I've heard there are two times you should salt meat:
- Just before it's going to be cooked, and no sooner. Salt draws moisture out of the meat, and it will be dry if you salt it too early.
- As early as possible; at least a day in advance. Salt draws moisture out of the meat, but then the moisture is re-absorbed with the salt due to osmosis.
*Of course, option 3 is to use a brine.
I've been a fan of option 2 ever since I read Judy Rodgers' Zuni Cafe Cookbook
. Or, more accurately, since I cooked her delicious Zuni Roast Chicken recipe, where you salt the chicken at least 24 hours ahead of time. But which way is right?
. Or, more accurately, since I cooked her delicious Zuni Roast Chicken recipe, where you salt the chicken at least 24 hours ahead of time. But which way is right?Here is a fascinating article in Food+Wine that takes on this question. A professional chef who was taught that BOTH ways are how it must be done. In two different kitchens, which both produced great food. He decided to find out for himself - when should you salt meat?
The Juicy Secret to Seasoning Meat [foodandwine.com], via [lifehacker.com]
*The short form of his answer is...it depends. On the type of meat. I won't steal his thunder; read the article to find out what that means.
Update: OK, I will summarize.
*But read the article anyhow. It's quick and entertaining.
Chicken, Lamb - salt early if at all possible. Steak - it doesn't seem to matter, or it's a matter of taste; both work. Pork - salt as late as possible.
The last one surprised me, but matched my experience with a rack of pork I cooked at Christmas (early salting = dry). I think the summary should be: "Pork = use a brine or salt as late as possible". Darn, this means I will have to revisit some of my recipes to see if they work better with a brine. Are ribs on sale again?
Robbie Slade
Lol I am a Zuni cookbook disciple as well. I am doing three for a large gathering on Christmas and I was searching for “what happens if you salt too early” and found this. I laughed aloud when I saw the Zuni reference. Gods speed you
Mike Vrobel
Ha! Thank you, and to you too!