Hey there! I’m Danielle, aka The Salty Cooker!
My culinary journey started in Michigan and eventually led me to a cozy spot near Wilmington, NC, where I live with my husband, Joe, and our two rescue dogs, Stitch and Tank.
Funny enough, I wasn’t always passionate about cooking. I used to joke that I’d marry a chef just to avoid the kitchen. But life had other plans. At 16, living on my own and needing to feed myself, I started experimenting. When Joe and I moved to northern Michigan, we quickly realized dining options were limited. And with winters that felt like they lasted eight months, driving anywhere wasn’t ideal. So, I turned to the Food Network, learning from icons like Ina Garten, Tyler Florence, and Emeril Lagasse.
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I started with cooking and grilling, but eventually, baking snuck in. At first, it was just something to try, but I quickly realized baking was therapy—a way to slow down, focus, and take life one measurement at a time. With my ever-curious, ADHD-fueled brain, I naturally dove into all kinds of cooking styles, constantly experimenting to keep things exciting.
After northern Michigan, we moved a few times for work—first to Raleigh, NC, and then to the beach, where we’ve finally settled. Through it all, cooking has been my constant. I love perfecting recipes, playing with flavors, and creating food that brings people together. And because I’m a perfectionist, nothing makes it to my blog unless it’s been tested (and retested!) to make sure it’s just right—no compromises.
How The Salty Cooker Started
Honestly? By accident. I’ve worked my whole life—like, single digits young. When we lived in Raleigh, I juggled three jobs, and we even rented rooms on Airbnb and Craigslist to pay off debt. Our end goal? Move to Topsail Beach.
Then one day, Joe told me to quit my jobs—we were making the move. I was excited but also terrified. What would I even do? I’m not a “lay on the beach all day” kind of person.
After we moved, I found myself… restless. I loved the beach, we made amazing friends, but I felt completely lost. So, I threw myself into working out just to quiet my mind. Then, one day at lunch (a few drinks in, let’s be honest), my friend Brittany told me I should start an Instagram page and share my recipes. I barely even used social media and didn’t have an Instagram account. But she convinced me—“Just share your day-to-day, like a lifestyle page.”
So, I did—hesitantly. I started posting random snapshots of my life: volunteering at a sea turtle hospital, rescuing injured turtles, beach days with a drink in hand, and, of course, recipes.
Then something unexpected happened. My page started to grow. One day, a fellow Instagram friend messaged me: “Your recipes are really good. If you learned how to take photos, you could make money doing this.” They suggested I start a blog… and the rest is history.
Now, I get to share recipes that are approachable, adaptable, and (most importantly) delicious. In every recipe, you’ll find substitutions to make life easier—plus gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut allergy-friendly options.
You’ll also notice I don’t stick to just one style of cooking. I get bored easily. I go all in on something, make it ten different ways, then move on to something completely new. That’s why you’ll see me post ten different tres leches recipes all at once—then not mention it again for years.
Cooking is more than just a passion for me—it’s an experience, and I love sharing it with you. So, grab a whisk, dive into a recipe, and let’s make something crave-worthy together!
When I am not in the kitchen I enjoy spending time with our dogs, I love traveling and exploring new areas. Joe and I enjoy fishing together, kayaking, and I really enjoy a nice dinner out.