7 Easy & Delicious Keto Dinner Ideas
If you're following a ketogenic diet, it can be challenging to come up with new and exciting dinner ideas that fit within your way of eating. Don't stress! We've gathered seven easy and delicious low-carb dinner recipes that can satisfy your whole family's cravings and help you stay on track with your health goals.
What Is the Keto Diet?
You've probably already heard of the ketogenic diet, commonly known as the keto diet. It's become incredibly popular in recent years, thanks partly to social media and the internet. Everyone seems to be talking about losing weight or improving their health by going keto!
This way of eating involves reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat, which can put your body in a state of ketosis. When your body is in a state of ketosis, it can produce ketones from fat in the liver, which it then uses as energy instead of glucose from carbohydrates. This process can lead to weight loss and also support overall health.
Some types of keto diets, such as the standard ketogenic diet, the targeted ketogenic diet, and the cyclical ketogenic diet, are often used for weight loss and general health benefits. These diets typically involve higher fat, moderate protein, and low carbohydrate intake.
What Foods Can You Eat on Keto?
When following the standard keto diet, you'll want to focus on eating healthy fats like avocados, nuts, fatty fish, and moderate amounts of protein from sources like meat, poultry, and eggs. You'll also want to avoid high-carbohydrate foods like grains, sugars, and starchy vegetables.
Here are some foods that you can eat while on keto:
- Meats and bone broths: Beef, chicken, pork, lamb, and other meats and broths are generally keto-friendly. Try to choose grass-fed or organic varieties when possible.
- Fish and seafood: Salmon, trout, tuna, and other fatty fish are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids and protein.
- Eggs: Whole eggs are great sources of protein and healthy fats.
- Low-carb fruits and vegetables: Leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and other non-starchy vegetables are low in carbs and high in nutrients. Berries are typically allowed, but in moderation.
- Nuts and seeds: Almonds, walnuts, and other nuts and seeds tend to contain healthy fats and protein.
- Dairy products: Cheese, butter, heavy cream, and other high-fat dairy products are generally keto-friendly.
- Healthy fats: Animal fats like tallow, olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, and other healthy fats are an essential part of the keto diet.
- Keto-friendly sweeteners: Sweeteners like erythritol, monk fruit, stevia, xylitol, and allulose are common sweeteners that are allowed in moderation.
Some store-bought bone broths may contain added sugars or other ingredients that are not keto-friendly, so it's essential to read labels carefully and choose a product that fits your dietary needs.
Dr. Kellyann's bone broths and supplements are keto-friendly and free of added sugars. Plus, our products are made for your convenience. We do all the hard work so that you can reap the benefits of bone broth in the time it takes to pour a glass!
What Foods Can’t You Eat on Keto?
The keto diet also involves avoiding or limiting certain foods high in carbohydrates.
Some examples of foods that are typically not permitted in a keto diet include:
- Grains and cereals: Wheat, rice, oats, corn, and other grains are high in carbs and generally not allowed on the keto diet.
- Sugar and other sweeteners: Table sugar, honey, maple syrup, and other sweeteners are high in carbs and are typically not allowed on the keto diet.
- Fruits: Many fruits, such as bananas, apples, oranges, and grapes, are high in carbs and not allowed on the keto diet. Small amounts of berries, such as strawberries and raspberries, may be allowed in moderation.
- Starchy vegetables: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, and other starchy vegetables are high in carbs and generally not allowed on the keto diet. Non-starchy vegetables are permitted.
- Legumes: Beans, chickpeas, and lentils are high in carbs and not allowed on the keto diet.
- Processed foods: Highly processed foods, such as fast food, snack foods, and packaged foods, are typically high in carbs and not allowed on the keto diet.
If you see one of your favorite foods on this list, don’t worry — there are plenty of recipes you can use to cook keto-friendly versions of your favorite meals at home.
7 Easy Keto Dinner Ideas
What's for dinner?
Sometimes, after a long day, that three-word question can feel overwhelming — especially if you aren't one for making meal plans. These low-carb, gluten-freeweeknight dinner ideas are easy to make with minimal meal prep time.
Cauliflower Rice and Beef Tacos
Making traditional Mexicantacos keto is as easy as replacing the tortilla with your favorite low-carbtortilla. Egg white wraps and melted cheese shells are popular alternatives.
For quick cauliflower rice, you can find riced cauliflower in the produce department or frozen cauliflower rice in the freezer section of your grocery store. Or, make some at home with a head of cauliflower and a food processor! Stir fry the rice in butter or ghee, then salt and season to taste.
Spoon the beef and cauliflower rice onto the center of your tortilla, then top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, cheddar cheese, and any other keto-friendlytaco toppings you desire.
These cauliflower rice and beef tacos are easily to change up based on your preferences. To make these tacos your own, you can experiment with keto-friendly toppings like jalapeños, hot sauce, or cheese.
Keto Chicken Parmesan With Zoodles
Looking for an Italian-inspired low-carb keto chicken recipe that's sure to please? Try this delicious Keto chicken parmesan with zucchini noodles! To make this dish low-carb keto, substitute traditional flour and breadcrumbs with almond flour or pork rind crumbs.
Season your chicken breasts and crumbs as usual, and bake them to a perfect, crispy texture in an air fryer or convection oven. Top with marinara sauce and mozzarella, and bake until bubbly and golden brown.
Serve with zoodle, spaghetti squash, or konjac noodles, and top with a baked chicken breast. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, and enjoy your delicious keto chickenparm!
Spinach and Cream Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs
These spinach and cream cheese-stuffed meatballs work perfectly for a keto meal or appetizer.
Start by mixing together your ground beef, one egg, and your seasonings of choice. Combine some cream cheese, cooked spinach, and grated parmesan cheese and stuff some of the mixture into each meatball before cooking. Set these in your Instant Pot or slow cooker with some of Dr. Kellyann's Bone Broth for added flavor.
These keto spinach and cream cheese-stuffed meatballs are a tasty way to incorporate more greens into your diet and make a great meal or snack any time of day. They're also easy to make and store in the fridge or freezer for later use. That’s what we call an easy meal prep!
Keto Chili
We all love a good chili, but for many people doing keto, beans aren’t on the menu. However this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a delicious chili!
Give our skinny slow-cooked chili a try. This recipe is easy to make, and you can adjust the ingredients to your liking, such as adding more vegetables or reducing the spiciness. It's also made in a slow cooker to create a rich and flavorful chili that is perfect for chilly evenings and busy weeknights.
Stuffed Peppers
As a kid, stuffed peppers may not have been at the top of your list of favorite foods. But with this new keto recipe for stuffed bell peppers, you may just change your mind. Stuffed with a flavorful mixture of ground beef and a blend of herbs and spices, these juicy, tender peppers will easily earn their place among your favorite dinners.
If you're not a fan of the traditional stuffed pepper format, try dicing the peppers and making stuffed pepper bowls instead. And if stuffed peppers aren't your thing, maybe stuffed portobello mushrooms are more suited to your tastes.
Keto Cheeseburgers
Sometimes you might just crave a classic, juicy cheeseburger. Well, being keto doesn’t mean you can’t satisfy that craving!
The main thing that needs replacing is the bun. From egg white buns to cloud bread, there are many options you can use to make this yummy dinner keto.
If you're looking to expand your flavor palate, these Greek-style beef or bison burgers can transport your taste buds all the way to the Mediterranean. Plus, they’re easy on the waistline.
Need a break from red meat? This Asian turkey burger is a wonderful alternative that is both delicious and healthy. You can also use ground chicken for an equally satisfying mouth-watering chicken burger.
Instead of fries, you can serve a side dish of veggies, like green beans, fennel fries, or jicama sticks. The possibilities are endless, and with a bit of creativity, you can enjoy a variety of burgers that adhere to your ketogenic diet.
Easy Keto Beef Stew
There’s just something comforting about a hearty beef stew on a cozy night. Luckily, it’s easy to make a traditional beef stew recipe keto by substituting some ingredients.
Use tender beef, keto vegetables, your choice of savory herbs and spices, and Dr. Kellyann's Bone Broth to make a delicious stew. Boiled radishes make an excellent substitute for potatoes and ad a unique flavor to any stew.
If you're craving exotic flavors, you'll love a slow cooked coconut curry beef stew packed with fragrant spices like ginger, garlic, curry paste, tender beef, and creamy coconut milk. Plus, you can make it in a slow cooker, which means you can set it and forget it.
Keto Pizza
Who doesn't love pizza? Pizza is undoubtedly one of the world's most popular and beloved dishes. The combination of melted cheese, savory sauce, and delicious toppings on a crispy crust is irresistible.
However, for those following a keto diet, enjoying pizza can be a bit of a challenge. The traditional pizza crust is high in carbohydrates, which can quickly derail a keto diet. Fortunately, many keto-friendly options allow you to indulge in this classic dish while sticking to your dietary goals.
This perfect pizza recipe uses a cauliflower crust, and you can still top it with all your favorite pizza toppings. Cheese is optional if you're leaning more paleo or doing dairy-free keto.
Another option for a keto-friendly pizza crust is to use meat or cheese as the base. For a meat crust pizza, you can bake ground beef, chicken, or pork as the crust on a sheet pan, then top it with pizza sauce and cheese.
For a cheese crust pizza, simply melt shredded cheese in a pan until it forms a crispy layer, then add your desired toppings or use a fathead dough recipe. These options offer a unique twist on traditional pizza and are a delicious way to stay on track with your keto diet.
The Bottom Line
These seven easy and delicious keto dinner ideas can help you keep your health goals on track and satisfy your family's cravings without breaking your diet. Whether you're looking to mix up your dinner routine or kickstart your weight loss journey, these low-carb recipes can help you get to the finish line.
Dr. Kellyann's bone broth is also a great addition to any keto diet, rich in protein, collagen, and other nutrients to support gut health, joint health, and more. Incorporating bone broth into your keto recipes can help you feel full and satisfied while providing added health benefits.
So, whether you're just starting the keto journey or looking for ways to enhance your current routine, Dr. Kellyann's guidance and bone broth can be valuable resources to help you succeed.
It’s time to dive in and get cooking!
Sources:
What Is the Keto Diet and Should You Try It? | Cleveland Clinic
