We all have days when life gets in the way, and our will power flies out the door. And we gorge on some foods that aren’t good for us.
Foods like potato chips, a cookie, or a piece of cake. What do you do then?
Do you figure: “What the heck, I may as well as eat the whole cake?” I have a better idea- get back on the horse and buckle down with meals that are under 3 grams of net carbs.
Today, I am sharing 20 keto meals with under 3 grams of net carbs. Not only will they help you get back on track with your diet, but they’ll also help you feel better too.
1. Keto Ranch Chicken Thighs
Source: easyanddelish.com
Have you had a long day at work, looking after the kids, or heaven forbid, both? This dish is for you.
It takes less than 30 minutes to make, uses only 5 ingredients, and is a one-skillet meal. Can it get much better than this?
These chicken thighs are prepared skin on. So, you have nice crispy skin on the outside and juicy tender chicken on the inside.
This yummy dish also has…drumroll, please…0 grams of net carbs. So, they’re an awesome dinner to have for those days you’ve fallen off the keto wagon.
Check out more keto dinners you can make in under 30 minutes.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 367
- Fats: 29g
- Protein: 24g
- Net Carbs: 0g
2. Easy Keto Shrimp Tacos
Source: drdavinahseats.com
I love shrimp, as I’m sure many of you do too. They don’t take as much time to cook as chicken or beef.
So, they’re great for those days when you’re running short on time (or patience). They’re also low calorie too, so they’re great if you’re counting your calories.
These shrimp are sauteed in butter for a succulent, buttery taste. And they have a nice sear on the outside too. To get that nice sear, using a cast-iron skillet like this is the way to go.
And the spicy Fajita seasoning gives them some Mexican “flava”. Perfect for eating with cheesy taco shells.
To cut down on the carbs, the tacos are made of baked cheese. So, they’re crispy, cheesy, and good for you too.
For extra convenience, you can make your taco shells from premade cheese wraps that you may be able to find at your local grocery store. Or you can make your own using this recipe.
Top with guacamole for creaminess, and a burst of heart-healthy fats. This is a wonderful ketogenic lunch meal idea!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 262
- Fats: 15g
- Protein: 30g
- Net Carbs: 1g
3. Easy Pan-Seared Halibut
Source: drdavinahseats.com
Here’s another dish that won’t keep you on your feet long. In fact, it will take you only 9 minutes to prepare from start to finish.
This halibut is lightly seasoned with sea salt and black pepper and pan-seared in olive oil. So, you get all the sweet, delicate taste of halibut.
Halibut is not only delicious, but it’s also pretty nutritious too. It’s packed with magnesium and phosphorus, which you need for healthy bones, as well as brain-boosting B vitamins. So eat up that halibut!
Serve with asparagus sauteed in olive oil.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 197
- Fats: 12g
- Protein: 21g
- Net Carbs: 0g
4. Kefta Beef Kabobs
Source: ketocookingwins.com
Summer is the perfect time for firing up the grill. And making hamburgers and steak.
But sometimes you want something different. Like these kefta beef kabobs.
They’re juicy and packed with flavor. The smoked paprika adds a nice smokiness, while the nutmeg adds sweetness and nuttiness.
It’s pretty easy to make them too. Just place your spices, parsley, garlic, and onion in a food processor and pulse until well blended. This food processor here should do the trick.
Then mix your garlic mixture with ground beef and roll into balls. Place the balls on a skewer and shape your balls into the form of sausages.
If you’re wondering what sort of skewers to use, I like steel skewers like these because you don’t have to worry about them burning. Also, they’re better for the environment.
Then grill your kabobs until they’re medium-rare. Serve with tzatziki sauce.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 279
- Fats: 14g
- Protein: 33g
- Net Carbs: 0g
5. Keto Chicken Vegetable Soup
Source: madcreationshub.com
There’s nothing like a piping hot bowl of chicken noodle soup when you have a cold.
But on a keto diet, you definitely want to skip the noodles. This keto chicken vegetable soup is just as comforting.
What’s even more comforting? One serving contains only 3 grams of net carbs.
And the red bell pepper, celery, carrot, and cauliflower contain vitamins A and C. So, they’re great for your immune system.
Check out more ketogenic soup recipes here.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 286
- Fats: 19g
- Protein: 25g
- Net Carbs: 3g
6. Butter Dill Baked Salmon With Roasted Asparagus
Source: theketoqueens.com
Sometimes feeling overwhelmed is what makes us fall off the keto wagon. So, to get back on, it’s good to keep it simple sometimes.
This dish is as simple as they come. Just add some olive oil to a baking pan, then place your salmon fillets and asparagus on it, adding salt and pepper.
Bake for 15 minutes, then drizzle with a mixture of lemon butter, lemon zest, and dill for a burst of flavor. That’s it.
Besides being yummy, this dish is so good for you. The salmon gives you a ton of omega-3s, which help boost your mood, while asparagus provides you with vitamins A and C, which are good for your immune system.
Check out more keto fish recipes here!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 351
- Fats: 20g
- Protein: 37g
- Net Carbs: 3g
7. Keto Pork Tenderloin With Radishes
Source: myproductivebackyard.com
Are potatoes your kryptonite? Then try this dish.
Potatoes are so comforting. They remind us of homecooked meals from our childhood.
But just one medium potato clocks in at 30 grams of net carbs. And there’s nothing comforting about that.
Radishes are a great way to satisfy your potato cravings.
This dish is sure to warm your soul. You have tender pork tenderloin and radishes cooked in a gravy using only onion soup mix…a true 3-ingredient meal.
The juices from your pork tenderloin meld with the onion soup mix for a gravy that you just can’t buy. After all, everything is better homemade, right?
All you have to do is trim your radishes, then add all your ingredients to your slow cooker and go. Now that’s my kind of meal.
Don’t have a slow cooker yet? You can get a good quality one here. Check out more keto pork recipes like this parmesan crusted pork chops!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 187
- Fats: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Net Carbs: 3g
8. Deluxe Keto Chicken Salad
Source: myproductivebackyard.com
Chicken salad is one of those classics. But after a while, it can get kind of boring.
This chicken salad is anything but boring. It’s creamy, cheesy, salty, and crunchy.
What makes it special are ingredients you don’t usually have in your classic chicken salad. Ingredients like cheddar cheese, dill, capers, and chopped pecans.
And not only is it tastier than your classic chicken salad, but it’s also more nutritious.
The pecans provide a good dose of heart-healthy fats. They also offer tons of manganese, which you need for healthy bones.
Capers lower blood glucose, and may even help you lose weight.
Serve on lettuce leaves. Check out more keto salad meals that you might like here!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 481
- Fats: 46g
- Protein: 16g
- Net Carbs: 2g
9. Easy Salmon Piccata With Spinach
Source: ketocookingchristian.com
It’s nice having company come over for dinner. But it can be a pain when you’re on a keto diet, and they’re not.
You may end up having to make two dinners-one for them, and one for you. With this dish, everyone’s happy.
On the menu is salmon seared in a tasty lemon piccata sauce. All topped with briny capers and a side of sauteed spinach.
And it’s packed with fat and protein. So your guests will feel full and happy…they may not even need dessert.
Making it takes less than 20 minutes, and you use only one skillet. So, you spend less time in the kitchen, and more time socializing with your guests.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 372
- Fats: 29g
- Protein: 28g
- Net Carbs: 2g
10. Easy Buffalo Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
Source: ketocookingchristian.com
Are you looking for a fancy meal for date night? Then definitely give these wraps a try.
They’re packed with juicy shrimp sauteed in butter and mixed with a homemade Buffalo wing sauce for a nice heat.
All topped with Buffalo coleslaw and a bit of blue cheese to mellow out the heat. They’re a fiesta in your mouth.
Now, after all that heat, you may want to cool down with some keto ice cream. Here’s a 4 ingredient ice cream that you can whip up!
It has MCT oils in it that can ramp up your ketosis, help you feel full, and lose weight too. If you need to stock up on MCT oils, you can get some here.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 332
- Fats: 22g
- Protein: 28g
- Net Carbs: 3g
11. Keto Pork Chops
Source: yummyketocooking.com
I’m a big fan of pork chops, as I’m sure many of you are. But often they can taste like cardboard because they’re overcooked and dry.
These pork chops definitely don’t taste like cardboard. They’re moist and topped with creamy sweet mustard and mayonnaise-based sauce… You’ll definitely want to use this sauce whenever you make pork chops.
To make the sauce, mix mayonnaise, grainy mustard, Lakanto golden monkfruit sweetener, and your spices in a bowl. That’s it.
Serve with garlicky asparagus spears.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 426
- Fats: 28g
- Protein: 39.5g
- Net Carbs: 0.5g
12. Sausage Pepper Cauliflower Rice Skillet
Source: lowcarbafrica.com
Are you craving rice? Cauliflower rice is a great alternative.
Not only is it low in net carbs, but it’s also pretty nutritious too. It’s high in fiber and contains antioxidants.
It’s also pretty low in calories, so it can help you lose weight.
This cauliflower rice skillet meal is pretty tasty. It’s smoky, savory, and has a hint of eat…you definitely won’t miss the rice.
The red bell peppers add color and vitamins A and C to boot. So, you’ll be boosting your immunity.
And at only 3 grams of net carbs per serving, it’s definitely great for your waistline. To make cauliflower rice, you’ll need a low budget food processor like this.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 366
- Fats: 30g
- Protein: 16g
- Net Carbs: 3g
13. Crispy Parmesan Dill Salmon
Source: realbalanced.com
Kids can be pretty picky eaters. So, whipping up a dinner that you and your kids will enjoy can be downright impossible.
This dinner is a winner. It’s breaded salmon, so it’s nice and crispy, yet healthier than those dreaded frozen fish sticks that your kids just have to have.
To keep it low carb, you’ll be skipping the breadcrumbs. Instead, you’ll be using a mixture of ground pork rinds, parmesan cheese, dill, and salt and pepper.
Pork rinds give a nice crunch to the salmon. Besides being a great no-carb breading, they are great for times when you’re craving potato chips. If you’d like to give them a try, you can get some here.
Besides being tasty, this dill salmon has a ton of protein. So, it’s great for growing kids.
Served with your favorite steamed low carb veggie. Get a steamer basket here!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 346
- Fats: 21.3g
- Protein: 39g
- Net Carbs: 1.4g
14. Fish Pepper Soup
Source: lowcarbafrica.com
Are you totally maxed out on your carbs? Not to worry, I’ve got you covered.
This soup is spicy, smoky, and packed with flavor from spices like smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and pepper soup spice.
It’s also packed with protein, so it’s pretty filling too.
The aroma is pretty amazing, so be sure to close your windows. You don’t want random neighbors dropping by.
But if they do, you’ll have more than enough to share.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 148
- Fats: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Net Carbs: 0g
15. Leftover Steak Soup
Source: jenniferbanz.com
Lettuce wraps are a great way to use a leftover steak. But they can get boring after a while.
This leftover steak soup is a great alternative. It’s hearty, delicious, and bursting with flavor, from the caramelized onions to the garlic, herbs, and mushrooms.
It’s like eating steak and mushrooms but in the form of a soup.
To thicken up your soup, you’ll want to use xanthan gum. Xanthan gum is a great low carb way to thicken your soups and stews.
Xanthan gum may also help you lose weight. That’s because it helps you feel full. If you’re running low, you can get some here.
This soup is pretty delicious just the way it is. But for extra nutrition, you can add some eggplant, zucchini, or even cauliflower rice.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 370
- Fats: 16g
- Protein: 49g
- Net Carbs: 3g
16. Greek Tuna Cakes
Source: keenforketo.com
They say that you should get your 2 servings of fish a week. That’s because fish, particularly fatty fish, is rich in omega-3s.
Omega-3s are important for heart and brain health. So, eat up that fish.
These Greek Tuna cakes are a great way to add more fish to your diet. They’re nice and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
The green onions, feta cheese, fresh mint, and oregano add a Greek twist.
But the best part? One serving contains 2 grams of net carbs. Compared to a regular fish cake, which can contain more than 10 grams of net carbs.
To keep them low carb, you skip the breadcrumbs. Instead, you use flax meal, also known as ground flaxseed.
Flaxseed is an excellent source of omega-3s. I like this ground flaxseed because it’s good quality, and budget-friendly too.
Serve with mayonnaise. Also, check out these keto meals with under 5g of carbs.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 160
- Fats: 13g
- Protein: 19g
- Net Carbs: 2g
17. Keto Baked Chicken Parmesan
Source: platingpixels.com
Sometimes, when we’ve blown our daily net carb allowance, we just want to give up. And pig out at our local Italian restaurant.
But you can still eat your cake, and have it too. By making a keto version of your favorite Italian food.
The chicken breasts are tender on the inside, and the coating is nicely browned and packed with flavor from a mixture of Parmesan cheese, almond flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
The almond flour gives a nice breaded coating with a fraction of the carbs. So make sure you have some almond flour on hand.
To make sure your chicken breasts don’t take too long to cook, you’ll want to flatten them first. You can do this by covering your chicken breast with plastic wrap and pounding with a kitchen mallet like this.
Serve with zucchini noodles. You can use a budget spiralizer like this to do that.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 526
- Fats: 34g
- Protein: 48g
- Net Carbs: 3g
18. Easy Keto Broccoli Cheese Soup
Source: ketocookingchristian.com
When it’s cold outside, you just want to relax. And have a nice bowl of soup.
This soup is creamy, cheesy, and full of broccoli goodness. So not only is it nutritious, it’s packed with vitamin C that is good for your immune system.
And since it has no meat, it’s made for a nice keto vegetarian dish. But just because it’s vegetarian doesn’t mean it’s not packed with fat.
In fact, it has a whopping 35 grams of fat. This comes from the cheddar cheese, mascarpone cheese, and butter.
The chicken bone broth adds extra flavor. It’s also good for your gut and may even help you lose weight. If you need to stock up on some, you can get some here.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 375
- Fats: 35g
- Protein: 15g
- Net Carbs: 3g
19. Turkey Sausage Meatball Recipe
Source: theketoqueens.com
The holidays can be pretty challenging when you’re on a keto diet. Particularly when those mashed potatoes are calling your name.
These turkey sausage meatballs will keep you in the keto game. You have juicy meatballs made with turkey sausage and ooey-gooey white cheddar cheese.
All topped with a sweet and tart homemade cranberry sauce. You won’t believe it’s keto.
The cranberry sauce is pretty easy to make. All you have to do is add fresh cranberries, granulated erythritol, water, and salt to a saucepan over medium heat.
Once it begins to simmer, cover your pan and let cook for about 3 to 5 minutes. Easy, peasy chicken ahem, turkey dinner.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 295
- Fats: 9g
- Protein: 24g
- Net Carbs: 1g
20. Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe
Source: platingpixels.com
Chili is another dish that’s perfect when it’s cold outside. And the best thing about it, is that it tastes even better the next day.
So, it’s perfect for meal prep. Meal prepping can help you get back on track with your diet, and it saves you time too.
This chili is packed with tons of flavor. That’s because you’re using yummy ingredients like fire-roasted diced tomatoes and mild green chile peppers.
Do you like it spicy? You can use hot green chile peppers instead.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 136
- Fats: 4g
- Protein: 21g
- Net Carbs: 3g
Conclusion
Which ones of these low carb meals are your favorite? Share them with your fam!