The ketogenic diet, or keto diet, is a high-fat, low-carb eating plan linked to weight loss and improved health outcomes for certain chronic conditions. For most people, the keto diet means 70% of daily calories come from fat, 25% from protein, and only 5% from carbs. This article explores a variety of everyday keto-friendly recipes perfect for on-the-go lifestyles, ensuring you can maintain your dietary goals without sacrificing flavor or convenience.
Keto-Friendly Staples
Before diving into specific recipes, it's essential to understand the keto-friendly staples that will form the foundation of your everyday meals. Stock up on cooking oils like olive oil, avocado oil, and butter. They'll help with searing, baking, roasting, and frying, while imparting healthy fats and good flavor into your meals.
Breakfast On-the-Go
Keto Smoothie
Start your day with a quick and nutritious keto smoothie. Blend spinach and fresh berries with your favorite plant-based milk. Hemp seeds can be swapped for any nuts or seeds for added protein and healthy fats.
Egg Muffins
For a make-ahead breakfast or low-carb dinner, egg muffins are a great choice. These can be made in a big batch for the week ahead or frozen for future busy mornings.
Air-Fryer Egg Cups
Try a fresh take on a classic breakfast combo with air-fryer egg cups. These cook in 15 to 20 minutes.
Read also: Health Benefits of Lentils
Lunch and Dinner Delights
Mediterranean Turkey-Stuffed Peppers
This low-calorie dinner is rich in vitamin C and folate. Filling the peppers with low-fat turkey breast mince keeps it lean.
Superhealthy Salmon Burgers
If you're after something a bit lighter, try these simple salmon burgers with ginger, soy sauce, and coriander.
Ham, Mushroom & Spinach Frittata
Try a filling frittata that's low in calories and guaranteed to keep you going until lunch. Save half in the fridge overnight if you're cooking for one.
Spanish Chicken Traybake with Chorizo & Peppers
Add this easy dinner recipe to your repertoire - simply pop herby chicken thighs into a roasting tin with colorful veg and spicy sausage. To make this keto-friendly, serve with keto bread.
Baked Salmon & Leek Parcel
A simple salmon dish, parcelled up to seal in the flavors. With creamy mascarpone and fresh leeks, this keto-friendly fish supper is easy and rich in omega-3.
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Masala Frittata with Avocado Salsa
A spicy twist on a simple frittata recipe, with Masala paste, coriander and plump cherry tomatoes. Pair it with avocado salsa for a light and budget-friendly supper
Peanut Butter Chicken
You'll love this new, budget chicken dish. Any leftovers freeze well and make a handy lunch.
Tarragon, Mushroom & Sausage Frittata
Serve up this filling frittata in just 20 minutes. With tarragon and mustard to boost the flavor and asparagus to top up your greens, it's also rich in folate.
Cod with Cucumber, Avocado & Mango Salsa Salad
If you're looking for a healthy lunch bursting with the colours and flavours of summer, this delicious cod, avocado and mango salad is low in fat and calories.
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.
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Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken
Bacon and ranch is an absolute match made in heaven. This chicken dinner could be your new weeknight staple.
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Whether you’re skipping carbs, trying to eat more vegetables, or are just looking for a lighter side dish, this cauliflower fried rice is for you.
Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Spaghetti Squash
A hearty and cheesy way to enjoy spaghetti squash while staying keto-compliant.
Keto Chicken Parmesan
A classic dish made keto-friendly, offering all the comfort without the carbs.
Lemon-Brown Butter Salmon
A flavorful and elegant salmon dish perfect for a quick yet sophisticated keto meal.
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.
Cowboy Butter Steak
Sear a bone-in ribeye, then baste it with a zesty, smoky butter until the outside has a perfectly brown crust, and the inside is tender and medium-rare.
Garlicky Greek Chicken
A flavorful and simple chicken dish that brings the taste of Greece to your keto meal plan.
Keto Pork Chops
A quick and satisfying option for a weeknight keto dinner.
Cacio E Pepe Egg Noodles
This lightened-up version calls for making your pasta from scratch-the good news is it's SO much easier than it sounds. All you need is a good nonstick pan.
Philly Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps
Enjoy the classic flavors of a Philly cheesesteak without the bread by using lettuce wraps.
French Onion Pot Roast
A comforting and flavorful pot roast with the rich flavors of French onion soup.
Keto Beef Stroganoff
A creamy and delicious take on a classic comfort food, adapted for the keto diet.
Feta & Herb-Crusted Salmon
Salmon topped with a flavorful crust of feta and herbs, making for a quick and healthy keto meal.
Keto Bacon Chicken Thighs With Garlic Cream Sauce
Chicken thighs paired with bacon and a creamy garlic sauce, creating a rich and satisfying keto dish.
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.
Barbecued Bavette Steak & Tomato Salad
Barbecue bavette steak and drape over simple tomato, red onion, and feta salad. It makes a lovely lunch or light supper in summertime.
Thai Broccoli Rice
Replacing rice with broccoli that's been blitzed to grains makes a colorful and healthy, quick-cook vegetarian keto meal.
Tomato Baked Eggs
Whip up these easy baked eggs with a garlicky tomato sauce and serve with crusty keto bread for a lazy weekend brunch, or light lunch, that's sure to satisfy.
Herb Omelette with Fried Tomatoes
Make a perfect, protein-rich brunch or breakfast for two people.
Air-Fryer Pork Chops
Air-fryer pork chops are tender and incredibly easy to make. The breading is a seasoned almond flour mixture for protein and fat without the carbs. These air-fryer pork chops get their rich flavor from Creole seasoning and Parmesan cheese.
Air-Fryer Steak
One of our quickest keto recipes, this steak is ready in less than 10 minutes in the air fryer. This quick and easy air-fryer steak recipe is restaurant quality.
Pesto Chicken Bake
This pesto chicken bake is loaded with flavor from homemade pesto sauce and browned chicken. Serve this easy pesto chicken bake on busy weeknights.
Baked Chicken Thighs
You need only one pan and a handful of ingredients for seriously juicy baked chicken thighs. Easy and economical, this meal is one your whole family will enjoy.
Pan-Seared Pork Chops
Pan-seared pork chops get their pumped-up flavor from Italian seasoning. When you want a hearty dinner fast, quick-cooking cuts of meat are your ally.
Baked Salmon in Foil
Baking salmon in foil locks in moisture to ensure every bite is flaky and tender. Top with melted butter and fresh herbs for one of the most flavorful salmon recipes you’ve tried.
Air-Fryer Salmon
Cooking salmon in the air-fryer produces a perfectly flaky fish fillet with a slightly crispy skin every time. Preparing salmon in the air fryer is, hands down, one of the easiest ways to cook it.
Air-Fryer Chicken Thighs
These air-fryer chicken thighs are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and full of flavor.
Almond Chicken
Buttermilk gives this dish a fried chicken flavor, and the almond coating is crispy and nutty without using flour.
Air-Fryer Fajita-Stuffed Chicken
Air-fryer fajita-stuffed chicken is loaded with melty cheese, onions and peppers.
Baked Halibut
You can’t go wrong when you cook flaky fish in sour cream, butter and Parmesan. Ready in 20 minutes, each serving of baked halibut has 20 grams of fat and 2 grams of carbs.
Sides and Snacks
Cheesy Cauliflower "Breadsticks"
These grain-free, cheesy cauliflower breadsticks are made with vegetables instead of flour. Serve them with your favorite marinara sauce. These cheesy cauliflower “breadsticks” are a wonderful replacement for flour-based breadsticks. Pair this tasty snack with a low-carb marinara sauce for dipping.
Smothered Cabbage
This smothered cabbage recipe is a low-carb take on a Southern favorite. Ham adds a smoky, salty flavor to cabbage cooked in a Dutch oven.
Sauteed Zucchini
Sauteed zucchini is a near-perfect side dish.
Cauliflower Stuffing
There’s no need to give up stuffing when on a low-carb diet. This cauliflower stuffing has a rich flavor without any bread or sugar.
Creamy Stuffed Jalapenos
These creamy stuffed jalapenos have some bite. Use this recipe for game-day bites, party appetizers or after-work snacks.