1. Try Something New
One of the easiest ways to spice up low-fat meat dishes is by using new kinds of meat. Spice up your favorite recipes by trading the traditional beef or chicken they're prepared with for something you don't usually eat. Try turkey bacon instead of pork bacon, or make your burgers with ground chicken, turkey or buffalo. You can also skip the red meat and poultry altogether and try tilapia, salmon or another kind of healthy seafood you don't usually prepare. New kinds of meat will expand your palate and help keep your low-fat menu interesting.
2. Experiment With Spices
You can make low-fat dishes more exciting by adding extra spices. Instead of sticking with the old standby of salt and pepper, make your food flavorful with spices that complement its taste. Try pairing basil with chicken, lemon pepper with fish and thyme with pork. If you're feeling adventurous, experiment with bolder flavors like cumin, curry and smoked paprika.
3. Find Flavor in the Garden
Fresh produce and herbs can add spice and flavor to all of your low-fat meat dishes. Try adding fresh peppers like jalapeños and poblanos to give a kick to grilled dishes, or serve dishes with grilled onions and red peppers as garnishes, instead of high-calorie sauce. Spicy greens like arugula make a great accompaniment as a salad. You can also add fresh herbs like sage and basil to give your low-fat dishes spice and depth of flavor.
4. Make It Spicy With Marinade
Marinades can provide a healthy alternative to sauces and dressings by adding flavor without adding calories. For a simple but spicy low-fat marinade, add 1 tsp. of black pepper and 1/2 tsp. of crushed red pepper to 1/4 cup of low-fat Italian dressing. Use this to marinate 1 lb. of low-fat, lean chicken or beef. Marinate the meat for at least 30 minutes to let the meat soak up the spices. Discard the marinade after using it.
5. Prepare for Spiciness
Your method of preparation can affect the spiciness of your dish. Follow cooking techniques like grilling or baking, which keep your meat dishes low-fat and retain any added spices. If you use breading, add spice to the breading mixture so that it will be evenly distributed. Rub spice and seasoning into meat before grilling, so that they permeate the meat and don't simply fall through the grill slots.
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