicious flavours while looking after your health. Then if you’re a fan of flakes use them for finishing, as this is where they come into their own.