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How to Order Keto at Sweetgreen: 9 Menu Items Our Editors Love

Hold the carbs

keto at sweetgreen: a hand reaching for chopped vegetables behind the counter at sweetgreen
The Washington Post/Contributor/Getty Images

As far as low-carb fast food goes, Sweetgreen is on the healthier side. Instead of asking for burgers without the buns (or fries), you can treat yourself to loaded salads and plenty of fresh produce. Sweetgreen’s menu is endlessly customizable, so if none of the low-carb options suit your fancy, you can tweak whatever looks appetizing to fit your dietary needs. Read on for nine ways to order keto at Sweetgreen, plus a few recommendations from PureWow editors on their favorite items.

(Note: All nutritional info does not account for modifications.)

Keto at Panera: 17 Low-Carb, Keto-Friendly Meals to Order, Vetted by a Nutritionist


Salads

1. Buffalo Chicken Salad

  • Nutritional Info: 500 calories, 27g fat, 30g carbs, 36g protein, 9g sugar, 9g fiber
  • Make It Keto: ask for no breadcrumbs

This one is my personal favorite. Blackened chicken meets pickled onions, tomatoes, raw carrots, cilantro, blue cheese, shredded kale, chopped romaine, hot sauce and Caesar dressing for a chicken wing-inspired salad that’s equal parts spicy, sour and crunchy. The breadcrumbs offer even more texture, but you can skip them to lower the carbs. (My hot tip is to nix the carrots in favor of extra pickles.)

2. Kale Caesar Salad

  • Nutritional Info: 405 calories, 24g fat, 13g carbs, 35g protein, 3g sugar, 5g fiber
  • Make It Keto: no modifications needed

Chopped romaine and shredded kale make the base for this hefty spin on a classic Caesar. It includes tomatoes, Parmesan crisps, roasted chicken, shaved Parmesan, Caesar dressing and fresh lime.

“The kale Caesar is my husband’s go-to,” PureWow editor Abby Hepworth states. “It buys right into my good salad theory, which is ‘simple is best.’ It’s everything you want with no extra faff—fresh, easy and the best version of a total classic. That said, he frequently doubles the Parmesan crisps for extra crunch.”

3. Super Green Goddess Salad

  • Nutritional Info: 415 calories, 25g fat, 37g carbs, 11g protein, 12g sugar, 10g fiber
  • Make It Keto: ask for no chickpeas or sweet potatoes

Without the chickpeas and sweet potatoes, this pick is low in carbs. It boasts raw carrots, spicy broccoli, shredded cabbage, roasted almonds, baby spinach, shredded kale and green goddess ranch. Warning: You just might want to order a second dose of the herby dressing.

“The ranch is perfectly light and bright,” PureWow senior commerce editor Stephanie Maida asserts. “Dill features heavily in its taste, and as a fan of the herb, I’m all for it. The creamy dressing also serves as a wonderful complement to crunchy cabbage, carrots and almonds. To bulk it up, I always add blackened chicken.”

4. Garden Cobb Salad

  • Nutritional Info: 675 calories, 48g fat, 37g carbs, 22g protein, 14g sugar, 16g fiber
  • Make It Keto: ask for no sweet potatoes

Without the carb-heavy spuds, you’ll be left with avocado, hard-boiled egg, tomatoes, blue cheese, roasted almonds, spring mix, chopped romaine and balsamic vinaigrette. Sure, it’s missing the traditional bacon, but I’d argue that this meatless riff will still hit the spot.

5. Guacamole Greens Salad

  • Nutritional Info: 515 calories, 31g fat, 27g carbs, 27g protein, 3g sugar, 14g fiber
  • Make It Keto: ask for no tortilla chips

Roasted chicken, avocado, tomatoes, pickled onions, shredded cabbage, tortilla chips, spring mix, chopped romaine, fresh lime and lime-cilantro jalapeño vinaigrette unite for a refreshing-yet-filling salad. Since we’re talking ordering keto at Sweetgreen, you may want to omit the tortilla chips. But if you keep the carbs to a minimum for the rest of the day, this salad fits into your meal plan without any modifications.

Bowls

6. Shroomami Bowl

  • Nutritional Info: 600 calories, 35g fat, 49g carbs, 21g protein, 5g sugar, 11g fiber
  • Make It Keto: ask for greens instead of wild rice

Roasted tofu and a warm Portobello mix make this vegetarian masterpiece decidedly satiating. The bowl also includes cucumber, basil, shredded cabbage, roasted almonds, shredded kale and miso-sesame ginger dressing. Just skip the wild rice in favor of more fresh veggies and you’re in business.

“I’m not big on mushrooms, but I will make an exception for the Shroomami bowl,” PureWow VP of editorial Candace Davison admits. “The warm Portobellos doused in miso-sesame ginger dressing are such a nice savory-tangy combo, and their chewiness offers a great textural contrast to the crunch of the kale, almonds and cabbage. Plus, it keeps me full until dinner, which is rare for a salad—for me, anyway.”

7. Chicken Pesto Parm Bowl

  • Nutritional Info: 495 calories, 21g fat, 41g carbs, 36g protein, 4g sugar, 8g fiber
  • Make It Keto: ask for greens instead of herbed quinoa and no breadcrumbs

A more wholesome spin on its namesake, this bowl is loaded with roasted chicken, spicy broccoli, tomatoes, shaved Parmesan cheese, za’atar breadcrumbs, herbed quinoa, baby spinach, hot sauce and pesto vinaigrette. Trade the grains for a bed of greens to make it keto-friendly.

8. Steakhouse Chopped Bowl

  • Nutritional Info: 815 calories, 57g fat, 40g carbs, 35g protein, 5g sugar, 8g fiber
  • Make It Keto: ask for greens instead of herbed quinoa

If you haven’t tried Sweetgreen’s caramelized garlic steak yet, you’re missing out. The juicy, tender protein tops a bed of shredded cabbage, tomatoes, crispy onions, blue cheese, herbed quinoa, chopped romaine and green goddess ranch. Sub kale or mixed greens for the quinoa to keep this menu pick low carb.

Protein Plates

9. Miso Glazed Salmon Protein Plate

  • Nutritional Info: 860 calories, 42g fat, 88g carbs, 33g protein, 17g sugar, 12g fiber
  • Make It Keto: ask for greens instead of white rice

When it comes to eating keto at Sweetgreen, this fan-favorite is as simple as swapping white rice for greens. The rest is all naturally low carb: miso-glazed salmon, avocado, cucumbers, pickled onions, crispy onions, nori-sesame seasoning and spicy cashew dressing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Sweetgreen Base Options Are Keto-Friendly?

Baby spinach, shredded kale, chopped romaine, arugula and spring mix are all keto-friendly. Herbed quinoa, white rice and wild rice are to be avoided if you’re on a keto or low-carb diet.

Which Sweetgreen Ingredients Are Keto-Friendly?

Nearly all fresh and cooked produce is fair game, as well as herbs (like cilantro), pickled ingredients (like spicy banana peppers and pickled onions), cheese, proteins (like chicken, tofu and egg) and nuts. Chickpeas, black beans, za’atar breadcrumbs, tortilla chips, sweet potatoes, crispy rice and hummus are all higher in carbs. Sides of bread should also be avoided on keto.

Which Sweetgreen Dressings and Toppings Are Keto-Friendly?

All Sweetgreen dressings, sauces and finishers have 7 grams of carbs or less per serving. Hot honey mustard sauce and honey BBQ sauce have the most sugar, resulting in a higher carb count, but they’re all technically low enough in carbs to be enjoyed on a keto diet.


taryn pire

Food Editor

  • Contributes to PureWow's food vertical
  • Spearheads PureWow's recipe vertical and newsletter
  • Studied English and writing at Ithaca College