Best Classic Low Sodium Chili Recipe - Tasty, Healthy Heart Recipes (2024)

This Low Sodium Chili recipe can be easily made in an hour for a weeknight meal. Though I like to do mine on the weekend and let it simmer longer to really develop its flavor. But don’t let that stop you. It really is so easy to make, just brown the beef while gathering the other ingredients, the only thing to chop is some onion and green pepper. Then mix it all together and your hands on time should be done in less time than it takes to brown the beef.

If you buy chili mix in a packet and follow the recipe on the back, sodium levels can be easily 400+ mg by the time you add the other ingredients. I’ve seen homemade recipes hit as high as 1300mg per serving, probably the range I used to be in before I changed to a low sodium diet. With this recipe you see significant savings down to 94mg per serving. Most of the savings comes from not using salt as a spice obviously, but also using no salt added canned products easily found at the store. All the convenience but minimal sodium!

WHEN MAKING CHILI GO LARGE

This recipe makes a pretty good size pot of chili. Making chili is an event for me and it’s inevitable that people come over when they find out I’m making it. The size of this recipe is based on the amount of ground beef that’s used. But I love chili, and when I make it, I splurge on it for several meals. Then I portion out what is left and freeze it for those spur of the moment meals that always seem to pop up when you don’t have time. So you can still maintain awesome low sodium belly filling meal. You can always use this recipe and scale down.

SPICES RULE FOR LOW SODIUM CHILI

When making chili, spices rule and salt not being present really makes very little difference. Spices are what makes good chili develop that complex mouthwatering flavor. There are four spices that are essential to make a chili pot with: chili powder, cumin, garlic and paprika. So make sure you have plenty on hand, other spices you can always mix and match and experiment. (Within reason, haha!)

WHAT TYPE OF MEAT TO USE WITH LOW SODIUM CHILI?

Ground beef isn’t the only meat you can use. It can be replaced with steak bits or even ground pork. If you want to eat less beef, ground turkey or chicken will work with this hearty recipe also.

BEAN OR NO BEAN CHILI?

I like beans so this has lots of big dark red kidney beans. It is not Texas chili, where they adamantly say chili has no place for beans. I use dark red kidney beans as I think they give the best flavor. But you could use any type of bean really, like: black beans, navy beans, pinto beans. I have been finding many more types of beans lately in the canned no salt added version, so use what is available to you or not.

WHAT TO TOP LOW SODIUM CHILI WITH?

In addition to just a plain bowl of chili, you will probably want to also add these things as toppings or to serve over.

shredded cheese (lowest sodium)
sour cream
sliced green onions (chives) or regular
reduced or unsalted sodium oyster crackers
over spaghetti noodles
over a bed of lettuce

WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHILI

Easy Low Sodium Cornbread
Low Sodium Coleslaw

As always, please let me know how you like this recipe in the comments! I get motivated when I hear from you and am interested to learn about how you liked and served your Low Sodium Chili. And please leave a comment or rating and share any tips you might have.