I switched to keto a few years back after feeling tired from carb-heavy meals. One evening, I threw together a simple shrimp dish with butter and garlic. It changed how I viewed dinner prep. These 10 recipes use low-carb items for fast meals. Each keeps net carbs low while adding flavor with fats and proteins. They work for one person or a group.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Ready in 15 Minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 lemon
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Peel and devein shrimp.
- Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
- Mince garlic and add to butter.
- Squeeze lemon juice into the pan.
- Add shrimp, salt, and pepper.
- Cook for 5 minutes per side until pink.
- Chop parsley and sprinkle on top.
Substitution Ideas
Use olive oil for butter. Swap lemon for lime.
Storage or Make-Ahead Tips
Store in fridge for 2 days. Reheat in pan to keep texture. Prep shrimp ahead.
Serving Suggestions
Pair with a side salad.
Tips and Variations
Add red pepper flakes for heat. Serve over zucchini noodles.
Chicken Avocado Salad in 10 Minutes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 0 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 2 cooked chicken breasts
- 2 avocados
- 1 cucumber
- 1 tomato
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Shred chicken.
- Dice avocados, cucumber, and tomato.
- Mix all in a bowl.
- Drizzle olive oil and add salt.
- Toss gently.
Substitution Ideas
Use turkey for chicken. Add bell peppers for tomato.
Storage or Make-Ahead Tips
Keep in fridge for 1 day. Add avocado last to avoid browning.
Serving Suggestions
Serve cold as a light meal. Link to our 10 vegetable soup recipes for more veggie ideas.
Tips and Variations
Mix in feta cheese if allowed. Use lime dressing for tang.
Beef Broccoli Stir-Fry in 20 Minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Servings: 3
Ingredients
- 1 pound beef strips
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 3 tablespoons coconut aminos
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil in a wok.
- Mince garlic and add.
- Add beef and salt. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Add broccoli.
- Pour in coconut aminos.
- Stir for 10 minutes until tender.
Substitution Ideas
Use tamari for coconut aminos. Swap broccoli for asparagus.
Storage or Make-Ahead Tips
Store in fridge for 3 days. Reheat in microwave. Cut veggies ahead.
Serving Suggestions
Eat alone or with cauliflower rice.
Tips and Variations
Add ginger for spice. Thicken sauce with xanthan gum.
Zucchini Noodle Carbonara in 25 Minutes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 4 zucchinis
- 4 bacon slices
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Spiralize zucchinis into noodles.
- Chop bacon and cook until crisp.
- Mince garlic and add to bacon.
- Beat eggs with cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Add noodles to pan.
- Pour egg mix over and stir quickly.
Substitution Ideas
Use ham for bacon. Skip cheese for dairy-free.
Storage or Make-Ahead Tips
Best fresh. Store sauce separate for 1 day.
Serving Suggestions
Top with more cheese.
Tips and Variations
Add peas if low carb fits. Use heavy cream for richer sauce.
Baked Salmon with Asparagus in 30 Minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets
- 1 bunch asparagus
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Trim asparagus.
- Place salmon and asparagus on sheet.
- Drizzle oil, salt, and pepper.
- Slice lemon and place on top.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
Substitution Ideas
Use trout for salmon. Swap asparagus for green beans.
Storage or Make-Ahead Tips
Store in fridge for 2 days. Bake fresh for best taste.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with lemon wedges. Check our 8 easy international meals for global twists.
Tips and Variations
Add herbs like dill. Foil wrap for moist fish.
Pork Chops with Mushroom Sauce in 25 Minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 4 pork chops
- 2 cups mushrooms
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil in pan.
- Season pork with salt. Cook 5 minutes per side.
- Slice mushrooms and mince garlic. Add to pan.
- Pour in cream.
- Simmer for 10 minutes.
Substitution Ideas
Use chicken for pork. Coconut cream for heavy cream.
Storage or Make-Ahead Tips
Store in fridge for 3 days. Sauce thickens when reheated.
Serving Suggestions
Pair with steamed veggies.
Tips and Variations
Add thyme for aroma. Pan-sear for crust.
Cauliflower Fried Rice with Eggs in 20 Minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Servings: 3
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
- 3 eggs
- 1 carrot
- 1/2 cup peas (optional, low carb)
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Rice cauliflower in processor.
- Heat oil in pan.
- Dice carrot and add with peas.
- Add cauliflower rice.
- Beat eggs and stir in.
- Pour coconut aminos. Cook until done.
Substitution Ideas
Skip peas for stricter keto. Use broccoli for carrot.
Storage or Make-Ahead Tips
Store in fridge for 4 days. Rice cauliflower ahead.
Serving Suggestions
Add protein like shrimp. Link to our soft tofu recipes with rice for rice alternatives.
Tips and Variations
Mix in green onions. Make it spicy with sriracha.
Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce in 30 Minutes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Mix turkey, egg, almond flour, and salt.
- Form into balls.
- Heat oil in pan.
- Mince garlic and add.
- Brown meatballs.
- Pour tomatoes over. Simmer 15 minutes.
Substitution Ideas
Use beef for turkey. Coconut flour for almond.
Storage or Make-Ahead Tips
Freeze balls for 1 month. Store sauce separate.
Serving Suggestions
Serve over zucchini.
Tips and Variations
Add basil for Italian flavor. Bake instead of pan.
Eggplant Parmesan Bake in 35 Minutes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 eggplants
- 1 cup marinara sauce (no sugar)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Slice eggplants.
- Brush with oil and salt. Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes.
- Layer in dish with sauce and cheeses.
- Bake 15 more minutes until bubbly.
Substitution Ideas
Use zucchini for eggplant. Skip mozzarella for less dairy.
Storage or Make-Ahead Tips
Store in fridge for 3 days. Assemble ahead and bake later.
Serving Suggestions
Add side salad. Explore origins in our 9 fascinating origins of your favorite dishes.
Tips and Variations
Top with fresh basil. Use ricotta for layers.
Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef in 30 Minutes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 4 bell peppers
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Halve peppers and remove seeds.
- Chop onion.
- Cook beef and onion with salt.
- Add tomatoes.
- Stuff peppers.
- Top with cheese. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
Substitution Ideas
Use turkey for beef. Skip cheese for dairy-free.
Storage or Make-Ahead Tips
Store in fridge for 2 days. Stuff ahead.
Serving Suggestions
Serve hot.
Tips and Variations
Add spices like cumin. Use cauliflower rice inside.
These recipes answer common questions like what to eat for keto dinner or how to make quick low-carb meals. Themes include protein mains with veggie sides and simple swaps like cauliflower for rice. Related ideas cover keto for beginners or family meals with one-pan options.
Final Thoughts
Keto dinners keep things light yet filling. Start with one recipe tonight. Adjust portions as needed. Small steps build lasting changes. Share what works for you.