Low Sodium Hot Salsa – Frontera Habanero Cilantro Lime Salsa
I love salsa. All kinds of salsa. I love the heat especially if it enhances flavor. Not so much if it punches you in the mouth and you can’t enjoy it. I’m also a sucker for Key Lime, so when I saw that on the label, it was like win-win! I had to try it out. So here is my thoughts on this low sodium hot salsa – Frontera’s Habanero Cilantro Lime Salsa.
Habanero Heat
Habanero peppers are probably at the top of the scale heat-wise that I can tolerate. According to Wikipedia, habanero chilis are very hot, rated 100,000–350,000 on the Scoville scale. The habanero’s heat, its flavor, and its floral aroma have made it a popular ingredient in hot sauces and spicy foods.
The Scotch bonnet is often compared to the habanero, since they are two varieties of the same species, but have different pod types. Both the Scotch bonnet and the habanero have thin, waxy flesh. They have a similar heat level and flavor. Although both varieties average around the same level of pungency, the actual degree varies greatly from one fruit to another with genetics, growing methods, climate, and plant stress.
Scotch bonnets are mostly associated with Jamaica and Jamaican cuisine and is the major spice used in creating real Jerk Chicken. Habaneros originate in South and Central America.
My Take On Frontera Habanero Cilantro & Lime Salsa
At 190 mg for 2 tablespoons it is a good low sodium option. It is not the lowest out there, but definitely works for our requirements. I tried it on eggs, with my no salt tortilla chips, and on top of cod. Due to the heat of the habanero, a little goes a long way for flavor. You are not needing a lot of this to really kick up the flavor.
The Cilantro and Key Lime helps to mellow out and round out the flavor. With the citrus, it is brighter and seems a bit fresher taste than many other salsas. Frontera has several other flavors (many are lower in sodium). They are all gluten free. You can find them at Target and several other chains. If you’ve tried it or have one you want me to check out, let me know in the comments, below.
Have you tried Desert Pepper Peach Mango Salsa? Not very hot, but only 25mg sodium per 2 Tbsp.
I have! I love it on fish or chicken!
Thank you so much for finding this. I have been looking for a lower salt option that isn’t mild or sweet…can’t stand that sweet stuff! I’m going to mix it with my low salt (mild) Paul Newman to hopefully end up with something in the middle.
You are welcome!
Salsa IS a challenge for us “low salt” folks. Sometimes I prefer to instead use the low sodium ketchup from Heinz and Hunts. 5 mg a serving, so you don’t have to skimp.
One interesting salsa we found was the Trader Joe’s Spicy, Smoky Peach salsa. Still, it’s 90 mg a serving. And not much bite to it.
Here’s a different approach — the Robert Rothschild “glaze and finishing sauce.” They have two similar products. We use the Roasted Pineapple and Habanero sauce. ZERO sodium!
It IS spicy, and has a range of uses. I use it sometimes as a salad dressing, and it can serve as a salsa.
It must be pretty popular, as it’s sold at Costco. Give it a try. Try both their zero sodium products.