Over-salted dish: what to do, how to fix it, useful tips

When a delicious dish turns out to be over-salted, it's a real disappointment. But don't despair! There are several simple ways to fix the situation. Some foods absorb salt, reducing its concentration. Let's look at the most effective ways to fix oversalted food.

Foods that can be added to an oversalted dish

Some foods have a consistency and composition that absorbs salt. They have a neutral taste, so they do not overwhelm the flavors of other ingredients in the food. Here are 10 foods that can be added to oversalted food:

• Potatoes absorb salt well and reduce the saltiness of a dish. You can add whole potatoes, halves, diced potatoes, or mashed potatoes.
• Low-fat milk or cream will help dilute the salty taste and add creaminess to sauces, soups, or porridge.
• Cooked rice absorbs excess salt from food very well.
• Vegetable broth softens the salty taste and adds extra flavor to the dish.
• Lemon, lime, or orange balance the saltiness of food with their sourness. You can add a little juice or zest.
• Sweet peppers add a fresh taste and aroma and reduce the saltiness of a dish. They are cut into strips and added to food.
• Fresh tomatoes are great at dealing with excess salt thanks to their juiciness and neutral taste.
• Cucumbers absorb salt well and add freshness to the dish. Use sliced or coarsely grated cucumbers.

Of course, these foods cannot completely remove excess salt. However, they will absorb some of it. The dish will become less salty.

How to reduce the saltiness of different types of dishes

The best foods and methods for removing excess salt depend on the type of dish. Some methods are only suitable for liquid dishes, while others are universal. How to remove excess salt from food:

• Soup. If the soup is too salty, add a little water or low-fat broth. You can also add cereals, potatoes, or milk to soften the taste. To dilute oversalted pureed soup, add more low-fat milk or vegetable broth and stir.
• Porridge. Add a little hot water or milk to oversalted porridge and stir. Drain some of the water and bring the porridge to a boil. Some of the salt will dissolve and be removed with the water. You can also add fresh vegetables or fruit to balance the taste. If the rice is too salty, rinse it under cold water. You can also cook a little rice without salt and mix it with the salty rice.
• Main courses of meat or fish. Pour hot water or milk over them for a few minutes, then drain. You can also add acidic ingredients such as lemon juice or vinegar to soften the taste.
• Vegetable stew. Add more vegetables or pour in tomato sauce.
• Salad. If the salad is too salty, you can add more fresh vegetables or greens. You can also add a little olive oil or lemon or lime juice to soften the taste.
• Side dishes. Add more low-fat milk or butter to mashed potatoes or potato wedges to soften the taste. To fix oversalted pasta, add more water when cooking or dry it and add unsalted sauce.
• Pizza. If the dough or toppings are too salty, you can add more tomato sauce or fresh vegetables when cooking.

Sometimes a sweet dish is too salty. If it is a pie, cake, or pastry, you can add more sweet ingredients such as sugar or honey. The salt will be less noticeable if you add unsalted whipped cream, cream, or sour cream to the dessert.