Starting a keto diet?
Then you’ll want to check out these easy keto recipes that are big on flavor, high in good fat, and super low in carbs. Mouthwatering cheese bakes, super smoothies, rich Thai curry noodles sound good to you? And there’s more.
Before we dive in, a word about sugar...
If you’ve been looking around for keto recipes, you’ve probably found that many of them contain various sweeteners that aren’t sugar. Examples are: Erythritol, splenda, and stevia. The problem with artificial sweeteners is not always about how they affect your body, but what they do on a psychological level.
When you taste something sweet, your brain’s feel-good receptors fire up and make you want more. That means you’ll continue to crave the taste of sweet, which can lead to overeating and quick fixes with the foods you’re trying to avoid on the keto diet.
Integrating a keto diet change isn’t easy, but the long-term outcomes can be rewarding. Going low-carb has many advantages, including kicking the vicious sugar cycle. While many keto recipes feature some type of sweetener to boost the taste, they also keep you hooked. The keto recipes featured here don’t include sugar, artificial sweeteners, or manufactured plant-based sweeteners. If you want to quell the sugar monster, these no-sweetener keto recipes are a good place to start.
We’ve included five sampler keto recipes for beginners, including keto recipes for breakfast and vegetarian keto recipes. These easy recipes use simple ingredients and there’s no sacrifice to taste. Each one features low-carb, high-fat foods.
Keto Recipes Your Family Will Love
Stuffed Avocados
(vegan & vegetarian friendly)
These stuffed avocados burst with texture and flavor. They make a creative and attractive side to any main dish. Or, you can make it a main by adding shredded chicken (see optional ingredients). Carrots are the only carb-culprit here, but keeping it to one medium sized carrot keeps your carb count to about 6 grams––no problem! Adjust the ingredients to make more or less, keeping with the ratios.
- 1 avocado (makes 1 large serving or two small servings)
- 1 carrot, finely grated
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- ¼ cup cashew nuts, coarsely ground with a mortar & pestle
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 small clove of garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp goji berries
*Optional meat inclusion - add shredded chicken
PREPARATION
Cut avocados in half lengthwise, remove the pit and scoop out about half of the flesh, evenly, to leave a “boat,” which will hold the stuffing.
Mix remaining ingredients together, including the scooped out avocado flesh.
Stuff in avocado boats and enjoy!
Cheesy Jalapeno Bake
(vegetarian friendly)
These amazing bread-like cheese bakes satisfy the pizza cravings while giving you a great boost of fat and protein. Pair with Perfect Everyday Salsa for a tex-mex kick.
- 1 cup grated cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- ½ cup grated fresh parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup fresh jalapeno peppers, diced
- ½ small onion, diced
PREPARATION
Preheat oven to 375F.
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Divide the mixture into about six parts, depending on what size rounds you want, onto a baking pan lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 10-20 minutes until lightly browned, and enjoy hot.
Hearty Keto Bowl
This is a comforting go-to bowl and belly-warmer. Experiment to your heart’s delight with a range of fresh green vegetables, sprouts, seeds, and nuts. To remove surface contaminants and increase their bioavailability, rinse and soak nuts and seeds before eating them.
- 2 cups of cubed pumpkin
- 1 clove of garlic, smashed
- 1 inch fresh ginger root, grated
- ½ small onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp ghee
- Steamed broccoli, cauliflower & spinach
- Chopped spring onion
- Fresh sprouts
- Fresh dill weed
- Feta cheese (exclude for vegan version)
- Black sesame seeds
- Walnuts, rinsed, soaked & chopped
Dressing
- 1 tsp tahini
- Juice of ½ freshly squeezed lemon
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Indian spice mix*
Indian Spice Mix
Use equal parts of the following ground spices: Cumin, coriander, ginger, fennel, turmeric, cinnamon, mustard powder, sea salt, black pepper
PREPARATION
Cook pumpkin cubes, garlic, ginger, and onion until tender. Then drain and add ghee. Mash until just slightly chunky and scoop into a bowl.
While the pumpkin cooks, prepare the dressing by whisking together all the ingredients.
Top mashed pumpkin with steamed vegetables, fresh sprouts, and fresh dill.
Crumble feta cheese over top, drizzle dressing, and sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped walnuts.
Berry Breakfast Smoothie
What can you eat for breakfast on a keto diet that’s not the usual bacon and eggs? They get tiring pretty quickly, and unless you’ve got access to low-carb flours, pancakes aren’t an option. And let’s face it––they just wouldn’t be proper pancakes!
This breakfast smoothie is an original in-house creation loaded with good fat. We included an optional superfoods ingredient list below to boost the nutrient density so you feel satisfied longer. Customize to your taste.
- 1 tbsp chia seeds (soaked)
- 1 tbsp almond butter*
- Full-fat organic coconut milk
- 1 tbsp coconut or MCT oil
- Fresh or frozen blueberries
- ½ avocado
- Handful of fresh spinach
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp raw cacao powder
- 1 tbsp hemp hearts
- Water - enough to achieve your desired consistency
*substitute almond butter with peanut butter or pumpkin seed butter
*substitute coconut milk with almond milk
Optional Superfood Extras
- 1 tsp spirulina (An excellent plant-based source of protein that also helps balance blood sugar)
- 1 tsp maca powder (Peruvian ginseng and adaptogenic herb with libido-boost properties)
- 1 tsp goji berry powder (Mineral-rich “wolfberry” that helps stabilize blood sugar)
PREPARATION
Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Add ice or water to achieve your desired consistency.
Thai Coconut Noodles
A taste of Thailand is always welcome, and zoodles are a nice switch-up from the high GI rice noodle, keeping it keto friendly. Ensure you select a sugar-free Thai red curry paste or look for one with 2 grams of sugar or less.
- 1 tsp coconut or MCT oil
- 2 tbsp chopped red onion
- ⅓ cup full-fat organic coconut milk
- 1 tsp Thai red curry paste (a sugar-free variety)
- 1 tsp fresh grated ginger root
- ¼ tsp of tamari or soy sauce
- 1 cup “zoodles” (zucchini noodles)
- 1/2 cup (50g) broccoli or cauliflower
For the garnish:
- Thai basil
- Fresh-squeezed lime juice
- Chili flakes to taste
PREPARATION
In a saucepan, saute the onions, ginger, and curry paste in coconut oil on low heat for a minute or two.
Add the coconut milk and soy sauce or tamari and stir until well blended.
Add the zoodles and broccoli or cauliflower and cook until slightly tender, about 3-4 minutes (add a few minutes cooking time if you prefer softer vegetables, but make sure they don’t go soggy).
Add garnish and enjoy!
Keto Friendly Baked Chicken Thighs
Juicy, flavorful chicken thighs are good all on their own and a keto-delight. But add a little parmesan, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper and you’ve got a winner! Your family will love these stuffed baked chicken thighs, and they pair well with the stuffed avos.
- 6 chicken thighs with skin
- 1 tbsp dried basil
- 1 tbsp parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp olive oil
PREPARATION
Trim the excess fat from the chicken thighs and pull back the skin slightly to create a pocket of space.
Mix basil, parmesan, garlic, sea salt, pepper, and a few drops of olive oil.
Stuff the mixture into the pockets and spread evenly over the meat.
Heat the rest of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Place the chicken thighs skin side down and fry for about 5 minutes, then flip and continue frying for another 8 minutes.
Then place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.
Looking For More Great Keto Info? Learn more about how keto works, what a carbohydrate actually is, and how to know if your body’s in ketosis. Find out in Keto Diet for the Carb-Lover.
From our kitchen to yours, happy stuffing, slurping, and chowing down on these delicious keto meals!
