For those following a ketogenic diet, finding flavorful and satisfying meals can sometimes be a challenge. Fish, naturally low in carbs and rich in healthy fats, is an excellent choice for keto dieters. Pairing it with a delicious, creamy keto-friendly sauce elevates the dish to a restaurant-quality experience. This article explores a variety of keto sauce recipes perfect for complementing fish, ensuring a delightful and compliant meal.
Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce for Salmon
This silky smooth cream sauce for salmon is incredibly easy to make and packed with flavor. It's a perfect keto recipe that even those who aren't on a low-carb diet will enjoy.
Why Salmon is Ideal for Keto
Salmon is the perfect meat for a keto diet because it is packed full of healthy omega 3 oils, is high in B vitamins, vitamin D, and potassium. Pan-seared salmon is delicious on its own, but pair it with this easy cream sauce, and you’ve got a restaurant-quality dish that looks like you fussed.
Ingredients:
- Salmon fillets
- Olive oil (or oil of your choice)
- Salt and pepper
- Heavy cream
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Lemon zest (optional)
Instructions:
- Pat your salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season them with salt and pepper.
- Add the olive oil to a hot skillet.
- Let the salmon cook for 4-5 minutes.
- Gently flip the salmon skin side down and turn the pan down to medium or medium-low heat.
- Cook for another 3-4 minutes or until it flakes easily with a fork. The inside will turn from a more red translucent color to a pink opaque color. You can also cook it till it reaches 140°. But there is actually no danger in eating undercooked salmon, so it’s better to undercook it rather than overcooking it. Perfectly cooked salmon should be moist and tender.
- Add the cream, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and a pinch of lemon zest to the warm pan.
- Stir until heated through.
Tips and Variations:
- Dairy-Free Option: Instead of heavy cream, you can substitute half and half or even milk.
- Parmesan Cheese: Try adding about a tablespoon of freshly grated parmesan cheese to the sauce and cook it until it is completely melted.
- Storage: This creamy salmon will last in the refrigerator for 3-4 days if covered tightly.
Keto Fish with Coconut and Lime Sauce
For a dairy-free and flavorful option, this fish with coconut and lime sauce is a wonderful choice.
Ingredients:
- Fish fillets (various types can be used)
- Coconut oil
- Full-fat coconut milk
- Lime juice
- Turmeric
- Dried basil
- Salt and pepper
- Cilantro and crushed chili (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
- Season your fish with some salt and pepper and cook it on a hot coconut oil on a pan.
- When the fish is cooked, just whisk full-fat coconut milk with turmeric and pour it over the fish.
- Add salt and pepper to taste, dried basil, and the rest of the lime juice.
- Cook it for 5 minutes when sauce starts to simmer and that's it!
- Serve this fish with coconut warm! If you like cilantro and crushed chili you can sprinkle some on top!
This recipe results in a delicious and creamy sauce with a wonderful yellow color because of the turmeric.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Keto Bang Bang Sauce
Inspired by the Bonefish Grill's popular sauce, this keto version offers a flavorful, creamy, and spicy condiment perfect for drizzling over fish.
Ingredients:
- Keto-friendly mayonnaise
- Sambal (or Sambal with garlic)
- Sriracha
Instructions:
- Add all the sauce ingredients to a bowl and whisk.
- Allow to sit for at least 10-15 minutes so the flavors can meld together.
Tips and Variations:
- Salad Dressing: Add some heavy cream, thinned out with a little water, to turn this Bang Bang sauce into a salad dressing.
- Omelet Topping: Try it drizzled over your morning omelet.
- Vegetable Enhancement: Spoon a little over charred/sautéed greens like kale or spinach.
- Dipping Sauce: Serve it on the side of Keto Chicken Tenders.
This Keto version of Bang Bang Sauce uses all Keto friendly ingredients, it only has 1 net carb per serving!
Keto Tartar Sauce
A classic condiment for fish, this homemade keto tartar sauce is creamy, crunchy, and sugar-free, making it a much healthier alternative to store-bought versions.
Ingredients:
- Mayonnaise (Primal Kitchen's Real Mayonnaise is recommended)
- Dill pickles, minced
- Dill pickle juice
- Fresh dill, minced
- Horseradish (optional)
- Capers (optional)
Instructions:
- Mince the fresh dill and pickles. Dill should be fine. Pickles should be minced.
- Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a small bowl.
- Cover and refrigerate for one hour (or more) for the flavors to meld.
Tips and Variations:
- Pickle Relish: You can use pickle relish in place of the chopped dill pickles. If you do you can eliminate the pickle juice.
- Serving Suggestions: This recipe is great as a vegetable dip, with Jicama fries, or steamed mussels.
This Tartar Sauce Recipe will replace the store-bought brands. It is homemade, so you know what is going into the sauce. There are no preservatives, just clean and natural ingredients. It is the perfect condiment for any seafood, fish, and roasted vegetables.
Keto Salmon with Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce and Asparagus
This recipe combines the creamy lemon garlic sauce with a bed of garlic butter asparagus for a complete and elegant keto meal.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Ingredients:
- Salmon filet
- Asparagus
- Butter
- Garlic
- Red onion
- Lemon zest
- Lemon juice
- Capers
- Heavy cream
- Fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Prepare the asparagus by chopping off the bottom woody part of the asparagus which you don't want to eat.
- Heat 1 tbsp of butter in your pan and add in the garlic.
- Once the butter has melted and the garlic is tarting to brown add in the asparagus and season with salt and pepper.
- Add in about 50ml of water and cover and cook with the lid on for about 4-5 minutes.
- After 4-5 minutes the water will evaporate and you want to cook the asparagus till it's perfectly tender and has some color on it. Once you have achieved that remove the asparagus and set it aside.
- In the same pan add a tbsp of butter and while it melts season your salmon filet with salt and pepper and then place in the frying pan.
- Cook for about 3-4 minutes each side till it's perfectly cooked all the way through or to your liking. Remove and set the fish aside.
- Then add 1 tbsp of butter to the pan along with the red onion and fry.
- Add in the lemon zest, lemon juice, capers and 2 tbsp of water. Mix well and let it cook for a minute.
- Then add in the heavy cream and if it's too thick add some more water.
- Taste and season as required and finish the sauce with some fresh parsley.
Tips and Variations:
- Vegetable Substitutions: Swap out the asparagus for green beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, etc.
- Fish Options: Use any filet of fish that is easily available to you.
Simple Keto Salmon with Cream Sauce
This recipe focuses on simplicity, using minimal ingredients to create a delicious and satisfying keto salmon dish.
Ingredients:
- Salmon filets
- Avocado oil
- Heavy cream
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Heat the avocado oil in a skillet until it is shimmering, then add the salmon to the pan, skin side up.
- When the salmon develops a crust and releases from the pan, it is ready to flip. Continue cooking the salmon, skin side down, until the salmon skin is nice and crispy.
- With the pan over medium heat, whisk together the heavy cream, lemon juice, and garlic.
- Let simmer for a few minutes to thicken.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the creamy sauce over the salmon and garnish with chopped parsley.
Tips and Variations:
- Frozen Salmon: I love to use frozen salmon anytime I want to make a keto salmon recipe. Frozen salmon is economical and it is frozen as soon as it is caught, so most times, it is better than fresh!
- Defrosting: If your frozen salmon come wrapped in plastic, simply fill a bowl or the sink with cold water and submerge the salmon. Check it after 30 minutes and see how it is progressing.
- Skin On or Off: I buy skin on salmon because it is easier to find. When the salmon is cooked, the salmon skin peels off very easily.
- Baking Instructions: If you buy skinless salmon, you could still cook it as above, but you can also season with salt and pepper and then cook it in the oven at 400F for about 12 minutes.
Low Carb Remoulade Sauce
A traditional New Orleans style Remoulade - creamy and perfect with crab cakes or any seafood! Try this low carb sauce as a dip for vegetables or even with chicken wings! This is a mayonnaise based sauce. It is the perfect creamy base for many dipping sauces.
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