Low Sodium Chili Lime Salmon

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If you're looking for a healthy dinner that's big on taste but light on effort, then you're going to love this baked Low Sodium Chili Lime Salmon. Packed with zesty flavor, this easy heart-healthy salmon dish is the perfect recipe to solve your weeknight dinner dilemma. Make it in under 20 minutes!

Four fillets of Low Sodium Chile Lime Salmon on a black baking sheet with limes slices around them.

Salmon is definitely a regular in our dinner rotation- my whole family loves it. Not only is it a nutritional superstar, it's also incredibly versatile. Some of my favorite salmon recipes are my air fryer teriyaki salmon, salmon oreganata, and grilled salmon burgers with dill yogurt sauce.

Now I'm excited to bring you this delicious Low Sodium Chili Lime Salmon. It's a wholesome, heart-healthy dinner that's not only bursting with flavor but also a breeze to whip up. It's the perfect recipe to have in your back pocket on busy weeknights when you're when you're looking for a no-fuss meal.

With just a handful of pantry ingredients, you can craft a remarkably flavorful low-sodium meal that the whole family will love.

I top fresh salmon filets with a flavorful rub made with savory spices and a touch of brown sugar. A squeeze of fresh lime juice at the end adds the perfect pop of flavor that eliminates the need for extra salt.

Whether you're following a strict heart-healthy diet or just looking for a tasty recipe that fits into a healthy lifestyle, this is a great recipe for you! So, let's dive into the details of how to make this tasty low sodium chili lime salmon recipe. Plus, I'm sharing my best tips for delicious, low-sodium cooking.

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Dish
Sodium In Our Diet
Doctor's Tips
Tips for Low Sodium Cooking
Ingredients For Low Sodium Chili Lime Salmon
Step-By-Step Instructions
Chef's Tips
How To Serve This Dish:
Recipe FAQs
More Heart-Healthy Recipes
Recipe
Reviews

Why You'll Love This Dish

Heart-Healthy: This healthy salmon recipe is low in sodium and packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids from salmon.
Packed with Flavor: The combination of savory, smoky, and sweet flavors in the spice rub combined with the zing of fresh lime juice provides incredible flavor without relying on excessive salt.
Quick and Easy: This easy salmon recipe delivers incredible taste with minimal effort—it's perfect for busy days and can be made in under 20 minutes!
Customizable: Experiment with different herbs, spices, and cooking methods to suit your needs. You can make this low sodium salmon in the oven, air fryer, on the grill or stovetop.
Family-Friendly- this is a great meal for the entire family (and a good dish to get kids to try fish).

Sodium In Our Diet

Did you know that 9 out of 10 Americans eat more sodium (salt) than they need?

Eating too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure, which may raise your risk of heart attack and stroke. The good news is that cutting down on sodium can help lower your blood pressure and keep your heart healthy.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Heart Association recommend limiting your daily sodium intake to no more than 2,300 milligrams per day for most adults. That’s equal to about 1 teaspoon of table salt!

For certain individuals, (adults age 51 and older, African Americans, and people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease), the recommended limit is even lower, around 1,500 milligrams per day.

However, on average, Americans eat more than 3,400 milligrams of sodium each day, which is far above the recommendations. Most of us don't know how much sodium we're eating or are underestimating the amount.

It turns out that the salt shaker isn't the problem! In fact, the majority (more than 70%) of the sodium in our diets comes from added salt in packaged or prepared foods. Only a small amount of sodium occurs naturally in whole foods.

So what's my number 1 tip on how to eat less sodium? The best way is to cook more at home!

Making your own meals is a great way to eat less sodium because you’re in control of what goes into your food. My Low Sodium Chili Lime Salmon is a testament to the incredible flavors you can achieve with mindful, heart-healthy cooking.

Salmon is a naturally low-sodium food. It contains only about 50-70 milligrams of sodium per 100-gram serving when it’s fresh and unprocessed (pre-packaged or canned salmon may contain added salt as a preservative).

I season salmon with a homemade spice rub that adds a burst of deliciousness without adding extra sodium. A squeeze of fresh lime juice just before serving adds a hit of acid that brings out all the flavors in the dish. You won't miss the salt!

Doctor's Tips

Salmon is a real superfood! Salmon is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which have incredible health benefits. It's also packed with protein and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals.

Our bodies don’t make omega-3s so we must get them from our diet. Here are just a few of the important things that omega-3s do:
- They help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
- They're important for neurological development, especially in fetal development and young children. They may also help reduce the risk of dementia in the elderly.
- They reduce inflammation and boost immunity.

To learn more, read my post all about the health benefits of salmon.

Tips for Low Sodium Cooking

Low sodium doesn't have to be boring and bland! With these low-sodium cooking tips, you can transform mealtime into a nutritious and satisfying experience. Here are some tips to keep your sodium in check when you're in the kitchen.

Use fresh ingredients: Incorporate fresh, high-quality ingredients like ripe vegetables, fruits, herbs, meat, poultry, and seafood in your dishes. These ingredients bring natural flavor to your dishes, reducing the need for added salt.
Embrace the power of herbs and spices: Elevate your dishes with herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, and spices such as paprika, cumin, and chili powder. These aromatic ingredients add depth and complexity to your recipes, eliminating the need for excessive salt.
Add some acid: Adding a pop of acidity from lemon/lime juice or vinegar is a fantastic way to infuse your dishes with bright zesty flavor without having to use salt. Grate citrus zest into your recipes for even more flavor.
Explore umami- Umami, often referred to as the fifth taste, adds depth and complexity to dishes. Using high umami ingredients (like mushrooms, tomatoes, parmesan, and balsamic vinegar) can reduce the amount of salt in your recipes while maintaining rich and savory flavors.
Homemade seasonings: Create your own seasoning blends, like my homemade salmon dry rub, rather than buying store-bought seasoning mixes. Store bought mixes, like taco seasoning, are usually high in sodium and other additives.
Homemade sauces and condiments: Create homemade marinades and sauces with ingredients like citrus juices, vinegar, or low-sodium soy sauce to flavor your meals without excess salt.
Use Low Sodium Broths and Stocks: When recipes call for broth or stock, opt for the low sodium versions. These alternatives contain significantly less salt while retaining its savory essence.
Rinse Your Canned Goods: If you use canned foods, rinse them before eating or cooking with them to wash away some of the salt. When making dishes like chili, draining canned beans and rinsing them under water can reduce the amount of sodium by more than 40%!

Ingredients For Low Sodium Chili Lime Salmon

Ingredients for making Low Sodium Chile Lime Salmon.

Ingredient notes and substitutions. See recipe card at end of post for full recipe amounts.

Salmon fillets- you can use fresh or frozen salmon
Dried spices- I use a combination of chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika for plenty of smoky flavor
Olive oil- to brush on the salmon; you can substitute avocado oil
Brown sugar- a touch of brown sugar adds a little sweetness to balance the savory flavors
Lime- fresh lime juice is essential to add a pop of acidity to the salmon before eating; you can substitute lemon

Step-By-Step Instructions

Steps for making Low Sodium Chile Lime Salmon.

Scroll down to the recipe card at the end of the post for the full recipe.

Step 1- In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, and brown sugar.
Step 2- Brush salmon fillets with olive oil.
Step 3- Sprinkle the spice rub evenly over the salmon.
Step 4- Place salmon skin side down on a rimmed baking sheet (you can line it with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy clean up) and cook in a preheated oven at 400°F to desired doneness. Alternatively, you can cook the salmon in the air fryer, on the grill or in a skillet on the stove (see recipe card at the bottom of the post for cooking instructions). Right before serving, squeeze some fresh lime juice over the cooked salmon for a burst of citrusy brightness.

Lime being squeezed on salmon fillets on a black baking sheet.

Chef's Tips

Make this dish a meal! Add some veggies to the baking sheet like potatoes, broccoli, green beans, asparagus or bell peppers for an easy sheet pan salmon dinner.
Make a double or triple batch of the spice mix and store it in a sealed jar for future meals. You can also use it on other types of seafood, chicken breasts, or vegetables.
Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3-4 days.
There is NO added salt in this dish, making this recipe suitable even for those on the most strict low-sodium diet. You can add ⅛ teaspoon salt to the spice rub if desired- this will bring the sodium up from 76 mg to 149 mg per serving, which is still low sodium.

Not sure if your salmon is past its prime? Read my post on How To Tell If Salmon Has Gone Bad so that you can always enjoy this delicious fish at its best!

How To Serve This Dish:

I like to serve this low sodium chili lime salmon with lime wedges for squeezing on top right before serving. You can also sprinkle fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley on top of the salmon for color and an extra layer of fresh flavor.

You can also top this salmon with a fresh fruit salsa to complement its flavors. Try my mango salsa or strawberry jalapeño salsa.

You can serve this low sodium salmon with grilled or roasted vegetables on the side like my perfect oven roasted vegetables, roasted asparagus and grape tomatoes, air fryer zucchini or butternut squash.

You can also serve this salmon on top of a salad to make it more a more substantial meal. Try it with my quinoa salad with spinach and strawberries or roasted butternut squash salad.

I like to complete the meal by serving this chili lime salmon with a whole grain on the side like brown rice, my quinoa with roasted vegetables, wild rice pilaf, or farro sa lad. The nutty flavors and heartiness of the grains perfectly complement the zesty salmon.

Leftover salmon can also be used for meal prep. You can use the salmon to top salads, grain bowls or burrito bowls. You can also use it as a filling for wraps and tacos.

Looking for more side dish ideas? Read my post on the 30 Best Side Dishes for Tilapia. They work for salmon too!

Recipe FAQs

Which salmon is low sodium?

Salmon is a naturally low-sodium food, containing only about 50-70 milligrams of sodium per 100-gram serving when it’s unprocessed. Pre-packaged or canned salmon can often contain added salt as a preservative, which increases the sodium content. Choose fresh or frozen salmon when possible if you're watching your sodium intake or choose low sodium canned options.

Is there a low sodium canned salmon?

Yes, there are low sodium canned salmon options. Look at the labels on the packaging and choose a brand that is labeled "No Salt Added" like Wild Planet or Safe Catch.

Which fish is lowest in sodium?

Fish like salmon, cod, halibut, tuna, flounder, snapper, catfish, and tilapia are naturally low in sodium, providing about 40 to 80 mg of sodium per serving. Shellfish and canned tuna are typically higher in sodium.