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20 Low Carb Low Calorie Recipes

low carb low calorie recipes

Low carb diets are all the rage now. And for a good reason.

Studies show they may help you lose more weight than traditional low-fat diets.

They may even improve your health.

But if you want to lose weight, you still have to eat fewer calories than your body burns.

So, you want to make sure that your low carb meals are also low in calories.

Today, I’m sharing 20 low-carb low-calorie meals. They taste delicious and will help you shed pounds.

1. Lemon-Oregano Chicken Kabobs

Lemon-Oregano Chicken Kabobs

Source: ketocookingwins.com

Summertime is the perfect time for lazing on the deck. And firing up the grill.

Now typical barbecue fare like hamburgers and sausages are low in carbs. However, they tend to be higher in calories. So, does that mean you have to stick to plain salads?

No! Just enjoy these chicken kabobs instead.

They’re full of color and freshness from the veggies. And the chicken pieces are tender and yummy because you marinate them first.

So, they’re juicy on the inside, and nicely charred on the outside.

When making them, make sure you use good skewers. Bamboo ones are cheap, but they burn easily.

Stainless steel ones last longer, don’t get burnt, and, best of all, are better for the environment. If you need to stock up on some, you can get some here.

Check out these keto chicken dinner ideas.

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 301
  • Fats: 21g
  • Protein: 21g
  • Net Carbs: 6g

2. Classic French Ratatouille Recipe

Classic French Ratatouille Recipe

Source: baconismagic.ca

When it’s cold outside, you want something warm to fill you up. Something like a hearty bowl of stew.

This Classic French Ratatouille ticks all the right boxes. It’s warm and delicious.

And it’s packed with tons of veggies. You have red peppers, yellow and green zucchini, eggplant, and tomato.

And since it’s packed with veggies, it’s pretty low in calories. So, you can have more than one

bowl…and not feel guilty.

Check out more clean keto recipes here.

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 87
  • Fats: 3g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Net Carbs: 10g

3. Keto Wonton Soup

Keto Wonton Soup

Source: ketocookingwins.com

Soups are another great dish to have when it’s cold outside. And this one doesn’t disappoint.

It’s light and packed with authentic flavors. The coconut aminos add umami and sweetness.

Meanwhile, the ginger adds some heat. The spinach and mushrooms add a nice freshness, while the pork meatballs are juicy tender.

Even though this soup is low in calories, it’s pretty filling. That’s because it contains a lot of protein, which helps keep you full.

What I love most about this soup is that it freezes well. So, it’s perfect for meal prep.

Just make sure you store it in freezer-safe storage containers. That’s so it doesn’t get freezer burnt.

I like these food storage containers here because they don’t contain toxic chemicals that will leak into your food.

Check out more keto freezer-friendly meals here.

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 125
  • Fats: 5g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Net Carbs: 2g

4. The Best Cabbage Soup Recipe

Cabbage Soup Recipe

Source: easyanddelish.com

Here’s another soup recipe. You can’t get enough soup, right?

This soup is tasty and packed with tons of low carb veggies. Besides the cabbage, you have bell peppers, celery, tomatoes, and spinach.

So, you’re getting tons of vitamin C, which is great for your immune system.

Now, this soup is low in protein. So, you may want to add some to make it more filling.

Some good options would be tofu, ground turkey, or ground pork. Love soups? Check out these keto soup meal ideas!

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 70
  • Fats: 3g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Net Carbs: 6g

5. Low Carb Skillet Chicken Tenders

Low Carb Skillet Chicken Tenders

Source: easyhealthllc.com

Do you have picky eaters? Then this recipe is for you; after all, everyone loves chicken, right?

These chicken tenders are juicy, smoky, and nicely caramelized. And they taste like they just came off the grill too.

They’re really easy to make. Just place them in your Korean BBQ sauce and rotisserie seasoning marinade and let them marinate.

Once done, discard the marinating liquid and cook in olive oil. And if you like them spicy, feel free to add some hot sauce to your marinade.

Serve with a side Garden salad. Check out these keto crusted chicken tenders that are just as delicious as these!

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 240
  • Fats: 7g
  • Protein: 36g
  • Net Carbs: 3g

6. Healthy Baked Salmon Recipe

Baked Salmon Recipe

Source: easyhealthllc.com

I’m a big fan of dinner parties, as I’m sure many of you are too. They’re a great way to catch up with friends and have some good food.

But what happens when you’re trying to lose weight? Do you just sip on lemon water all evening?

I have a better idea- make this baked salmon. It tastes just as amazing as it looks.

Tender, flaky salmon is baked in a tasty lemon butter sauce. It’s so rich… You won’t believe it’s low carb and low calorie.

And it takes only 22 minutes to make. So, you can spend less time in the kitchen, and more time with your guests.

Serve with roasted asparagus spears. It’s a lovely ketogenic dinner idea that many will love!

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 242
  • Fats: 15g
  • Protein: 22g
  • Net Carbs: 1g

7. Keto Turkey Mushroom Soup

Keto Turkey Mushroom Soup

Source: dishingupketo.com

Ground turkey is a great source of protein. It’s also an excellent source of selenium, a powerful antioxidant.

But, let’s face it: ground turkey is bland. That’s because it doesn’t contain as much fat as ground beef.

And less fat equals less flavor. This Keto Turkey Mushroom Soup is anything but bland.

That’s because you add a lot of seasonings. So, it’s nice and savory.

The heavy cream and cheese add creaminess, while the mushrooms add an extra meaty texture. Meanwhile, the celery and riced cauliflower add freshness and extra nutrients…healthy eating doesn’t get much better than this!

For extra convenience, you can use pre-packaged riced cauliflower, which you can get here. But to save money, you can simply make your own.

All you have to do is break your cauliflower into small pieces. Then pulse your cauliflower pieces in a food processor until rice-like. This food processor should do the trick.

Check out more cheap keto recipes for low budgets here!

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 352
  • Fats: 26g
  • Protein: 23g
  • Net Carbs: 7g

8. Grilled Portobello Mushrooms Caprese

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms Caprese

Source: lemonblossoms.com

Are you looking for a dish for meatless Monday? Then be sure to make this dish.

Nicely grilled Portobello mushrooms are filled with juicy grape tomatoes and melted mozzarella cheese and topped with a tasty balsamic glaze. It’s a party in your mouth.

Besides being tasty, mushrooms are good for you. They’re packed with B vitamins, which are good for your brain.

They’re also packed with antioxidants. So, eat up those mushrooms!

To get nice grill marks on the mushrooms, make sure you use a grill…roasting them in the oven just doesn’t cut it.

Don’t have a grill? Not to worry- you can simply use a grill pan. I recommend this grill pan here. It distributes heat evenly and doesn’t contain toxic chemicals.

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 177
  • Fats: 14g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Net Carbs: 6g

9. Lemon Herb Baked Fish

Lemon Herb Baked Fish

Source: myproductivebackyard.com

Salmon is such a good fish to eat. Not only is it low in carbs, but it’s also a great source of heart-healthy omega-3s.

This salmon is tender, flaky, and seasoned perfectly. You’ll be using 5 different spices, so make you get out your measuring spoons. I recommend these ones here because they don’t rust or get stained.

This dish is packed with protein too. So, it’s the perfect meal for growing kids.

Making it is pretty easy. Just place your salmon in a greased baking dish and top with butter and lemon juice.

Then add minced onion and your spices and let your oven do the baking. Serve with steamed broccoli.

Find more recipes with under 3g of carbs here.

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 178
  • Fats: 7g
  • Protein: 27g
  • Net Carbs: 1g

10. Keto Enchiladas

Keto Enchiladas

Source: plattertalk.com

When you think of enchiladas, you don’t usually think low carb. That’s because of the corn tortilla wrapping.

And as yummy, as corn tortillas are, they’re not worth the carbs.

These enchiladas are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. You have a filling of tender shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, red bell peppers, and sour cream.

And we can’t forget the ooey, gooey cheese.

The key to them being low carb is the wrapping. Instead of using a corn tortilla as a wrap, you use cabbage leaves.

I actually prefer these to traditional enchiladas because the cabbage leaves add freshness.

Serve with salsa. These enchiladas are great as keto lunch.

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 263
  • Fats: 14g
  • Protein: 21g
  • Net Carbs: 9g

11. Air Fryer Shrimp Hibachi Dinner

Air Fryer Shrimp Hibachi Dinner

Source: recipesfromapantry.com

Craving Japanese takeout? This dinner is sure to satisfy your cravings.

In case you don’t know what Shrimp Hibachi is, it’s shrimp and veggies seared with a soy sauce mixture.

So, it’s naturally low carb.

Succulent shrimp and fresh veggies are marinated in a tasty Hibachi marinade, then placed in an air fryer. What you get is a dinner that is sure to tantalize your taste buds.

And what would Shrimp Hibachi be without some fried rice? To reduce the carbs and calories, serve with cauliflower fried rice instead. Yum!

Here is a good quality air fryer that you’ll need to make this meal.

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 255
  • Fats: 11g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Net Carbs: 7g

12. Easy Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

Source: recipesfromapantry.com

Chicken breasts are packed with protein. And because they’re low in fat, they contain fewer calories than chicken thighs.

But since they contain less fat, they can taste like cardboard. And no-one likes to eat cardboard.

These Chicken Fajitas taste like anything but cardboard. That’s because you use a homemade Fajita seasoning.

So, your chicken breasts are packed with flavor.

Making them doesn’t take much time either. That’s because you’re making them in an air fryer.

To keep it low carb, you can serve your Fajitas on a bed of lettuce. Or, if you like, you can serve them on a low carb tortilla. This one here contains only 70 calories and 3 grams of net carbs per tortilla.

This recipe is great for a low carb meal prep!

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 178
  • Fats: 5g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Net Carbs: 5g

13. Lemon Parmesan Cod With Garlic Butter

 Lemon Parmesan Cod With Garlic Butter

Source: cookingwithmammac.com

Cod is a great fish to eat on a low-calorie diet.

One 3.0 ounce serving contains less than 100 calories. Yet, it provides a whopping 20.7 grams of protein.

But it tends to taste bland because it doesn’t contain much fat.

This baked cod is anything but bland. The parmesan cheese and garlic butter make it flavorful and rich.

The added fat also makes it more satiating.

To make it a meal, and to mop up all that delicious sauce, you’ll want to serve it with zucchini noodles.

To make them, cut off the ends of your zucchini. Then place your zucchini in a spiralizer like this and spiralize.

Once you’re done, add some olive oil to a skillet. Once it’s hot, add your zucchini noodles and saute for 2 minutes.

Zucchini is a perfect low carb vegetable for noodles.

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 303
  • Fats: 15g
  • Protein: 37g
  • Net Carbs: 2g

14. Zucchini Pizza Casserole

Zucchini Pizza Casserole

Source: kendrastreats.com

Pizza Casserole? You had me at pizza.

After all, what’s not to love about pizza? Everything but the carbs that is.

With this Pizza Casserole, you get all the taste of pizza without the carbs. You have yummy pepperoni, ooey, gooey cheese, crumbled turkey, marinara sauce, and even zucchini for good measure.

Besides adding freshness, zucchini is very good for you. It is rich in vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant.

It is also a good source of manganese and magnesium, which you need for healthy bones.

With a dish like this, who needs pizza? Check out more keto casserole recipes here.

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 211
  • Fats: 9.1g
  • Protein: 26.4g
  • Net Carbs: 6.4g

15. Mexican Chipotle Beef Stuffed Peppers

Mexican Chipotle Beef Stuffed Peppers

Source: isabeleats.com

I love the simplicity of stuffed peppers, as I’m sure many of you do too. Just stuff your peppers with your favorite ingredients and let your oven do the cooking.

These stuffed peppers offer a Mexican spin to your traditional stuffed peppers. The ground meat, corn, and rice are seasoned with Mexican spices and topped with Monterey Jack cheese.

The chipotle powder adds a nice heat. Perfect if you like it spicy.

Now, the carb count is higher because of the corn and the rice. To lower it, you can just skip the corn and replace the rice with cauliflower rice instead.

Find more keto dinner ideas like this one here.

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 220
  • Fats: 10g
  • Protein: 19g
  • Net Carbs: 10g

16. One-Pot Turkey Taco Skillet

One-Pot Turkey Taco Skillet

Source: bijouxandbits.com

Are you looking for a low carb dish for Taco Tuesday? Make this dish.

It’s simply delicious. It has all the flavors of a taco without the carbs.

You have your ground turkey, tomatoes with green chilies, Mexican cheese blend…you even have some wilted spinach…it’s a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies.

What I love most about this meal is that it’s a one-skillet meal. So, you don’t have a ton of pots and pans at the end.

And if you use a cast-iron skillet, cleaning is a breeze. And it does a great job of browning the ground turkey. If you’d like to give it a try, you can get a good one that’s also budget-friendly here.

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 333
  • Fats: 19.2g
  • Protein: 33.6g
  • Net Carbs: 3.1g

17. Grilled Balsamic Chicken & Veggie Kabobs

Grilled Balsamic Chicken and Veggie Kabobs

Source: beautifuleatsandthings.com

Barbecue fare can be delicious- and good for you too. And this dish proves it.

These kabobs look and taste amazing. The chicken tenderloins have been marinated in a balsamic vinaigrette, then lightly seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

So, they’re nice and tender on the inside and beautifully charred on the outside. And you’ve got a medley of veggies on your skewers too: onions, zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms.

Every bite is a burst of flavor. So, fire up your grill and make these kabobs. Your taste buds will thank you.

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 100
  • Fats: 0.5g
  • Protein: 15g
  • Net Carbs: 7g

18. Quick Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry

Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry

Source: masalaherb.com

Want the taste of Chicken Chow Mein without all the carbs? This is the recipe for you.

This stir-fry tastes amazing, and it’s pretty nutritious too. That’s because it has a ton of cabbage.

Cabbage is packed with fiber, so it helps keep you full. It’s also rich in vitamins C and K.

And it contains a number of antioxidants that may fight inflammation. So, eat up that cabbage!

What I love about this dish is that it takes only 20 minutes to make. So, it’s perfect for those busy weeknights.

Love stir-fry? Check out this sweet chili chicken stir fry.

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 258
  • Fats: 10g
  • Protein: 29g
  • Net Carbs: 8g

19. Low Carb Keto Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Low Carb Keto Cabbage Rolls

Source: wholesomeyum.com

Are you looking to wow your dinner guests? Serve them these cabbage rolls!

They’re moist, meaty, and topped with tomato sauce. And they taste just as delicious as traditional cabbage rolls- but with way fewer carbs.

The key to keeping them low carb is that you replace the rice with cauliflower rice. Not only is cauliflower rice low carb, but it’s also low in calories. 

It’s also packed with fiber. And it’s rich in Vitamins C and K too.

Now, making these Cabbage Rolls takes some time. But it’s well worth it.

Once you prep them, you just dump them in the oven. And let the oven do the rest of the work.

Now, this dish uses ground beef, which has a high carbon footprint. So, you may want to eat it less often, or use ground pork instead of ground beef.

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 321
  • Fats: 18g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Net Carbs: 10g

20. Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole

Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole

Source: lowcarbyum.com

Not a fan of green beans? This casserole may change your mind.

This green bean casserole uses a homemade cream of the mushroom base. The cheese and bacon add tons of flavor and complement the green beans beautifully.

And it’s good for you too. They’re packed with fiber.

They’re also packed with Vitamins A and C, which you need for a good immune system.

Per Serving:

  • Calories: 258
  • Fats: 18g
  • Protein: 16g
  • Net Carbs: 5g

Conclusion

Do you like any of these low carb low-calorie recipes? Which one is your favorite?

Dee

Thursday 20th of July 2023

Can’t wait to try all these great recipes, especially the stir fry and enchiladas! Thanks for posting!

Maria

Saturday 31st of July 2021

Awesome recipes, and thank you so much for sharing, I was recently told I have 67 percent non alcoholic fatty liver, I weight 142 and I am 5'3, drs. order are to lose 20 pounds and cut down on carbs, eat plenty proteins. So these receipes will help.

Thank you,

Maria

Karo Tries

Sunday 1st of August 2021

Hi Maria,

I'm glad these will help :)