The ketogenic diet, often referred to as "keto," has gained significant popularity for its potential benefits in weight loss and managing certain health conditions. This high-fat, low-carb eating plan typically consists of 70% of daily calories from fat, 25% from protein, and only 5% from carbohydrates. This article provides a comprehensive overview of serious keto recipes, offering a variety of options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even desserts, ensuring that you can enjoy delicious and satisfying meals while adhering to your ketogenic lifestyle.
Embracing the Keto Lifestyle
In early 2019, I started living a ketogenic lifestyle and have lost over 70 lbs so far. I’m off of two of the three blood pressure medications and my blood pressure is now normal (hopefully I’ll medication free this year). My waist is as small as it’s been since college. My back pain and joint pain are gone. My mood is spectacular. I honestly can’t remember ever feeling this good.
Following a keto diet doesn't mean sacrificing flavor or variety. With a little creativity and the right recipes, you can enjoy a wide range of delicious and satisfying meals. The key is to focus on incorporating healthy fats, moderate protein, and very few carbohydrates into your daily diet.
Essential Keto Ingredients and Pantry Staples
Before diving into specific recipes, it's essential to stock your pantry with keto-friendly ingredients. You’ll also want to stock up on cooking oils like olive oil, avocado oil and butter. They’ll help with searing, baking, roasting and frying, and they’ll impart healthy fats and good flavor into your meals. These include:
- Healthy Fats: Avocado oil, olive oil, coconut oil, butter, ghee, and avocado.
- Proteins: Chicken, beef, pork, fish (especially fatty fish like salmon), eggs, and shellfish.
- Low-Carb Vegetables: Leafy greens (spinach, kale, lettuce), cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, asparagus, and bell peppers.
- Dairy (if tolerated): Heavy cream, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
- Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, macadamia nuts, walnuts, chia seeds, and flax seeds.
- Sweeteners (in moderation): Erythritol, stevia, and monk fruit.
Keto Breakfast Recipes
Start your day off right with these delicious and satisfying keto breakfast options:
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Keto Crab Cakes Benedict
Christmas breakfast was keto crab cakes Benedict. I still always poach one extra egg, just in case something goes wrong. That means I usually get a bonus egg for me. That’s the lump in the center between the two crab cakes. The only downside to a breakfast like this is that I’m ready for a nap after eating it.
Air-Fryer Bacon and Egg Cups
Break out the air fryer for a fresh take on a classic breakfast combo. These air-fryer egg cups cook in 15 to 20 minutes, and each serving contains 29 grams of fat and 4 grams of carbs. These adorable bacon egg cups are a fresh take on the classic breakfast combo. I originally baked these, but they’re amazing in the air fryer-no need to heat up the oven!
Egg Muffins
Whether you need an on-the-go breakfast or a make-ahead, low-carb dinner for busy weeknights, egg muffins are the move. Make a big batch for the week ahead or freeze them for busy weeks in the future. I made these one year at Christmas as a way to save time, and they were a big hit. I have to make a large batch because my husband and boys can polish them off in a short amount of time. These also freeze very well, if there are any left!
Keto Lunch Recipes
Enjoy a midday meal that keeps you energized and on track with your keto goals:
Steak Salad with Avocado and Radishes
Steak salad with avocado and radishes will fill you up with essential nutrients plus 25 grams of fat and 7 grams of carbs. My steak salad with avocado and radishes is a big plate of summer deliciousness. I sometimes add dried cranberries and cherry tomatoes, but you can customize it to suit your tastes. Avocados are one of our favorite ways to get in healthy fats on the keto diet, so of course we’re going to fill our salads with them. Each serving contains 17 grams of fat and 4 grams of carbs. Grape tomatoes and avocado chunks add pretty color and fresh flavor to this main-dish salad.
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Shrimp Avocado Salad
While we love serving shrimp avocado salad for a light lunch or summer dinner, it also works as a pretty appetizer. Serve on small plates to show off the pretty presentation in the lettuce cups. Each serving has 16 grams of fat and 11 grams of carbs. The delicious taste and smooth texture of avocados and the crisp shrimp salad create a heavenly combination. Serve it as a cool and satisfying lunch or a light, quick and easy dinner.
Keto Dinner Recipes
These keto dinner recipes are designed to be both delicious and easy to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings:
Air-Fryer Chicken Thighs
These air-fryer chicken thighs are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and full of flavor. You should have most of the seasonings in your pantry already, so this recipe makes a quick weeknight dinner. This air-fryer chicken thighs recipe creates meat that is crispy on the outside but super juicy on the inside. The paprika and garlic seasoning blend comes through beautifully.
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. Browning the chicken adds more flavor and color, and it gives the chicken a jump-start on cooking, but you can skip that step and add five to seven minutes to the bake time if you are in a rush.
Salmon with Lemon and Garlic
This salmon recipe is quick to prepare for weeknight dinners. Sometimes, salmon gets a gummy texture when baked with the skin on. To avoid this, remove the salmon skin before baking instead of after, like you’d do with pan-seared salmon. The salmon bakes up tender and moist and the blended ingredients enhance the flavor of this delicious lemon garlic salmon.
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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. It’s about to become a staple at your house!
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. I got this easy, protein-rich recipe from Sandy Schroth of the Puffin Bed & Breakfast in Gustavus, Alaska.
Almond Chicken
This almond chicken will be one of your favorite keto recipes. Buttermilk gives this dish a fried chicken flavor, and the almond coating is crispy and nutty without using flour. Each serving has 18 grams of fat and 6 grams of carbs. My husband bought an air fryer about six months ago, after seeing it on television. We have used it at least twice a week and love how delicious the food has been. The chicken recipes that we have tried are especially good because of how moist the chicken remains. We started a low-carb diet and did not want to use bread crumbs, so we tried the chicken with almonds. It’s a favorite now.
Air-Fryer Fajita-Stuffed Chicken
Air-fryer fajita-stuffed chicken is loaded with melty cheese, onions and peppers. It packs 17 grams of fat and 5 grams of carbs per serving. I had all the ingredients for fajitas, but instead of heating up my big oven, I decided to try a different version in the air fryer. Since my air fryer is small, I wanted to put as much filling as I could in each stuffed chicken breast. This worked nicely by cutting slits in the breasts and then filling them.
Keto Meatballs
You won’t miss the bread crumbs in these low-carb meatballs. Serve with zucchini noodles for a comforting Italian feast. I have been following a keto diet for a year and a half and have lost 130 pounds. I took several recipes and tweaked them to create this recipe for keto meatballs. You won’t miss the breadcrumbs at all! I like to eat these on their own, but they are also great over zucchini noodles.
Keto Chili
This keto-friendly chili omits carbohydrate-rich beans. If you love a hearty bowl of chili but are trying to cut back on carbs, this keto chili recipe is for you.
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. To save even more time, add potatoes or other vegetables to the pan to roast along with the chicken.
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. This recipe for pan-seared pork chops totally fits the bill.
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. Baking salmon in foil is an easy technique that can also be used on the grill. This quick recipe uses lemon zest and slices plus garlic for flavor, but you could also try other citrus fruits, herbs and spices.
Air-Fryer Salmon
Keto air-fryer recipes save the day when you don’t have time to heat up the oven. 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 salmon stays succulent, but still gets lightly browned on the outside. Use this simple salmon recipe as a starting point for different flavors and styles of salmon. The possibilities are endless!
Steak with Peppercorn Sauce
Skip the steakhouse and make your own decadent dinner at home. The steak gets a serious flavor upgrade from butter, hot pepper sauce, half-and-half and Worcestershire. My wife and I both love spicy foods. This steak with peppercorn sauce is one of her favorite dishes. I have been cooking it as a treat on her birthday for years.
Air-Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
Air-fryer rotisserie chicken is better than store-bought birds, which often contain sugar. This super-juicy, flavorful chicken is cooked in olive oil and seasoned salt. This air-fryer whole chicken is so crispy yet succulent. I serve it straight up, but you can also shred it and add it to tacos, soups, pasta salads and so much more.
Steak and Asparagus
Avocado oil and butter combine to keep this steak dinner juicy and flavorful. Add garlic and asparagus for a one-pan wonder. Asparagus and steak form a classic combination for a delicious dinner. Cooking them together makes for easy prep and cleanup.
Rosemary Leg of Lamb
In our house, any meal that can be put in the oven while we get a few more things done for the day is a win! This succulent leg of lamb recipe calls for a flavorful rosemary, garlic and onion rub. Save this recipe for a lazy weekend afternoon because the roast bakes for two hours! Roast lamb is perfect for keto Easter dinners or any special occasion. This succulent rosemary leg of lamb recipe calls for a flavorful rosemary, garlic and onion rub.
Zoodles with Shrimp
Toss zoodles with butter, olive oil, tequila and lime juice for a shrimp dish you’ll come back to again and again. Though it won’t be as rich, you can sub the butter for olive oil. This tangy shrimp dish is a smart way to cut carbs without sacrificing flavor. If you don’t have a spiralizer, you can use thinly julienned zucchini to get a similar effect.
Roast Chicken
This juicy, tender, golden brown roast is perfect when paired with roasted vegetables or a crisp side salad. It cooks for almost three hours, so be sure to consider that when meal planning. I am a busy mom of four and a nursing student, so weeknight dinners are often rushed. Sunday dinners are very important to our family, and everyone loves when I make this old-fashioned chicken recipe.
Keto-Friendly Side Dishes
Complete your keto meals with these delicious and low-carb side dishes:
Gunpowder Roasted Radishes with Raita
Gunpowder roasted radishes with raita. A savory substitute for potatoes with a creamy, tangy, spicy sauce.
Smothered Cabbage
It can be hard to find a good low-carb side dish that also has keto-friendly ingredients. 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. Ham adds smoky and salty flavor to this southern side dish. You could also used smoked sausage, smoked turkey leg or bacon. Serve the cabbage with your favorite pork chop dinner or roast chicken.
Sauteed Zucchini
Sauteed ZucchiniSauteed 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. This cauliflower stuffing is the vegan substitute you’ve been looking for. It’s perfect for the holidays.
Cheesy Cauliflower "Breadsticks"
These cheesy cauliflower “breadsticks” are a wonderful replacement for flour-based breadsticks. Pair this tasty snack with a low-carb marinara sauce for dipping. These grain-free, cheesy cauliflower breadsticks are made with vegetables instead of flour. Serve them with your favorite marinara sauce.
Three-Cheese Cauliflower Casserole
If you’ve been craving a creamy bowl of mac and cheese since starting keto, try this. Three-cheese cauliflower casserole combines butter, cream cheese, cheddar and mozzarella for a seriously comforting bowl of cheesy goodness. If you’re adhering to a pretty strict keto diet, swap the milk for equal parts water and heavy whipping cream. This casserole is low on carbs but high on flavor. If you are trying to eat fewer carbs but miss eating macaroni and cheese, this casserole will hit the right spot!
Keto Appetizers and Snacks
Keep hunger at bay with these tasty and keto-friendly appetizers and snacks:
Creamy Stuffed Jalapenos
These creamy stuffed jalapenos have some bite. To change things up from time to time, try different types of sausage in the peppers. Use this recipe for game-day bites, party appetizers or after-work snacks. If you like foods that pack a bit of a punch, you’ll love these jalapeno poppers filled with sausage and cheese. This is one of my favorite recipes for parties.
Cheese Taco Shells
Enjoy taco night with taco shells made from shredded cheese! People following a keto diet and cheese lovers alike will enjoy these outrageous (and low-carb) cheese taco shells.
Keto Bread and Pizza Alternatives
Enjoy your favorite comfort foods without the carbs:
Cheeseburger Buns
You don’t have to miss out on all your favorite grilled dinners when following the keto diet. These cheeseburger buns are made from cheese and pickles pressed in a mini waffle maker! I have turned my life around with a low-carb keto diet. This recipe is a wonderful new way to make burgers with all the same favorite flavors that I’m used to. Since the meat and toppings can be changed, the possibilities are endless and I never get tired of making these burgers.
Chorizo Burgers
For a change of pace, turn to these chorizo burgers. Wrap the burgers in lettuce for a quick, low-carb meal. Chorizo does all the work seasoning these burgers, and the aioli comes together in minutes. Wrap the juicy patties in lettuce for a keto version. Don’t worry-the carb lovers in your home can still enjoy them on buns.
Herb and Cheese Pizza Crust
Herbs and cheese add loads of flavor to this low-carb pizza crust. It bakes in 20 to 25 minutes and can be topped with any of your favorite keto toppings. Make your next pizza night a little healthier with this recipe. The herbs and cheese add a ton of flavor to the pizza crust!
Keto Pizza Rolls
Relive your favorite childhood after-school snack with low-carb pizza rolls. If you’d prefer not to eat lavash bread on keto, try buying or making almond flour flatbreads instead. Mix and match the toppings as you like. I came up with a lower carb version of my stuffed pizza rolls recipe when I decided to try more of a keto/paleo lifestyle and needed something satisfying to heat up at work for lunches. This is quick, easy and lower in carbs! Mix and match toppings to suit your tastes like a vegetarian version, Hawaiian or meat lovers.
Keto Salad Dressings and Sauces
Enhance your keto meals with these flavorful and low-carb dressings and sauces:
Homemade Greek Salad Dressing
Whip up a hearty lunch or quick dinner with this homemade, keto-friendly salad dressing. You can use it on salads or turn it into a marinade for meats. Homemade Greek salad dressing doesn’t get much easier. If you don’t have lemon juice on hand, replace it with additional vinegar.
Additional Tips for Success on the Keto Diet
- Plan Your Meals: Planning your meals in advance can help you stay on track and avoid impulsive, carb-heavy choices.
- Read Labels Carefully: Always check the nutritional information on packaged foods to ensure they are low in carbohydrates.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help your body adjust to the keto diet.
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how you feel and adjust your diet as needed.
- Don't Be Afraid to Experiment: There are countless keto recipes available, so don't be afraid to try new things and find what you enjoy.