To cover something in salt to dry it. I wouldn't drive on the roads until they've had a chance to salt them down—they're pretty slick at the moment!We salt down the freshest meat and let it dry cure for at least 72 hours.
salt something down
to place salt on something, such as icy roads. I won't go out until midmorning, after they have salted the roads down. I hope they salt down the roads soon.
salt down
v.
To cover something completely in salt in order to preserve it, flavor it, or dry it: The cook salted the eggplant down for four days. Pioneers would salt down meat for the winter.