LOL--DH says cooking dinner every night is TOO much

[Marionnette]

It's only a sodium laden sauce if you put one in. It's possible to make low sodium crockpot meals too


I personally don't think it is necessary to cook a new meal every day. But my husband and I really like leftovers. Many people won't eat them at all.

Please share your low-sodium crock pot recipes. The ones that I see posted on here are usually made with some sort of canned soup, which are extremely high in salt. Others contain hidden sources of sodium as well. There's a lot of sodium between the cheeses, sour cream, cream cheese, and cream-of-whatever soups. And while it's not bad once in a while, I would never make those kinds of crock pot meals every day.

 

[mjkacmom]

Please share your low-sodium crock pot recipes. The ones that I see posted on here are usually made with some sort of canned soup, which are extremely high in salt. Others contain hidden sources of sodium as well. There's a lot of sodium between the cheeses, sour cream, cream cheese, and cream-of-whatever soups. And while it's not bad once in a while, I would never make those kinds of crock pot meals every day.

The only soup I cook with is low sodium chicken broth. You can use real ingredients in the crockpot. This is one of my favorite ones:

http://www.tablefortwoblog.com/chicken-tikka-masala-crockpot/

 

[Marionnette]

The only soup I cook with is low sodium chicken broth. You can use real ingredients in the crockpot. This is one of my favorite ones:

http://www.tablefortwoblog.com/chicken-tikka-masala-crockpot/

That looks very good but, OMG!, heavy cream AND yogurt!!!? Did you know that milk products contain a lot of salt all on their own? Not to mention the amount of fat in the cream. I suppose that you could find a fat-free yogurt and use fat-free condensed milk in order to cut the fat, but the hidden sodium is still there.

That would definitely be a very once in a while dish for us, but I appreciate the recipe link.

 

[KKB]

KKB - most 'cream of' soups have wheat flour in them..... Did you find something that doesn't?

Is that a small amount of wheat doesn't seem to bother me, so am not neurotic about labels, just avoid the obvious carb choices. I also rarely used cream of chicken soup--usually just rely on water & spices.

I have not been tested, just minimized my exposure & find I feel so much better--good enough for me. Now, Mom brought kolaches from a real Czech bakery on Monday--enjoyed every bite. But just one.

The killer for me was wheat beer--loved Blue Moon & Summer Shandy. I find I can have one if I really want to, but honestly it doesn't even taste as good anymore.

 

[pjlla]

Please share your low-sodium crock pot recipes. The ones that I see posted on here are usually made with some sort of canned soup, which are extremely high in salt. Others contain hidden sources of sodium as well. There's a lot of sodium between the cheeses, sour cream, cream cheese, and cream-of-whatever soups. And while it's not bad once in a while, I would never make those kinds of crock pot meals every day.

I know your request wasn't directed at me, but I'd be happy to share some healthier crockpot meals with you if you would like. I haven't bought a can of cream of something soup in probably 5 years (other than cream of mushroom for the mandatory Thanksgiving green bean casserole that I "must" make). Most of my crockpot meals include a lesser amount of meat, lots of veggies that can tolerate longer cooking, and sometimes beans. I do have a few that have cream cheese, but I usually use 1/2 to 1/4 of what the original recipe calls for and they are still good. Let me know if you would like me to share a few recipes with you................P

 

[hsmamato2]

I have no issues with sodium...but my ds has always been wheat allergic, so i had no choice but to work from scratch- since i make my own soup stock, i add as much salt as i need,no more- i found a dry recipe to make 'cream of' soup for cooking....

 

[Marionnette]

I know your request wasn't directed at me, but I'd be happy to share some healthier crockpot meals with you if you would like. I haven't bought a can of cream of something soup in probably 5 years (other than cream of mushroom for the mandatory Thanksgiving green bean casserole that I "must" make). Most of my crockpot meals include a lesser amount of meat, lots of veggies that can tolerate longer cooking, and sometimes beans. I do have a few that have cream cheese, but I usually use 1/2 to 1/4 of what the original recipe calls for and they are still good. Let me know if you would like me to share a few recipes with you................P

I'm always open to trying new recipes. We try to keep fat consumption down (skinless, white meat chicken, very lean beef and pork) and we have to watch our sodium intake because there's heart disease in both of our families and a strong history of kidney disease in my family.

 

[KKB]

Please share your low-sodium crock pot recipes. The ones that I see posted on here are usually made with some sort of canned soup, which are extremely high in salt. Others contain hidden sources of sodium as well. There's a lot of sodium between the cheeses, sour cream, cream cheese, and cream-of-whatever soups. And while it's not bad once in a while, I would never make those kinds of crock pot meals every day.

Lots of spices/onion/garlic for flavor, nearly always fresh veggies (except tomatoes--canned give such richness of flavor)

No one in our household has high blood pressure, so I am not neurotic about sodium, tho as I said I do try to buy no/low sodium canned goods when possible (and I prefer fresh or frozen frist) We also salt virtually nothing at the table.

Pretty much my theory on everything--try to be as healthy as we can most of the time & not worry too much. Moderation is key in about everything...

 

[KKB]

I agree about overdoing crock pot meals. At some point, you just want a piece of grilled meat or baked fish -not something that has been swimming in a sea of sodium-laden sauce for hours on end!

Once in a while, crock pot meals are fine. But maybe the OP's husband is trying to tell her something about going overboard with it.

But 3 in a row this week--all different flavors, too. (all fresh items Sunday, Fit & Active cream soup Monday, no sodium tomatoes Tuesday--everything else fresh items on Mon/Tues) Actually VERY few of my crock pot meals involve cream soups! (we only like cream of chicken & only very occasionally).

The nice thing for us is that I know the child that has an activity before I could get dinner done will still have a hot meal. Oh, they have (and still will) open a can of soup or make a hot dog, and on occasion we will eat out. I just giggled at DH's reaction--he did back pedal last night when he realized how it was going. I do prefer the nights all 4 of us can dine together but those days are few!

Everyone tosses their own dishes in the dishwasher; DH or I takes care of the leftovers & final dishes (in the dishwasher, typcially), depending on who is driving DS to his activitiy.

DH & I both work, so we both contribute to household chores. Is it 50/50? I don't know. I shop & cook, we both clean up/empty dishwasher. He does lawn. We both do laundry (tho he probably does more--he just comes home & tosses in a load every day. Helps A LOT we have laundry on 2nd floor with bedrooms)

 

[mjkacmom]

That looks very good but, OMG!, heavy cream AND yogurt!!!? Did you know that milk products contain a lot of salt all on their own? Not to mention the amount of fat in the cream. I suppose that you could find a fat-free yogurt and use fat-free condensed milk in order to cut the fat, but the hidden sodium is still there.

That would definitely be a very once in a while dish for us, but I appreciate the recipe link.

I use fat free Greek yogurt in this, and rarely use cream. I use whole milk though (we drink 1% - well, the kids do - I don't drink anything but water, coffee, and wine!). We eat a lot of grilled chicken - nice to change it up a bit!

 

[JanaDee]

Please share your low-sodium crock pot recipes. The ones that I see posted on here are usually made with some sort of canned soup, which are extremely high in salt. Others contain hidden sources of sodium as well. There's a lot of sodium between the cheeses, sour cream, cream cheese, and cream-of-whatever soups. And while it's not bad once in a while, I would never make those kinds of crock pot meals every day.

I rarely use soups in my crockpot recipes. Most of them involve using some type of roast with a marinade and veggies or homemade soups with low sodium broths.

A favorite crockpot recipe is one I got from the Dis, I think.

Crock Pot Teriyaki Pork Chops

4 pork chops
2 garlic cloves minced
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup chicken broth
salt and pepper to taste (can be omitted)

Sprinkle salt and peper on chops if desired and put in gallon size freezer bag. Mix all other ingredients together and add to bag. You can either put the chops in the freezer for later use or put in fridge overnight to marinade.

Empty contents into crockpot and cook on high 4-5 hours or low 6-7 hours.

*Yes, the soy sauce has sodium. If you prefer you can use low sodium soy sauce.

I make this recipe frequently in the fall/winter.

 

[JanaDee]

Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers

12 oz pkg sausage, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
1 green pepper diced
1 red pepper diced
1 small onion diced
2 garlic cloves minced
1 can italian diced tomatoes
1 tbsp italian seasoning

Combine all ingredients in gallon size freezer bag. Put in freezer for later use if desired. Otherwise, put in fridge overnight.

Empty into crockpot and cook on low 6-8 hours and serve over rice.

There are lots of recipes that don't use tons of sodium-laden sauces.

 

[kymom99]

Please share your low-sodium crock pot recipes. The ones that I see posted on here are usually made with some sort of canned soup, which are extremely high in salt. Others contain hidden sources of sodium as well. There's a lot of sodium between the cheeses, sour cream, cream cheese, and cream-of-whatever soups. And while it's not bad once in a while, I would never make those kinds of crock pot meals every day.

I put a boston butt in the crock pot with a rub I make myself. I also put a whiole chicken in there with seasonings. You don't need any sauces at all if the meat has any fat in it. You can also use a low sodium broth if you want some moisture. I put in pork loin with just onions and seasonings as well.

 

[mombrontrent]

Google some vegan recipes for crockpots. Most are very healthy and low-fat and don't use processes ingredients. You can use as much or little salt as you like and use low sodium ingredients like veggie broth or soy sauce. There is a ton of tasty ethnic options out there. My favourites are Indian and Morrocan recipes as I love there flavours in the crockpot.

 

[jedijill]

There are a lot of great Paleo crockpot recipes online as well. They would be just meat and veg with no processed food.

Jill in CO

 

[Marionnette]

There are a lot of great Paleo crockpot recipes online as well. They would be just meat and veg with no processed food.

Jill in CO

Thanks. I'll do a search later for just Paleo crock pot recipes to see if I can find anything that fits our diet preferences.

I did a search earlier for "low-sodium crock pot recipes" and saw one that looked good (used low-sodium broth and low-sodium soy sauce). Then I read the nutritional content. The darn thing had 1180mg of sodium in a single serving! That's like half of the daily allowance!!!! I can reduce it a little by substituting my own unsalted broth for the low-sodium stuff but even "low sodium" soy sauce has a lot of sodium in it!

You know the old saying that just because it's on the internet, that doesn't make it true? I'll keep looking...

 

[tina.tina]

I use my pressure cooker multiple times per week to cook meat. When you've got your meat done, it's really easy to steam some frozen vegetables in the microwave for sides.

I LOVE my pressure cooker. Everything comes out so tender. It requires 1.5 cups of liquid and I often use water. We don't use salt or pepper very often at all.

The Applewood rub that I use for pork ribs has 15% sodium per 2 tsp. serving, but actually most of that ends up left in the water in the pressure cooker. Sometimes I use low sodium broth to make the soup for something like beef stew.

 

[java]

I make my own chicken stock so i can control the sodium. Super easy to make and tastes like liquid gold.

I cook every night but it can be a struggle after work. One thing that has helped is double cooking. Example, i made 2 roast chikens last night. One was dinner. Th other will be enchilladas later in the weekend.

This weekend i will make sauce, spaghetti and meatballs one night, lasagna for the freezer.


Having those go to meals has been a life saver! I just wish hy would build a grocery store closer to my job. Would make a post work stop easier.

 

[lauradis]

I use my pressure cooker multiple times per week to cook meat. When you've got your meat done, it's really easy to steam some frozen vegetables in the microwave for sides.

I LOVE my pressure cooker. Everything comes out so tender. It requires 1.5 cups of liquid and I often use water. We don't use salt or pepper very often at all.

The Applewood rub that I use for pork ribs has 15% sodium per 2 tsp. serving, but actually most of that ends up left in the water in the pressure cooker. Sometimes I use low sodium broth to make the soup for something like beef stew.

Oh I love my pressure cooker too.

Most of the time I just put in our home made broth ice cubes, which I don't add salt to make, just the natural farm fresh whole chicken, and vegs.

When I don't have homemade broth, just add water and the spices. Hardly can tell the difference.

Really my pressure cooker is like a crock pot on speed.

After two years of using it weekly, I'm still amazed at its speed.

 

[ronandannette]

I was inspired here (and by our budget!) to really focus on making dinner each night, especially so there are leftovers for DH & I the next day. (DS14 eats at school & DD16 takes lunch every day)
Friday: Chinese meal deal at local grocer--it AT LEAST 2 full meals for us.
Sunday I chopped veggies & fruit, baked cookies & muffins. Crocked oatmeal for Monday (mixed reviews on that one)
Sunday: crock pot roast (3 leftover portions; DH & I took 2 lunch Monday)
Monday: Crocked 2 chicken breasts w/ cream chix soup; threw in fried rice & cream cheese (2 leftover portions for Tues. lunch)
Tuesday: crocked stew
Weds: planning kielbasa & pepper.

LOL--DH was like you are cooking again? We have so much food right now (no, not really, there is one portion of roast, 2 of sesame chicken, OK & a large bowl of oatmeal...) Plus the fridge is fuller when I have meat defrosting plus produce ready to use this week!

That being said, with our schedule crockpot is great as we are rarely all home for dinner at the same time. I feel good kids get real meal (not just canned soup or hot pockets!)

ALDI opened last week here, went Sunday & LOVED IT. AMAZING prices. Going to try the 25 meals for $150 at ALDI soon.

Thanks everyone for your inspiration, recipes & links!

If you're feeding 4 people + leftovers on 2 chicken breasts, you're well on your way! That's awesome but everybody here wants big meat!

It's only a sodium laden sauce if you put one in. It's possible to make low sodium crockpot meals too


I personally don't think it is necessary to cook a new meal every day. But my husband and I really like leftovers. Many people won't eat them at all.

DH won't, not a bite. I've had to get really good at moderating quantities (which is hard to do in a large crockpot) or end up eating the same meal for lunch for days and days on end.