Skip the Salt: 10 Ways To Add More Flavor

The salt shaker can be the easiest thing to grab when you feel like your dish needs a little something. But hey, there are many good reasons to fight the habit! Herbs and spices are your secret weapons here: these seasoning options are a great alternative to using salt, and they reduce bloat and heart disease risk too. Also, many herbs and spices have other unique health benefits and, as an added bonus, are super easy to grow in your home or backyard. But if you don't grow your own herbs, no worries! Both dried and fresh herbs can be used to amp up any dish! Fresh herbs are great for recipes that do not require high-heat cooking or for that last finishing touch, while the flavors of dried herbs infuse nicely when cooked with oil, water, or fat. Spices, on the other hand, can be found whole or ground. They usually have a much bigger flavor profile than herbs, so less is required to get the full effect. Try these ten tips to pep up your foods with herbs and spices.

November 13, 2014 · 1 min · 158 words · Jamie Singleton

Table of Contents

This lower-sodium alternative is easy and livens up a boring chicken dish.

A pinch of garlic powder perks up almost any sauce or dip from hummus to guacamole to salad dressing.

Cayenne/Chili Powder

Like spicy?

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The contrast adds complexity and brings out the rich, chocolate flavor.

Bonus: Some studies even suggest that eating spicy food can cause you to eat less at a meal.

But remember, less is more with chili powder!

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Ginger

Ginger’s hot-and-sweet flavor makes a great, interesting addition to stir-fry and marinades for chicken.

Its calming effect on the GI tract doesn’t hurt either.

Bored with your basic fruit salad or fruit-and-yogurt parfait?

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Try mixing in just a tad of minced ginger for a tangy treat.

Dill

Don’t like fish, but wish you did?

Try seasoning it with dill.

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Its light yet distinctive flavor freshens up any fish dish.

It also adds a subtle something extra to your usual blah salad.

Simply heat (don’t boil!)

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