11 Low-Cholesterol Recipes That are Heart-Healthy and Delicious

sausage and peppers heart healthy low cholesterol meal
Photo:

BHG / Crystal Hughes

You've come to the right place to get the best, most satisfying low-cholesterol recipes full of flavor. We have heart-healthy recipes for every meal of the day and even a sweet treat or two. These dishes will lower cholesterol by giving you options to prepare the meals you need for a focus on wellness without sacrificing flavor.

01 of 11

Chicken Sausage and Peppers

Chicken Sausage and Peppers
Carson Downing

This sheet-pan supper is so super-quick to toss together that you'll quickly add it to your rotation of low-cholesterol recipes, perfect for weeknights. Sweet peppers are one of the best food sources of vitamin C (nope, we didn't confuse them with oranges).

02 of 11

Plum-Pork Noodle Bowl

Plum-Pork Noodle Bowl
Jason Donnelly

When looking for heart-healthy, low-cholesterol recipes, choosing dishes low in saturated fat is essential. However, this doesn't mean you have to swear off all meat. Many cuts of meat, including the pork tenderloin in this noodle bowl, are low in saturated fat. In addition, this dish contains cabbage, which helps lower cholesterol thanks to soluble fiber and phytosterols.

03 of 11

Sheet-Pan Chicken with Peaches and Tomatoes

Sheet-Pan Chicken with Peaches and Tomatoes
Melanie Acevedo

This easy-to-make, low-cholesterol meal features chicken breast. It's low in saturated fat and used in many healthy recipes. The onions also help because they are high in a specific type of flavonoid, quercetin, which has been shown to help lower LDL cholesterol.

04 of 11

Spicy Green Beans with Herb Salad

Spicy Green Beans with Herb Salad
Blaine Moats

While it may seem as though ingredients like fresh herbs, garlic, and onion are only used to add flavor to recipes, don't overlook their cholesterol-lowering power. Even small amounts eaten over time can add up, so regularly incorporate dishes like this spicy beans and herbs side dish into your low-cholesterol meals. Also, don't skip the anchovies, rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fats and cholesterol-lowering niacin (plus huge flavor!).

05 of 11

Bibimbap Casserole with Tofu

Bibimbap Casserole with Tofu
Jason Donnelly

Eggs are no longer the enemy when it comes to eating a heart-healthy diet, so go ahead and make this casserole on repeat! Tofu is a soy food that can help lower LDL cholesterol, the one most important to keep in check.

06 of 11

Celery and Apple Slaw with Walnuts

Celery and Apple Salad with Walnuts
Blaine Moats

Apples, which are one of the main ingredients in this fresh side-dish salad, are high in pectin, a type of soluble fiber that lowers cholesterol by helping the body eliminate excess cholesterol. The walnuts also make this a good salad to include on your list of low-cholesterol recipes because they contain phytosterols, which help block cholesterol absorption in the body.

07 of 11

Pressure Cooker Beef and Broccoli

Pressure Cooker Beef and Broccoli
Jason Donnelly

Beef may not be the obvious choice for healthy recipes to lower cholesterol, but flank steak—the cut of beef used here—is low in saturated fat. That makes this low-cholesterol recipe a perfectly fine choice when you need good heart-healthy recipes. Plus, the broccoli can help lower LDL cholesterol and boost good cholesterol.

08 of 11

Zucchini with Pistachios and Mint

Zucchini with Pistachios and Mint
Melanie Acevedo

Eating more veggies is always a good move for better health. With quick veggie side dishes like this one, it's also easy to do. The zucchini and pistachio nuts help lower cholesterol, but the real winner is olive oil, a good source of monounsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats help lower LDL cholesterol (the bad) and increase HDL cholesterol (the good).

09 of 11

Salmon with Roasted Tomatoes and Shallots

Salmon with Roasted Tomatoes and Shallots
Jacob Fox

Grab some salmon for a simple dish to include in your weekly recipes to lower cholesterol. The heart-healthy omega-3 fats in salmon can help fight inflammation and lower triglycerides and overall cholesterol.

10 of 11

Make-Ahead Black Bean Salsa

Black Bean Salsa

Put this make-ahead salsa recipe on your list of best low-cholesterol recipes, and make it the next time you need a fresh, flavorful appetizer or snack! The black beans in the salsa are high in fiber, which helps keep cholesterol levels in check. Plus, the beans contain anti-inflammatory properties that help protect the body against damage caused by LDL cholesterol.

11 of 11

Italian Pork Roast

Italian Pork Roast
Blaine Moats

For a double dose of cholesterol-lowering tomatoes, make this roast. You'll use fresh tomatoes and tomato paste, which are high in lycopene. Lycopene can help prevent the body from making LDL cholesterol. This tasty low-cholesterol recipe also contains red wine, which may help increase your good (HDL) cholesterol level.

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Sources
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  8. Virani, Salim, et al. "2021 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway on the Management of ASCVD Risk Reduction in Patients With Persistent Hypertriglyceridemia." Journal of the American College of Cardiology, vol. 78, 2021, American College of Cardiology Foundation, pp. 960–993, doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2021.06.011

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