For those embracing a ketogenic lifestyle, Mexican cuisine can present a challenge. Traditional Mexican food often relies heavily on carbs, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the vibrant flavors of Mexico. With a few clever substitutions, you can create delicious and satisfying keto-friendly Mexican side dishes that perfectly complement your favorite low-carb meals.
Cauliflower Rice: The Keto-Friendly Grain Substitute
Cauliflower rice is a fantastic low-carb alternative to traditional rice. Its mild flavor makes it a versatile base for absorbing the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine.
Mexican Cauliflower Rice
This recipe transforms plain cauliflower rice into a flavorful side dish bursting with Mexican spices. It’s a healthy way to enjoy the essence of Mexican food without the carb overload.
Ingredients and Preparation
- Ricing the Cauliflower: Add cauliflower florets to a food processor or chopper and pulse until the cauliflower resembles small bits (like rice). Make sure not to go all the way or it can turn mushy.
- Sautéing Aromatics: Heat oil in a pan and add onions, garlic, and jalapenos. Stir fry for a few minutes until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Adding Tomatoes and Spices: Add tomatoes, cumin powder, paprika powder, and salt to the pan. Cook the tomatoes for a few minutes until they soften about 4-5 minutes.
- Combining and Cooking: Add the diced bell peppers and cauliflower rice to the pan and mix well.
Serving Suggestions
Mexican cauliflower rice is best served immediately. Stored cauliflower rice can taste a bit weird and can turn smelly. Top with a dollop of sour cream, sliced avocados, jalapenos, coriander, and lime. Consider adding blistered corn, tomatoes, guacamole, or salsa for an even more exciting flavor profile.
Mexican Coleslaw: A Tex-Mex Twist on a Classic
Coleslaw gets a flavor upgrade with a Tex-Mex twist! This recipe combines crispy shredded cabbage with a tangy dressing and the vibrant flavors of Mexican spices and vegetables.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Ingredients and Preparation
The recipe starts with a basic coleslaw foundation - cabbage, mayonnaise, and sour cream - and then incorporates Mexican spices and vegetables.
Tips and Variations
- If the red onion is too overpowering, replace it with yellow onion or soak the red onion in water first.
- For those who dislike cilantro, fresh parsley can be used as a substitute.
Serving Suggestions
This meatless side dish is incredible on top of burgers, tacos, or as a side for enchiladas. Add shredded chicken to the slaw and serve it on a piece of large lettuce for a main course. It's also great with Keto Mexican Pulled Pork Taco Casserole, Keto Crunchy Dorito Beef Burritos, or Keto Beef Burrito Skillet.
Low Carb Mexican Street Corn Salad
This salad captures the essence of Mexican street corn (elote) without the high carb content.
Key Ingredient: Cauliflower
The base of this salad is finely chopped cauliflower, mimicking the texture of corn kernels. For a touch of authenticity, baby corn is added in moderation.
What is Baby Corn?
Baby corn is exactly what it sounds like! Each serving (3 ounces) has 1 net carb.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Elote vs. Esquites
Elote is grilled, seasoned corn on the cob, while esquites is the same concept but with the corn cut off the cob and served in a cup or bowl.
Preparation
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the cauliflower and cut baby corn to the skillet.
- Cook without stirring for 3-4 minutes until slightly charred on the bottom.
- Remove cauliflower from the heat and add to a large bowl with the remaining ingredients.
- Stir well to combine.
Serving Suggestions
This salad can be served hot or cold.
Keto Mexican Street Cauliflower Salad: A Roasted Delight
This salad takes the flavors of Mexican street corn and combines them with roasted cauliflower for a delicious and healthy side dish.
Preparing the Cauliflower
Break down the heads of cauliflower into small florets and toss with avocado oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Roast on a large lined sheet pan at 425 degrees until tender and caramelized.
Additional Ingredients
To add great texture and even more flavor to the salad, add purple onion, diced bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and fresh jalapeño.
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The Dressing
The dressing is a simple mixture of sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, and paprika.
Serving and Storing
This keto cauliflower salad is best served immediately topped with extra Cotija cheese and chopped cilantro but it’s also great served up cold. Store the salad in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Serving Suggestions
This low-carb and keto Mexican Street Cauliflower Salad is great served alongside anything from a grilled steak to BBQ chicken.
Other Keto Mexican Side Dish Ideas
Beyond the recipes above, there are many other ways to enjoy keto-friendly Mexican side dishes.
- Keto-Friendly Salsa: Salsa is generally keto-friendly, but be mindful of portion sizes due to the carb content of tomatoes.
- Avocado: A simple and healthy side, avocado provides healthy fats and a creamy texture.
- Zucchini: Roasted Mexican Inspired Zucchini blows away any Spanish rice.
General Tips for Keto Mexican Cooking
- Embrace Cauliflower: Cauliflower is your best friend in the keto Mexican kitchen. Use it as a substitute for rice, potatoes, and even tortillas.
- Load Up on Flavor: Use plenty of Mexican spices like cumin, chili powder, paprika, and cilantro to create authentic flavors.
- Don't Be Afraid of Fat: Healthy fats are essential on the keto diet. Use avocado oil, olive oil, sour cream, and cheese to add flavor and satisfaction to your dishes.
- Watch Out for Hidden Carbs: Be aware of hidden carbs in sauces, dressings, and processed ingredients. Always read labels carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions About Keto Mexican Recipes
Can I have corn tortillas on keto?
No, corn tortillas are not keto-friendly. One corn tortilla has 17g net carbs. A better idea is to use a large piece of lettuce as a wrap or make your own low-carb tortillas at home.
Are refried beans keto?
Typical refried beans that you would eat at a Mexican restaurant are not keto-friendly. In ½ cup, there are 10g net carbs.