Big flavours, delicious recipes and just the right amount of salt. Explore our collection of tasty salty recipes, from comforting classics to exciting new dishes. Salt is an essential mineral that helps your body maintain fluid balance, supports normal nerve function and plays an important role in muscle function. The key is enjoying it in moderation, alongside a balanced diet. Discover recipes packed with flavour that prove healthy eating doesn't have to be boring.
Top Salty Recipes
Tuna, Caper & Chilli Spaghetti
A quick, punchy pasta dish packed with Mediterranean flavour, using quality tuna, briny capers, fresh chilli and garlic.
There’s something wonderfully simple about this tuna, caper and chilli spaghetti. The capers bring a naturally briny, salty punch, while garlic, chilli, lemon and extra-virgin olive oil add layers of flavour without needing lots of additional salt.
Health benefits
Tuna is a useful source of protein, helping make this a satisfying meal, and oily fish can provide beneficial omega-3 fatty acids depending on the type of tuna used. The garlic, chilli, lemon and parsley add plenty of flavour without needing large amounts of added salt.
Capers are naturally very salty because they are usually preserved in brine, so a little goes a long way. If you're watching your salt intake, rinse and drain the capers before using them and avoid adding extra salt to the dish.
North East tip
For a really good version of this dish, ask your local fishmonger what's freshest that day. Saltwater Fish Company at Fenwick Food Hall in Newcastle and Lindsay Bros in Grainger Market are two North East options worth checking out. You can also explore the fishmongers around North Shields Fish Quay for locally available seafood.
Always follow your fishmonger's advice on storage and preparation, and cook tuna thoroughly if you prefer not to eat it rare or medium-rare.
Salty Margarita Mocktail
Fresh, zesty and wonderfully refreshing — this alcohol-free twist on a classic margarita brings together zingy lime, orange and a perfectly salty rim.
If you love the combination of sharp citrus and that unmistakable hit of salt, this margarita mocktail is one to try. Fresh lime juice provides plenty of zing, while orange juice adds natural sweetness and colour. A little agave syrup brings everything together, with a salt-rimmed glass providing that classic margarita finish.
Ingredients — Serves 1
50ml fresh lime juice
75ml fresh orange juice
15ml agave syrup or honey
50ml chilled soda water
Ice
1 lime wedge
1–2 tsp sea salt, for the rim
Optional: thin slice of fresh chilli for a spicy kick
Method
1. Salt the glass
Run a lime wedge around the rim of a rocks glass. Tip the sea salt onto a small plate and gently dip the rim into it.
2. Mix the citrus
Fill the glass with ice and pour in the fresh lime juice, orange juice and agave syrup.
3. Add some sparkle
Top with chilled soda water and gently stir.
4. Finish
Garnish with a lime wedge and, if you're feeling adventurous, a thin slice of fresh chilli.
Why it's a healthier choice
Unlike a traditional margarita, this version contains no alcohol, making it a refreshing option when you want something special without the booze. Fresh lime and orange juice provide vitamin C, while making your own mocktail means you can control the amount of added sweetness.
The salt rim is there for flavour rather than as a health ingredient. Salt is an essential mineral, but most people already get enough from their diet, so keep the rim light if you're watching your salt intake.
For an even lighter version, reduce the agave syrup and let the natural citrus flavours take centre stage.
Where to enjoy one on the North East coast
For the full coastal experience, head to the Champagne Bar at Spanish City in Whitley Bay. Perched right beside the seafront, it's hard to beat for the views. With the sweeping coastline and North Sea stretching out in front of you, it's a particularly lovely spot to enjoy a citrusy, salt-rimmed mocktail while taking in the scenery.
Ask whether they can make an alcohol-free margarita or margarita-style mocktail — menus and availability can change, but it's worth asking if you're looking for something refreshing without alcohol.
North East tip
For the best experience, grab a window or sea-facing seat if you can. There's something about sipping a salty, citrusy margarita while looking out across the North Sea that makes this drink feel right at home on the North East coast.
Salted Chilli Crispy Tofu
Crispy, spicy and seriously savoury — this salted chilli tofu is a brilliant plant-based recipe for anyone who loves a proper punch of flavour.
Tofu might have a reputation for being mild, but this recipe completely changes that. Once crisped up, the tofu becomes the perfect canvas for fragrant chilli, garlic and a salty, savoury seasoning. The result is crunchy on the outside, tender in the middle and packed with the kind of bold flavour that keeps you going back for another bite.
The salt is an important part of the dish, helping to bring out the heat of the chilli and the savoury character of the tofu. As with any salty recipe, though, a little goes a long way — you can adjust the seasoning to suit your taste.
Why tofu is worth trying
Tofu is a versatile plant-based source of protein and can be a useful alternative to meat in a balanced diet. Depending on the type, tofu can also provide calcium and iron. Pair it with vegetables, chilli and fresh herbs and you've got a colourful, satisfying meal that's big on flavour without relying on meat.
Our tip: Serve the crispy tofu straight from the pan while it's at its crunchiest. Add steamed greens or a fresh Asian-inspired salad alongside it for a complete meal.
Salty Feta, Roasted Pepper & Poached Egg on Sourdough
Creamy, salty feta, sweet roasted peppers and a perfectly poached egg piled onto crunchy artisan sourdough — a simple brunch that's big on flavour.
If you're a fan of salty flavours, this is one for you. Feta has that wonderfully distinctive salty tang that makes it such a brilliant ingredient for breakfast and brunch. Here, the saltiness of the cheese is balanced by sweet, juicy roasted red peppers, fresh lemon and a crisp slice of sourdough.
The crowning glory is a perfectly poached egg. Break into that golden yolk and let it run through the creamy feta and peppers before scooping everything up with the crunchy bread.
Ingredients — Serves 2
2 thick slices of good-quality sourdough
100g feta cheese
150g jarred roasted red peppers, drained
2 fresh eggs
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
½ lemon
1 small garlic clove, finely grated
½ tsp chilli flakes
Small handful of fresh parsley or rocket
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp white wine vinegar, for poaching the eggs
No extra salt needed — the feta and peppers provide plenty.
Method
1. Make the feta topping
Crumble the feta into a bowl and add the grated garlic, lemon zest, a squeeze of lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil. Mash lightly with a fork, leaving some texture.
2. Prepare the peppers
Slice the roasted peppers into strips and gently warm them in a frying pan with a little olive oil. Add the chilli flakes and cook for 2–3 minutes.
3. Toast the sourdough
Toast the sourdough until golden and crisp around the edges.
4. Poach the eggs
Bring a pan of water to a gentle simmer and add the vinegar. Crack each egg into a small cup. Stir the water gently to create a whirlpool, then carefully slide an egg into the centre. Poach for around 2½–3 minutes, until the white is set but the yolk remains beautifully runny.
5. Build your toast
Spread the feta mixture generously over the warm sourdough. Add the roasted pepper strips and carefully place a poached egg on top.
6. Finish
Add plenty of freshly ground black pepper, a little lemon juice and a scattering of fresh rocket or parsley. Finish with a small drizzle of olive oil.
Why feta works so well
Feta is the star of this dish, bringing a naturally bold, salty flavour that means you don't need to add much — if any — extra salt. Its tanginess works particularly well with sweet roasted peppers and creamy egg yolk.
Feta also provides protein and calcium, while eggs contribute protein and several essential nutrients. The sourdough provides carbohydrates, and the peppers add vegetables and valuable nutrients.
Because feta and jarred peppers can both be relatively high in salt, there's no need to add additional salt. If you're watching your salt intake, choose a reduced-salt feta where available and rinse the peppers before using.
Make it extra special
Look for thick-cut, crusty sourdough and quality free-range eggs. For the sourdough, I'd make a trip to Pure Knead Bakery on Park View Whitley Bay, The Sustenance Society Whitley Road, Baker In The Bay Whitley Road or Adam’s Bakehouse Cullercoats, you’re spoilt for choice.
There's something particularly nice about using a loaf from a local independent baker for this recipe — the crusty, chewy sourdough gives you the perfect base for the creamy feta, sweet peppers and runny egg.
Tip: Pick up your sourdough, then take a walk along the seafront before heading home to make brunch. It's a very North East way to start the day!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Serves: 2
Salted Caramel Cake
If you’re a fan of that irresistible sweet-and-salty combination, this salted caramel cake is one to save. Rich, buttery and wonderfully indulgent, it combines a soft, moist sponge with layers of luscious salted caramel and a creamy frosting.
It’s the kind of cake that feels a little bit special without being overly complicated – perfect for a weekend bake, afternoon tea or when you want to impress friends and family. The pinch of salt cuts through the sweetness of the caramel beautifully, making every bite rich but surprisingly moreish.
Serve it with a cup of tea or coffee, or go all out with an extra drizzle of warm salted caramel just before serving. This is definitely not an everyday cake – but it’s absolutely worth the calories when you fancy a proper treat.