For anyone who wants to enjoy tasty, low carb recipes without all the hassle, lazy keto is a fantastic option. With a wide array of keto-friendly recipes out there, it can be challenging to find easy, lazy keto meals that are actually as simple as they claim to be. You deserve to have accessible, straightforward, and delicious low-carb meals whether you’re on a strict ketogenic diet or simply watching your carbohydrate intake for weight loss goals or your overall health.
What is Lazy Keto?
Lazy keto is an easier ketogenic diet that’s doable for everyone. It works because it’s so flexible. There’s no complex math or fancy ingredients required to get into ketosis and start a weight loss transformation of your own. By focusing on simplicity and ease, lazy keto makes it easier to stick to a low-carb lifestyle without feeling overwhelmed.
Key Principles of Lazy Keto
When creating easy keto recipes, keep these factors in mind:
- Minimal Ingredients: Stick to recipes that have no more than 10 key ingredients. This doesn’t include fridge & pantry staples like spices, oils, and condiments.
- Quick Prep Time: Try to stay away from recipes that take more than 15 minutes of prep. If you’re meal prepping, this is even less of a factor since you can prep multiple meals at once.
- Quick Cook Time: Aim to make recipes that take less than 25 minutes to cook.
- One-Pot or One-Pan Meals: Look for lazy keto recipes that require minimal clean-up.
- High Fat & Protein: Since keto sticks to high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carb foods, make sure meals have a good balance of fat and protein.
Delicious and Easy Lazy Keto Recipes
Here are some top lazy keto meal ideas that are both simple and satisfying:
Frittatas
Frittatas are a great option for a filling, low-calorie meal that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Read also: Low-Carb Crock-Pot Meals
- 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.
- 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.
- Tarragon, Mushroom & Sausage Frittata: Serve up this filling frittata in just 20 minutes. With tarragon and mustard to boost the flavour and asparagus to top up your greens, it's also rich in folate.
Salmon Dishes
Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, making it a healthy and delicious choice for lazy keto meals.
- 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.
- Baked Salmon: Get all the goodness of omega-3 with easy baked salmon for lunch or supper. It's super versatile and makes a great partner for salads, veggies and pasta.
- Feta & Herb-Crusted Salmon: Offers a flavorful twist with a combination of feta and herbs.
- Lemon-Brown Butter Salmon: Combines the richness of brown butter with the brightness of lemon.
Chicken Recipes
Chicken is a versatile protein source that can be used in a variety of lazy keto recipes.
- Peanut Butter Chicken: A budget chicken dish that's easy to make. Any leftovers freeze well and make a handy lunch.
- Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken: An absolute match made in heaven. This chicken dinner should be your new weeknight staple.
- Garlicky Greek Chicken: Provides a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
- Keto Chicken Parmesan: A low-carb take on a classic favorite.
- Keto Bacon Chicken Thighs With Garlic Cream Sauce: Combines the savory flavors of bacon and garlic with a creamy sauce.
Ground Beef Creations
Ground beef is an economical and quick-cooking option for keto meals.
- Taco Skillet: Made with taco meat, bell peppers, and diced tomatoes. Top with plenty of cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.
- Low-Carb Ground Beef Fajitas: A simple way to enjoy the flavors of fajitas without the carbs.
Vegetable-Based Dishes
These recipes focus on non-starchy vegetables that are perfect for keto.
- Mediterranean Turkey-Stuffed Peppers: This low-calorie dinner is rich in vit C and folate too. Filling the peppers with low-fat turkey breast mince keeps it lean.
- Spanish Chicken Traybake with Chorizo & Peppers: Simply pop herby chicken thighs into a roasting tin with colourful veg and spicy sausage. To make this keto-friendly, serve with keto bread.
- Thai Broccoli Rice: Replacing rice with broccoli that's been blitzed to grains makes a colourful and healthy, quick-cook vegetarian keto meal.
- Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Spaghetti Squash: Offers a comforting and cheesy option.
- Cauliflower Fried Rice: A classic and comforting recipe that everyone loves…except maybe those who are trying to eat less rice. Whether you’re skipping carbs, trying to eat more vegetables, or are just looking for a lighter side dish so you can eat more orange chicken (relatable!), this cauliflower fried rice is for you.
- Cauliflower Pizza Crust: It might sound crazy, but it can be a delicious and healthy alternative to the classic. Try this easy, gluten-free pizza recipe once, and you’ll see why we’re cauliflower obsessed.
Other Simple Keto Meals
- Superhealthy Salmon Burgers: If you're after something a bit lighter than potato-packed fishcakes, try these simple salmon burgers with ginger, soy sauce and coriander.
- Cod with Cucumber, Avocado & Mango Salsa Salad: A healthy lunch bursting with the colours and flavours of summer, this delicious cod, avocado and mango salad is low in fat and calories.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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, we make up for the lack of thickener by ensuring that we really reduce the stew to create something rich and stick-to-your-ribs good.
- Cowboy Butter Steak: This recipe calls for searing a bone-in ribeye, then basting it with a zesty, smoky butter until the outside has a perfectly brown crust, and the inside is tender and medium-rare.
- Cacio E Pepe Egg Noodles: 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. It's so simple and yet so fun to make and, of course, absolutely delicious.
- Philly Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps: A creative and low-carb way to enjoy the flavors of a Philly cheesesteak.
- French Onion Pot Roast: Combines the comforting flavors of pot roast with the savory notes of French onion soup.
- Keto Beef Stroganoff: A creamy and comforting dish made keto-friendly.
- 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.
- Low-Carb Bell Pepper Sandwich: An easy way to enjoy a flavor-packed, quick lunch.
- Taco Tuna Lettuce Wraps: This easy meal prep-friendly recipe is high-protein and full of flavor.
- Gochujang Pasta: An extra easy keto pasta dish that is so flavorful, creamy, and delicious. It requires only 5 key ingredients to make and is ready to eat in under 20 minutes.
- Air Fryer Frozen Salmon: The air fryer is your best friend when it comes to lazy keto dinner recipes, and this Air Fryer Frozen Salmon is a knockout.
- Fluffy Scrambled Eggs: Enjoy fluffy, velvety eggs in just 7 minutes with this effortless Fluffy Scrambled Eggs recipe. It’s such an easy way to start your morning off right and keep you full until lunchtime.
- Low Carb Sushi Wraps: Another easy meal that doesn’t need to involve cooking, as you can use leftover or pre-cooked salmon or tuna.
- Keto Lettuce Wraps: Using lettuce leaves as a low-carb alternative to tortillas, you’ll fill them with delicious avocado, shrimp, and a creamy dressing for that perfect bite. It’s light, refreshing, and oh-so-satisfying.
Keto-Friendly Breads and Desserts
- Keto Bread: Try this keto almond bread for a healthy bread replacement that's made with nuts and seeds. The loaf will be slightly wet but you can dry the slices in an oven or toast them.
- Keto Pancakes: Make these low carb keto pancakes with almond flour instead of regular wheat flour, or blitz ground almonds until fine if you can't get hold of it. Serve with blueberries and keto-friendly syrup.
- Keto Chocolate Cake: Try our keto version of a classic chocolate cake. To keep the carbohydrate levels low, the recipe uses xylitol, almond flour and cacao powder.
- Keto Brownies: Bake these sumptuous keto brownies using nut butter, courgette, cacao and almond flour. They're moreish and perfectly moist - just how a brownie should be.
Keto-Friendly Drinks
- Keto Smoothie: Make this keto breakfast smoothie with spinach and fresh berries using any plant-based milk you like. You can also swap the hemp seeds for any nuts or seeds.
Essential Keto Foods
Some of the easiest keto foods to incorporate into your diet include:
Read also: Rock Your Keto Diet
- Cottage cheese: Versatile, easy to cook with and provides a good source of protein and healthy fats.
- Eggs: A staple for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, offering protein and healthy fats.
- Avocados: Packed with healthy fats and easy to add to any meal.
- Shrimp: Quick to cook and a great source of protein.
Tips for Staying Full on Keto
Upping your protein intake will keep you satiated and satisfied for longer periods of time. Incorporate protein sources like chicken, fish, eggs, cottage cheese, and nuts into your meals to avoid feeling hungry between meals.
DIRTY, LAZY, KETO Approach
Stephanie Laska's DIRTY, LAZY, KETO method offers an easier approach to the ketogenic diet, emphasizing flexibility and simplicity. This method requires no complex math or fancy ingredients to get into ketosis and start a weight loss transformation of your own.
Additional Tips for Lazy Keto Success
- Plan Ahead: Meal prepping can save time and ensure you have keto-friendly options readily available.
- Read Labels: Always check nutrition labels to ensure foods are low in carbs and high in healthy fats.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Listen to Your Body: Adjust your diet as needed based on how you feel.
Read also: Lazy Keto Meal Planning