6 Ketogenic Recipes That Low-Carb Dieters Will Love (2024)

Whether you're currently "going keto" or you know someone who has, the ketogenic diet is steadily gaining popularity. Fun fact: A spokesperson for Pinterest says that U.S. searches for keto recipes are up more than 500 percent year over year.

So what the heck is it? The ketogenic diet was developed as a treatment for epilepsy decades ago, but the super low-carb eating plan had an unintended side effect: weight loss, says Karen Ansel, R.D.N., author ofHealing Superfoods for Anti-Aging: Stay Younger, Live Longer.

Here's how it works: Each day, keto followers have a budget of 20 to 40 grams of carbs to work with (FYI, a medium apple has about 25 grams of carbs). That carb deficit causes the body to turn to fat for fuel, resulting in the accumulation of byproducts known as ketones. In order to reach ketosis, your calorie intake should be 80 to 90 percent fat, with the rest coming from protein and carbs.

"Ketosis, has been shown to reduce appetite, but it also has some downsides," says Ansel. For starters, the limited carb intake means you have to restrict eating fruits and veggies alongside complex carbs, says Ansel. And because the diet excludes grains and fruits and limits vegetables like potatoes, corn, peas, peppers, onions, and tomatoes, it can be tough to get enough fiber. Translation: You could be in for some constipation.

While keto certainly isn't the right eating plan for everyone, swapping in a healthy keto-based recipe or two for your go-to sandwich or refined carb-laden meal can help you get closer to your weight loss goals.

If you're into the diet, or just want to check out what a few popular low-carb recipes entail, we've rounded up super-tasty options below.

1. Sausage Egg Roll in a Bowl, from Buns In My Oven

If you love egg rolls, this recipe is pretty ideal, clocking in at around 400 calories with about 23 grams of fat and 23 grams of protein. If you want less fat, you can swap out the sausage for ground chicken or turkey.

Makes 4 servings

• 1 lb ground pork sausage
• 6 cups coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp ginger, minced
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil

2. Bacon Cheddar Egg Cups from Keto Connect

These little guysare perfect to prep ahead for breakfast on the go and look super easy to make. As is, the recipe comes out to about 119 calories per egg cup. But you can also throw in any veggies you have lying around for a bit of extra crunch, which Ansel recommends. "Loading up on non-starchy vegetables is really key for fiber and also for vitamins and minerals," she says. "Top choices include kale, spinach, bok choy, Swiss chard, mushrooms, and asparagus."

Makes 12 cups

• 12 large eggs
• 6 slices bacon
• 3 oz shredded cheddar cheese

Related: 'I Ate 3 Eggs Every Morning For A Week—Here's What Happened'

3. Low Carb Crockpot Chili from Low Carb Alpha

With only 10 minutes of prep time required before slow cooking, this recipewas made to be thrown together in a pinch. A single serving comes in at 565 calories, with 31 grams of protein, 22 grams of saturated fat, and 21 grams of unsaturated fat.

Makes 5 servings

• ground beef mince: 1.5 lbs
• celery: 1.5 lbs, chopped
• 2 green bell peppers, chopped
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1 can tomatoes
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 Tbsp garlic powder
• saltand pepper to taste

4. Keto Avocado Cheese Dip from Keto Size Me

This recipeis perfect for anyone who loves avocados (and, uh, who doesn't?). "Because the diet is about 70 percent fat, choosing healthy fats such as avocados, canola oil, olive oil, nuts, nut butters, tahini, seeds and fatty fish can help keep cholesterol levels in check," Ansel explains.

Makes 12 servings

• 2 large avocados
• 10 oz Monterey Jack cheese
• 16 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp onion powder

Add healthy fats and protein to your dessert with this easy avocado-lime ice cream recipe:

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5. Cauliflower Crust Calzone from The Iron You

The fillings in this baby are up to you, but Ansel recommends something cheesy. "Full-fat yogurt and cheese are good choices because they provide fat, protein, and calcium, which our bodies need to burn fat efficiently," she says. One of these calzones, as is, comes to 161 calories, 8.3 grams of fat, 8 grams of carbs, and 11 grams of protein.(Hit the reset button—and burn fat like crazy with The Body Clock Diet!)

Makes 3 calzones

• 1 small head cauliflower, cut into small florets (should yield about 3 cups once processed)
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 free-range egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 tsp fine grain sea salt
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Related: This Is How You Should Lose Weight, According to Your Body Type

6. Keto Chicken Enchilada Bowl from Hey Keto Mama

This easy twist on a classic will probably become one of your go-tos whether you decide to stick to keto or not. The calorie count will depend on what enchilada sauce you use, but if you choose wisely, each serving will come out to 120 calories with a whopping 18 grams of protein.

Makes 4 servings

• 2-3 chicken breasts
• 3/4 cups red enchilada sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup onion
• 4 oz can green chiles
• 12oz steam bag cauliflower rice
• Seasoning, to taste