10 Irresistible Keto-Friendly Side Dishes That Will Elevate Your Burger Game

When it comes to burgers, it’s not just about the patty and the bun. Finding the right side dishes is essential to completing the meal, especially if you're following a ketogenic or low-carb diet. The challenge has always been to find side dishes that not only complement the main star - the burger - but also align with the low-carb, high-fat ethos of the diet. Fortunately, there's a wide variety of delicious keto-friendly options that pair perfectly with a juicy burger.

Why Keto Side Dishes Matter

For those on a ketogenic journey, maintaining a low-carb intake is crucial. Traditional burger sides like french fries, mac & cheese, and onion rings are typically loaded with carbs. By choosing keto-friendly side dishes, you can enjoy your burger without derailing your diet. Low-carb vegetables make the perfect replacements for high-carb burger sides. Most low-carb sides for burgers are made from cauliflower, green beans, asparagus, radishes, brussels sprouts, and squash. You can also have low-carb variations of classic dishes like mac and cheese, coleslaw, and onion rings.

Key Ingredients for Keto Side Dishes

When it comes to keto side dishes, several commonly used ingredients help maintain a low-carb, high-fat balance:

Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, lettuce, and arugula are low in carbohydrates and rich in essential nutrients.
Cauliflower: A versatile vegetable that can be transformed into mashed cauliflower, cauliflower rice, or even a substitute for potatoes in dishes like mac and cheese or potato salad.
Zucchini: This low-carb vegetable can be used to make fries, fritters, or noodles.
Avocado: A source of healthy fats, perfect for making chips or adding to salads.
Cheese: Adds flavor and richness to many dishes, such as cauliflower mac and cheese or cheesy baked asparagus.
Bacon: Adds flavor and richness to many delicious side dishes.
Nuts and Seeds: Add texture, flavor, and healthy fats to your sides.

Delicious Keto Side Dish Recipes

Zucchini-Based Sides

Baked Zucchini Fries: These crispy baked zucchini fries are delicious, satisfying, cheesy, and easy to make.
Bacon Wrapped Zucchini Fries: Crispy and savory bacon-wrapped zucchini fries that are bursting with flavor. Need the perfect appetizer? I got you covered with these crispy and savory Bacon Wrapped Zucchini Fries that are exploding with flavor.
Keto Low Carb Zucchini Fritters: These fritters are incredibly easy to make and are the perfect crowd-pleasing treat, suitable for everyone in the family. Transform fresh zucchini into delightful zucchini patties that are simply irresistible when served warm with a dollop of sour cream.
Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles): A healthy, gluten-free, and low-carb alternative to traditional pasta. Packed with nutrients, they’re light yet satisfying.
Roasted Zucchini and Tomatoes: A quick and easy side dish that's both healthy and delicious. With just 8 ingredients and 20 minutes. This gluten-free, low-carb, and keto-friendly recipe is perfect for any meal.
Tomato Zucchini Salad: A light, refreshing dish full of vibrant flavors. Packed with nutrition, it’s quick and easy to make in less than 10 minutes. The crisp zucchini and juicy tomatoes blend perfectly, making this salad a great addition to any meal.

Cauliflower Creations

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese: This is the BEST Cauliflower Mac and Cheese and is a family favorite, children approved. It uses cauliflower in place of pasta, a super creamy sauce made if a combination of cheeses, and a mix of spices to enhance the taste. It's definitely the ultimate rich and creamy cauliflower recipe that's super comforting, easy to make, and perfect for dinner or as a festive side dish.
Loaded Cauliflower Tots: Transform steamed cauliflower into tasty little bites by making some of these healthy loaded Cauliflower Tots with kale! They’re a fun and easy way to incorporate some extra veggies and they’re also a great addition to the menu for baby-led weaning or as a finger food for toddlers!
Cauliflower Potato Salad: A light and fresh side dish recipe perfect for spring or summer, ready in only 15 minutes.
Vegan Mashed Cauliflower: Creamy, soft, and filling, Vegan Mashed Cauliflower is the perfect lower-carb alternative to classic mashed potatoes. Seasoned with spices and fresh garlic. It’s a flavorful and satisfying side dish that pairs wonderfully with just about any meal.
Dry Pot Cauliflower: A bold and flavorful Sichuan dish that makes an excellent BBQ side. With tender cauliflower, garlic, chili peppers, and savory pork belly slices, it adds a spicy and aromatic kick to your spread.
Loaded Cauliflower Potato Salad: A low-carb twist on the classic that’s so delicious, you won’t miss the potatoes! Packed with flavor-enhancing ingredients, it’s creamy, satisfying, and perfect for any gathering.
Cauliflower Hash Browns: These low-carb delicacies are easy to make and require less than 10 ingredients.
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites: They're just as flavorful and spicy as wings but are easier to eat and lower in calories. Serve with blue cheese dressing or ranch for extra flavor.
Keto-Friendly Potato Salad: This keto-friendly potato salad uses the same traditional ingredients and baking techniques, but the key ingredient is cauliflower instead of potatoes. The cauliflower is roasted and combined with mayo, mustard, pickles, hard-boiled eggs, celery, and green onion. It's a delicious lighter version of a summertime classic and makes the perfect side dish for your next grill out.

Crispy & Crunchy Sides

Keto Onion Rings: Crunchy, flavorful, and guilt-free, Keto Onion Rings are a game-changer for low-carb enthusiasts. These golden delights deliver all the satisfying crunch and savory taste you crave, minus the carbs.
Bacon Mozzarella Keto Onion Rings: This recipe will not only be incredibly tasty but also healthy for you when you are following Keto.
Crispy Baked Avocado Chips: These crispy baked avocado chips are perfect for snacking. They taste like guacamole in chip form.
Keto Tortilla Chips: Looking for a delicious and low-carb snack? Try these keto tortilla chips made from low carb tortillas. Baked or air fried to crispy perfection with a flavorful blend of spices.
Low Carb “Fried” Pickles: A tasty and healthy appetizer. These easy oven-fried pickles are just as delicious as the original - with only a fraction of the carbs!
Parmesan Crisps: Upgrade your side of chips with these simple parmesan crisps.
Carrot Fries: Feed your french fry craving sans carbs with these low-carb carrot fries.
Crunchy Lemon Roasted Crack Broccoli: Bursting with tangy, cheesy flavor while being dairy-free, gluten-free, and keto-friendly.

Salad Sensations

Homemade Coleslaw: Exceptionally creamy, fresh, and crispy. Thanks to added sugar, regular coleslaw can include unnecessary carbs, but this recipe is your perfect alternative.
German Creamy Cucumber Salad: Easy, refreshing, and crunchy, ready in only 15 minutes.
Cucumber Dill Salad: A refreshing mix of crisp cucumber slices, tangy red onions, and plenty of fresh dill, all coated in a flavorful homemade dressing.
Broccoli Salad: Features crisp broccoli, salty bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, crunchy sunflower seeds, and a tangy dressing. This delicious combination is perfect for potlucks.
Broccoli Crunch Salad: A delightful mix of fresh broccoli, crunchy almonds, flavorful bacon, and bits of onion, all tossed in a creamy dressing that's perfectly sweet and tangy.
Classic Greek Salad: Feta fiends, let's go.
Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad: A refreshing, quick, and easy dish to prepare. Made with just a handful of fresh ingredients, it’s bursting with vibrant flavors.
Healthy Cobb Salad: With blue cheese, boiled eggs, and crispy bacon, tossed in a delicious dressing, is a classic American favorite that never disappoints. You can add or omit ingredients based on personal taste or dietary restrictions. This restaurant-style salad features juicy chicken, fresh greens, and bold flavors.
Kalyn’s Keto Coleslaw Recipe: The perfect low-carb side dish to pair with any protein. Even in a family where most don’t watch carbs. This coleslaw will be a hit!
Avocado-Chopped Salad Recipe: All you need to do is chop and combine your avocado, bell peppers, cucumber, zucchini, and tomatoes, and assemble your vinaigrette dressing. It takes about 10 minutes and requires minimal cleanup.
Cucumber Salad: A refreshing side to grilled meats and seafood dishes. It contains minimal ingredients and can be easily customized to your personal liking. All you need is cucumber, onions, a creamy base like yogurt or sour cream, acid such as lemon juice or vinegar, a keto-friendly sweetener, and fresh herbs.
Light and Tangy Salad: This light and tangy salad is full of low-carb fruits. It's a solid choice for you to enjoy before dinner or as a side to a protein-rich entree. Plus, it suits many diets, such as gluten-free, vegan, and whole30. All you need is kale, red cabbage, blueberries, pomegranate seeds, green onion, an apple, and sliced almonds.
Shepherd's Salad, or Çoban Salatası: Offers a refreshing crunch and vibrant flavors that make it a beloved staple from the rural kitchens of Turkey. Perfect for warm summer days.

Vegetable-Based Sides

Easy Air Fryer Vegetable Kabobs: Perfect appetizer, snack, game day fare that is also perfectly healthy.
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes: Ready in less than 30 minutes, this simple roasted cherry tomatoes recipe will become a summertime favorite.
Air Fryer Green Beans: This simple air fryer recipe recipes just a few minutes and a handful of ingredients.
Roasted Green Beans with Parmesan Cheese: An easy and delicious side that family members of all ages can enjoy. It only requires a few ingredients and a little prep time, making it a great no-fuss option. All you need is green beans, salt, pepper, garlic powder, oil or butter, and cheese - it's that simple.
Cheesy Baked Asparagus: No. 1 best way to eat asparagus.
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Spears: Bacon makes everything better. And these bacon wrapped asparagus spears are no exception.
Broccoli Steaks: Become beautifully charred, tender, and crispy on the grill, making them a standout BBQ side dish. Topped with savory bagna cauda, they’re bursting with flavor and offer a delicious, healthy alternative to traditional grilled sides.
Curry Stir Fry of Cauliflower and Red Peppers: Comes alive on the BBQ with this flavorful stir fry of cauliflower and red peppers! The smoky grill enhances the spices, creating a vibrant and delicious dish.
Braised Kale: This healthy side dish is a tasty way to get your greens - and five grams of fiber per serving. The pancetta and garlic give the dish its savory flavor. Plus, braised kale is highly versatile and pairs well with chicken or seafood dishes.
Shishito Peppers: They are sweet and hot but won’t set your tongue on fire.

Dips and Appetizers

Keto Jalapeño Poppers: Spicy jalapeños are stuffed with creamy, cheesy goodness and baked to perfection.
Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers: Are packed with flavor, combining juicy steak, sautéed onions, garlic, and melted mozzarella all nestled in vibrant bell peppers. Each bite is a delicious blend of savory goodness and cheesy indulgence.
Keto Buffalo Chicken Dip: Hearty and delicious, Keto Buffalo Chicken Dip is the ultimate snack for any occasion. Perfect for family get-togethers, game nights, or whenever you crave something tasty. This creamy, spicy dip is sure to be a hit.
Easy Keto Deviled Eggs: The perfect low-carb snack or appetizer, with just 0.5 grams of net carbs per egg half. Made with only 3 simple ingredients. They’re quick to prepare, creamy, and delicious.
Moutabal: A smoky and savory eggplant dip similar to baba ganoush. This easy-to-make dish is bursting with rich flavors and makes a fantastic appetizer or side.
Celery Sticks Stuffed with Cream Cheese: Bacon, herbs, and cheddar cheese are outrageously good! Served as an appetizer or snack.
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip: Combines cream cheese, cheddar, chicken, buttermilk, hot sauce, flour, and spices to create a rich and spicy mixture. You can enjoy this with keto chips or veggies, or layer over chicken breasts for additional protein.
Citrus-Marinated Olives: This recipe only takes 10 minutes, yet is full of fresh flavor and warm spices. With fresh lemon and orange zest, and crushed red pepper flakes, your tastebuds will be bursting with flavor.

Bread Replacements

Bacon Keto Biscuits: Try these Bacon Keto Biscuits for your next keto meal prep!
Keto Bread: Light, fluffy, and made in just 90 seconds. For this recipe, you'll need almond flour, baking powder, salt, butter, and an egg - that's it. Melt the butter first, then combine the rest of the ingredients and microwave. This recipe contains only 10 carbs and 15 grams of protein per serving.
Keto Cornbread: Surprisingly has no corn in it, but still tastes like the real deal. Surprisingly, this recipe contains only seven ingredients: coconut flour, butter, heavy cream, eggs, sugar substitute, salt, and baking soda. Bake in a cast iron skillet and top with butter for a mouthwatering low-carb cornbread alternative.

Other Keto-Friendly Sides

Creamed Brussels Sprouts Of all the ways to make Brussels, this one is definitely in the top five.
Mashed Butternut Squash We might even prefer this to mashed potatoes.
Creamed Spinach The creaminess in this dish will turn anyone into a spinach fan.
Caprese Zoodles You can't go wrong with caprese anything.
Garlic Butter Mushrooms Butter me up.
Low-Carb Cauliflower Stuffing: Feel free to add sausage for even more protein!
Chicken Fried Cauliflower: Maybe the most amazing thing we've ever done with cauliflower.
Spaghetti Squash Pizza Nests: Pop a few of these on your plate and your dinner will automatically become a 10/10.
Keto Burger Bombs: Now this is a side people will remember.
Cheesy Baked Green Beans: Even the biggest veggie hater will like these green beans.
Creamy Alfredo: Craving a creamy, juicy, rich, and delicious Alfredo? This is the recipe for you! Ready in just 20 minutes. This one-pot meal delivers all the comforting flavors you love with minimal effort.
Perfectly Steamed Instant Pot Broccoli: Ready in under 15 minutes, this foolproof method for perfectly steamed Instant Pot Broccoli is great for a BBQ side. Quick, easy, and delicious, it pairs beautifully with grilled dishes, adding a healthy and vibrant touch to your spread.
Zucchini Roll-Ups: These zucchini roll-ups are a delicious low-carb snack or meal option you and your whole family can enjoy. The roasted zucchini is filled with a creamy ricotta and parmesan filling, tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella. They take about 45 minutes to make and only contain 12 carbs per serving.
Roasted Eggplant: This roasted eggplant recipe is simple, easy, and comes out with perfect caramelized flavor every time. It contains minimal ingredients, requiring only eggplant, olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
Smoked Shrimp: The shrimp are lightly coated in Cajun seasoning and then coated with a delicious garlic butter sauce and cooked to perfection in the smoker. One serving of shrimp contains only one carb and 19 grams of protein.
Scallops: This dish features a brown butter sauce with fried garlic chips and fresh basil, creating a fantastic restaurant-quality side.
Rutabaga Fries: This recipe only takes five minutes of prep time and contains just two main ingredients - rutabaga and avocado oil. Add salt and pepper for a classic fry flavor, or you can get adventurous with salt and vinegar or any other seasonings of your choice.

Tips for Keto Summer BBQ Sides

Focus on Fresh Veggies: Fresh, non-starchy vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and leafy greens are perfect for keto sides.
Use Healthy Fats: Dress your salads with olive oil, avocado, or homemade mayo.
Skip the Sugary Sauces: BBQ sauces and dressings often contain hidden sugars.
Incorporate Cheese and Nuts: Cheese and nuts add texture, flavor, and healthy fats to your sides.
Prepare in Advance: Many keto BBQ sides, like salads and roasted vegetables, can be prepped ahead of time.

Benefits of a Keto Diet

Reduces Blood Sugar and Insulin Levels: Ketogenic diets can benefit individuals who are diabetic or insulin-resistant.
Supports Weight Loss: A keto diet can aid in weight loss. The higher protein and fat meals can make you feel fuller for longer, reducing the amount of snacking. Plus, fatty foods take a longer time to break down in the body.
Improves PCOS Symptoms: A low-carb diet can aid in weight loss and hormone balance, which are two common symptoms of PCOS.
Increases HDL Levels: Eating more healthy fats, like in the keto diet, can lead to higher HDL levels (high-density lipoprotein).

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