Ever found yourself excited about a dish only to take a bite and realise you’ve accidentally dumped in too much salt? We have all been there. But before you toss the entire dish into the bin, take a deep breath. There are simple, smart ways to fix an over-salted dish without starting from scratch.
Here’s how to remove excess salt and save your meal from becoming a sodium disaster:
Add a starchy ingredient.
One of the most effective ways to absorb excess salt is by tossing in a peeled raw potato or a handful of uncooked rice. Let it simmer for 10–15 minutes; these starchy saviours act like salt sponges. Once they’ve done their job, simply remove them before serving.
If you’ve made a salty curry or stew, adding boiled pasta or unseasoned rice directly into the dish can also help dilute the salt concentration.
Double the recipe (If you have time)
If your pot of soup or curry is overly salty, make a second batch without any salt and mix them together. This not only saves your dish but also gives you extra servings for later. A clear win-win situation!
Toss in dairy
Cream, milk, unsweetened yoghurt, or even a spoon of butter can help mellow out salty flavours, especially in creamy or tomato-based recipes. Dairy neutralizes saltiness while adding a nice richness to your dish.
Use acid for balance
Sometimes, saltiness can be countered with acidity. Try adding a splash of lemon juice, vinegar, or even tomatoes. This won’t remove the salt, but it balances out the flavour so it doesn't hit as hard on your taste buds.
Sweeten it just a bit
A tiny pinch of sugar, honey, or maple syrup can soften the sharp edge of saltiness. But use this trick cautiously; you don’t want your savoury dish to turn into dessert.
Add unsalted broth or water
For soups, gravies, and sauces, diluting with unsalted stock or plain water is an easy fix. It thins out the overall concentration of salt and gives you the freedom to tweak other flavours again.
