Living the keto life and looking for exciting dinner options? This guide offers a variety of delicious and easy keto-friendly dinner recipes to revamp your weekly menu. From quick weeknight meals to elegant dishes perfect for entertaining, these recipes demonstrate that following a keto diet doesn't mean sacrificing flavor or variety.
Understanding the Keto Diet
If you're new to keto, the diet focuses on low-carb, moderate protein, and higher-fat foods. The primary goal is to reduce carbohydrate intake, prompting your body to enter a metabolic state called ketosis. In ketosis, the body begins to burn fat for energy instead of relying on glucose from carbohydrates. The keto diet has been thoroughly studied, particularly regarding weight loss and blood sugar management.
Keto Dinner Recipes: A World of Options
Whether you're concerned about restrictions or complicated meal prep, these simple keto dinner recipes prove that you have plenty of options. Adding flavor to easy keto dinners involves using the right seasonings, herbs, and high-quality fats. Fresh herbs like basil, rosemary, and cilantro bring vibrant flavors without carbs, while spices like paprika, cumin, and garlic powder can elevate any dish. Focus on non-starchy vegetables and high-quality proteins while avoiding grains and sugars.
Quick and Easy Keto Dinners
Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs
Sheet pan meals are perfect for busy weeknights because everything cooks together on one baking sheet, making preparation and cleanup a breeze. Chicken thighs are an excellent choice for sheet pan dinners because they are flavorful and juicy.
Keto Turkey Meatballs
These keto turkey meatballs are juicy, hearty, and savory. This quick and easy recipe takes only about 20 minutes to make. These healthy low-carb meatballs are perfect for family dinners, holidays, leftovers, and meal prep.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Tender, juicy, and flavorful, these Air Fryer Pork Chops are an easy weeknight dinner that's ready in 15 minutes! They're also keto-friendly, with only 1g total carbs each.
Keto Chicken Tinga
This keto chicken tinga is an easy and healthy weeknight dinner that's absolutely delicious and takes less than 20 minutes to make!
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
Air fryer turkey meatballs (no breadcrumbs) is going to be your new favorite weeknight dinner idea. It’s low carb, keto, low calorie, gluten free, packed with lean protein, and absolutely delicious!
Keto Italian Smoked Sausage Skillet
Keto Italian Smoked Sausage Skillet is a quick, easy weeknight dinner full of flavor. This keto skillet meal is perfect for busy weeknights and great for meal prep!
Brown Butter and Sage Chicken
Brown Butter and Sage Chicken is an easy weeknight dinner with minimal ingredients, but lots of flavor, it comes together in around 30 minutes. Pair with the vegetables and starches of your choice.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Grilled Chili Lime Chicken
Grilled Chili Lime Chicken is a flavorful and healthy dish that's perfect for a quick and easy meal. This gluten-free, paleo, and allergy-free recipe features tender chicken breasts marinated in a zesty chili lime sauce, then grilled to perfection. The marinade adds a burst of citrusy and spicy flavor, while the grilling gives the chicken a smoky char.
Air Fryer Blackened Salmon
Enjoy a low carb healthy keto dinner recipe quick , easy and mess free using the foil packet method when making Air Fryer Blackened Salmon.
Savory Salmon with Brown Butter Almond Sauce
Savory salmon with brown butter almond sauce is an under 30 minute quick dinner recipe that fits keto, paleo, low carb and Whole30 diet plans. It’s high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
Pollo Asado
This Pollo Asado recipe is quick, easy, and incredibly flavorful! It is full of bright and zesty flavors. This easy chicken recipe is a great way to make chicken. It is quick and easy enough for busy weeknights!
Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken
Bacon and ranch is a match made in heaven. This chicken dinner is a great weeknight staple.
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto
Garlicky Greek Chicken
Garlicky Greek Chicken provides a flavorful and simple keto-friendly meal option.
Cheesy Bacon Pecan Chicken
Keto Cheesy Bacon Pecan Chicken is a healthy, rich, and filling recipe. While it is “fancy” enough to serve at a dinner party or holiday gathering, it’s easy enough to put on your weeknight meal plan.
Comfort Food, Keto-Style
Keto Meatloaf
This recipe gives classic meatloaf a keto-friendly upgrade. Caramelizing the roasted red peppers adds a layer of sweetness-without ketchup-that balances the deep flavors of tomato paste and Parmesan.
Keto Beef Stew
Making beef stew keto-friendly only means a couple simple swaps. It's still silky and every bit as comforting as the original. In this keto recipe, reduce the stew to create something rich and stick-to-your-ribs good.
Keto Green Bean Casserole
This Keto Green Bean Casserole recipe with fresh green beans is easy & delicious. It’s perfect if you want classic green bean casserole for holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving minus the carbs. It uses a homemade keto cream of mushroom soup, and a pork-free crunchy cheese topping.
Keto Meatballs
This Keto Meatballs recipe features Italian sausage meat with other simple ingredients formed into juicy meatballs and simmered in marinara sauce. It comes together in the Ninja Foodi or a skillet within less than 30 minutes, making it the perfect easy keto dinner for a busy weeknight.
Keto Unstuffed Cabbage Skillet
This quick and easy Keto Unstuffed Cabbage Skillet is a simple one pan weeknight meal. Low carb and so delicious!
Low Carb Beef and Broccoli
With this Low Carb Beef and Broccoli recipe, you can have a guilt-free Asian-inspired slow cooker keto beef dinner that will satisfy any cravings.
French Onion Pot Roast
French Onion Pot Roast brings a classic flavor profile to a comforting and satisfying keto meal.
Keto Mac & Cheese
This version takes out all the trouble children (ahem, PASTA) without sacrificing flavor. The pork rind topping is totally optional, but we think it adds a pleasant crunch.
Eggplant Parmesan
Hearty and full of flavor, this eggplant parmesan recipe is a definite crowd-pleaser. Not only is this dish keto, but it makes the perfect meal for those looking for gluten-free or vegetarian keto recipes. Made using BBF Coconut MCT Oil and ricotta cheese, this eggplant parmesan is what the keto diet is all about. It’s an ideal keto meal when aiming to reduce your intake of carbs while still making a dinner large enough to serve the family.
Keto Chicken Parmesan
This dish delivers the classic flavors of chicken parmesan while adhering to keto guidelines.
Global Flavors for Keto Dinners
Keto Street Tacos
Nothing beats taco night, and when you feel like something a bit different, these keto street tacos are a definite winning recipe. The shells are made from cheese, BBF organic coconut flour, and crushed red pepper, making them perfect for those following a keto diet.
Cajun Easy Keto Jambalaya
The aroma of this Cajun Easy Keto Jambalaya is beyond incredible! Tender chicken breasts, onions, bell pepper, celery, cauliflower, Cajun sausage, tomatoes, and a kick of seasonings gives you an easy, flavorful dinner.
Peanut Butter Chicken Curry
Cook this chicken curry using peanut butter as the base of the sauce, along with plenty of chilli and spices. You'll want to make it your regular Friday night fakeaway
Summer Courgetti & Meatballs
Use a spiralizer or julienne peeler to make spaghetti-like 'noodles', then top with pork meatballs and a garlicky, creamy sauce
Keto Pork Chops
Keto Pork Chops offer a versatile and flavorful option, easily adapted with various seasonings and cooking methods to suit different preferences.
Seafood Keto Dinners
Lemon Cod en Papillote
Since keto focuses on high-fat foods, this lemon cod en papillote recipe is a no-brainer. If you love fish but are afraid of overcooking it, simple keto recipes like this will be your saving grace. Baked in parchment with the ingredients listed above, the fish will stay moist and flavorful the entire time.
Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies
This easy Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies recipe is sure to become one of your new favorite sheet pan meals! Made with pre-cut salmon filets, broccoli, bell pepper, and zucchini, this healthy dinner is naturally low-carb, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
Feta & Herb-Crusted Salmon
Feta & Herb-Crusted Salmon provides a Mediterranean-inspired dish that’s rich in flavor and healthy fats.
Crisp-skin fish with asparagus
Jill Dupleix's impressive yet easy salmon dish is perfect for a dinner party or keto-friendly midweek meal
Baked Salmon & Leek parcel
A simple salmon dish, parcelled up to seal in the flavours. With creamy mascarpone and fresh leeks, this keto-friendly fish supper is easy and rich in omega-3
Ginger & soy salmon en papillote
Steaming the salmon in a parcel, in its own marinade, with the spiralized veg, ensures the fish is juicy and full of flavour. Serve with cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly meal
One-pot coconut fish curry
Cook our easy one-pot curry in just half an hour, with only 5 mins prep. Serve with rice and yogurt, it's ideal for feeding the family quickly, on a budget. Or serve with cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly dinner.
Cashew, chilli & lime-crusted fish
The full-flavoured crust gives a hint of heat to this Indian-style meal. Serve with sautéed greens for a keto-friendly dinner.
Soy & butter salmon parcels
Make these tasty soy, honey and butter salmon parcels on a barbecue for the taste of summer. Serve with a refreshing cucumber and sesame salad on the side
Goan mussels
You can add any other seafood to this quick aromatic green curry - prawns can go in with the coconut milk and clams with the mussels
Veggie-Forward Keto Dishes
Cauliflower Pizza Crust
This is a delicious and healthy alternative to the classic.
Twice Baked Cauliflower
Twice Baked Cauliflower is the perfect side dish for when you are on a low carb or a keto diet. This delicious and healthy dish is made with cauliflower, bacon, and cheese. The bacon adds a smoky flavor, while the cheese gives it a creamy texture.
Keto-Friendly Chicken Divan
Keto-Friendly Chicken Divan is a delicious and low-carb twist on the classic comfort food dish. It features tender chicken, creamy cauliflower "mornay sauce," and crispy broccoli florets, all baked together to perfection.
Cauliflower Fried Rice
This cauliflower fried rice is for those who are skipping carbs, trying to eat more vegetables, or are just looking for a lighter side dish.
Cheese Taco Shells
Cheese Taco Shells are a delicious and gluten-free alternative to traditional corn or flour tortillas. Made primarily from shredded cheese, these shells are baked until golden brown and crispy.
Thai broccoli rice
Replacing rice with broccoli that's been blitzed to grains makes a colourful and healthy, quick-cook vegetarian keto meal
Roasted cauliflower steaks
Unlock the flavours of cauliflower with a red pepper, olive and caper salsa, topped with almonds. Healthy and vegan, it makes a tasty light lunch or supper
How to make cauliflower rice
Pulse cauliflower in a food processor to make cauliflower rice. This easy side dish is much lower GI than regular rice and ready in just 10 minutes
Slow cooker aubergines
An easy vegetarian slow cooker recipe, packed with summer flavours - ideal if you're busy, simply put it on in the morning and it'll be ready come supper time