The Kitchen Trick That Saves Oversalted Meals Every Time

We’ve all been there—you’re cooking dinner, adding seasonings with confidence, and suddenly... oops. Too much salt. Whether it's a rushed shake from the salt shaker or an accidental double-dose from the seasoning spoon, oversalting a dish can feel like a death sentence for your dinner. But don’t panic (or throw it out)—there’s a simple kitchen trick that can rescue your meal and bring balance back to your plate.

The Potato Trick: Your Starch-Based Saviour

One of the most effective and time-tested ways to fix an oversalted dish is to use a potato. This humble vegetable acts like a sponge, absorbing some of the excess salt and softening the overall flavor of your food.

How to Use It:

1. Peel a raw potato (or two, depending on how much food you’re trying to fix).

2. Cut it into large chunks.

3. Add the potato chunks to the salty dish—whether it’s a soup, stew, sauce, or braise.

4. Simmer the dish for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the potato to absorb some of the salt.

5. Remove and discard the potato pieces before serving.

The starch in the potato draws in some of the salty liquid, making the dish more palatable without drastically altering the flavor or texture.

Note: This trick works best for liquid-based dishes. If you’ve oversalted something like stir-fry or roasted vegetables, read on—we've got tips for that too.

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Other Smart Fixes for Oversalted Food

While the potato trick is a solid go-to, not every dish is suited for simmering with a spud. Here are a few more tips for different scenarios:

1. Dilution Is Your Friend

For soups, sauces, or gravies, simply add more liquid—water, unsalted broth, or even cream or milk. This reduces the salt concentration and restores balance.

2. Balance With Acid or Sweetness

Add a splash of acid—lemon juice, vinegar, or tomato paste—to distract your taste buds from the salt. Alternatively, a touch of sugar or honey can round out harsh salty notes, especially in sauces or marinades.

3. Add Bulk

Increase the volume of the dish by adding more of the main ingredients (unsalted). Toss in more veggies, grains, or meat to spread the salt more evenly.

4. Serve With Unsalted Sides

If the main dish is a bit too salty but still edible, pair it with something neutral like plain rice, pasta, quinoa, or a slice of crusty bread. These sides can absorb and balance the saltiness on the plate.

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How to Prevent Oversalting in the First Place

While it’s great to know how to fix oversalted food, the real win is not oversalting at all. Here’s how to keep your seasoning in check:

• Taste as you go. This seems obvious, but it’s easy to forget when multitasking in the kitchen.

• Season in stages. Add salt gradually throughout the cooking process rather than all at once.

• Watch salty ingredients. Broths, soy sauce, cheese, bacon, and cured meats already contain salt—factor them in before adding more.

• Use kosher salt. Its larger flakes are easier to pinch and control compared to table salt.

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Final Thoughts

Cooking is part science, part art—and even the best chefs slip up sometimes. But with a few tricks up your sleeve (and a potato in your pantry), you can fix even the saltiest slip-ups. So the next time your dinner takes a salty turn, don’t toss it—rescue it like a pro and carry on cooking with confidence.