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June 30, 2023
When you’re try to follow a low-carb diet, it’s easy to focus on the foods and ingredients you’re likely cutting back on and overlook how delicious meals can be sans heavy carbohydrates. After all, many of us are brought up to believe that a meal isn’t complete without a side of potatoes or a bowl of pasta, but low-carb meals can be delicious too.
That’s especially true with these low-carb meals. They focus on the healthy ingredients you enjoy, not the ones you skimp on.
Whether you want to limit carbs as much as possible or just lighten up a few meals, you won’t sacrifice flavor with these 18 delicious, energizing low-carb meals.
18 Low-Carb Meals
1. Balsamic Glazed Steak Rolls
Get a helping of veggies in every bite of these tender steak rolls. The beef marinates in a Worcestershire sauce and then gets rolled up around whatever crisp veggies you have on hand. Pan sear them, and top with a balsamic glaze for a juicy low-carb meal.
2. Beef and Chorizo Empanadas
Not only are these empanadas low-carb, but they’re also gluten-free. You use almond flour and cheese for the dough and then stuff these with ground beef, a pork sausage alternative (I love chicken!) and eggs for a ton of protein.
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Photo: Beef and Chorizo Empanadas / Peace, Love and Low Carb
3. Beef Teriyaki Lettuce Cups
These lettuce cups are so hearty it’s hard to believe you’re not chowing down on noodles as well. The best part about is that this low-carb main dish cooks throughout the day in a slow cooker. My only suggestion is to use arrowroot powder to thicken up the sauce in place of cornstarch.
4. Caprese Balsamic Chicken
Add some extra protein to your caprese salad with this balsamic chicken version. Cooking the meat with garlic, balsamic vinegar and a hint of sugar (try coconut sugar) and finishing it off in the oven with fresh mozzarella means you’ll have a juicy, melty chicken you won’t be able to stop eating. Serve atop your favorite salad for a complete meal.
Photo: Caprese Balsamic Chicken / Yummy Healthy Easy
5. Carrot Taco Shell
I might have cheated a little bit here, but because this recipe is so easy and so genius, I had to include it! Skip preservative-laden taco shells from the store, and make your own carrot version instead!
Use these shells, and stuff with your favorite fillings. Try a Tex-Mex inspired version with black beans, onions, peppers, eggs, spinach and feta cheese for a low-carb breakfast version or just all your favorite salad fixings.
6. Chunky No Bean Chili
This is one of the low-carb meals that’s best for those who like their chili without beans. A few unique spices, like allspice and balsamic vinegar, mean this meaty version isn’t lacking in taste. It’s easily adaptable for a slow cooker, too!
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7. Curried Salmon Patties
Each patty is packed with spinach, zucchini and an egg to keep it all together — plus a zap to the taste buds, courtesy of the curry and red pepper flakes! These salmon patties freeze well, so make an extra batch to have on hand for a quick lunch or dinner.
Photo: Curried Salmon Patties / The Big Man’s World
8. Easy Oven Fajitas
This veggie-heavy fajita recipe is easy on the wallet and cooked in the oven for that extra charred goodness. It’s almost as good as using the grill!
I love the homemade seasoning in this one. It really elevates the quality of this low-carb main dish.
9. Julia Child’s Eggplant Pizza
Can you really go wrong with a Julia Child recipe? These little pizzas use thick eggplant slices instead of dough for a hearty, low-carb alternative.
Because there are so few ingredients, go with the best quality veggies you can find. This recipe is worth it!
Photo: Julia Child’s Eggplant Pizza / Kalyn’s Kitchen
10. Cajun Blackened Chicken
An array of spices up the flavor in this chicken dish. A combo of garlic and onion powder mixed with oregano, thyme, paprika, cayenne, sea salt, black pepper and avocado oil makes this a nutritional powerhouse that’s delicious to boot.
11. Mexican Casserole
Most Mexican dishes are heavy on the tortillas, but this one gets creative with cauliflower as the base instead. Bursting with fresh onions, peppers, tomatoes and jalapenos, this vegetarian dish has a delicious kick to it as well. Top with avocado slices and sour cream.
12. Mediterranean Grilled Lamb Chops
The Mediterranean diet is always found to be among the healthiest in the world, but it certainly doesn’t compromise taste. This grilled lamb chops recipe is proof of that. It takes some time to put together, but it’s well worth the wait.
13. Shepherd’s Pie with Cauliflower Mash
You won’t miss the potatoes in this low-carb version of shepherd’s pie. I love the option of using beef or lamb mince. In fact, if you have both on hand, a mix would taste terrific.
Cauliflower and cheese combine for a cheesy, crumbly topping you won’t be able to stop eating.
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14. Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Casserole
Even hard-core pasta lovers will fall in love with this lasagna casserole. Layered with spaghetti squash instead of noodles, the vegetable soaks up all the yummy meat, cheese and sauce flavors for a lighter Italian dinner.
15. Thai Chicken with Basil and Cauliflower Rice
For starters, this cauliflower fried rice tastes good enough to enjoy on its own, but when you top it with chopped chicken breasts seasoned with ingredients like ginger, garlic, fish sauce and fresh basil — and top it all off with a fried egg — well, there’s just no reason to call for takeout ever again. Low-carb or just amazing? You decide.
Photo: Thai Chicken with Basil and Cauliflower Rice / I Breathe I’m Hungry
16. Blackened Salmon with Creamy Avocado Dressing
One of the most nutrient-dense and delicious dishes you will cook, this blackened salmon recipe is ready in under 30 minutes. You likely already have everything necessary on-hand, and, best of all, it’s fool-proof.
17. Cauliflower-Crusted Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Using cauliflower instead of bread in a grilled cheese? Brilliant! Get a veggie boost while you go wild on the fillings.
Add in fresh tomato slices and basil, or slather on some pesto and mozzarella. The possibilities for grilled cheese — or any sandwich — are endless.
18. Foil-Baked Salmon
Skip the dishes and the sides when you make this low-carb dinner. Salmon, which is full of heart-healthy fats, cooks right on top of asparagus. It’s also layered with oregano, onions, parsley and lemon slices, so it’s packed with flavor.
Just bake the packets in the oven and enjoy — no muss, no fuss.
Photo: Foil-Baked Salmon / Primavera Kitchen
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