Flavoring Foods Without Salt (2024)

What seasonings can be used in place of salt that will still add flavor to foods?

There are many ways to lower your sodium intake without sacrificing flavor. You might try herbs, spices, and seasoning blends when cooking. Here is a list of some options for adding taste and zest to your food without using extra salt.

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Create your favorite flavors using herbs and spices:

Fish

  • Bay leaf
  • Cumin
  • Curry
  • Dill
  • Dry mustard
  • Green pepper
  • Lemon juice
  • Marjoram
  • Onion
  • Paprika
  • Parsley
  • Savory

Beef

See Also
Salt

  • Basil
  • Bay leaf
  • Cloves
  • Dill
  • Dry mustard
  • Green pepper
  • Horseradish
  • Marjoram
  • Nutmeg
  • Onion
  • Pepper
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Savory
  • Thyme

Poultry

  • Basil
  • Dill
  • Green pepper
  • Lemon juice
  • Marjoram
  • Oregano
  • Paprika
  • Parsley
  • Poultry seasoning
  • Rosemary
  • Saffron
  • Sage
  • Savory
  • Tarragon
  • Thyme

Pork

  • Allspice
  • Applesauce
  • Cinnamon
  • Cumin
  • Curry
  • Dry mustard
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Marjoram
  • Onion
  • Sage
  • Savory
  • Thyme

Breads

  • Cinnamon
  • Cloves
  • Dill
  • Poppy seed

Vegetables

  • Curry
  • Dill
  • Dry mustard
  • Marjoram
  • Sage
  • Thyme

Pasta

  • Basil
  • Garlic or roasted garlic
  • Oregano
  • Poppy seed

Potatoes

  • Dry mustard
  • Marjoram
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Thyme

General tips:

  • Fruit juices can be used as marinades or as sauces or glazes thickened with cornstarch.
  • Jams, preserves, honey, and maple syrup can be used for glazing meats or roasted vegetables.
  • Brown sugar can be mixed with savory spices as a rub for dry meat.
  • All types of vinegar (cider, wine vinegar, Balsamic, rice, or flavored) can be used as marinades or to drizzle on veggies or fruit.
  • Citrus juices and/or citrus zest (orange, lemon, grapefruit etc.) can be added to marinades and rubs or squeezed over meats, pasta, rice, and/or veggies.
  • Hot spices and peppers, such as cayenne, jalapenos, and roasted chipotle peppers, are useful.
  • Plain yogurt mixed with seasonings can be used to marinate and tenderize meat.
  • Sesame oil or herb- infused oils can be drizzled on meats, veggies or breads, rice, and/or pasta.

Medically Reviewed

Last reviewed on 03/04/2019.

Learn more about our editorial process.

Flavoring Foods Without Salt (2024)

FAQs

Flavoring Foods Without Salt? ›

2. "Saltless" is not idiomatic for foods without salt. Instead we would say they are "unsalted".

What can you use instead of salt for flavor? ›

Some flavorful salt substitutes to experiment with in your cooking are:
  • Garlic.
  • Lemon juice or zest.
  • Ground black pepper.
  • Dried onion or onion powder.
  • Nutritional yeast.
  • Balsamic, apple cider and red wine vinegars.
  • Paprika.
  • Truffle oil.
Jun 15, 2023

What is food without salt called? ›

2. "Saltless" is not idiomatic for foods without salt. Instead we would say they are "unsalted".

What tastes salty but has no sodium? ›

Salt substitutes made from potassium chloride alone look like regular salt and have a salty flavor, but have zero sodium. “But potassium doesn't activate the same taste cells as sodium,” Breslin says. That's why people complain that these substitutes often leave a bitter or metallic aftertaste.

Why can't I taste food without salt? ›

It is thought that salt brings out the flavor of food by tying up the water in the food elsewhere- so your tongue can easily taste the enhanced flavors of the food without being distracted by the water content. Lemon juice acts similarly, but it can only be used in certain dishes.

How to add flavor to food without salt? ›

Citrus juices and/or citrus zest (orange, lemon, grapefruit etc.) can be added to marinades and rubs or squeezed over meats, pasta, rice, and/or veggies. Hot spices and peppers, such as cayenne, jalapenos, and roasted chipotle peppers, are useful.

What is a great salt substitute? ›

Some popular salt substitutes include garlic, vinegar, and fresh herbs.

What happens if you stop eating salt for a week? ›

Salt loss (hyponatremia)

Hyponatremia is a condition that occurs when the sodium in your blood falls below the normal range of 135–145 mEq/L. In severe cases, low sodium levels in the body can lead to muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. Eventually, lack of salt can lead to shock, coma and death.

What is a good no salt food? ›

Any fresh fruits, such as apples, berries, oranges, mangoes, and bananas. Any fresh vegetables, such as broccoli, sweet potatoes, beets, okra, spinach, peppers, carrots, and edamame. Frozen vegetables without added butter or sauce.

What is a good salt substitute for high blood pressure? ›

Try herbs like rosemary, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, cilantro, sage, and celery seed. A squeeze of lemon or lime on some foods can provide that extra zip you need without the extra sodium.

Is Mrs. Dash a salt substitute? ›

Is Dash a salt substitute? Dash seasoning blends are a salt-free flavoring alternative, not a salt substitute. Dash products contain blends of herbs and spices but no salt and an insignificant amount of potassium, which is sometimes found in salt substitutes.

What is a no salt seasoning? ›

1 tablespoon paprika. 1 tablespoon ground mustard. 1 teaspoon dried thyme. 12 teaspoon pepper. 12 teaspoon celery seed.

Is no salt seasoning bad for you? ›

Is No Salt(™) a healthy salt alternative? No Salt(™) does not provide the combination of the salts our body needs. What's more, without the appropriate balance of sodium, and if left unchecked by medical professionals, potassium heavy salt substitutes can have health implications for those with kidney and heart issues.

What spices are good to replace salt? ›

Garlic Powder: Use in meats, poultry, fish, vegetables, salads, soups, and stews. Ginger: Use in soups, salads, vegetables, and meats. Lemongrass: Use in soups, stews, meats, poultry, seafood, and sauces. Marjoram: Use in soups, salads, vegetables, beef, fish, and poultry.

What vitamin deficiency causes salt cravings? ›

1. FIRST-- let's look at the vitamins and minerals you need as part of a healthy diet: Calcium and Magnesium: Low levels of these two minerals—which often go hand in hand—prime you for sugar and salt cravings.

What to eat in fast without salt? ›

Here are 5 fasting recipes for Maha Shivratri that can be consumed without salt:
  • Sabudana khichdi. Sabudana khichdi is a popular fasting food in India, especially during festivals like Navratri and Mahashivratri. ...
  • Potato curry. ...
  • Fruit salad. ...
  • Samvat rice. ...
  • Sweet potato chaat.
Feb 18, 2023

How do you make something taste less like salt? ›

Add an Acidic Ingredient

It won't reduce the sodium level of your dish, but adding an acidic ingredient, such as lemon juice, vinegar, or even a tomato product, can neutralize the saltiness of a dish. Start with a dash or a squeeze, stir well to combine, and give it a taste before adding any more.

Do you need salt for flavor? ›

Use of salt decreases water activity, which can lead to an effective increase in the concentration of flavors and improve the volatility of flavor components (Delahunty and Piggott, 1995; Hutton, 2002). Higher volatility of flavor components improves the aroma of food and contributes greatly to flavor.

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