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86 Keto Dinner Recipe Ideas to Try Tonight

Let there be meat (and cheese)

keto dinner recipes: sliced chicken breast on a sheet pan surrounded by broccoli, red onion, carrots and bell peppers
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

In case you haven't heard, there really is a diet where you can eat all the cheeseeggs and bacon you want. The ketogenic diet (keto for short) is a high-fat, moderate-proteinlow-carb meal plan that could potentially help you lose weight. After confirming with your doctor that it's right for you, give one of these 86 keto dinner recipe ideas a go.

I curated the following list of mouthwatering meals to cater to every occasion and a range of dietary needs, so you will find tasty single-serving recipes for when you’re dining solo, easy weeknight dinners like sheet pan chicken with colorful vegetables and set-it-and-forget it meals, like slow cooker carnitas. You’ll also find vegetarian-friendly recipes, like this refreshing vegetarian gazpacho that comes together in just 15 minutes, and pescatarian picks (hello, seared scallops with corn succotash.) 

Read on and you’re sure to find an easy and healthy keto meal that will make your palate sing.

22 Easy Ketogenic Recipes to Try This Winter


1. Garlic Butter Steak and Scallops

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 2 people

Keto-friendly surf and turf in 30 minutes flat? Pinch me, I’m dreaming drooling. (Blame it on the herby garlic butter sauce, ‘cause I can personally attest to the fact that it’s good enough to drink.)

2. Chicken Meatballs and Cauliflower Rice

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: dairy free, gluten free, high protein
  • Serves: 4 people

The secret to the creamy, decadent sauce? Coconut milk—not dairy. (The meatballs are bound without breadcrumbs too, so they're gluten-free as well.) If you’re looking for keto dinner ideas that cater to a wide range of dietary restrictions, add this one to your rotation. And that includes the “dietary restrictions” of picky kids—my partner makes this one for mine on a regular basis, albeit without the cauliflower rice, and they devour it every time.

3. Low-Carb Keto Chicken Stir Fry

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, one pan
  • Serves: 4 people

I could eat this simple gem every night. Even better, it's ready before you can say, "delivery, please." I make this stir-fry every time I need to clear out the fridge, because it makes such great use of produce and is highly adaptable. That said, I strongly recommend choosing a high-quality toasted sesame oil for the best results.

4. Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, low carb
  • Serves: 6 people

Psst: The sauce tastes just as good with shrimp or salmon in place of chicken. Serve it over zoodles if you're craving pasta.

5. Shrimp with Cauliflower “Grits” and Arugula

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: low carb, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4 people

Is there anything cauliflower can’t do? Is there anything cauliflower can’t do? I think not. Here, it unites with garlicky arugula, tangy goat cheese and spiced shrimp for a well-rounded dinner that’s one of my personal favorites.

6. Baked Eggs and Zoodles with Avocado

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, gluten free, low carb, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 2 people

When you want a break from meat and cheese, buttery, satiating avocado will be there atop a nest of spiralized zucchini. Substitute cucumber, carrots or beets if you'd prefer. (In my opinion, jammy eggs and avocado are two perfect foods that pair well with just about everything.)

7. Gluten-Free Cheese and Cauliflower ‘Breadsticks’

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why I Love It: kid-friendly, gluten free, 10 ingredients
  • Serves: 4 people

Dinner is incomplete without ’em, so get your fix minus the carbs. Egg is used to bind the "breadsticks," which are packed with mozzarella, Parmesan and fresh herbs.

8. Sheet Pan Chicken with Rainbow Veggies

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, high protein, gluten free
  • Serves: 4 people

This keto-friendly meal is loaded with flavor and requires minimal cleanup to boot. The recipe calls for bell peppers, carrots, broccoli and red onions, but you can sub any neglected veggies in your crisper drawer.

9. Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

  • Time Commitment: 7 hours and 15 minutes
  • Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 8 people

Take a load off: Your Crockpot has dinner covered. Use the meat in tacos, burritos, quesadillas or salads, and the leftovers for tomorrow’s breakfast hash.

10. Prosciutto-Wrapped Cauliflower Bites

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 8-10 people

Serve them as an app at your next dinner party, plate them with a side of greens or devour them solo. (I’m partial to the latter, TBH.)

11. Cheese Shell Taco Cups

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
  • Serves: 4 people

No need for tortillas here. Crispy, fatty caramelized Colby Jack cheese to the rescue. If you’re anything like me, you won’t want to eat a taco any other way after you taste these.

12. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad-Stuffed Peppers

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, high protein
  • Serves: 6 people

These vibrant cuties are picnic-bound and a cinch to prepare ahead. Make the chicken salad (from a store-bought rotisserie chicken for minimum fuss) a day in advance, then fill the peppers immediately before serving.

13. Cauliflower ‘Potato’ Salad

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: make ahead, low carb, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 6 people

When the carb cravings hit, cauliflower can stand in for spuds to create this keto-friendly side dish. Prepare it ahead so the veggie can soak up all the tangy dressing.

14. Chicken Enchilada Bowl

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4 people

I’ll take an extra sprinkle of cheese and all the sour cream you have, please. (Avocado, pickled jalapeños, salsa verde and pico de gallo would be stellar finishing touches, too.)

15. Chicken and Snap Pea Stir Fry

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: kid-friendly, one pan, beginner-friendly, <30 minutes
  • Serves: 4 people

You only need five ingredients to make this takeout-inspired meal, which is decidedly kid-friendly. Just go easy on the sriracha if they're sensitive to spice.

16. Slow Cooker Chicken Chile Verde

  • Time Commitment: 8 hours
  • Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, Paleo-friendly, high protein
  • Serves: 1 person

Leave it to the Crockpot to turn chicken thighs super juicy and tender. Serve this keto-friendly dish with a side of cauliflower rice and a small serving of beans to keep the carbs to a minimum.

17. Vegan Cauliflower Soup

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegan, kid-friendly
  • Serves: 4-6 people

No dairy, no potatoes, no problem for your low-carb meal plan. Finish your bowl with crushed red pepper flakes and a spritz of lemon.

18. Spicy Ginger Scallion and Egg Drop Zucchini Noodle Soup

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, one pot, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 1 person

Talk about a light, refreshing meal. The zoodles will scratch your itch for pasta, while the egg will help keep you satisfied between meals.

19. Low-Carb Bacon Burger with Guacamole

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, gluten free
  • Serves: 6 people

Aka our dream dinner. Skip bread in favor of lettuce wraps (or a low-carb bun) and ta-da: This burger is keto-friendly.

20. Cacio e Pepe Cauliflower

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, gluten free
  • Serves: 6-8 people

Pasta? Never met her. This super cheesy side is all you need, and it'll become one of your go-tos at first bite.

21. Keto Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl Recipe

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, low carb
  • Serves: 4 people

Ready and on the table in less than 20 minutes—much faster than a flight to Hawaii, no? Once the cauliflower rice is prepared, you won't have to cook a minute more.

22. Low-Carb Lasagna-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, low carb, high protein
  • Serves: 4 people

The ultimate comfort food, with a keto-friendly twist. If you add the filling mixture back into the squash shell to bake, add water to the bottom of the pan so the gourd doesn't burn.

23. Instant Pot Greek Cauliflower Rice

  • Time Commitment: 10 minutes
  • Why I Love It: Instant Pot recipe, <30 minutes, vegetarian
  • Serves: 8 people

Plain cauli rice is fine...but this Mediterranean-inspired version from Jen Fisch of Keto in the City is even better. Bring on the feta, olives and walnuts.

24. Cauliflower Tortillas

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead, gluten free
  • Serves: 6 people

Call all your keto friends: Taco Tuesday is a go, thanks to cauliflower and eggs. Just don’t skimp on the guac.

25. Tuna-Stuffed Zucchini Boats

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: high protein, low carb, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 2 people

It's possibly the easiest main you’ll ever make, thanks to a protein-packed pantry staple: canned tuna. The avocado salsa adds buttery texture and citrusy zing to every bite.

26. One-Pan Eggs with Asparagus and Tomatoes

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, gluten free, dairy free, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 4 people

Breakfast for dinner? Yes, please. Serve the eggs and veggies with salad, soup or bacon to make 'em more filling.

27. Greek Wedge Salad

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4 people

Put down the bacon bits and step away from the blue cheese dressing. This wedge salad is lighter and on the table in less than 20 minutes.

28. Goat Cheese and Spinach-Stuffed Chicken

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 1 person

When your friends say they could never do keto, serve them this to show them the light. The chicken is prepared hasselback-style and stuffed with cheese, spinach, caramelized onion and mushrooms.

29. One-Pan Roasted Chicken with Carrots

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, sheet pan recipe, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 4 people

The only thing easier than the cleanup is eating the juicy, crispy chicken thighs. A sprinkle of fresh rosemary really takes them over the top.

30. Keto Salmon Sushi Bowl

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, high protein
  • Serves: 1 person

In this case, no rice is a good thing. Use blitzed cauliflower instead (or better yet, steam-in-the-bag cauli rice).

31. Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Ranch

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, gluten free, vegetarian
  • Serves: 8 people

Meet your new favorite condiment. You'll want to make a double (or um, triple) batch, trust.

32. Cream of Mushroom Soup

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: gluten free, low-carb, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 5 people

If you’re craving comfort food, try curling up with this seven-ingredient beauty. Sub coconut cream for heavy cream to make the soup dairy-free.

33. Low-Carb Chicken Fajita Salad

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: high protein, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4 people

If you insist on having salad for dinner, why not one like this? Pile on all the hot sauce you desire.

34. 15-Minute Gazpacho with Cucumber, Red Pepper and Basil

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, make ahead
  • Serves: 4 people

All you need is fresh produce and a blender to whip up this summer stunner. Serve it with keto-friendly bread for dipping.

35. Cauliflower Fried Rice

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
  • Serves: 4 people

Also referred to as a plateful of comforting deliciousness. Don't skip the runny egg on top—it offers both protein and indulgence.

36. Sheet Pan Teriyaki Salmon

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, <10 ingredients, high protein
  • Serves: 4 people

This is hands down the easiest way to cook seafood, in our opinion. Swap in any veggies that are hiding in the back of your fridge.

37. Cauliflower Soup with Coconut, Turmeric and Lime

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, gluten free, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
  • Serves: 4 people

Turmeric and curry powder make this soul-soother an edible immunity booster, while coconut milk keeps it creamy and dairy-free.

38. Spaghetti Squash Primavera

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, low carb
  • Serves: 4 people

Spaghetti squash is a low-carb dieter's BFF. For people who love eating but hate washing dishes, you should know this dish only dirties one pot and pan.

39. Easy Mexican Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, gluten free
  • Serves: 4 people

Hearty yet refreshing, this low-carb meal will fill you up without bogging you down. Good looking out, zoodles.

40. Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Lettuce Cups

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 2 people

These elegant bites prove that eating keto doesn’t need to be time-consuming or expensive. One pound of shrimp and one head of lettuce go a *long* way.

41. Keto Broccoli Cheddar Soup

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, gluten free, kid-friendly
  • Serves: 4 people

Panera Bread has nothing on this creamy, decadent gem. Even your picky eater will drink it down without a fuss.

42. Salsa Verde Shredded Beef Bowls

  • Time Commitment: 6 hours and 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 4 people

This Mexican-inspired pick will keep you full without any cheese or sour cream. (But I wouldn't blame you for adding either ingredient to your bowl...)

43. Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: Instant Pot recipe, crowd-pleaser, vegan
  • Serves: 4 people

Crisp fall evenings call for a hug in a bowl. Skip the maple syrup to shave off a few extra carbs.

44. Grilled Zucchini Tomato Feta Boats

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, vegetarian
  • Serves: 6 people

Close your eyes and you’re in Greece, thanks to briny, lip-smacking feta cheese, fresh mint and cherry tomatoes.

45. Low-Carb Pho with Zoodles

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why I Love It: low carb, high protein, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 4 people

Warning: You’ll want to make this weekly after you try it. Spritz all the lime juice your mouth can handle into your bowl for a welcome pop of acidity.

46. Baked Chicken and Ricotta Meatballs

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why I Love It: high protein, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 4 people

You shouldn't limit meatballs to apps and spaghetti. Here, they're filled with cheese and cooked alongside charred broccolini.

47. Greek Chicken with Feta and Kalamata Olives

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, high protein
  • Serves: 4 people

Just toss everything together in a casserole pan and you'll only have one dirty dish to clean after dinner. Serve it with extra greens on the side.

48. Grilled Flank Steak with Lemon Herb Sauce

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 6 people

Wow everyone at the barbecue without breaking a sweat with this beyond simple steak recipe. Consider the marinating time a built-in cocktail hour.

49. Parmesan Ranch Chicken Thighs

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, high protein
  • Serves: 6 people

Seven ingredients, much magic. Even picky kids will have zero complaints about this slaw-topped wonder.

50. Lemon Salmon with Garlic and Thyme

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 4 people

For when you want something that tastes fancy, minus all the effort. The salmon is seasoned with nothing but pantry staples, fresh lemon and dried thyme.

51. Instant Pot Keto Indian Butter Chicken

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, Instant Pot recipe
  • Serves: 4 people

Forget low and slow: The pressure cooker pulls this main off in 20 minutes flat. Once you brown the chicken in the Instant Pot, the rest is all hands-off.

52. Keto Pasta with Lemon-Kale Chicken

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 1 person

It may *look* like regular pasta, but they're really low-carb tofu shirataki noodles. Choose any long cut, like spaghetti or angel hair.

53. Keto Skillet Lasagna

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: low carb, kid-friendly
  • Serves: 4 people

Loaded with everything but the pasta, so low-carb eaters can get in on the cheesy goodness, too. Sub ground Italian sausage, turkey or chicken if you feel so inclined.

54. Cast Iron Pork Chops with Cacao-Spiced Rub

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why I Love It: high protein, make ahead
  • Serves: 4 people

The secret to beyond juicy chops? Salt the pork 45 minutes before cooking so it doesn’t turn tough as it cooks. Save time before dinner by making the cacao spice rub ahead.

55. Keto Steak and Blue Cheese Salad for One

  • Time Commitment: 5 minutes
  • Why I Love It: make ahead, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes
  • Serves: 1 person

Your deskmates are jealous already. This low-lift salad is our favorite way to repurpose leftover beef.

56. Chicken Thighs with Pancetta and Green Olives

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why I Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 4 people

Briny, crispy and downright foolproof. Oh, and did I mention it comes together in your trusty cast iron skillet?

57. Keto Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: gluten free, kid-friendly, make ahead
  • Serves: 12 people

These copycat handhelds are both low-carb and gluten-free, thanks to almond flour. P.S.: They freeze like a dream for lickity-split lunches.

58. Keto Instant Pot Sausage-Kale Soup

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, Instant Pot recipe, one pot
  • Serves: 4 people

I recommend slurping it down by a roaring fire for extra warm-and-fuzzy feels. Add the kale last and let it soften for about five minutes before digging in.

59. One-Pan Steak with Beets and Crispy Kale

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, <10 ingredients, high protein
  • Serves: 4 people

Never feel intimidated by cooking steak again. Your oven (and life-saving sheet pan) will do all the heavy lifting tonight.

60. Seared Scallops with Corn Succotash

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 4 people

Did you know three ounces of scallops pack a whopping 20 grams of protein? They cook to perfection in a flash, too (and they're easier to prepare than you think).

61. Vegan Keto Coconut Curry

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegan, gluten free, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4 people

Tofu offers 18 grams of plant-based protein per serving. Don't worry, I’ll look the other way if you want to lick the bowl clean.

62. Keto Everything Chicken Wings

  • Time Commitment: 55 minutes
  • Why I Love It: high protein, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 6 people

Mix the everything bagel seasoning yourself or substitute store-bought. Either way, these butter-drenched wings are an easy home run.

63. Low-Carb Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: high protein, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
  • Serves: 6 people

Warning: Your kids will beg you to make this every week once they have a taste at dinnertime. It has all the essentials, from pickles to mustard to cheddar cheese.

64. Steak Skewers with Chimichurri Sauce

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 6 people

Beef tenderloin, cherry tomatoes and red onion, united by garlicky chimichurri. Use a grill pan instead of the barbecue to cook the skewers indoors—you won't want to sacrifice those char marks.

65. 15-Minute Skillet Pepper Steak

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, one pan, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4 people

Put down the takeout menu—you’ve got this. You can add basically any less-than-stellar produce you'd like to the skillet to boot.

66. Salmon with Pesto and Blistered Tomatoes

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4 people

Herbaceous, flavorful store-bought pesto is one of our favorite shortcuts in the book. Here, it's key for keeping the ingredients list down to six items.

67. Low-Carb Tex-Mex Casserole

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4 people

Instead of using pasta or rice to bind the casserole, eggs and cream cheese do the trick, making the casserole low-carb and keto-friendly. (Oh, and super indulgent.)

68. Pepper Teigen’s Thai Glazed Ribs

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 4 people

They only take 40 minutes to prepare, since they're deep-fried instead of grilled. This turns the ribs tender and crispy in a fraction of the time.

69. 30-Minute Breakfast Hash with Kale and Sweet Potatoes

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, one pan
  • Serves: 3 to 4 people

Sub additional veggies for sweet potatoes to bring the carbs even lower. While you're at it, go ahead and add bacon to the mix—you know you want to.

70. Tuna Salad with Yogurt, Capers and Za’atar

  • Time Commitment: 5 minutes
  • Why I Love It: make ahead, no cook, high protein
  • Serves: 2 people

Mayo who? You'll never make this lunch staple the old way again. Greek yogurt is just as creamy, but tangier and higher in protein.

71. Strawberry, Basil and Arugula Salad

  • Time Commitment: 10 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, no cook
  • Serves: 4 people

This modernized '90s staple is only ten minutes away (and it'd be even tastier and more filling crowned with grilled chicken).

72. Camarones al Mojo de Ajo

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 5 people

Aka 15-minute shrimp in an epic lemon-garlic sauce. You'll want lots of low-carb bread for soaking up every last drop of butter.

73. Pressure Cooker Mushroom-Beef Soup

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: Instant Pot recipe, high protein, one pot
  • Serves: 8 people

Low-carb comfort food at its finest, courtesy of the pressure cooker. Use corn starch to thicken the soup instead of flour to make it gluten free.

74. Seared Scallops with Citrus-Shallot Salad

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 4 people

Thoroughly pat the scallops dry before searing them to get a flawless outer crust, and don't place them in the pan until the oil is shimmering and sufficiently heated.

75. Air Fryer Fried Chicken

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 4 people

Who knew almond flour and pork panko crumbs (ground pork rinds) made such a stellar low-carb breading? Serve with ranch dressing, hot sauce and lemon wedges.

76. Low-Carb Zucchini Enchiladas

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead
  • Serves: 8 people

Bye, tortillas—zucchini has this one covered. Did I mention the enchiladas freeze and reheat like a charm? (You can thank me later.)

77. Keto Guacamole Burger Bites

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 8 people

These teeny toothpick-able bites will take you 35 minutes to make (and 30 seconds to devour). They're basically bacon-wrapped mini meatballs topped with guac, tomato and fresh mozz.

78. Antoni Porowski’s Strip Steak with Harissa Butter and Parsley Salad

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 4 people

Oh so impressive, yet ready in 20 minutes with minimal effort. “Melting a pat of good butter over a warm, juicy steak is the ticket to luxuriousness,” recipe creator and Queer Eye star Antoni Porowski shared. “Blend that butter with harissa, the North African chili paste, and in two minutes, you’ve got an amped-up power player.

79. Ginger-Scallion Chicken Meatballs with Sesame-Soy Glaze

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein
  • Serves: 4 people

Baking instead of pan-frying yields supremely tender results. Eat the sticky, savory meatballs solo, with fresh veggies or atop a bed of cauli rice with quick-pickled cucumbers, cabbage and carrot.

80. Vegan Keto Everything Bagels

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 6 people

Top one of these beauties with cream cheese and smoked salmon and call it dinner. (Microgreens, capers and red onion are solid accoutrements too.)

81. Ina Garten’s Creamy Chicken Thighs with Lemon and Thyme

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 4 people

Leave it to the Barefoot Contessa to make a gourmet dinner this easy to prepare. Sub cauliflower rice for couscous to make it keto-friendly

82. Spicy, Crunchy Tuna Salad Lettuce Cups

  • Time Commitment: 10 minutes
  • Why I Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, gluten free, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 2 people

No cook? Check. Ready in 10 minutes? Check. Packed with protein? You bet. Canned tuna saves the day once again.

83. Lemongrass-Ginger Coconut Grilled Steak

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, high protein
  • Serves: 6 to 8 people

Dinner is less than ten ingredients away (and it's damn impressive nonetheless). Serve it with raw greens, zoodles or grilled vegetables.

    84. Miso-Honey Broiled Chicken

    • Time Commitment: 35 minutes (plus marinating time)
    • Why I Love It: high protein, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
    • Serves: 4 people

    This simple dish is proof that pantry staples can go miles in the flavor department. The marinade is nothing but umami-rich miso and sweet honey. Butter is added as the chicken cooks for a dose of richness.

    85. Jalapeño Popper Omelet

    • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
    • Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
    • Serves: 2 people

    Spicy, cheesy, creamy and crowned with bacon, this omelet will satisfy your hankering for jalapeño poppers without the messy frying. Even better, you'll only need eight ingredients to pull it off. I call that a win-win.

    86. Kristin Cavallari’s Salmon BLT Salad with Spicy Tomatillo Ranch

    • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
    • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, <30 minutes
    • Serves: 2 people

    Salmon is satiating enough on its own. Add avocado and bacon to the fish and it'll surely hold you over (well, until dessert anyway).


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    Freelance Editor

    From 2015-2020 Lindsay Champion held the role of Food and Wellness Director. She continues to write for PureWow as a Freelance Editor.

    taryn pire

    Food Editor

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