Can I pickle and brine without salt?
I have to reduce my sodium intake. I love kosher dill pickles. I'd like to make my own with less or no sodium. So in researching, I see references to using saltpeter in place of salt sometimes. It is described as a preservative. But it doesn't look like it can completely replace salt. Is there a way I can pickle and brine without using sodium? Will the taste be close to kosher dill pickles? It would be fine if I have to eat it within a few weeks.
Best Answer
Thanks for your reply. I think I may have found the answer here. Apparently you can sous vide pickles to pasteurize them, and then leave them packed in vinegar so no bacteria can grow. As I read this, salt is just a flavoring agent here. https://www.chefsteps.com/activities/make-crisp-flavor-packed-pickles-on-the-quick
Now, is there a way to make corned beef or pastrami without salt?
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Quick Answer about "Can I pickle and brine without salt?"
Place vinegar, water and sugar in a saucepan of at least 2 1/2 quarts capacity, and bring to boil. While brine is heating,Divide all the spices into equal amounts per jar and pack jars with layers of dill, garlic, onions, red pepper flakes, mustard seeds, black peppercorns, and cucumbers.Do you need salt in pickle brine?
The USDA Complete Guide (2015) says salt is not required for fresh-pack (vinegar) pickle recipes, but that it absolutely is required for safety with fermented pickles: In the making of fresh-pack pickles, cucumbers are acidified quickly with vinegar. Use only tested recipes formulated to produce the proper acidity.What can I substitute for pickling salt?
Kosher salt is a great alternative, as long as it is pure salt without any additives. (Diamond Crystal is a good brand; avoid Morton, which does contain anti-caking agents.) Pure sea salt can also be used in pickling.Can you pickle with only vinegar?
For quick pickles, a basic brine is equal parts vinegar and water, but you can adjust the ratio to your preference. Any basic vinegar is game \u2014 white vinegar, apple cider, white wine, and rice vinegar all work well. You can use these vinegars alone or in combination.Can I reduce salt in pickle recipe?
Vinegar works to balance the hardness of the salt. You can balance out the excess salt by adding homemade sugarcane vinegar to it. For some pickles, you can equalise the amount of salt increased by adding lemon juice. Because lemon juice is sour, and mixing something sour in any food can decrease the excess saltiness.Pickles with NO salt, NO sugar, No boiling! -- yes, they taste good!
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