Let’s address the elephant in the room. Salt is tasty.
There’s a reason it’s arguably the most popular flavour enhancer there is. But there’s also a reason it can be one of the most unhealthy and dangerous if it’s not enjoyed in moderation.
Salt is a very crucial nutrient for the human body and is needed for healthy fluid balance, muscle function, and keeping healthy nerve transmitters. Experts are constantly refining what the optimal amount of daily salt intake should be for the average person, but chances are, a lot of us are going above and beyond that target.
On the flipside, too much salt can negatively affective your blood pressure and cholesterol, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other potentially fatal consequences.
So, if you’re a salt fanatic, what are some substitutes without sacrificing flavour?
Pepper
Pepper is usually at the table as salt’s best friend and tasty accompaniment.
With lots of varieties, each with their own flavour profile ranging from sweet to bitter, pepper can be used during the cooking process or as a final seasoning and significantly enhance your food.
Onion
Onions are generally little flavour bombs of their own, but onion powder is essentially a condensed version of all that flavour packed into a dried form that can closely resemble salt. Onion powder is perfect for savoury dishes such as soup, casseroles, or even in dry spice rubs for meat and vegetables.
Garlic
Whether it’s in chopped, minced, or dry powder form, garlic is an incredible flavour enhancer with a super versatile taste range that changes depending on how it’s cooked. Garlic can be used to sweeten up dishes, or as a great addition to a savoury meal. It’s also packed with antioxidants as a bonus!
Fresh green herbs
There’s no better form of nature’s flavour enhancers than in fresh green herbs such as parsley, basil, rosemary, thyme, dill, or coriander. These unique herbs are packed with their own unique flavours and aromas that can take a dish from flat to fabulous. They’re also incredibly easy to grow and maintain in pots or gardens, making them accessible and convenient salt alternatives.
Lemon juice
Mostly associated with drinks, desserts, or as a garnish, lemon juice is the unsung hero of many popular dishes. Whether added during the cooking process, at the very end, or sprinkled on top of salads, fish, and other foods, lemon juice can cut through and elevate the other flavours within a dish, or completely change its flavour profile, even more than salt!