Low-sodium dinner ideas can be packed with flavor, as these eight tasty recipes prove. Each of the low-salt dishes here has less than 300 milligrams of sodium per serving (of your daily recommended level of 2,300 milligrams), so you can keep your heart healthy and your taste buds happy all at once. You don't need to skimp on flavor simply because you're avoiding salt!
Meyer Lemon & Rosemary Chicken Salad
Store-bought salad dressings and condiments are often loaded with sodium. But not the drizzle that tops this low-salt dinner idea! The olive oil-based dressing gets its zest from shallots, black pepper, and just a pinch of salt. Pour it over a mix of fresh veggies, grilled chicken, and Meyer lemon wedges for squeezing, and you won't feel like you're missing a thing.
Priya's Dal
Restaurant fare is often a hidden source of loads of salt. (Pro tip: Chefs often add a lot more salt and butter than you would at home.) Making takeout-inspired dishes at home allows you to control the quality and quantity of ingredients. Take this low-sodium dinner idea—a cozy lentil stewpacked with flavors like turmeric, cumin, lime juice, Thai red chiles, and cayenne pepper. Oh—and just a ¼ teaspoon of salt per serving.
Sheet-Pan Chicken with Peaches and Tomatoes
Savor peak summer flavors on a plate. A homemade honey mustard vinaigrette makes this low-fuss meal—and one of our best low-sodium dinner ideas—taste like something you'd order at a fancy bistro. Even so, making it yourself with just 20 minutes to prep is a cinch. For a quick-fix dinner recipe, assemble the ingredients on a sheet pan in the morning, then chill until ready to bake and devour.
Salmon with Roasted Tomatoes and Shallots
Don't be intimidated by cooking fish or seafood at home. This simple, low-sodium dinner idea is a restaurant-caliber meal. Start by roasting tomatoes. Then top those with salmon fillets, skin-side down. Roast for 15 minutes more, and you're all set to serve this entrée with less than ¼ teaspoon of sodium per serving.
Cabbage and Apple Farro Toss
Bacon provides all the salt and savory goodness you need in this well-balanced, low-sodium recipe. A half-strip per serving pairs beautifully with the nutty farro, sweet-tart apples, and tangy honey mustard sauce. Seeking a meat-free option? Try carrot bacon instead of the traditional pork-based variety.
Farfalle with Mushrooms & Spinach
Jarred marinara and Alfredo sauces are often shockingly high in sodium, so we prefer to go the DIY route with our pasta sauces as often as possible. To make this Test Kitchen-favorite, low-sodium dinner, toss bow-tie pasta with fresh portobello mushrooms and spinach, and voila! You can enjoy a delicious, no-sacrifice pasta dinner.
Lemon-Roasted Tuna and Asparagus
There's a reason why Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat has been so popular as a cookbook, Netflix show, and culinary philosophy. While salt is essential, acid, fat, and heat also play vital roles in cooking delicious food. Balance all of the above—as in this low-sodium dinner idea that includes omega-3-rich tuna and plenty of acid from lemons—and you can dial back the salt but keep all of the flavor.
Cold Oven Chicken
BH&G fans can't get enough of this uber-easy, customizable chicken recipe. Start with four chicken breasts, then choose your own flavor adventure with a spice blend such as mustard-tarragon, Cajun garlic, or chipotle. Once you've decided on your flavors, drizzle the chicken with olive oil on a sheet pan, add your seasonings of choice, pop the bird in the oven, then flip on the temp. (See where the name comes from?) This low-sodium dinner idea is flavor-rich and incredibly juicy, with a maximum of ¼ teaspoon of sodium per serving.
Healthy Recipes for Tasty Meals
- 14 Heart-Healthy Recipes That Don't Taste Like "Diet Food"
- 13 Quick and Easy Heart-Healthy Salad Recipes That Make Eating Fun
- 9 Heart-Healthy Soups and Starters Your Taste Buds Will Thank You For
- 10 Heart-Healthy and Delicious Low-Calorie Recipes
- 25 Healthy Dessert Recipes Under 200 Calories a Serving
