Help me low-carbify this recipe

Anon2018

Hey guys -

I have a favorite salmon recipe I make almost once a week that I'm trying to cut some carbs out of. It's basically a homemade honey mustard salmon - https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/honey-mustard-salmon-in-foil/

The sauce is honestly my favorite part! but it's so much sugar. Last week I tried it with more mustard and less honey and didn't like it as much (neither did my partner) - it was just too tangy. This week I was thinking of cutting out half the honey and replacing it with balsamic vinegar, but wondering if anyone else has any ideas?

Or any awesome low-carb salmon recipes?

I am planning to make this tonight and after pre-logging my day realized it would put me over my carbs (My aim is 15% or less which usually ends up being like 50 carbs. This bad boy adds 29 carbs and since I plan to eat it with a veggie, will definitely put me over for the day.

Any ideas?

lady_bug_jd

I’m not totally sure but maybe try replacing the Honey with a low carb syrup or sweetener

Lalasouli

Could you make it with a low carb or light honey Dijon dressing? There are plenty of those around.

I always thought the Ina Garten caesar roasted fish recipe sounded good too!

Anon2018

Thanks for the suggestions - I forgot to mention - I don’t eat artificial sweeteners - they don’t agree with my stomach

AlexandraCarlyle

I hate to tell you @Anon2018 but you have two choices: Either eat the carbs and modify intake for the remainder of the day/week - or give up the recipe.
Occasionally, there are just some things that can't or won't be changed.

skinnyjingbb

If you cut down the sweetness, you need to definitely cut down the tangy element like the mustard and lemon juice for balance. Maybe add some mayo or miso paste. I found this recipe online , not sure if it's good, but you can take some element from it to modify your recipe. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/231702/chef-johns-baked-lemon-pepper-salmon/

kpk54

Well since it has already been mentioned, I'll state something similar to @AlexandraCarlyle. Some things just shouldn't or can't be changed. Honey is honey and has a unique flavor. Since that recipe is for 2 pounds of salmon with a quarter cup of honey that's what? About 12 carbs per serving? Unless it made me crave, I'd be fitting it in. Just 1 more reason to enjoy my carb limit of 50 versus 20.

Honey is pretty potent to me. Have you tried just using less? FWIW, I printed the recipe yesterday when I read it. I can see why it would be a favorite.

tcunbeliever

I would try about 1/2 the amount of honey (2 T) and add in about 1/4 cup of mayonaise...with any luck that would still give you a honey flavor with less carbs, and the mayo should help cut the tang of the mustard without overpowering the delicate honey flavor.

If you find a substitution that you like I hope you will post it here so we can all share in your success!!!

KnitOrMiss

I would probably play around with Yacon syrup, honey extract, Dijon mustard for part of the mustard (maybe half whole grain, half Dijon?), and/or oddly enough, applesauce or something for part of the honey. Still lightly sweet, similar consistency once cooked, and unsweetened, with fiber, in small quantity is used on keto/paleo diets.

Something else to compare is molasses for part of the honey...or maybe even sugar-free honey (I know, what's the point, it's just a fake syrup...and I don't know if it uses AS)... Or maybe a high quality maple syrup to see if you can cut quantity?

KnitOrMiss

McGoogle suggests:

https://ketodietapp.com/Blog/post/2016/03/22/healthy-sugar-free-honey

I saw that specific fiber syrup mentioned in a couple other recipes... Might be worth a test drive at some point.

anglyn1

Truvia Nectar is a mix of truvia and honey so it has less carbs than real honey. That should maybe halve the carbs in the sauce if you subbed it. Maybe try making the recipe that way and just using less of the honey mustard sauce in general?

Anon2018

AlexandraCarlyle wrote: »

I hate to tell you @Anon2018 but you have two choices: Either eat the carbs and modify intake for the remainder of the day/week - or give up the recipe.
Occasionally, there are just some things that can't or won't be changed.

This makes a lotta sense - just gotta keep getting into this mindset.

I really liked some of the suggestions and will definitely try them, especially the one to add unsweetened applesauce and cutting the honey in half and the ones to try a strong maple syrup so I need to use less.

kpk54 wrote: »

Well since it has already been mentioned, I'll state something similar to @AlexandraCarlyle. Some things just shouldn't or can't be changed. Honey is honey and has a unique flavor. Since that recipe is for 2 pounds of salmon with a quarter cup of honey that's what? About 12 carbs per serving? Unless it made me crave, I'd be fitting it in. Just 1 more reason to enjoy my carb limit of 50 versus 20.

Honey is pretty potent to me. Have you tried just using less? FWIW, I printed the recipe yesterday when I read it. I can see why it would be a favorite.

I'm getting 4 servings from 2 lbs of salmon and it's 29 carbs for that portion - 6 servings for 2 lbs was too small for me. I also have a carb limit of 50, and it really makes it easier to adjust and fit things in. Plus I don't really find myself craving. I'm losing ok (but slowly), and that's my only real goal right now.

retirehappy

I would just use 1/8 c of honey and reduce ever so slightly the mustard. Or just balance out the next day, with a much lower carb day. Life is for living and making choices. Good luck sorting it all out. Let us know your results.

swezeytba

My suggestion was going to be try eating about 1/2 the amount of sauce you normally do....See if that works....

KnitOrMiss

Or go for a vigorous walk right after finishing your meal - to burn through the sugary stuff...

Another option would be to make more low carb sides so that you can feel satisfied with a smaller portion (or make it surf and turf or something) and/or offer a second protein with it so that you can stretch the salmon further into another meal or two...

Maybe shrimp scampi, scallops in butter sauce, or mussels if you want to stay seafood-y...

Or small steaks/chicken thighs to make a surf and turf or chicken/seafood combo...

Lots of ways to be "satisfied" with a smaller size portion - if you're willing to get more creative.

@Anon2018