The Good Stuff Simple Swaps – Every Wednesday I share a new Good Stuff Simple Swap, one simple change that helps clean up your everyday eats without overhauling your whole pantry. You can find all the swaps here!
Processed meats like cold cuts, bacon, and hot dogs are convenient, but many of them are preserved with sodium nitrates or nitrites. These ingredients help with shelf life and color but may not be what you want in your everyday meals.
Switching to nitrate-free options doesn’t automatically make a food “super healthy,” but it’s an easy swap that reduces certain additives while keeping your meals simple and tasty. We like to use all nitrate free cold cuts in our Italian Hoagie Dip Recipe – Also great for subs!
You can read more about nitrates from trusted sources like WebMD if you want the research background.
Why Swap Out Conventional Meats
Many processed meats use added nitrates and nitrites. Nitrate-free options help you:
- Avoid synthetic preservatives when possible
- Choose products with shorter, simpler ingredient lists
- Keep meals familiar and easy to prepare
Think of it as a small, practical step to make everyday meals more ingredient-conscious.
What to Look For Instead
Some reliable nitrate-free options include:
- Boar’s Head – turkey, ham, roast beef
- Applegate – wide range of natural deli meats
- Good & Gather (Target) – Black Forest Ham, Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
- Nathan’s Famous – skinless beef hot dogs without added nitrates
- Simply Nature & Simple Truth – various deli meats
- Hormel & Applegate – nitrate-free pepperoni
- Kroger Private Selection – many deli meats
Look for labels that say:
- “No nitrates or nitrites added” (except naturally occurring ones from celery juice or sea salt)
- “Uncured”
These swaps work for bacon at breakfast, sandwiches at lunch, or hot dogs at cookouts. Small changes like this add up quickly.
Nitrate-Free Meat Simple Swap FAQs
Are nitrate-free meats completely preservative-free?
Not always. Check the ingredient list for added salts, sugars, or other preservatives. Nitrate-free mainly refers to synthetic nitrates and nitrites.
Do nitrate-free meats taste different?
Some brands taste very similar to conventional options, though you may notice slight differences in color or texture.
Can I find nitrate-free options at any store?
Many grocery chains carry nitrate-free deli meats, bacon, and hot dogs. Check the label carefully-look for “uncured” or “no nitrates or nitrites added.”
Why This Simple Swap Works
This is a practical, everyday swap. You keep familiar meals like sandwiches, breakfast bacon, and cookout hot dogs while avoiding synthetic nitrates and nitrites. Nothing extreme, just a simple change that adds up over time.
You can find all the past Good Stuff Simple Swaps [here]. Don’t forget to check back next Wednesday for the next one.
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