low sodium recipies

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

photochief

Newbie
Original poster
Sep 3, 2016
4
10
Hey everybody, my name is dave, nickname is Chief. I live in Kent Wa. I cook outside on most days using a Char-griller both gas and charcoal. I have two grills.   I come from a family of cooks and my dad was a big time bbq'er.  I love to smoke meats and until recently I wrapped and smoked almost everything in bacon.  I've had some health issues and my Dr. has me on a low sodium eating plan.  I've been following his orders and have lost weight and feel good, cut way way back on my consumption of bacon.

My friends think I've given up on smoking and bbqing but I really haven't.  I just choose to eat better, more veggies and fruit. And now am looking for rubs and brines to fit my lifestyle.

My question is I want to use a buttermilk brine, low sodium recipe that I can soak country style pork ribs for this weekend.  I know most recipies use lots of salt, sugar and or brown sugar so my question might be a tough one. I'm thinking a little kosher salt, no sugar and lots of herbs.

any suggestions?

Thanks again for letting me join. 

Chief.
 
Welcome to the forum Dave!  I've never heard of a buttermilk brine.  Perhaps someone else can chime in with suggestions.  I use Jeff's rub, it doesn't call for much salt and you can adjust it to your liking.  The purchase of the recipe contributes to keeping this forum going.  

Mike
 
Welcome Chief...Since you are on a Low Salt and not a NO Salt diet, you have it easy. Look to lower salt options that add flavor, especially Umami, aka the Savory 5th Flavor. Soy Sauce, Fish Sauce. MAGGI Seasoning, Bragg Liquid Aminos, all these have some salt but a little of these liquids goes a long way toward amping up flavor. You can eliminate or greatly reduce the salt in many recipes as well as substitute the above, and don't let Fish Sauce scare you. A good quality premium one like Golden Boy or Super Premium Red Boat add flavor but are not Fishy when added to marinades or added to cooking dishes. BACON IS OUT OF THE PICTURE? Nope, Not if you make your own! You can control the salt. With Pop's Brine, going 1/3 Cup Diamond Kosher Salt, 1 Tbs Cure #1 and greatly reduced or no Sugar, to 1 Gal Water and soak 14 Days then Cold Smoke 10+ hours...You can make very tasty and easy LOW SALT Bacon, add a coat of Black Pepper to punch up the flavor! Belly Bacon have TOO much Fat, use the 1/4" trimmed Fat and desired amount of Lean Meat, up to 2", from the cap of a Pork Butt! See some Brines below and good luck with getting your health in order...JJ

Low Salt Buttermilk Brine

1Qt Low Fat Buttermilk

2C Water 

1/4C Kikkoman Original Soy Sauce (3516mg Sodium)

2T Sweet Paprika (Hungarian)

1T Chili Powder* (contains some Cumin and Oregano) Ancho Chile is same without cumin, oregano etc.

1T Granulated Garlic

1T Granulated Onion

1tsp Black Pepper, more if you like

1/2tsp Grnd Allspice

Combine all and Brine the meat at least over night, 24-48 hours would be better.

Low Salt Apple Pork Brine

1Qt Apple Cider or Juice

1/2C Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4C Soy Sauce (3516mg Sodium)

2T Molasses

1T Coleman's Mustard Powder

1T Sage, rubbed

1tsp Black Pepper

Combine all and Brine the meat at least over night, 24-48 hours would be better.
 
Last edited:
Dave, morning...  Get an electronic scale...  0-100 grams so you can weigh your salt...  Salt is about 40% sodium...  use potassium chloride for your salt..

When I make my bacon, I use ~1.5% salt and 1% sugar and I dry brine the belly.... 

I also quit using salt.. but only what I secondarily added...   I got cramps and muscle fatigue...   NOT good....  Low sodium can kill you faster that too much salt....   You can't totally quit...   Salt is necessary in the neuro transmission of stuff throughout the body.. neurotransmission needs salt...   low sodium in your blood work is BAD...   A friend cut back and the doc to him to start adding salt...   Bride quit using salt when I did..  Her doc told her she had low sodium and to start using salt again....     So, gradually cut back...  Get bloodwork done regularly to monitor it..

Common symptoms of low blood sodium include:

  • weakness.
  • fatigue or low energy.
  • headache.
  • nausea and vomiting.
  • muscle cramps or spasms.
  • confusion.
  • irritability.
 
Hi Dave!

welcome1.gif


to SMF!

Glad to have you aboard!

Al
 
Welcome Chief...Since you are on a Low Salt and not a NO Salt diet, you have it easy. Look to lower salt options that add flavor, especially Umami, aka the Savory 5th Flavor. Soy Sauce, Fish Sauce. MAGGI Seasoning, Bragg Liquid Aminos, all these have some salt but a little of these liquids goes a long way toward amping up flavor. You can eliminate or greatly reduce the salt in many recipes as well as substitute the above, and don't let Fish Sauce scare you. A good quality premium one like Golden Boy or Super Premium Red Boat add flavor but are not Fishy when added to marinades or added to cooking dishes. BACON IS OUT OF THE PICTURE? Nope, Not if you make your own! You can control the salt. With Pop's Brine, going 1/3 Cup Diamond Kosher Salt, 1 Tbs Cure #1 and greatly reduced or no Sugar, to 1 Gal Water and soak 14 Days then Cold Smoke 10+ hours...You can make very tasty and easy LOW SALT Bacon, add a coat of Black Pepper to punch up the flavor! Belly Bacon have TOO much Fat, use the 1/4" trimmed Fat and desired amount of Lean Meat, up to 2", from the cap of a Pork Butt! See some Brines below and good luck with getting your health in order...JJ

Low Salt Buttermilk Brine

1Qt Low Fat Buttermilk
2C Water 
1/4C Kikkoman Original Soy Sauce (3516mg Sodium)
2T Sweet Paprika (Hungarian)
1T Chili Powder* (contains some Cumin and Oregano) Ancho Chile is same without cumin, oregano etc.
1T Granulated Garlic
1T Granulated Onion
1tsp Black Pepper, more if you like
1/2tsp Grnd Allspice

Combine all and Brine the meat at least over night, 24-48 hours would be better.


Low Salt Apple Pork Brine

1Qt Apple Cider or Juice
1/2C Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4C Soy Sauce (3516mg Sodium)
2T Molasses
1T Coleman's Mustard Powder
1T Sage, rubbed
1tsp Black Pepper

Combine all and Brine the meat at least over night, 24-48 hours would be better.

Thanks chef!! Bacon is not completely out. I'm supposed to consume no more than 2300mg per day. I've been able to stay under that level.
I tried cooking pork belly from Costco then season but I didn't like it. I'm going to try your recipes. They sound great. Thanks again!!
 
Dave, morning...  Get an electronic scale...  0-100 grams so you can weigh your salt...  Salt is about 40% sodium...  use potassium chloride for your salt..

When I make my bacon, I use ~1.5% salt and 1% sugar and I dry brine the belly.... 

I also quit using salt.. but only what I secondarily added...   I got cramps and muscle fatigue...   NOT good....  Low sodium can kill you faster that too much salt....   You can't totally quit...   Salt is necessary in the neuro transmission of stuff throughout the body.. neurotransmission needs salt...   low sodium in your blood work is BAD...   A friend cut back and the doc to him to start adding salt...   Bride quit using salt when I did..  Her doc told her she had low sodium and to start using salt again....     So, gradually cut back...  Get bloodwork done regularly to monitor it..
Common symptoms of low blood sodium include:

  • weakness.
  • fatigue or low energy.
  • headache.
  • nausea and vomiting.
  • muscle cramps or spasms.
  • confusion.
  • irritability.
Thanks Dave. I do have a digital scale. I use it and the myfitnesspal app. My wife does also. Doc has me on no more than 2300mg of sodium per day. I've been sticking to it. Most recipes I've cut out sugar and most salt when cooking. I appreciate your information. I have a lot to learn about nutrition.
Thank you.
 
 
Thanks Dave. I do have a digital scale. I use it and the myfitnesspal app. My wife does also. Doc has me on no more than 2300mg of sodium per day. I've been sticking to it. Most recipes I've cut out sugar and most salt when cooking. I appreciate your information. I have a lot to learn about nutrition.
Thank you.
That's great... most doc's say......   "cut out salt"...   at least you have a target.... 
icon14.gif
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Hot Threads

Clicky