7 Salt-Free Seasonings for Flavorful Dishes—Minus the Sodium (2024)

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Add some of our favorite salt-free seasoning blends to your spice cabinet to reduce your daily salt intake while still enjoying flavorful meals.

By

Katlyn Moncada

7 Salt-Free Seasonings for Flavorful Dishes—Minus the Sodium (1)

Katlyn Moncada

Katlyn Moncada is the associate food editor at BHG.com, sharing food news and tutorials on becoming better home cooks. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience in digital media, photography, and video production.

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Updated on April 16, 2024

Reviewed by

Jessica Jones, MS, RD

7 Salt-Free Seasonings for Flavorful Dishes—Minus the Sodium (2)

Reviewed byJessica Jones, MS, RD

Jessica is a nationally-recognized Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, Writer, Speaker, and Digital Content Strategist. As the co-founder of the wellness content media company, Food Heaven, Jessica creates engaging food and nutrition content for over 80 global corporations, food companies, and media outlets including American Heart Association, Blue Apron, Adobe, Dove, and KitchenAid. Jessica also co-hosts the top 50 nutrition Food Heaven Podcast, which explores the intersections of nutrition, health, and wellness through a social justice lens. With over 3 million downloads to date, the Food Heaven podcast has been a pillar for accessible and inclusive health and wellness insights since 2015. In addition to being a go-to nutrition expert, writer, and columnist for SELF magazine, Jessica is the co-author of the 28-Day Plant-Powered Health Reboot and A Diabetes Guide to Enjoying the Foods of the World.

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Fact checked by

Emily Estep

7 Salt-Free Seasonings for Flavorful Dishes—Minus the Sodium (3)

Fact checked byEmily Estep

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a focus on sustainable agriculture, and she's an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants.

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If you are trying to maintain a heart-healthy diet, you know how challenging it can be to reduce sodium intake. Processed foods and restaurant dishes account for more than 70% of the sodium in our diets, making it all the more difficult to enjoy home-cooked foods like cheesy pizzas or spicy tacos without adding lots of salt. They seem lacking in comparison.

Luckily, there are some brilliant spice makers in the world to save your would-be bland meals. Try these blends to adhere to the American Heart Association's recommended 1,500 mg of sodium per day rule for most adults (especially those with high blood pressure).

8 Healthy Low-Sodium Dinner Ideas Packed with Flavor

7 Salt-Free Seasonings for Flavorful Dishes—Minus the Sodium (4)

What Is Salt-Free Seasoning Blend?

You may be surprised to learn it, but a lot of popular seasoning mixes (i.e., Cajun, herb, taco) are packed with sodium. Salt-free seasonings are simply a twist on your favorite herb and spice mixtures without the added sodium. They are great additions to your spice pantry that can help you track how much sodium is going into your food without sacrificing flavor.

Spice Substitutes to Save Your Recipes in a Pinch

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Dash Original Salt-Free Seasoning Blend

7 Salt-Free Seasonings for Flavorful Dishes—Minus the Sodium (5)

Dash (formerly Mrs. Dash) is a leader in the spice aisle when it comes to the salt-free seasoning game. Their original seasoning blend contains an onion-garlic blend infused with herbal notes and a citrus finish. It's a go-to salt-free seasoning for adding life to a salad dressing, bowl of soup, or quick veggie sauté.

Buy It: Dash Original Salt-Free Seasoning Blend ($6, Walmart)

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Salt-Free Everything Bagel Seasoning

7 Salt-Free Seasonings for Flavorful Dishes—Minus the Sodium (6)

This crunchy sesame-filled seasoning easily became a household staple over the past few years. The salt-free everything bagel seasoning will enhance the flavor of your morning avocado toast, fried eggs, and more.

Buy It: Spiceology Everything Bagel Salt-Free Seasoning ($19, Spiceology)

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Salt-Free Cajun Seasoning

7 Salt-Free Seasonings for Flavorful Dishes—Minus the Sodium (7)

The Spice House has an entire salt-free seasoning collection to makeover your pantry. Add low-sodium depth and heat to your Mardi Gras dishes (we're looking at you, gumbo!) with this salt-free Cajun seasoning made with paprika, onion, garlic, pepper, chiles, thyme, and oregano.

Buy It: Spice House Salt-Free Cajun Seasoning ($9, The Spice House)

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Really Ranch Salt-Free Seasoning

7 Salt-Free Seasonings for Flavorful Dishes—Minus the Sodium (8)

If you're the type that puts ranch on everything, this is the salt-free seasoning for you. Sprinkle it on your roasted veggies to give your healthy dinner the kids' mark of approval.

Buy It: Spiceology Really Ranch Salt-Free Seasoning ($10, Spiceology)

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Mediterranean Garlic and Herb Salt-Free Blend

7 Salt-Free Seasonings for Flavorful Dishes—Minus the Sodium (9)

Many elements of traditional Mediterranean cuisine are known for being both heart-healthy and naturally flavorful—like whole grains, beans, lean protein, seafood, and unsaturated fat from extra virgin olive oil. This salt-free seasoning has a citrusy lemon flavor added to its garlic-herb salt-free blend. Use it to add some flair to baked fish, vegetables, and other favorite seafood dishes.

Buy It: Spice House Mediterranean Garlic and Herb Salt-Free Blend ($10, The Spice House)

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Salt-Free Poultry Grill & Boil Blend

7 Salt-Free Seasonings for Flavorful Dishes—Minus the Sodium (10)

Who says grilled chicken needs salt?! Allow your summer cookouts to get bold flavor with this salt-free grill seasoning featuring a blend of mustard, garlic, pepper, paprika, and a variety of herbs.

Buy It: The Spice Hunter Salt Free Poultry Grill & Broil Blend ($9, Amazon)

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Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime Seasoning Blend

7 Salt-Free Seasonings for Flavorful Dishes—Minus the Sodium (11)

Say hello to taco night's new best friend. With a Southwestern blend of lime, chili pepper, and cumin, this spicy salt-free seasoning is reminiscent of the trendy Tajin seasoning. Use this delicious salt-free blend in your meal-prep ground beef for the week, your favorite guacamole, or anything you want to give a hint of zesty spice.

Buy It: Dash Fiesta Lime All-Natural Seasoning Blend, 2-Pack ($12, Amazon)

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7 Salt-Free Seasonings for Flavorful Dishes—Minus the Sodium (2024)

FAQs

7 Salt-Free Seasonings for Flavorful Dishes—Minus the Sodium? ›

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.

What is a salt-free seasoning 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.

What tastes like salt but no sodium? ›

Most salt substitutes swap out sodium entirely or partly for potassium chloride, a naturally occurring salt-like compound that tastes similar to sodium. For many people, potassium chloride and sodium taste similar enough that the switch is fairly easy.

What seasoning is good instead of 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.

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 the best spice for lowering blood pressure? ›

That said, there are several promising herbs and spices you can incorporate into your diet that may help lower your blood pressure. They include basil, parsley, celery seeds, Chinese cat's claw, Bacopa monnieri, garlic, thyme, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom, to name a few.

What is the healthiest salt substitute? ›

Onions. Onions and onion powder add rich flavor to savory dishes. Onions contain antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory while packing in vitamins and minerals. This makes them a healthy salt substitute and a flavor enhancer.

Can you eat potatoes on a low sodium diet? ›

They're a good source of vitamins, minerals and fiber. As a bonus, potatoes are low in calories, contain no fat or cholesterol, and are sodium-free. They're high in vitamin C and potassium and are a good source of vitamin B6. A medium potato, about 5.5 ounces, contains only 145 calories.

What seasoning makes food less salty? ›

Add an acid to the recipe.

“You can add something acidic, such as lemon juice, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, or processed tomato products to foods to reduce the salty flavor,” says Edwards. “This doesn't reduce the sodium intake, but it does reduce the perception of the salty flavor.”

Do bananas flush out sodium? ›

Doctors recommend adding foods high in potassium to balance salts in the body. High potassium levels help in excreting sodium. If you have consumed a pizza loaded with cheese, go for a banana immediately as it decreases salts.

Can I eat pizza on a low sodium diet? ›

The following foods are high in sodium and should be avoided on a low-sodium diet: Fast food: Burgers, fries, chicken fingers, pizza, etc. Salty snack foods: Salted pretzels, chips, salted nuts, salted crackers, etc. Frozen dinners: Frozen meat dishes, frozen pizza, etc.

What spices have no salt in them? ›

What seasonings don't have salt in them? Seasonings that typically don't have salt in them can include but are not limited to garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, thyme, cinnamon, parsley, pepper, ginger and paprika.

Which product has the least amount of sodium? ›

Sodium is found in most foods you eat — though whole foods like vegetables, fruits and poultry contain much lower amounts. Plant-based foods like fresh produce generally have less sodium than animal-based foods, such as meat and dairy products.

Is there sodium in Old Bay seasoning? ›

Ingredients: Celery Salt (Salt, Celery Seed), Spices (Including Red Pepper And Black Pepper), And Paprika.

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