17 satisfying low-carb recipes that’ll please even carb lovers

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Cutting carbs doesn’t mean cutting out flavor, and these 17 low-carb recipes are proof. Packed with hearty ingredients, bold seasonings, and plenty of texture, even carb lovers will be pleasantly surprised. These meals will leave you full and satisfied. Whether you’re new to low-carb eating or a seasoned pro, there’s something here to keep your palates entertained without missing the carbs!

Beef Barbacoa in a blue bowl.
Beef Barbacoa. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Mediterranean Cod

Mediterranean cod on a rectangular platter.
Mediterranean Cod. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

If you’re cruising for a dish that sails you straight to the shores of the Mediterranean without loading up on the carbs, anchor down with Mediterranean Cod. This dish is like a mini vacation on a plate, whisking you away with flavors so fresh, you’ll swear the cod just jumped out of the sea. It’s a guilt-free getaway that’ll make even the most devout carb lovers pause and consider a low-carb lifestyle.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cod

Shirazi Salad

Shirazi Salad in a white serving bowl.
Shirazi Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

In the land of low-carb dining, the Shirazi Salad stands tall as a refreshing beacon of flavor and simplicity. It’s like a crisp high-five in salad form, bursting with colors and tastes that scream summer in every bite. Loaded with freshness, this salad will have everyone forgetting about the carbs they’re not eating, convinced that Mother Nature surely intended for us to eat this colorful.
Get the Recipe: Shirazi Salad

Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Air Fryer chicken cordon bleu on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

When you whip out your air fryer to make Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu, you’re not just making dinner, you’re making a statement that delicious doesn’t have to be carb-heavy. This dish is a crispy, gooey testament to the fact that indulgence and low-carb can go hand in hand, creating a cooking harmony that’ll convert even the staunchest skeptics. Get ready to wow and awe your dinner crowd with this surprisingly low-carb delight.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Dutch oven Carnitas

Carnitas in a round black dish.
Dutch oven Carnitas. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Dig out your Dutch oven because Dutch oven Carnitas are here to turn a casual meal into a cooking event. This is slow-cooked magic at its best, where patience rewards you with fork-tender pork that makes you forget all about those carbs you’re skipping. It’s a testament to the fact that some of the best things in life (and the kitchen) come to those who wait, showcasing that low-carb ambitions can indeed lead to high-flavor outcomes.
Get the Recipe: Dutch oven Carnitas

Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts

Chicken Salad with Walnuts and Cranberries in a bowl.
Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Looking for a lunch that breaks the monotonous salad routine while keeping things light on carbs? Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts tosses the boring salad playbook out the window. It’s the perfect harmony of crunchy, sweet, and savory, ensuring that every bite is a symphony of flavors that makes low-carb eating an absolute joy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts

Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

Sliced Smoked Bacon Wrapped Whole Pork Tenderloin on a white platter.
Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Imagine a dish where every bite is a perfect blend of smoky, savory, and just a hint of sweet — that’s Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin for you. This recipe wraps your meal in a hug of bacon, delivering a low-carb feast that promises to keep things interesting and insanely tasty. It’s a clear statement that life is too short for boring food, even when you’re cutting back on carbs.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

Green beans with pork on a black plate.
Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans have entered the chat, and they’re here to prove that side dishes can steal the spotlight from the main course. This is soul food that fills your kitchen with aromas so enticing, you’ll start to wonder if you’ve ever really tasted green beans before. With a deep, savory flavor that’s rich in tradition but low in carbs, these green beans challenge the notion that eating well means eating bland.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

Birria de Res

Two white bowls filled with slow cooker birria garnished with fresh lime wedges.
Birria de Res. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Waves of aromatic spices and tender meat come crashing in with Birria de Res, a dish that’s a vibrant celebration of flavor without the carb commotion. It’s like taking your palate on a savory joyride through the heart of traditional cuisine, where each spoonful is more rewarding than the last. This stew is a clear contender for proving that low-carb eating doesn’t have to mean sidelining your cooking adventures.
Get the Recipe: Birria de Res

Bacon-Wrapped Smoked Pork Loin

Smoked ham on a wooden cutting board.
Bacon-Wrapped Smoked Pork Loin. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

The mantra for Bacon-Wrapped Smoked Pork Loin could very well be ‘keep calm and bacon on’, as it effortlessly combines everyone’s favorite ingredient with a smoky, tender pork loin. This dish is a testament to the glory of bacon and its power to transform the ordinary into an extraordinary low-carb marvel. Embracing this recipe means embracing the art of satisfying cravings without the carb overload.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Smoked Pork Loin

Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup

Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup in two white bowls with garnishes nearby.
Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Ever craved something smoky, spicy, and satisfying but didn’t want to undo your diet? Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup is here to rescue you from dull and mundane meals. This soup packs a punch with a depth of flavor that brings the smoke and leaves the carbs in the dust. It’s the perfect blend of comfort and zing, proving that you can have your (low-carb) cake and eat it too, impressing even those who’d rather swim in a pool of carbs.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup

Grilled Steak Skewers with Mojo Rojo

Grilled Steak skewers on a white plate with chilis nearby.
Grilled Steak Skewers with Mojo Rojo. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Fire up the grill because Grilled Steak Skewers with Mojo Rojo are about to turn your backyard into the hottest low-carb restaurant in town. This dish brings the heat with a spicy, garlicky mojo rojo that infuses each bite of tender steak with flavor fireworks. It’s a carnivore’s dream that makes ditching the carbs feel like a reward, not a punishment.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak Skewers with Mojo Rojo

Tex-Mex Caesar Salad

An image of Tex-Mex Caesar Salad on a square plate.
Tex-Mex Caesar Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Who says salads have to be boring? Tex-Mex Caesar Salad is here to kick that notion to the curb with a tangy twist that’ll make your palates do a salsa dance. It’s a fiesta on a plate, proving that you can keep things low-carb and still pack a flavor punch that would knock any carb-heavy meal out of the park. This salad shows that a little creativity can turn ‘diet food’ into ‘can’t wait to eat food.’
Get the Recipe: Tex-Mex Caesar Salad

Oven Roasted Asparagus with Mascarpone

A plate of asparagus with mascarpone and lemon.
Oven Roasted Asparagus with Mascarpone. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Turning up the oven for Oven Roasted Asparagus with Mascarpone means turning up the elegance on your dinner table without the carb count. This dish pairs the earthy crunch of asparagus with the creamy, indulgent embrace of mascarpone, creating a duet that dances beautifully on your palate. It’s the kind of side that steals the show, proving that low-carb dining doesn’t have to be about sacrifice.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Asparagus with Mascarpone

Smoked Chicken Al Pastor

A stack of chicken and pineapple on a vertical skewer on a cutting board.
Smoked Chicken Al Pastor. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Meet the dish that’s set to revolutionize your BBQ game, Smoked Chicken Al Pastor. With a smoky depth and a hint of pineapple sweetness, this recipe turns the humble chicken into a fiesta of flavors that ditches the carbs but keeps all the party. It’s a cooking trip to the streets of Mexico without leaving your backyard, proving once and for all that low-carb doesn’t mean low-flavor.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Al Pastor

Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone

Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone in a black dish.
Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

For a side dish that upgrades your meal to a new level of creamy delight, Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone is the answer. It’s like someone turned up the volume on comfort food without the carb overload, making each bite a lush, velvety experience. This dish is a love letter to everyone who thought they had to say goodbye to creaminess on a low-carb diet.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone

Al Pastor Carnitas

Al Pastor Carnitas in a white bowl with tongs.
Al Pastor Carnitas. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

When you’re craving something sinfully succulent but saintly in carbs, Al Pastor Carnitas swoop in to save your dinner plans. This dish is a flavor-packed journey that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary with a tangy, spicy twist that has no need for carb-filled sides. It’s a ticket to taste heaven, showing off the power of clever cooking to make indulgence and low-carb eating go hand in hand.
Get the Recipe: Al Pastor Carnitas

Beef Barbacoa

Beef Barbacoa in a blue bowl.
Beef Barbacoa. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Get ready to meet Beef Barbacoa, your new best friend in the realm of low-carb, high-flavor eating. This dish dares to delight with its slow-cooked tenderness and a blend of spices that whispers sweet nothings to your palate. It’s robust, it’s hearty, and it side-steps the carbs without a backward glance, making every forkful a testament to the joy of eating well.
Get the Recipe: Beef Barbacoa

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