Best Salt for Steak: Snake River Farms & Jacobsen Salt Co.
Snake River Farms American Wagyu beef is already spectacular on its own, but pairing it with the best salt for steak takes it to a whole new level. When it comes to premium salt, few brands can match the quality and purity of Jacobsen Salt Co.
Elevate Your Steak with the Right Salt
The right salt enhances the deep, rich flavors of well-marbled beef, bringing out its natural umami and adding a delightful crunch. Jacobsen Salt Co. hand-harvests its salt from the pristine waters of Netarts Bay, Oregon, making it one of the best salts for steak available today. The large, flaky crystals add texture and brightness without overpowering the flavor of a perfectly cooked American Wagyu steak.
Snake River Farms has worked with Jacobsen Salt Co. for almost 10 years. The collaboration began after meeting founder Ben Jacobsen at the food festival, Feast Portland. Recognizing the perfect pairing of SRF American Wagyu beef and Jacobsen’s hand-harvested sea salt, the partnership was born in 2016. Since then, the two brands have collaborated to create special infused salts sold on the Snake River Farms website.
Know Your Salt: A Quick Guide for Steak Lovers
Not all salts are created equal, and choosing the right one can mean the difference between a good steak and a great one. Whether you're seasoning before cooking or adding a final flourish, here's a quick breakdown of the most common types of salt we use in our kitchen and why they matter:
| Type of Salt | What It's Best For | Why We Use It |
| Table Salt | Baking, general cooking | Fine and uniform grains make it easy to measure, but it’s more concentrated than other salts |
| Kosher Salt | Fine and uniform grains make it easy to measure, but it’s more concentrated than other salts | Fine and uniform grains make it easy to measure, but it’s more concentrated than other salts |
| Flake Salt | Fine and uniform grains make it easy to measure, but it’s more concentrated than other salts | Adds texture and a clean burst of flavor—our pick is Jacobsen Salt Co. |
Ready to experience the ultimate flavor upgrade? Explore our American Wagyu steaks and discover how the right salts bring out their full potential.
How Jacobsen Salt Co. Produces the Best Salt for Steak
All salt originates in the sea, whether it’s chemically processed as table salt, found on the Himalayan mountains or recognized by a rabbinical organization as kosher. That means the ocean is Jacobsen’s primary resource. “Without clean seawater, there’s not a whole lot we can do,” he says.
Ben Jacobsen tested 27 different locations on the Pacific coastline before selecting Netarts Bay, Oregon, as his company’s home base for its higher-than-average salinity and cleanliness.
A crucial factor in the purity of Netarts Bay is the presence of oyster farms—each oyster filters up to 20 gallons of seawater per day, naturally purifying the water.
When conditions are optimal, seawater is pumped from the bay into the production facility. There, it is filtered and transferred into a reverse osmosis machine to increase its salt content, creating a concentrated pre-brine. This liquid is then heated in boil tanks to further concentrate the salt while removing excess minerals.
The post-boil solution, known as brine, is poured into heated evaporation pans where salt crystals begin to form. Once harvested, the salt flakes undergo dehydration before being sifted, sorted, and graded into different varieties. Large geometric flakes become Jacobsen’s signature flake salt, while smaller crystals are designated for kosher salt.
Jacobsen Salt Co. is one of the few companies in the U.S. that still hand-harvests salt from seawater, making their artisanal process truly unique.
The Perfect Pairing: Snake River Farms & Jacobsen Salt
When it comes to amping up something that’s already as spectacular as American Wagyu beef, Jacobsen sees his artisanal salts as a natural complement.
“If you’re going to spend money on great meat like Snake River Farms,” he says, “why not go the extra step and buy great salt? It’s so much better.”
Besides deepening the rich flavors of highly marbled steak with bright salinity, Jacobsen’s salts also add a textural contrast to the meat’s juicy tenderness with the delicate crunch of their larger flakes.
“People buying Snake River Farms clearly know the difference between it and commodity beef,” he says. “Using Jacobsen Salt on Snake River Farms steaks is like the ultimate power couple.”
The Ultimate Flavor Boost: Infused Salt
For an added flavor dimension, try one of Jacobsen’s infused salts, which have been specifically crafted for steak lovers.
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Garlic and Black Pepper Infused Salt- This custom blend is only available from Snake River Farms. It starts with Black Pepper Infused Salt and adds exceptional ground garlic. “The garlic and peppercorn is blended directly into our salt so all their essence is released to truly infuse the robust flavors,” Jacobsen says, “It’s sublime with steak.”
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Infused Slide Tin Collection [*seasonal item] – A convenient way to try multiple infused salts, this collection includes a variety of bold flavors perfect for seasoning your steak or adding depth to your favorite dishes.
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Sage and Rosemary Infused Salt [*coming soon] – Fragrant and herbaceous, this blend brings together the earthy aroma of sage and the piney brightness of rosemary. It’s a natural match for steak, adding a savory depth that complements rich, marbled cuts.
Want to try them all? Our infused salt and rubs collections make it easy to experiment with bold new flavors—no guesswork required.
"The steak made for the reverse sear. Add a little Jacobsen salt and it's heaven sent!"
-Jim E. verified buyer
Steak Gift Boxes Featuring Jacobsen Salt
For anyone who loves to cook—and eat—exceptional steak, Snake River Farms offers curated gift boxes that feature Jacobsen Salt Co. products alongside American Wagyu beef and premium cooking tools.
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SRF x Smithey Cast Iron Steak Gift Box
This gift box includes American Wagyu steaks, a handcrafted Smithey cast iron skillet, and Garlic and Black Pepper Salt. It’s a complete setup for creating a restaurant-quality steak experience at home.
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Tomahawk Treasures Gift Box
This impressive box is a showstopper for any steak lover. It features two massive American Wagyu tomahawk steaks and includes Garlic and Black Pepper Salt. Whether you're gifting or planning an unforgettable steak dinner, this set delivers bold flavor and beautiful presentation in one curated package.
These curated boxes make unforgettable gifts—or the start of your next legendary dinner. Shop limited-edition steak boxes now.
The Role of Salt in the Steak Experience
The right salt doesn’t just season—it elevates. With its clean taste, delicate crunch, and artisanal process, Jacobsen Salt Co. enhances every bite of Snake River Farms American Wagyu. Whether used as a finishing touch or a flavorful infusion, it brings out the steak’s natural richness without overpowering it. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference.
"I don’t normally do reviews, but SRF has been great to me. They are a first class outfit. I’ve never had a better piece of meat than theirs. I’ve tried most of their cuts and they are all great. The Flat Iron steak cooks up really nice and the new Jacobsen Salt is outstanding. You never need much seasoning because the flavor of the meat is something you don’t want to cover up! Great Job as Always SRF!!"
- Randy T., verified buyer
Where to Buy Jacobsen Salt for Your Steak
You can purchase Jacobsen Salt Co. products from the Snake River Farms website, www.jacobsensaltco.com, or select local gourmet grocery store. Give it a try with a SRF steak—we think you’ll agree it’s a match made in steak-lover heaven.
Every great steak deserves a perfect finish. Pair your next Snake River Farms cut with Jacobsen Salt Co. and taste the difference for yourself.
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