10+ Low Carb Recipes for Easy and Delicious Meals
Low carb recipes help you enjoy tasty meals while cutting down on sugars and starches. They focus on ingredients that keep your energy steady and fit well into many lifestyles.
You don’t have to give up flavor to eat low carb. There are plenty of delicious options to try.
Whether you’re new to low carb eating or just looking for fresh ideas, these recipes make meal planning easier. You can find dishes for any time of day or occasion that help keep your carb intake in check.
Ingredients
- Varies by recipe
Cooking Instructions
- Varies by recipe
1) Keto Beef Stroganoff
Keto beef stroganoff offers a low-carb twist on the classic dish. You use tender beef and mushrooms in a creamy sour cream sauce.
This recipe comes together quickly, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner. Serve it over cauliflower rice or low-carb noodles to keep it keto-friendly.
It feels like comfort food without the extra carbs. You can stay on track with your eating goals while enjoying a rich, creamy meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef sirloin, sliced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Cook beef in butter over medium heat until browned.
- Remove beef and sauté onions and mushrooms until soft.
- Add beef broth, mustard, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes.
- Stir in sour cream and heat gently. Do not boil.
- Return beef to the pan and warm through. Serve over cauliflower rice or keto noodles.
Learn more about this recipe at Keto Beef Stroganoff – Skinny Spatula.
2) Grilled BBQ Chicken
Grilled BBQ chicken is a simple and tasty low carb option. Use skin-on, bone-in chicken pieces for the best flavor and juiciness.
A good low carb BBQ sauce keeps it flavorful without extra sugar. Cook the chicken until it reaches 165°F (74°C) inside.
Using a meat thermometer helps you avoid undercooking or overcooking. Grill the chicken over medium heat for about 25-30 minutes, turning occasionally.
Brush extra BBQ sauce on the chicken during the last few minutes for a nice glaze. This meal pairs well with grilled vegetables or a fresh salad.
Ingredients
- 16 pieces of bone-in, skin-on chicken (thighs, legs, wings, or breasts)
- 1 cup low carb BBQ sauce
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Place chicken on the grill and cook for 25-30 minutes.
- Turn chicken every 5-7 minutes for even cooking.
- Brush BBQ sauce onto chicken during the last 5 minutes.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for 165°F (74°C) inside temperature.
- Remove chicken and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
3) Salmon-Stuffed Avocados
Salmon-stuffed avocados make a great low-carb meal that is easy to prepare. You get healthy fats from the avocado and protein from the salmon.
This dish is quick, fresh, and doesn’t need cooking if you use canned or smoked salmon. Add some seasoning like salt, pepper, or chili flakes for extra flavor.
It’s perfect for lunch or a light dinner. If you want, mix in chopped veggies or a little lemon juice to brighten the taste.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe avocados
- 1 cup cooked or canned salmon
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: chili flakes or lemon juice
Cooking Instructions
- Cut the avocados in half and remove the pits.
- Scoop some avocado out to make room for the salmon.
- Mix the salmon with salt, pepper, and optional chili flakes or lemon juice.
- Fill each avocado half with the salmon mixture.
- Serve immediately or chill for 10 minutes before eating. You can see more recipes like this at Salmon-Stuffed Avocados – EatingWell.
4) Chicken Adobo
Chicken Adobo is a simple and tasty low carb dish you can enjoy anytime. It uses chicken thighs cooked in a mix of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices.
This meal is naturally low in carbs. You can use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce to reduce carbs even more.
The flavors are tangy and savory with a little bit of garlic and pepper. It pairs well with steamed vegetables or cauliflower rice for a filling low carb meal.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
- 1/2 cup vinegar (cider or white)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp olive oil or coconut oil
Cooking Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add chicken and brown on both sides.
- Pour in soy sauce, vinegar, peppercorns, and bay leaves.
- Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Cook until chicken is tender and sauce thickens.
- Serve hot with low carb sides.
5) Low-Carb Zucchini Pizza Bites
Zucchini pizza bites are a tasty, low-carb snack you can make quickly. Start with zucchini slices as a base instead of traditional bread.
Add pizza sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings like pepperoni or olives. These bites are great for parties or a simple snack.
You can bake them in the oven or use an air fryer for a quicker option. They stay low in carbs while giving you that cheesy, pizza flavor you love.
They only need a few ingredients and come together in minutes. Plus, you can easily customize them with what you have on hand.
Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced
- ¼ cup pizza sauce
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 10-15 mini pepperonis or sliced olives
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Brush zucchini slices with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place slices on a baking sheet.
- Spread a small amount of pizza sauce on each slice.
- Top with mozzarella and pepperoni or olives.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until cheese melts and zucchini is tender.
6) Roasted Cauliflower Salad
This roasted cauliflower salad is a tasty way to enjoy a low carb meal. Roast cauliflower until it’s tender and slightly crispy.
Mix it with fresh veggies like cherry tomatoes and red onion for a fresh crunch. Toss the salad with olive oil and lemon tahini dressing for a tangy flavor.
Adding spices like cumin or smoked paprika makes it even better. This salad works well as a side or a light main dish.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cauliflower florets
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, sliced
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives (optional)
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp cumin or smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Toss cauliflower florets with 2 tbsp olive oil, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Roast cauliflower for 20-25 minutes until tender and lightly browned.
- In a bowl, mix tahini, lemon juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper for dressing.
- Combine roasted cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and kalamata olives.
- Drizzle dressing over salad and toss before serving.
For a detailed recipe, see this Easy Keto Low Carb Mediterranean Cauliflower Salad.
7) Shrimp Scampi Zoodles
Shrimp scampi zoodles let you enjoy shrimp scampi without the carbs from pasta. Swap noodles for zucchini ribbons, which are light and fresh.
This meal is quick to make, perfect for busy days. Cook the shrimp fast in a simple lemon butter sauce with garlic.
The zoodles soak up the flavors while keeping the dish low carb and healthy. You get a bright, satisfying meal that feels rich but is light.
Add a little white wine to boost the taste if you like. Try it with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end for a fresh finish.
Ingredients:
- 1½ pounds zucchini
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup white wine (optional)
- ½ lemon, juiced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions:
- Use a spiralizer or peeler to make zucchini noodles. Set aside.
- Heat butter and olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add shrimp, cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through.
- Pour in white wine (optional) and lemon juice, simmer 2 minutes.
- Toss in zoodles, cook 1-2 minutes until just tender.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
For more on making this recipe, visit Healthy Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles.
8) Lemon Chicken
Lemon chicken is a tasty low carb meal you can make quickly. The dish combines juicy chicken with a bright lemon sauce.
It’s simple but full of flavor. You can cook it all in one skillet, which makes cleanup easy.
The sauce often includes garlic, lemon juice, and butter or chicken broth for richness. This dish works well for dinner any night of the week.
It pairs nicely with vegetables or a light salad.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Juice and zest of 1 1/2 lemons
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook until golden, about 5-6 minutes per side.
- Remove chicken from the skillet. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken broth, lemon juice, and zest. Simmer for 3-4 minutes.
- Return chicken to the skillet. Coat with sauce before serving.
9) Meatball Sheet Pan with Veggies & Romesco
This meatball sheet pan meal is great for a low carb dinner. You get tasty chicken meatballs baked with fresh veggies.
It’s simple to make and easy to clean up since everything cooks on one pan. The meatballs have herbs like parsley for extra flavor.
The veggies roast and add a nice balance of texture. Romesco sauce gives a flavorful kick without extra carbs.
You can bake this ahead and reheat for easy meals during the week. Try it with carrots and other low carb vegetables for a healthy dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 3 large carrots, peeled and cut
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers
- 1/2 cup sliced zucchini
- Romesco sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Mix ground chicken with parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Form meatballs about 1 inch wide.
- Arrange meatballs and veggies on a sheet pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.
- Serve with romesco sauce.
10) Grilled Fennel-Rubbed Pork Chops & Apricots
Fennel and coriander seeds add a fresh, slightly sweet flavor to the pork chops. The simple rub packs a tasty punch and works great on the grill.
Apricots bring a juicy, fruity contrast that balances the spices. This low-carb dish makes a light but satisfying meal.
Grill pork chops over medium-high heat until cooked through. Add the apricots near the end so they get warm but keep their shape.
Ingredients
- 4 thin-cut bone-in pork chops
- 2 teaspoons coriander seeds
- 2 teaspoons fennel seeds
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 8 apricots, firm
Cooking Instructions
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Toast coriander and fennel seeds.
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Grind the toasted seeds.
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Mix the ground spices with olive oil, brown sugar, and salt.
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Make a rub with this mixture.
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Coat both sides of the pork chops with the rub.
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Preheat the grill to medium-high, about 400°F (200°C).
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Grill the pork chops for 5 to 7 minutes on each side.
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Place apricots on the grill for 2 to 3 minutes until they are warm.
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Serve the pork chops and top them with the grilled apricots.
You can find more details in the Grilled Fennel-Rubbed Pork Chops & Apricots recipe.