Welcome to the tasty world of keto dinners, where rich, satisfying, and delicious keto food doesn’t have to be boring food. Grab a fork and bring your appetite because dinners will never be the same again.
People often tremble when they think of diet food, but keto meals are anything but boring or bland. In fact, you can embark on a whole new world of flavor as you explore all the amazing food you can have while following a keto lifestyle.
What Is Keto?
The ketogenic diet, or keto for short, has become very popular in the last few years because it promotes weight loss, boosts energy levels, and improves overall health. A keto diet focuses on healthy fats, reducing carbohydrate intake, and encouraging your body to enter a state of ketosis where it’ll burn fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates.
Starting a keto lifestyle can be daunting, but never fear; help is here. With a terrific lineup of ideas to get those culinary juices flowing, you’ll be cooking in no time. You can look forward to a tasty mix of keto dinner options, including poultry, seafood, beef, and vegetarian dishes. Make some easy ingredient swaps, and you’ll be feasting in no time.
Poultry Picks
Chicken is the most widely consumed meat in the USA and is a great pick for keto dinners. Inexpensive, protein-rich, and with options that include chicken and turkey, the culinary possibilities are endless. Chicken is a blank canvas and takes so well to many different flavors. Jazz up your bird with different seasonings and spices — just watch that your spice blends don’t contain hidden starches or sugars. Don’t be afraid to add in low-carb veggies like zucchini, spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, and more. Stir-frys are easy and quick, or go for something more elaborate like Green Goddess Stuffed Chicken Breasts.
Pork — The Other White Meat
From quick-cooking pork tenderloin to meaty chops, pork is bite-for-bite one of the most flavorful meats. Pork is a keto superstar — it’s rich in protein, high in fat, and is so easy to work with. Ground pork can be quickly turned into culinary masterpieces for dinner, or opt for dishes like Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin, which looks fancy but doesn’t take long to make. Pork is also affordable, and if you buy it when it’s on sale, you can load up your freezer with tasty meats that can be turned into amazing dinners. Don’t forget about bacon — bacon adds instant flavor to meats and veggies and is totally okay on a keto lifestyle.
Beef
Eating keto doesn’t have to be expensive, and you don’t have to eat steaks every night of the week. More economical cuts of beef include ground beef, stew meat, eye of round, slow-cooking cuts like chuck and blade, and others. Treated properly, even inexpensive cuts can become a dinner winner. Turn stew meat into a hearty Hungarian Goulash, slow-cook eye of round for tender slices perfect for keto lunches, and pot roasts with keto-friendly veggies like turnips and mushrooms are delicious.
Seafood
If you live in a coastal area or a larger city with access to fresh fish, seafood can be a tasty and regular addition to your dinner lineup. Quick-cooking seafood can be your go-to on busy nights, and with plenty of options, you can keep your meals varied. Great keto picks include salmon, cod, halibut, shrimp, meaty mahi-mahi, and tuna. Do your homework because not all seafood is keto-friendly. Oysters, for example, have about four carbs per 100-gram serving, which is high for a keto diet. Enjoy fabulous dishes like shrimp scampi, salmon with pesto, thick and rich chowders, and more, all featuring fresh seafood.
Vegetarian Meals
Not all vegetables are created equal, and some are higher in carbs than others. Great vegetable picks on a keto diet include
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Squash — zucchini, yellow squash, spaghetti squash
- Eggplant
- Mushrooms
- Turnips
- Radishes
- Greens — lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, kale, etc.
- Cabbage
- Brussels sprouts
- Green beans
- And many more
You can mix and match to create flavorful vegetarian meals for your keto dinners, but fat is important on keto, so make sure that you include enough fats. Vegetarian fats can include olive or avocado oil, coconut oil, MCT oil, and butter. Cheeses are also a good pick on a keto diet and an excellent source of fat.
Vegetarian stir-fries are a great way to enjoy different flavors and textures, or you can create more elaborate meals like casseroles, soups, and stews.
Diversity Is Key
People stop following a keto lifestyle for various reasons, including food fatigue. By keeping your meals varied and interesting, you can ensure you don’t get bored with what you’re eating. Mix and match proteins, fats, and vegetables to ensure your meals are well-rounded and interesting. Some great choices include:
- Taco salad — Greens, ground beef, cheese, and keto-friendly veggies. Guacamole is delicious and perfectly okay on a keto diet.
- Chaffles — Made from egg whites and cheese, chaffles are a versatile and delicious bread alternative. You can use them as the base for keto pizzas, sandwiches, eggs Benedict, and more.
- Soups — Easy, filling, and satisfying soups are a great way to balance protein, fats, and veggies. Soups can be made and eaten throughout the week, and many can also be frozen.
Where To Find Keto Recipes
If you’re not confident in the kitchen or would rather cook from a recipe, there are many keto recipes available both in books and free online. Find a reputable keto recipe developer or cookbook author and try something new. Trying a new recipe each week is a great way to discover new flavors and foods and to keep your meals interesting.
The Final Word
Keto meals don’t have to be boring meals, and if you think that you have to eat boiled cabbage and baked chicken every night, you’d be wrong. Enjoy all your favorite foods minus carbohydrate-rich ingredients, and every dinner can be delicious — and keto-friendly.
Jenn Allen is a retired chef turned cookbook author, blogger, and traveler. She lives at home with her family and the cats that rule them all. Get her cookbooks on Amazon, plus find keto recipes, ebooks, and more at Keto Cooking Wins.