6 Tips To Boost Flavor Without Adding More Salt
We all know that excess salt is bad for us. We also know that most of us still consume far too much salt, primarily from processed foods. Using less salt does not mean sacrificing flavor. Healthy, home-cooked food made with high-quality ingredients is loaded with flavor. The good news is that there are several ways to mimic the properties of salt in a dish without using a lot of salt. Whether you’re new to cooking or an experienced chef looking to cut back on salt, these simple tips will help you make healthy meals taste much better.
Add acids
Citrus fruits such as lemons along with vinegar play a crucial role in healthy cooking. Acids, like salt, help to bring out the natural brightness of foods and work to blend flavors. Toss vegetables and grains with citrus or vinegar to brighten them up, or make a quick salad dressing with lemon juice, zest, or red wine vinegar and a smidge of oil. With this extra flavor, you’ll think it’s summer all year.
Use spices and herbs
Refresh your spice cabinet to add incredible flavor. ‘Warm’ spices like cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika give sauces, stews, and curries a savory flavor. Spices taste best when cooked, so add them at the start or during the cooking process, and layer the flavor by combining them with fresh herbs at the end. Dried herbs can also be effective. They are not the same as fresh herbs but are generally more potent. Sage and tarragon are good herbs to have on hand. Season meat with them. Keep in mind that the flavors of spices and dried herbs fade over time.
Include alliums
Allium (onion and garlic) family members are excellent flavor enhancers. You can add chives and spring onions at the end of the cooking process for a fresh flavor, and onions and garlic cooked slowly at the start of a dish will add depth and savor. Garlic bulbs can be roasted whole in tin foil and then squeezed over roasts and grilled meats. Alternatively, store the pulp in the fridge to use later in simmering sauces and stews.
Add white pepper
White and black pepper can complement almost any dish. White pepper has a more savory flavor that adds a special something to mashed potatoes, cheese sauces, and Mexican chili dishes. If you can find whole white peppercorns, that’s even better: just like black pepper, grind them as needed.
Sprinkle in some cheese
Cheese has a naturally salty flavor, making it an easy substitute for salt. Hard, aged cheeses like Parmesan and Pecorino Romano are the saltiest of the bunch; they’re good choices because you don’t need to add much to reap their flavorful benefits.
Make your spice blends
Instead of buying store-bought mixes that are often loaded with salt, make your own with different spices. Start with your favorite cuisines, and then get creative in the kitchen. For instance, Latin-inspired spices frequently include dried chilies, cumin, oregano, and garlic, whereas Indian-inspired seasoning may have peppercorns, cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, and mustard seed. Leave the salt out of your mixture and add small amounts to a dish as needed.
