Low Sodium Francesinha

Experience the rich, indulgent flavors of Portuguese cuisine with a healthier twist in this Low Sodium Francesinha recipe. This lighter take on the iconic Porto sandwich delivers all the hearty elements you love—tender lean beef, low sodium smoked sausage, and layers of turkey, ham, and melted reduced-fat Swiss cheese—all nestled between hearty slices of whole grain or sourdough bread. The star of the dish is the savory, low sodium beer-infused sauce, thickened to perfection and bursting with bold, aromatic spices like paprika and garlic. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this guilt-free version of the Francesinha maintains its signature comfort food appeal while being kinder to your heart. Serve it hot and savor each saucy, melty bite!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 1 piece (about 4 oz) Lean beef steak
• 2 slices Low sodium cooked ham
• 1 link Low sodium smoked sausage
• 2 slices Low sodium turkey breast
• 2 slices Whole grain or sourdough bread
• 4 slices Reduced-fat Swiss cheese
• 1.5 cups Unsalted chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted tomato paste
• 1 medium (finely chopped) Onion
• 1 cup Low sodium beer
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 cloves (minced) Garlic
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Fresh ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons Water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for another 2 minutes while stirring.

Step 4

Pour in the unsalted chicken broth, low sodium beer, and low sodium soy sauce. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Add paprika and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 15 minutes.

Step 6

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the water to create a slurry. Slowly whisk this into the simmering sauce to thicken.

Step 7

Remove the sauce from heat and set aside.

Step 8

In a skillet, cook the beef steak over medium-high heat until browned and cooked to your liking, about 3-4 minutes per side. Set the steak aside.

Step 9

In the same skillet, brown the sausage (sliced diagonally) until cooked through, about 3 minutes.

Step 10

Assemble the sandwich by placing a slice of bread on a baking sheet. Layer with the beef steak, ham, sausage, and turkey slices. Top with the remaining slice of bread.

Step 11

Place the slices of Swiss cheese evenly over the top of the sandwich.

Step 12

Pour the sauce over the sandwich, ensuring it covers the bread and cheese.

Step 13

Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 14

Carefully remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, and serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1426.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1591.2

Total Fat 84.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 27.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 297.5mg	0%
Sodium 2383.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 67.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.7g	0%
Total Sugars 17.5g
Protein 125.4g	0%

Vitamin D 17.1IU	0%
Calcium 920.7mg	0%
Iron 10.4mg	0%
Potassium 2246.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.7%

Protein: 32.7%

Carbs: 17.6%