TL;DR: Looking for evidenced based methods for low-sodium food prep. to be cooked on a barbecue.
My wife has recently confessed that she doesn't like BBQ food as it is too salty! Normally, I use the BBQ during the week as a quick easy meal as you can have a decent meal (burgers or dogs or even grilled veggies) in like 15 minutes. On weekends, I do roasts or steaks or chicken (basically anything more time consuming).
However, since this revelation I am determined to find a middle ground because:
- she is right, we need to consume less salt and less meat
- I like BBQ.
Here is what I have tried thus far:
- I have made my own burger patties (instead of using Costco's) this went over well but flavour was lacking (I confess, historically I have been too lazy and will be tweaking my recipe).
- I have tried store bought low-sodium dogs and smokies but it was still too salty.
This has been going on for about 2 weeks now, of different trial and error. So what I am wondering is what are tried and true methods of fast, easy cooking on a BBQ that are both tasty and low in sodium (or effective means of replacing sodium, but not sacrificing taste).
While, I realize that this question could end up being flagged for being opinion based so please provide either experience or evidence to help me. I am looking for methods or tricks to employ that will allow me to maintain the quick/convenient cooking that comes with BBQ food but is healthier and hopefully low enough in sodium.
Best Answer
I've been cooking saltless for more than two decades by now and the secret is:
Use thrice as many herbs without salt as you would when cooking with salt.¹
Salt is just the cheapest of all flavours out there, so industrial cooking will use salt as a primary giver of taste as it's cheap!
Additional evidence-based methods:
A nice splash of
Jack Danielssome Tennessee Rye on a steak and in the coals (fill shot glass 10 yards away from BBQ, store the bottle same distance, walk to BBQ, throw on meat and coals 2 feet away, pull back hand immediately) just gives that extra jazz and taste...Fat:
All the other tastes the human tongue is capable of:
Umami
Spicy:
Mix of all of the above:
Note 1: People will just go Really? This is saltless? unless they're
methheadssaltheads...Note 2: If living in the Republic of California
Note 3: Skip this if you use pesticides, anti-moss, chemical fertilisers, ... on your lawn. Absolutely go for it and wrap it in tin foil if your lawn is totally organic!