Sunday at Salt Free: A Halloween Table Without the Frightful Sodium
October 25, 2026
Halloween is next Saturday, and between costumes, candy bowls, and getting everyone out the door, dinner can easily become an afterthought.
This Sunday, we’re revisiting one of our early website recipes: Texas Red Chili. A hearty pot of chili makes a welcoming dinner before trick-or-treating, or a relaxed supper for anyone staying home to answer the door.
Our refreshed recipe starts with beef cubes browned in a heavy pot. Onion, garlic, salt-free chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika build the flavor, while tomatoes and a gentle simmer bring everything together. A little cider vinegar at the end gives the rich sauce a bright finish.
Build Flavor in the Pot
Chili seasoning packets, canned ingredients, and toppings can all contribute sodium. Preparing the chili with salt-free spices, no-salt-added tomatoes, and water or unsalted broth gives you more control over what goes into dinner.
Check the chili powder label carefully: some blends contain salt, while others are simply a mixture of ground chiles and spices.
Browning the beef in batches also makes a difference. Give the pieces room in the pot so they develop color before adding the remaining ingredients. Then let the chili simmer gently until the beef is tender, and the sauce has thickened.
A Little Preparation Makes Halloween Easier
You can prepare the chili a day or two ahead, leaving less to do when Halloween arrives. Refrigerate it promptly in shallow containers, then reheat gently before serving, adding a splash of water or unsalted broth as needed.
Set out bowls, spoons, and a few simple toppings so everyone can help themselves before heading outside.
Diced avocado, chopped onion, and lime wedges bring freshness to the table. Cheese, tortilla chips, and bottled sauces can add sodium quickly, so check labels when choosing extras.
Keep the Supper Simple
Serve the chili on its own or spoon it over our Basic Brown Rice. For a vegetable side, our Sautéed Sweet Peppers with Garlic & Lemon add color and a bright finish.
There’s no need for an elaborate Halloween menu. A satisfying dinner, a pumpkin on the table, and something warm to come home to are plenty.
Get the Texas Red Chili Recipe
Salt Free Kitchen | Chili Night Favorites
A few practical tools make preparing and serving homemade chili easier. Add warm autumn colors to the table with rust-colored napkins and woven placemats.
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For the Kitchen
Lodge 6-Quart Dutch Oven — A heavy pot for browning the beef and gently simmering the chili.
OXO Locking Tongs — Useful for turning the beef as it browns and transferring each batch out of the pot.
OXO Soup Ladle — For serving generous bowls of chili.
For the Table
Rust-Colored Cloth Napkins — The same autumn find featured last Sunday, in a warm shade that complements this week’s table.
Orange Woven Placemats — A similar option for recreating the round, textured orange placemats in our photo.
Explore more of our favorite finds in the Salt Free Amazon Storefront.
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Until next Sunday,
From the Salt Free kitchen to your table.
—The Salt Free Family
