8 Low-Sodium Recipes that Are Packed with Flavor

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 recipe! The olive oil-based dressing gets its zest from shallot, black pepper, and just a pinch of salt. Pour it over a mix of fresh veggies, grilled chicken, and 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 stew packed 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 helps this low-fuss and one of the best low-sodium dinner recipes we've tried taste like something you'd order at a fancy bistro. Even so, it's a cinch to make yourself with just 20 minutes to prep. For a quick-fix dinner recipe, assemble the ingredients in the morning, then chill until you're ready to bake and devour.

Buy It: All-Clad Nonstick Sheet Pan ($38, Bed Bath & Beyond)

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 ($17, Amazon) is such a phenomenon 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 recipe 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 per serving.

Buy It: Nordic Ware Baking Sheet ($13, Target)