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Kala namak – Black Salt | What is it? How to use it? 15 Vegan Recipes!

Kala namak is also known as Himalayan black salt. It’s a secret ingredient – especially in the vegan cuisine – because it adds an eggy taste and smell which makes it perfect for tofu scramble (the alternative for scrambled eggs) or eggy spaetzle.

Kala Namak (Himalayan Black Salt)

What is kala namak?

Kala Namak is a Himalayan black salt, in its rock-form it’s violet to black, when ground it’s pink in color. Due to its high sulfur content, it’s perfect for all dishes that profit from an “eggy” taste and smell. It’s unreal. You have to try it to understand it. It literally changed my cooking so much!

How to use kala namak?

Thanks to the eggy taste and smell, kala namak is perfect for breakfast foods such as tofu scramble and chickpea omelets. I also love to make „eggy“ spaetzle with kala namak (you wouldn’t know the difference to regular spaetzle made with eggs).

Keep in mind, kala namak is salt. If you want to add the eggy taste of kala namak in a dish, then reduce the regular salt amount or substitute it completely.

Kala Namak (Himalayan Black Salt)

Where to buy kala namak?

I usually buy kala namak at an Indian grocery store, it’s probably the cheapest way to get it! My favorite brand is TRS. It’s already ground really fine and perfect to use in the dishes. I absolutely recommend getting it as fine as possible.

You can also buy kala namak online or if you’re lucky at a health food store or exotic foods or spices aisle in the supermarket. It’s worth keeping an eye out!

Vegan recipes using Kala Namak (Black Salt)

Tofu Scramble

Quick & Easy Tofu Scramble
tofu scramble in a pan served with tortillas
Tofu Scramble is THE perfect vegan alternative for scrambled eggs. A special ingredient will make it taste and smell super eggy!
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Tofu Scramble with Mushrooms and Bell Pepper
Tofu Scramble with Mushrooms and Bell Pepper in a pan
Usually, I mix in whatever I have in the fridge. For this version, I’ve used mushrooms and bell pepper, which is such a good combination!
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Mediterranean Tofu Scramble
Mediterranean Tofu Scramble
This is a Mediterranean version with sun-dried tomatoes and olives. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, and taco fillings!
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Recipes using tofu scramble

Vegan Breakfast Pizza
Vegan Breakfast Pizza with tofu scramble and seitan sausages
This is the ultimate vegan Breakfast Pizza with tofu scramble and homemade seitan sausages! The recipe makes one large pizza for two. So is it pizza for breakfast or lunch/dinner-pizza topped with breakfast foods? You decide!
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Mediterranean Tofu Scramble Breakfast Burrito
Mediterranean Tofu Scramble Breakfast Burrito | ElephantasticVegan.com
Recipe for a delicious Breakfast Burrito filled with Mediterranean Tofu Scramble, avocado, salad, tomatoes, and bell pepper.
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Vegan Breakfast Tacos
Vegan Breakfast Tacos
These vegan Breakfast Tacos filled with lettuce, tofu scramble, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, mayo, fresh tomatoes, and cilantro are a winner!
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Stir-Fry

Vegan Fried Rice with “Egg”
Vegan Fried Rice with 'Egg'
Did you know you can make delicious Vegan Fried Rice with “egg” but without actually using any eggs? We’re using tofu as our egg scramble – it’s amazing! Thanks to a little secret ingredient it will taste just like regular eggs. You will love it! And it’s much healthier than traditional fried rice.
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Vegan “Egg” and Veggie Stir-Fry
Recipe for a simple and quick Vegan “Egg” & Veggie Stir-Fry. Got 15 minutes? Then you can make this delicious, better than restaurant version stir-fry!
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Omelet & Egg-Replacement

Vegan Shakshuka
Vegan Shakshuka with chickpea 'eggs'
This vegan Shakshuka is made with fresh bell pepper, onions, garlic, parsley and topped with easy-to-make chickpea ‘eggs’. It’s flavorful, and your perfect next healthy breakfast/brunch/lunch/dinner.
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Vegan Chickpea Omelet filled with Potatoes & Arugula
Vegan Chickpea Omelet
This Vegan Chickpea Omelet will blow your mind! It’s filled with roasted potatoes and arugula, topped with Sriracha Sauce & chopped cilantro. Easy to make!
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Cheesy Spaetzle

Cheesy Spaetzle (vegan, egg-free)
Cheesy Spaetzle (Vegan) with chives
You don’t need lots of eggs to make delicious spaetzle. Try these egg-free, vegan spaetzle and your mind will be blown. Using a spaetzle maker is advised.
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Vegan “Egg” Spaetzle with a creamy Avocado Sauce
Spätzle or often called Knöpfle, are normally made with a lot of (and I really mean a lot!!) eggs, so I was extremely excited that a vegan – egg-free – version turned out that great
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Pakora

Vegetable Pakoras with Mango Chutney
Vegetable Pakoras in a basket with mango chutney in the background
These fried Vegetable Pakoras with cauliflower and spinach are easy to make and delicious! Serve with homemade Mango Chutney for a flavor explosion. They are the perfect Indian snack or appetizer.
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Veggie Pakora with Sweet Potato and Broccoli (vegan & gluten-free)
Veggie Pakora with Sweet Potato and Broccoli and Cilantro Coconut Sauce | ElephantasticVegan.com
This recipe for Veggie Pakora uses sweet potato, broccoli, red onion and spring onions for the filling. Served with a homemade Cilantro Coconut Sauce, it is the perfect appetizer or snack! Naturally vegan and gluten-free.
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Tortilla Espanola

Vegan Tortilla Espanola – Spanish Potato Omelette
Vegan Tortilla Espanola - Spanish Potato Omelette
It’s often also called Tortilla de Patatas and is in its traditional form a Spanish omelet made with potatoes and eggs. For this vegan version, I’ve used chickpea flour.
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Dips

Vegan Mayo
Vegan Mayo Onion Rings
No matter how you use it, as a dip for onion rings or if you add it to your burger. Mayonnaise is a staple in almost every home. Here’s how you can make EASY VEGAN MAYO WITHOUT AQUAFABA but with a special ingredient, that will make it taste and smell super eggy! 
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Vegan Aioli (+ Oil-Free)
dipping toasted bread in vegan aioli
This Aioli is vegan & oil-free. For all garlic lovers out there! Get your toasted bread slices ready for dipping! Ready in less than 5 minutes.
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More secret ingredients:

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Henk

Tuesday 1st of March 2022

Can't wait to use these methods! I just purchased some Kala namak salt from Naturaplaza.

https://www.naturaplaza.com/zouten/kala-namak-salt-granulate-2-5-mm.html

Sue

Wednesday 29th of September 2021

Where can I buy kala namak?

Bianca

Monday 4th of October 2021

In Indian stores, maaaybe in the spices section of regular supermarkets. And if you can't find it anywhere, you can always order it online.

Ronald Schmidt

Saturday 14th of November 2020

Can I use Kala Namak as a substitute for making eggnog?

Tom

Saturday 10th of July 2021

@Ronald Schmidt, do you normally use salt in your nog?

jagjit singh

Monday 10th of February 2020

Wow! I didn't know before reading that post that I can use Kala Namak in all these dishes thanks for this post as know I know how to use it.