33 easy low-carb recipes (2024)

Easy low-carb recipes

Low-carb breakfast/brunch ideas

Baked avocado with smoked salmon and egg

A protein-rich egg, salmon and avocado breakfast will keep you going for longer – with only 1.8g of carbohydrate per serving.

Chorizo brunch eggs

Prepare this comforting chorizo stew and top with zesty avocado salsa and soft boiled eggs for a vibrant brunch dish.

33 easy low-carb recipes (2)

Super-green smoothie

Drink this healthy green smoothie in the morning for a quick, nutrient-packed pick-me-up, perfect if you're following a low-carb diet. Cucumber, spinach, lime and kiwi are a great combination, and the avocado adds a lovely texture.

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Vegan tofu scramble

Check out this low-calorie vegan breakfast recipe made with smoked tofu, punchy chilli and pan-fried courgette.

Florentine spinach poached eggs

Soft baby spinach in a creamy, nutmeg-infused sauce makes the perfect bed for crispy parma ham and runny yolked eggs – dunk slices of toasted ciabatta in for brunch.

Tex-Mex baked avocados

Serve up this no-fuss show-off brunch, packed with juicy tomatoes, eggs and avocados, and let everyone dig in. There's only 6.3g of carbohydrate per serving.

Low-carb lunch ideas

Crab, chilli and herb omelette

This crab, chilli and herb omelette is low-calorie, gluten-free, high-protein and ready in just 20 minutes – perfect for a midweek lunch when you're working from home.

Sumac chicken and green bean salad

This sumac chicken and green bean salad is ready in just 20 minutes and comes in at under 300 calories.

Spanish omelette

The ultimate comfort food which clears out the fridge too – try our best Spanish omelette recipe with red onion, red pepper and new potatoes. Serve with a rocket salad.

Smoked mackerel caesar salad

This is an upgraded classic that's perfect for summer with smoked mackerel and crispy onions. The caesar dressing also works well with chicken salads, new potatoes or salmon.

Cajun prawns with pineapple salsa

Add some warming spices to prawns with this low-carb recipe, with fresh lettuce leaves and salsa for a pretty, nutritious finish.

Purple sprouting broccoli with pancetta and soft-boiled eggs

Soft-boiled eggs make the fastest meal. Nutritious, good-value and perfectly matched with salty pancetta – they make a delicious dish, especially when paired with purple sprouting broccoli.

Hot and sour fish soup

This hot and sour fish soup is quick, easy and under 300 calories – the perfect light, fragrant meal to warm you up. Omit the rice or noodles and add some extra spinach for a filling carb-free meal.

Low-carb dinner ideas with meat

Harissa lamb-stuffed courgettes

Fill courgettes with a mix of lamb mince, garlic, cumin and harissa, and bake in a fiery tomato sauce to make an exciting weeknight meal for two.

Paleo chicken piccata

This recipe for paleo chicken piccata is fast, healthy and easy to freeze. Serve with a green salad or cauliflower rice to keep things paleo-diet-friendly and low-calorie.

Harissa lamb cutlets with tahini yogurt sauce

These harissa lamb cutlets with tahini yogurt sauce are easy to make, ready in just 30 minutes and under 500 calories.

Pork fillet with pepper stew

This recipe for pork fillet with pepper stew is easy to make and ready in under an hour, and is low in carbs but packed full of flavour.

Healthy chicken curry

This healthy chicken curry recipe bulks up on veg to keep the calories low. Freeze in portions for quick midweek meals.

Steak with mushroom cream and winter greens

This recipe for steak with garlic mushroom cream and winter greens is really quick and easy to make but feels like a real treat.

Keto chilli con carne

This wholesome beef chilli con carne is a satisfying meal, packed with mushrooms, peppers and tomatoes. It's a winner whether or not you're following a keto diet.

Easy chicken mole

This recipe for cheat's chicken mole uses a clever product so it's ready in less than an hour and is under 300 calories – perfect for a midweek treat.

Chicken supreme

This classic dish sees chicken breast slathered in a white wine and cream sauce with smoky lardons. It's a low-carb, flavour-packed dinner for two, ready in just 25 minutes.

Low-carb dinner ideas with fish

Masala mackerel

Mackerel's oily flesh means it can withstand strong flavours such as chilli and citrus – both of which are used in this dish alongside ginger, tamarind, cumin and garam masala. Roast the fish until the skin becomes crisp and lightly blistered.

Cod, cherry tomato and green olive tray roast

This recipe for a cod, cherry tomato and green olive tray roast is so quick and easy to prepare but looks impressive when you pull it out of the oven. Serve with salad, or orzo if you prefer.

Coconut ginger fish parcels

These coconut ginger fish parcels are easy to make, ready in just 30 minutes and under 500 calories – perfect for a midweek meal.

Grilled cod with salsa rossa

Simple but packed with flavour from the garlic, chilli and cinnamon, this colourful recipe for grilled cod with salsa rossa is quick and easy to make, as well as being low in calories.

Vegetarian low-carb dinner ideas

Spinach, chickpea and potato curry

Try our lightly spiced vegan curry for a wholesome midweek meal for four. Make the most of storecupboard ingredients such as chickpeas and chopped tomatoes in this flavoursome dish.

Cauliflower mash

Serve this low-carb alternative to mashed potato alongside your favourite meat and veggie mains.

Healthy aubergine parmigiana

An absolute classic, made that little bit healthier by using a few clever tricks. It's high in protein, low in salt and calories, and delicious to boot.

Tofu steak with beetroot noodles and dukka

Once you’ve mastered the art of courgetti, branch out and try spiralising different vegetables. This quick and easy tofu steak with beetroot noodles and dukkah is a great vegetarian meal for one, ready in half an hour.

Vegan quinoa sushi

Using quinoa instead of rice means these rolls are higher in protein (and lower in carbs). We've kept them vegan, too, which means leftovers will keep for a healthy lunchbox the next day.

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Broccoli and roasted red pepper frittata

This broccoli and roasted red pepper frittata makes for a quick, healthy and delicious midweek meal. It’s on the table in just 20 minutes, plus it’s low in calories and carbs.

33 easy low-carb recipes (2024)

FAQs

Can I have a banana on keto? ›

Bananas. Bananas may be great for muscle recovery, reducing bloat, and calming an upset stomach, but they're on the list of foods you can't eat on the keto diet. With 25g of carbs per 100g serving, bananas are too high in carbs.

What is the best breakfast meat for keto diet? ›

These brands offer a variety of different flavors that can perfectly complement your ketogenic diet.
  • Hickory Farms Beef Summer Sausage. ...
  • Shelton's Turkey Breakfast Sausage. ...
  • Purnell's Old Folks Italian Sausage Roll. ...
  • Polidori Hot Italian Sausage. ...
  • Butterball Fresh Turkey Breakfast Sausage.
Feb 24, 2022

What are filling low-carb foods? ›

36 tasty, low-carb foods that will keep you full and satisfied
  • Avocado. A whole avocado has about 15 grams of carbs, but you're unlikely to eat the entire thing in one sitting, so it's more realistic that you'll get 4 or 5 carbs in one meal or snack. ...
  • Broccoli. ...
  • Coconut oil. ...
  • Eggplant. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Grapefruit. ...
  • Greek yogurt. ...
  • Green beans.
Mar 20, 2024

What bread has the lowest carbs? ›

6 Low-Carb Breads to Try
  • Base Culture Original Keto Bread. Flaxseed, arrowroot and almond flour, and almond butter give this bread its nutty, sweet flavor. ...
  • Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Bread. ...
  • Julian Bakery Keto Thin Bread. ...
  • Simple Mills Focaccia. ...
  • Unbun Unbread. ...
  • Outer Aisle Sandwich Thin. ...
  • Cloud Bread. ...
  • Almond Flour Bread.
Nov 3, 2022

Can I eat peanut butter on keto? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

What fruit is OK in keto? ›

Keto fruits by definition are low in carbohydrates. You still need to exercise portion control with most keto-friendly fruits to be within the limits of a keto diet. Keto-friendly fruits include avocados, watermelon, strawberries, lemons, tomatoes, raspberries, peaches, cantaloupe, star fruit, and blackberries.

Can you eat hot dogs on keto? ›

Hot Dogs Are Keto-Friendly

Hot dogs are made with ingredients that are naturally low in carbs. An average hot dog is about 1.73 grams of total carbs. As for the bun, you can't have a conventional bun in order to follow the keto diet. The average hot dog bun will cost you 24.3 grams of total carbs.

Can we eat popcorn in keto diet? ›

Net carbs are calculated by taking the total grams of carbohydrate in a food and subtracting the amount of fiber. In this case, popcorn contains 6 grams of carbs per 1 cup serving and 1.2 grams of fiber, bringing the net carbs per serving to 4.8 grams. Yes friends, popcorn is indeed a keto food.

Which cheese is best for keto? ›

You can eat high fat foods like cheese on the Keto diet. Cheddar, Gouda, goat cheese, and blue cheese are the best to consider. Cheese to avoid on Keto are cottage cheese and low fat and processed varieties.

What not to eat on low-carb diet? ›

On a low carb diet, foods to avoid would include bread, pasta, potatoes, and other starchy vegetables, grains such as rice and corn, oatmeal, beans and lentils, milk, sugar, sweets such as cookies, candy and ice cream, beer, soda, and higher carb fruits like bananas, grapes, and apples.

How can I fill my stomach without carbs? ›

If you are trying to reduce your daily carb intake, replace your high carb food with low-carb healthy veggies. Vegetables contain fiber and are low in calories. Adding more green vegetables to your diet can help you feel fuller for a longer time and you will also stay on the weight loss track.

What happens if I eat no carbs for a month? ›

Severe carb limits can cause your body to break down fat into ketones for energy. This is called ketosis. Ketosis can cause side effects such as bad breath, headache, fatigue and weakness.

What can I use instead of bread for sandwiches? ›

Healthier bread choices
  • Cornbread. ...
  • Homemade sourdough. ...
  • Rice paper wraps. ...
  • Lettuce is a good wrap substitute; ideally you want a soft butter lettuce or large cos leaf but you can use other varieties. ...
  • Egg wraps. ...
  • Rye bread.

Does toasting bread reduce carbs? ›

Although the chemical reaction when toasting bread does break down carbohydrates and reduce the water content of bread, the nutritional value of toast does not differ significantly from bread. However, the scope of nutritional value does change depending on how toasted the piece of bread gets.

Can you eat 1 banana a day on keto? ›

According to the USDA, one banana has more than 20 g of net carbs, which means you may blow your entire allowance on a single one. “We advise people on a lower-carb diet to avoid bananas, particularly in the beginning and when they're aiming to lose weight,” says Burnison.

How many bananas can I eat on keto? ›

Bananas are not considered keto-friendly due to their high carb content. One medium-sized banana contains around 27 grams of carbs, more than many people's daily carb limit on a keto diet.

What is the lowest carb fruit for keto? ›

The best low-carb fruits to eat are the fruits that have the least carbs, including:
  • Watermelon.
  • Cantaloupe.
  • Strawberries.
  • Plums.
  • Kiwi.
  • Peaches.
  • Starfruit.
  • Honeydew.

Can I eat cucumbers on keto? ›

Cucumber is another popular salad vegetable. It contains many essential nutrients, including vitamin K. Cucumber is also suitable for the keto diet, as its carb content is just 3.63 g per 100 g. To make the carb content lower, a person can peel the cucumber before eating it.

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