11 Healthier Versions of Your Favorite Condiments By Kirsten Morningstar A bowl full of Ketchup Condiments are probably the unsung heroes of many of your favorite meals. After all, what is a hamburger without a little something sweet or savory spread on the bun? The trouble is, some condiments can also be the secret villains when it comes to being healthy and getting the results you want. Many are high in unhealthy fats and calories and some are spiked with loads of added sugar (in the form of high fructose corn syrup), artificial ingredients, and salt. But, all is not lost. Though youll always want to double-check the ingredient list for anything weird, some condiments are usually healthy. Those include mustard, wasabi, and hot sauce. For those that arent (were looking at you ketchup), we found a few store-bought products that make the cut (click here to see our list.) However, making your own tasty condiments is easy and fast. And most can be made with ingredients you already have in your kitchen! Plus, youll see to it that every ingredient you add is natural and that there isnt anything in your special sauce that doesnt belong. Try these 11 simple recipes for our favorite homemade condiments. Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know! Ketchup The ketchup industry tried to reinvent their product as a health food by advertising that it contains the antioxidant lycopene. They were hoping wed ignore the fact that it still usually contains high fructose corn syrup and mysterious natural flavoring. Sorry, but were not buying that squeeze bottle. Our good, old-fashioned ketchup recipe uses tomato sauce, vinegar, and a little coconut sugar or maple syrup. Want to come up with your own variation? Try adding curry or allspice! Chipotle Ketchup Chipotle ketchup is all the rage in upscale burger restaurants or gastropubs. Now you can make this spicier version of classic ketchup at home. Serve with burgers, meatloaf, or baked sweet potato wedges. Ranch Dressing Ranch dressing has a reputation for being liberally poured on everything from salads to French fries to pizza. But have you ever read the label? A modest serving of 2 tablespoons will add 145 calories and 15 grams of fat to your otherwise healthy salad. Low fat and nonfat versions typically have extra salt, sugar, and artificial ingredients. Use our recipe to make a healthier and better-tasting version from scratch that has only 30 calories and 2 grams of fat per serving. Its made from a blend of dried spices that you can store, so whipping up a new batch of dressing takes seconds. Bonus: you can use the spice blend to season meat or as a delicious seasoning for corn on the cob. Chimichurri Chimichurri is a vibrant green sauce from Argentina made from crushed garlic and fresh parsley or cilantro. Then, all of those ingredients are submerged in olive oil. Our recipe uses less olive oil and has only 25 calories per serving. Its my favorite topping for grilled fish and it takes any sandwich to another level. Try a spoonful on cooked veggies! Pesto Once youve tasted our recipe for Homemade Basil and Walnut Pesto, you wont want to buy packaged sauce again. It adds fresh, basil flavor to pastas, vegetables, and makes any sandwich taste gourmet. If youre feeling fancy, try making it with a mortar and pestle instead of a food processor. Itll give your pesto an even brighter flavor and silkier texture. Our recipe is fresh and healthy, but pay attention to the amount youre using. One serving adds 82 calories to your meal. Thousand Island Dressing Like Ranch, Thousand Island dressing is not typically friendly to your waistline. It has a whopping 11 grams of fat and 111 calories in each serving. And, its easy to go overboard. With our recipe, you can spread it on your burgers and dress your salads without guilt, as its just 72 calories per serving. Grab a handful of baby carrots and youve got a healthy snack! Tzatziki This versatile Greek yogurt sauce tastes as cool as the cucumbers its made from. Using nonfat yogurt makes it much lighter than traditional tzatziki and fresh mint and dill give our recipe extra zing. Try it on grilled meats, spicy foods, or use it to wake up your baked potatoes! Chunky Salsa Salsa is said to be Americas most popular condiment and its easy to understand why. (Sorry, ketchup.) It tastes great on just about everything, from eggs to fish to turkey burgers. When tomatoes are in season, nothing beats homemade salsa. Make it as mild or spicy as you like by adding diced jalapeño or serrano chilies! Guacamole Guacamole, its not just for chips! Ill be the first to admit, I have a guacamole addiction. Ill put it on my whole grain toast in the morning with egg whites, dip raw veggies in it in the afternoon, and eat it with beans and rice for dinner. Avocados are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acid, which gives you shiny hair, youthful skin, and helps your brain function. Our recipe adds spicy chili peppers! Homemade Hummus Did you know that you can whip up a bowl of deliciously smooth hummus in under 5 minutes, and itll taste even better than the stuff that comes in a plastic tub from the grocery store? Made from garbanzo beans, tahini (sesame paste), and freshly squeezed lemon, hummus is as healthy as condiments get! It is high in calories, but its also nutritionally dense and has 3.5 grams of protein per 1/4 cup. Bring it as a healthy snack to your next party, spread it on sandwiches and wraps, or use it to make delicious Deviled Eggs. Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce Tangy mustard and sweet honey make a perfect pair. Bottled honey mustard sauce can have extra artificial sweeteners and preservatives, and be high in fat. Our recipe keeps it super simple and fat free. Drizzle this sauce on salads, sandwiches, and when youre craving something crunchy, try it with Almond-Crusted Chicken Fingers
Posted on: Thu, 19 Jun 2014 18:35:03 +0000
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