🧂
🧂 Other Methods

Salt Curing

Draw moisture out of food with salt to create an environment where harmful bacteria cannot thrive.

📋 Step-by-step
1

Weigh food and salt precisely — most cures use 2–3% salt by weight for equilibrium curing.

2

Rub salt (and sugar/spices if using) evenly over all surfaces.

3

Place in a non-reactive container and refrigerate for the cure duration.

4

Rinse or pat dry as directed, then air-dry or cook before serving.

5

For dry-cured items, hang in a cool, humid-controlled environment until firm.

💡 Helpful tips
  • Use curing salt (with nitrites) for long-cured meats to prevent botulism.
  • Equilibrium curing is more precise and less wasteful than cover-salt methods.
  • Cured fish like gravlax is ready in 24–72 hours.
⚠️ Safety note
Curing meat without nitrites for long storage is unsafe. Always follow tested charcuterie recipes and keep cured products refrigerated unless fully dried.
🥕 Best for
Bacon & pancetta Gravlax (cured salmon) Salt cod Lemons Egg yolks
⏳ Typical shelf life

Weeks to months refrigerated depending on cure; salt cod can last a year dried