How to Make Brine: A Brine Calculator

Ever come across a delicious-sounding recipe that you want to try but you’re not sure how to make the brine it calls for? How much salt is in a 3% brine, anyway? Well, this post is for you. Kristi has taken all the mystery out of the equation by providing charts and step-by-step instructions. Read on for help.

This post will help you calculate the exact amount of salt you need to make your fermented foods. The charts were designed specifically for use with fine-grain Himalayan sea salt. Himalayan sea salt is perfect for use in fermented foods.

Below, you will find three tables, which when used together make up our salt calculator. In the first table, find the food you plan to ferment. Look at the suggested brine percentage. Use the second table to determine how many grams of salt is needed. Take the gram amount to the third table, and determine how many teaspoons or tablespoons of salt that converts to. Add your salt measurement into your measured water, and stir it up. Now you have brine!

An Easy Peasy Salt Brine Calculator

Some food items can have salt added directly to the food and it will make its own brine. Sauerkraut and beets will make their own brine. If you get stuck, just leave us a comment. We will try our best to help you!

Step #1

Use the table below to find the brine percentage that you will need for the food you are fermenting. Go to the next table for more instructions.

Step #2

On the table below, find the brine percentage you will need for your ferment. Choose how much brine you will need to make, and select the corresponding number of grams. 

Step #3

Find the number of grams you need in the left-hand column of the next table. The corresponding teaspoon or tablespoon measurement will be in the right-hand column.  For example, if your measurement of grams is 13, you will need 1 TBSP & 1/4 TSP.

If you need help calculating your brine or don’t see your food on the list, just leave us a comment. We would be glad to help you!

Try some of these awesome recipes that are already calculated for you.
• Kimchi
• Sauerkraut
• Pickles 

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I feel so much better about calculating brine now that Kristi has made it so clear to me. If you need some salt, Fermentools’ Himalayan Powder Salt comes with the charts on the bag so you always have them handy. Now, to find how to convert my ancient recipe that calls for “brine to float an egg.” 

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Kristi is the blog owner of HomesteadWishing.com She is a wife and mother of three wonderful boys. She loves to write about food, children & parenting, tips and tricks, and survival information.

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