Instructions
Why Is It Important to Salt Your Food?
Salt (sodium chloride) is the ultimate flavor amplifier in cooking. Far from making dishes taste salty, salt suppresses bitterness, enhances natural sweetness, and unlocks aromatic compounds in other ingredients.
Salting your food properly during cooking draws out moisture, tenderizes meats by breaking down proteins, and allows seasonings to get deep into dishes rather than sitting simply on top. Whether you’re seasoning a steak before grilling, tossing fresh vegetables for roasting, or adding a pinch to baked goods, salt is the essential ingredient that brings every dish to life.
Types of Salt: A Comparison Guide
Understanding the distinct differences between salt varieties helps you choose the right texture, mineral complexity, and flavor for your recipes.
| Salt Type | Texture & Grind | Flavor Profile | Best Uses |
| Sea Salt |
Coarse to fine (via adjustable grinder) |
Crisp and clean | Seasoning meat, pasta water, eggs, roasted vegetables |
| Himalayan Pink Salt | Coarse to fine (via adjustable grinder) | Crisp and balanced with visual pop | Tabletop seasoning, salads, seafood, chicken, margaritas |
| Garlic Salt | Fine and uniform | Savory garlic sweetness with salty tang | Burgers, stir fry, marinades, dry rubs |
| Garlic Sea Salt | Coarse to fine, flecked with parsley | Bold garlic, herbs and mineral rich | Pizza, pasta, fish, potatoes |
| Finishing Salts | Coarse and crunchy flakes | Bold and artisanal specialty flavors | Final garnish on steaks, avocado toast, desserts, cocktails |
What is Sea Salt?
Sea salt is naturally harvested from evaporated seawater. McCormick Sea Salt crystals are harvested from the Mediterranean, offering a course texture and a higher concentration of trace minerals compared to basic table salt. While the sodium levels in sea salt are comparable to table salt, sea salt provides a cleaner and more complex mineral taste, paired with a satisfying crunch.
Does Sea Salt Have Iodine?
Pure, naturally harvested sea salt typically does not contain added iodine unless explicitly specified on the label. Standard table salt is often artificially fortified with potassium iodide during processing, whereas sea salt retains its natural minerals directly from ocean sources.
What is Himalayan Pink Salt?
Mined from ancient mineral deposits, McCormick Himalayan Pink Salt gets its distinctive blush tone from naturally occurring iron and trace materials. It delivers a crisp and clean taste without any additional prep required. A simple turn of the grinder releases a burst of flavor while enhancing a dish’s visual appeal. It serves as a versatile alternative to both table salt and kosher salt.
What is Garlic Salt?
Garlic Salt is a classic savory seasoning blend combining ground dried garlic, garlic oil, and pure salt.
How Garlic Salt is Made
McCormick Garlic Salt starts with whole heads of fresh garlic, carefully dried and ground before blended with a touch of garlic oil and salt. The drying process mellows the raw garlic’s sharp bite, adding a subtle sweetness and deep savory aroma.
Is Garlic Salt the Same as Garlic Powder?
No, garlic salt and garlic powder are not the same. Garlic powder is 100% pure dehydrated ground garlic. Garlic salt is a pre-portioned blend of garlic and salt. If you substitute garlic salt for garlic powder in a recipe, reduce the added salt elsewhere in your dish to avoid over-salting.
What is Garlic Sea Salt?
McCormick Garlic Sea Salt Grinder combines coarse Mediterranean Sea salt crystals, savory garlic, and flecks of dried parsley. It’s built into a convenient grinder, which allows for precise control over texture, from coarse granules ideal for steak rubs to a finer garlic salt suited for eggs, soups, and potatoes.
What is Finishing Salt and How to Use It?
Finishing salt is an artisanal seasoning meant to be applied after cooking and before serving. Unlike cooking salt, which dissolves into a dish, finishing salt adds a burst of flavor, visual appeal, and a crunch to the dish.
How to Use Finishing Salt
- Grilled Meats and Seafood: Sprinkle onto seared steak, pork chops, or salmon before serving
- Breakfast and Vegetables: Add a pinch to avocado toast, fried eggs, or roasted asparagus for texture
- Desserts: Shake onto chocolate chip cookies, brownies, or caramel ice cream for a sweet and salty finish
Try The McCormick Finishing Salts Savory Cravings Collection!
Upgrade your pantry with our six count bundle featuring Ranch, Honey Chipotle, Applewood Smoked Salt & Bacon, Zesty Lemon, Smoky Garlic & Rosemary, and Brown Butter finishing salts.
Why McCormick Adjustable Salt Grinders are a Kitchen Must-Have
Freshly ground salt delivers superior texture and control compared to pre-ground table salt. McCormick salt grinders feature a built-in adjustable mechanism that lets you switch between three distinct grind sizes in seconds:
- Coarse Grind: Delivers bold texture and crunch for meat rubs, thick steaks, or sweet caramel toppings
- Medium Grind: Ideal for everyday cooking, seasoning pasta water, and roasting vegetables
- Fine Grind: Creates a quickly dissolving powder that evenly coats popcorn, scrambled eggs, and creamy sauces
How to Use and Recycle Your Grinder
To use the McCormick grinder, remove the cap, adjust the red dial to your desired grind size, turn the bottle upside down and twist. Once empty, McCormick glass grinder bottles are recyclable. Just pop off the plastic grinder head before placing the glass jar in your recycling bin.
Grab Your McCormick Salt Products!
- McCormick Sea Salt Grinder, 2.12 oz
- McCormick® Himalayan Pink Salt Grinder, 2.5 oz
- McCormick® Garlic Salt, 5.25 oz
- McCormick Garlic Sea Salt Grinder, 1.58 oz
- McCormick® Finishing Salts Savory Cravings Collection
