15 Genius Tricks to Fix Overly Salty Food

According to Saed News’ Society Desk, many people not only understand the health risks of excessive salt intake but also dislike overly salty foods. When a dish turns out too salty, they try every method to restore balance. Here are practical tricks you can use to reduce saltiness in your meals.

1. Using Sugar
Place a sugar cube on a spoon and let it sit in the pot, ensuring it doesn’t dissolve. After a few minutes, remove the spoon and sugar—the excess salt is partially absorbed.

2. Using Potatoes
Peel a potato, cut it in half, and add it to your boiling dish. The potato absorbs excess salt, and you can remove it after cooking. If you dislike the potato flavor, try using a piece of stale bread instead.

3. Using Fruits
For dishes like vegetable stews or meat dishes, adding fruit can help mask saltiness. Pineapple or apple chunks work particularly well.

4. Adding Water
For soups, stews, or broths, adding water can dilute the salt. Be mindful of evaporation—if the water boils away, the saltiness may return. Alternatively, you can drain some salty liquid and replace it with fresh water.

5. Increasing the Volume
If you have leftover ingredients, adding them—especially potatoes or carrots—can reduce saltiness. For soups with pasta or noodles, increasing the volume often balances the flavor and may improve taste.

6. Serving at a Higher Temperature
Saltiness is more noticeable in cold dishes. Serving your food hot can help mask excess salt.

7. Using a Sponge
An unusual method is using a clean, food-safe sponge. Place it in the dish for about ten minutes while cooking; it absorbs some of the salt.

8. Using a Silver Spoon
Cooking with a silver spoon can also reduce saltiness—a little-known traditional trick.

9. Rinsing Vegetables
For dishes like fritters or vegetable patties, rinsing the vegetables after adding salt can help reduce excess salt.

10. Adding Acidic Ingredients
Lemon juice, vinegar, tomatoes, or pickles can balance saltiness and enhance flavor.

11. Using Sugar or Honey
Combining acidic ingredients with sugar or honey can effectively reduce saltiness. Repeat until the taste is balanced.

12. Using Coarse Salt
Coarse salt is less likely to over-salt a dish than fine salt, which can pour out too quickly and make food too salty.

13. Adding Salt Gradually
Add salt in stages, tasting after each addition, so you can control the salt level before serving.

14. Watch for Evaporation
Water-based dishes like soups and stews lose liquid during cooking, concentrating the salt. Add salt toward the end for better control.

15. Using Cream
If steamed vegetables are too salty, serve them with cream or soak them in a mixture of hot water and cream. Keep in mind this increases calories slightly.

An old saying reminds us that prevention is better than cure. Instead of finding ways to fix salty food, these cooking tips can help you prevent it from happening in the first place.

Tips to Prevent Over-Salting

• Never stand over the dish while adding salt. Measure carefully to avoid adding too much at once.

• Always check that the salt shaker lid is secure to prevent accidental spills.

• Pay attention to sodium-rich ingredients (e.g., ready-made soups or creamy soups) and adjust salt accordingly.

• Add salt cautiously, starting with a small amount.

• Taste frequently to monitor salt levels. Use your whole tongue rather than just the tip for a more accurate sense of flavor. Cool a spoonful before tasting to avoid burning yourself.