Hawaiian sea salt is popular for traditional Hawaiian dishes, ranging from poke to lau lau pork. The red variety brings an earthy nuttiness due to its mineral content. You will need Hawaiian sea salt if you want to make Hawaiian dishes that have traditional flavor profiles. If you cannot find Hawaiian sea salt or simply do not have the time to look for it, consider one of the Hawaiian sea salt substitutes below.
Table of Contents
- Your best bet: Pink Himalayan salt
- A decent second choice: Kala namak
- In a pinch: Fleur de sel
- Other alternatives
- Must-read related posts
Your best bet: Pink Himalayan salt
As the name suggests, pink Himalayan salt is mined in the Himalayas and has a pink or reddish color. That color comes from its mineral content in much the same way that the color of red Hawaiian sea salt comes from its mineral content. Himalayan sea salt is actually the residue from a dried-up inland ocean trapped by tectonic shifts. Its color and subtle mineral flavor make it the best substitute for red Hawaiian sea salt.
Another factor that pink Himalayan salt has in common with Hawaiian sea salt is that it works well as a finishing salt, especially if you use a coarser grind. Pink Himalayan salt will provide a similar appearance in addition to the crunchy texture that you want from large salt crystals.
Use pink Himalayan salt as a 1:1 substitute for any of the Hawaiian salts, but its color makes it particularly most effective as an alternative to red Hawaiian sea salt.
A decent second choice: Kala namak
Kala namak is also known as Indian black salt and is a great option if you are seeking an alternative to the black lava variety of Hawaiian sea salt. Black Hawaiian salt does not occur naturally; rather, it is a man-made product that combines sea salt with activated charcoal. The result is a salt with earthy, sulfurous flavor notes.
Kala namak is man-made as well and formulated by combining sodium with charcoal and a variety of Indian spices. It’s a blend that has similar sulfur notes as those provided by black Hawaiian salt. Though it’s a stronger flavor than black Hawaiian sea salt, so start by adding half the amount that your recipe requires for black Hawaiian sea salt and increase to taste.
In a pinch: Fleur de sel
Fleur de sel is a French sea salt known for providing a clean, briny flavor. It is gently skimmed from the surfaces of tidal pools in Brittany. It is a light gray salt without the striking color that makes red Hawaiian salt useful for enhancing the appearance of food; however, it does provide a deep oceanic saltiness. The crystals are also large and can provide a crunch.
You can use fleur de sel as a 1:1 substitute for any Hawaiian sea salt varieties, but it will work best in place of white Hawaiian sea salt.
Other alternatives
Kosher salt does not have the mineral flavor notes you would get from Hawaiian sea salt; however, it does have similarly large crystals. Kosher salt crystals will last longer on the surface of foods without dissolving and can add a crunchy texture.
Must-read related posts
- Cooking With Sea Salt: Learn the dos and don’ts of using sea salt (of any type) in cooking.
- Too Much Sea Salt? There are ways you can fix your over-salted dish.
- Table Salt Vs. Sea Salt: How do they compare?