Why All Professional Cooks Use Kosher Salt

If you spend any time in professional kitchens or watch culinary tutorials, one thing is immediately obvious: kosher salt is everywhere. From restaurant prep tables to home kitchens of serious cooks, kosher salt has become the go-to seasoning for chefs of every level.

At Purple Café, a 200+ cover restaurant where I worked for 6 years, Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt was the only salt we used. Cases of it delivered monthly. Every station had a container within reach. Why? Because when you're seasoning hundreds of plates per service, you need salt that's predictable, fast to pinch, and clean-tasting every single time.

But why do professional cooks consistently reach for kosher salt over table salt, sea salt, or fancy finishing salts? And what makes brands like Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt the industry standard?

In this guide, we'll explore the science, texture, flavor, and practical reasons behind the chef's preference for kosher salt. We'll also give you actionable tips for cooking, seasoning steaks, and everyday kitchen use.

What Makes Kosher Salt Unique?

At its core, kosher salt differs from table salt in three key ways:

• Texture: Kosher salt has large, flaky crystals that are easy to pinch, sprinkle, and control. This makes it ideal for chefs who season intuitively rather than measuring every pinch.
• No additives: Unlike most table salt, kosher salt typically has no iodine or anti-caking agents, which can sometimes impart a bitter taste.
• Volume vs. weight: Because of its larger crystals, a teaspoon of kosher salt weighs less than a teaspoon of table salt, making it easier to season gradually and avoid over-salting.

This combination of texture and purity is why chefs worldwide choose kosher salt for almost every dish.

Why Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt Is a Chef Favorite

Among kosher salts, Diamond Crystal is a standout. Here's why professional cooks swear by it:

• ✅ Consistent crystal size: Each pinch delivers predictable seasoning.
• ✅ Lighter crystals: Easy to sprinkle and control compared to heavier, denser salts like Morton.
• ✅ Pure flavor: No additives, no metallic taste — just clean, briny seasoning.
• ✅ Perfect for seasoning meat: Its flakes adhere beautifully to steaks, poultry, and fish, forming an even crust during cooking.

Chefs often prefer Diamond Crystal for tasks ranging from brining to finishing, and home cooks quickly notice the difference when they switch from table salt.

How Kosher Salt Enhances Cooking

Kosher salt isn't just about taste — it's about control and technique. Here's why professional cooks use it for everything from prep to plating:

• Easy pinching and sprinkling: Large crystals make it simple to season evenly without overdoing it.
• Layering flavor: Chefs can add kosher salt at multiple stages — on meat before searing, in water for pasta, or finishing vegetables — without risk of over-salting.
• Better texture: When used on meat, kosher salt draws moisture to the surface, creating an ideal crust when seared.
• Reliable measurement by hand: Culinary pros rarely weigh salt; kosher salt lets them "season to taste" with precision.

This technique pairs perfectly with professional tools like a sharp chef's knife and a quality cutting board for optimal prep work.

Pinch, Sprinkle, and Taste: Using Kosher Salt Correctly

Even the best salt can be misused. Here's how chefs get it right:

1. Pinch between thumb and fingers: The tactile feedback lets you gauge how much salt you're adding.
2. Sprinkle evenly: For meat, vegetables, or pasta water, scatter the crystals for uniform seasoning.
3. Layer your seasoning: Add a little early and a little late to build depth of flavor.
4. Taste as you go: The controlled texture of kosher salt makes it easier to adjust without over-salting.

Other Kitchen Uses for Kosher Salt

Beyond seasoning, kosher salt is incredibly versatile in the professional kitchen:

• 🧂 Brining: Kosher salt dissolves predictably in water for perfect brine ratios.
• 🥩 Meat rubs: Its large crystals adhere to proteins, forming a flavorful crust.
• 🥔 Vegetable prep: Sprinkle on roasted or blanched vegetables to enhance natural sweetness.
• 🍳 Finishing: Use sparingly on finished dishes for texture and visual appeal.

At Purple Café, we used Diamond Crystal for all of these applications daily. From brining chicken for our rotisserie to finishing vegetables at expo, it was the workhorse of our seasoning program.

Why Chefs Avoid Table Salt for Most Tasks

While table salt is fine for baking or recipes where exact measurement matters, it's less forgiving in professional kitchens:

• Fine grains can clump and over-salt dishes quickly.
• Iodized table salt may leave an off-flavor in delicate foods.
• Texture doesn't help with crust formation on meat or control when seasoning by hand.

Kosher salt solves all of these problems, making it the default choice for chefs. In 6 years at Purple Café, I never saw table salt used on the line—only kosher salt for cooking and fine sea salt for the table.

Choosing the Right Kosher Salt Brand

Not all kosher salts are created equal. Key things to look for:

• Crystal shape: Flaky vs. coarse — flaky is easier to control.
• Purity: Avoid added iodine or anti-caking agents unless recipe-specific.
• Trusted brands: Diamond Crystal is the chef's go-to. Morton is denser but also widely used.

For most home cooks and pros, Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt provides the most predictable, reliable results.

Final Thoughts

Kosher salt isn't just a seasoning — it's a chef's tool. From controlling flavor to creating the perfect crust on steak, it's integral to professional cooking. Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt is a trusted choice because of its texture, purity, and consistency.

After 6 years at Purple Café and 18 years in my home kitchen, Diamond Crystal remains the only salt I buy. It's been the foundation of consistent, professional seasoning for nearly a quarter-century. Whether you're running a restaurant or cooking dinner at home, it makes a difference you can taste.

Next time you cook, remember: professional chefs don't just sprinkle salt. They season intentionally, layer flavors, and rely on kosher salt to do it right. Try it in your kitchen and see the difference — your taste buds will thank you.

Want to build a complete professional kitchen setup? Check out our Kitchen Starter Kit for chef-approved essentials.