Ketogenic diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people turning to this low-carb lifestyle as a way of losing weight and improving their overall health. The keto diet involves eating high amounts of fat, moderate protein intake, and very limited carbohydrates. This can help your body enter into a state known as ketosis where it burns stored fat instead of glucose from carbs.

If you’re considering starting the keto diet or simply want some new recipe ideas, check out these 10 delicious low-carb options:

1. Avocado Egg Salad Sandwiches – These simple sandwiches are perfect for breakfast or lunch and only require a few ingredients including hard boiled eggs, avocado, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Enjoy the egg salad mix in a bowl or load on top of keto friendly bread.

2. Zucchini Noodles with Pesto – Swap traditional pasta noodles for zucchini “noodles” and top them off with a creamy pesto sauce made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil.

3. Cauliflower Fried Rice – Replace rice with cauliflower florets and stir fry them up with soy sauce, egg, scallions, ginger, garlic, and vegetables like bell peppers and carrots.

4. Grilled Steak Tacos – Marinate flank steak in a mixture of lime juice, chili powder, cumin, garlic, and olive oil before grilling it up and serving inside lettuce taco shells along with tomato, and cheese.

5. Creamy Mushroom Soup – Use a combination of mushrooms, heavy cream, butter, onion, garlic, thyme, and seasoning to create a rich and flavorful soup that’s sure to satisfy.

6. Baked Salmon with Leeks – Cook salmon fillets alongside sliced leeks and herbs like dill and parsley then bake until tender and flaky. Serve with a side of roasted veggies for an easy weeknight meal.

7. Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps – Stuff crisp romaine lettuce leaves with spicy ground chicken, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, sriracha, and hoisin sauce for a fresh and flavorful appetizer. Just remember that 1 Tbsp of Hoisin sauce contains just over 6.5g net carbs!

8. Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs – Mix together ground beef, bacon, cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings then form into meatballs and bake until cooked through. Serve with a side of homemade ketchup and mustard.

9. Low-Carb Lasagna – Substitute traditional lasagna noodles for zucchini ribbons and layer with ricotta cheese.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 large zucchini, sliced lengthwise into thin ribbons
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 pound of ground beef
  • 1/4 cup of onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 cups of marinara sauce, sugar-free
  • 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup of ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped
  • Optional: fresh basil leaves, for garnish
• Directions:
  • Preheat oven to 180°C and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  • Lay the zucchini ribbons on a baking sheet lined with paper towels and sprinkle some salt over them. Let them sit for 15 minutes to draw out the excess moisture. Pat them dry with more paper towels.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until browned and cooked through. Drain the excess fat and stir in the marinara sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, egg, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • To assemble the lasagna, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with a single layer of zucchini ribbons, slightly overlapping them. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the zucchini and sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over it. Repeat with another layer of meat sauce, zucchini, ricotta, and mozzarella.
  • Bake for 25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with some fresh basil leaves if desired.

10. Keto Friendly Guacamole – Mash up ripe avocados with lime juice, minced onion, chopped tomatoes, jalapeño pepper, cilantro, salt, and pepper for a delicious dip that won’t derail your macros.

These are just a few examples of the endless possibilities when it comes to low-carb recipes. Whether you’re looking for comfort food classics or something more adventurous, there’s bound to be a recipe here that will tickle your taste buds while keeping you on track with your keto goals.