What to Cook on Keto: 10 Meal Inspirations

The ketogenic diet involves eating little-to-no carbs, moderate protein, and a lot of fat. It’s not always easy to get this balance of macronutrients with every meal but having some meal ideas to fall back on makes it easier. Let us inspire you! You can mix things up with different meats, vegetables, and cheeses all while maintaining ketosis.

Omelets

Omelets make a great breakfast because they’re so filling and versatile. Add keto-friendly vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and zucchini, some bacon, and sausage for fat and protein, and top with cheese for the perfect meal. An omelet loaded with the right filling is satisfying enough to last through to lunchtime and prevent impulse snacking.

Bacon Sushi

Bacon is a staple of the keto diet, and bacon sushi is one of the most interesting and versatile ways to prepare it. Smear some cream cheese on a cooked piece of bacon, add whole or finely chopped veggies like spinach, asparagus, cucumber, or brussels sprouts, and roll it up like sushi. A toothpick will help it stay together until it’s time to eat. It’s an easy way to meet keto fat requirements and makes a great lunch, dinner, or appetizer.

Keto Chili

A big pot of keto chili makes a delicious dinner and leftovers taste even better for lunch the next day. Start by browning ground meat in a large pot. Beef is traditional, but turkey, chicken, or pork will work as well. Then, add mushrooms, onions, celery, and zucchini along with spices like chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Skip the beans and tomatoes to keep it keto friendly. Simmer until all the flavors come together and top with cheese, green onions, and even avocado.

Zoodles

For people on a ketogenic diet, a spiralizer is a must-have. Zucchini noodles, or zoodles, are an easy way to recreate a lot of favorite pasta dishes without any of the carbs. Try zoodle alfredo making a homemade sauce using heavy cream and parmesan cheese topped with a sprinkle of bacon or an egg. Garnish with a squeeze of lemon, garlic, and pepper. Avoid store-bought sauces with hidden sugars and additives.

Keto Meatballs

Keto meatballs are a delicious choice for lunch or dinner. Not only are they tasty but they also help meet the fat and protein requirements of the keto diet. One of the best things about them is they’re surprisingly versatile. They can be made using any ground meat like beef, chicken, pork, lamb, or turkey and can be eaten on a salad, Keto bread, or straight off a toothpick.

Iceberg Lettuce Burgers

Using lettuce instead of a bun is pretty standard for low-carb diets. While romaine is usually the lettuce of choice, iceberg also brings a lot to the table. It’s easy to cut sections off a head of iceberg lettuce to use as buns plus they tend to hold up slightly better than a romaine wrap. Iceberg lettuce also delivers a satisfying crunch that makes for a filling lunch or dinner. Try it with beef, turkey, or chicken burgers loaded with cheese and bacon, or use it as a wrap for a meatball sandwich.

Taco Stuffed Peppers

This is a delicious lunch or dinner that’s really easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time for a quick meal. Brown ground beef, chicken, pork, or turkey, and add plenty of spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika, and pepper. Drizzle the peppers with olive oil, add the taco filling, and bake. Top with cheddar cheese and shredded lettuce. This dish can also be made more using Italian spices and mozzarella or parmesan cheeses.

Keto Bread

It is possible to eat bread on the keto diet by following any of the delicious recipes for homemade keto bread out there. By using ingredients like almond flour, arrowroot flour, coconut flour, and xanthan gum instead of wheat flour, people following the keto diet can have their own version of sandwich bread, french toast, or dinner rolls.

Pork Rinds

While pork rinds are a salty, crunchy keto-friendly snack right out of the bag, there are a lot of other ways to use pork rinds in various recipes. Grind them in a food processor and use them as breading for chicken tenders or asparagus fries, top them with cheese and hot peppers for low-carb nachos, or sprinkle them on salads instead of croutons.

Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies

Roast chicken thighs and vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts, and add a few slices of bacon. It’s an easy one-pan meal with enough leftovers for the next day. That’s not all, this is also a great dish to customize. Try chicken breasts or pork chops with whatever keto-friendly vegetables are in season.