How to fix a dish that is too salty (2024)

FAQs

How to fix a dish that is too salty? ›

Squeeze some lemon juice or orange juice over your dish. The sour flavor provides a new layer of complexity to the meal and should mellow out the salt. Drizzle in a mild vinegar like all-purpose vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar to help mask the salt with acidity by distracting the taste buds.

Add an Acidic Ingredient

It won't reduce the sodium level of your dish, but adding an acidic ingredient, such as lemon juice, vinegar, or even a tomato product, can neutralize the saltiness of a dish. Start with a dash or a squeeze, stir well to combine, and give it a taste before adding any more.

Lemon or lime juice or vinegar are all acidic and will tame the salt taste. Adding a creamy or fat component like yoghurt, sour cream or butter (unsalted) will also help to reduce overly salted flavours in your dish. With all of these methods, it is important to taste the dish while you attempt to fix it.

“You can add something acidic, such as lemon juice, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, or processed tomato products to foods to reduce the salty flavor,” says Edwards. “This doesn't reduce the sodium intake, but it does reduce the perception of the salty flavor.”

Just Add Acid

Use an acidic ingredient, like vinegar, lemon juice, lime juice, or fresh tomatoes or unsalted tomato sauce, to cut the saltiness of soups, sauces, meat dishes, pastas, salads, and more. A splash should be all it takes to dial back the taste of saltiness.

Add Lemon or Vinegar

A squeeze of lemon can balance out a mildly oversalted soup with its acidic flavor. A splash of vinegar can also do wonders for taming the salty flavor.

Enjoy high-potassium foods regularly.

These include sweet potatoes, potatoes, greens, tomatoes and lower-sodium tomato sauce, white beans, kidney beans, nonfat yogurt, oranges, bananas and cantaloupe. Potassium helps counter the effects of sodium and may help lower your blood pressure.

According to Wolke, while the potato does absorb some of the liquid and therefore tastes salty itself as a result, it doesn't actually remove excess salt any more than dipping in a dry kitchen sponge would. It just becomes saltwater-logged.

“The very best thing to do is sweat,” says registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD, LD. “The body naturally removes sodium through sweat, tears and urine.” To even out your sodium level, get sweaty by exercising or sitting in a sauna. Drink plenty of fluids and cut out salt and salty foods right away.

Other ways to remove salt from food

In addition to potatoes, you can use other starchy vegetables like carrots or parsnips to absorb excess salt. Dairy products like milk, cream, yogurt, or sour cream can help balance out the saltiness of a soup or stew.

Can you make a dish less salty? ›

Adding a splash of something acidic such as vinegar, lemon juice or even wine to an over-salted dish can help to correct your meal and give it an extra tasty tang. Begin by adding a tablespoon at a time, stir well and taste.

Be sure to drink lots of water and avoid spicy and salty foods until your symptoms subside. You can also try chewing sugar-free gum or using an over-the-counter (OTC) oral rinse, such as Act Dry Mouth Mouthwash, to help stimulate saliva production.

Dilute With Unsalted Ingredients

For example, you can add more pasta and sauce to the dish to distribute the salty flavor. You can also add unsalted cream or milk to cream-based sauces to balance out the saltiness. Another trick is to add a squeeze of lemon juice or a pinch of brown sugar to counteract the salt.

Add an Acid

Whether it's lemon juice or a mild vinegar like rice vinegar, a squeeze or light drizzle can help cut and mask over-salted food (there is a reason salt and vinegar chips work well together).

Rinse the meat using hot water, "give it a really quick re-grill or sear, let it rest, and then serve," Southern says. But if your rinsing rescue mission fails, you can still save the meat by slicing and tossing it into a hardy salad, suggests Massachusetts chef Jim Booth.

Here are five simple ways you can reduce sodium in your diet: Choose fresh foods over salty, processed foods. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Skip or limit frozen dinners and other high-sodium fare such as pizza, fast food, packaged mixes, and canned soups or broths.