21 low-carb recipes that make a big deal out of the basics

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Basic doesn’t have to mean boring, and these 21 low-carb recipes prove it by making simple meals feel like a big deal. They keep things easy without slipping into the usual bland dinner trap. Perfect for nights when you want something quick that still hits the spot. Honestly, they do more with less—and somehow make it work every time.

A rectangular plate with Mediterranean Cod placed on a lemon-patterned cloth. A vine of cherry tomatoes is beside the plate.
Mediterranean Cod. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Horiatiki Salad

A black bowl contains a Horiatiki salad with blocks of feta cheese, garnished with herbs.
Horiatiki Salad. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

You know you’ve hit a gold mine of flavors when a salad requires no lettuce. What stands out is its reliance on the crunch of fresh vegetables, creating a meal that’s both refreshing and filling. Horiatiki Salad is a classic, weaving simplicity with boldness in every bite without the need for any heavy dressings. It’s a testament to how less can indeed be more.
Get the Recipe: Horiatiki Salad

Vintage Chicken Divan

Two cast-iron skillets filled with vintage chicken divan and a fork dishing up one serving.
Vintage Chicken Divan. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

Sometimes comfort comes in a casserole dish, warm and ready to bring back memories. It’s a dish that proves the power of a good bake, making Vintage Chicken Divan a family legend. The pleasure lies in its layers that seamlessly blend to create a taste that’s both familiar and welcome any day of the week. No frills, just home-cooked goodness.
Get the Recipe: Vintage Chicken Divan

Sautéed Beet Greens with Pancetta

Sauteed Beet Greens with Pancetta on a white plate.
Sautéed Beet Greens with Pancetta. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

Many overlook the tops of beets, but in them lies a gem waiting to be discovered. Sauteed to perfection, they find their true pairing with the crispness of pancetta. Sautéed Beet Greens with Pancetta shines as a humble side dish with an unexpectedly robust profile, bridging the gap between nutritious and downright delicious.
Get the Recipe: Sautéed Beet Greens with Pancetta

Oven Baked Ribs

Oven-baked ribs with onion and garlic on top served on a white rectangular plate.
Oven Baked Ribs. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

It’s all about the slow roast and the joy of anticipation as the aroma fills the kitchen. When you want a testament to patience, Oven Baked Ribs provide a mouthwatering reward. These ribs champion a back-to-basics approach, showcasing how time and technique can take even the simplest ingredients to the next level and create something special.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Ribs

Creamy Radish Salad

A bowl of Creamy Radish Salad garnished with dill, with a spoon lifting a portion above the bowl.
Creamy Radish Salad. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

Crunch meets cream in this twist on a salad that’s as intriguing as it is deeply fulfilling. With a texture that pops and a flavor that sticks, Creamy Radish Salad turns a commonly overlooked vegetable into a star. This dish invites you to rethink what a salad can be, promising a refreshingly new experience.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Radish Salad

Garlic Butter Steak Bites Escargot-Style

Garlic Butter Steak Bites Escargot-Style dish in a round ceramic plate with cooked snails topped with herbs and butter sauce, and slices of bread on a wooden board.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites Escargot-Style. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

Bite-sized and bursting with flavor, these morsels redefine indulgence. Inspired by a French classic, these Garlic Butter Steak Bites Escargot-Style are a testament to the magic that happens when simplicity meets extravagance. This is for those moments when you want something extraordinary without the wait.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Steak Bites Escargot-Style

Tom Kha Soup

A bowl of Tom Kha Soup with green herbs, and a slice of lime.
Tom Kha Soup. Photo credit: Gimme Soup.

Coziness can be spooned out of a bowl, especially when it’s filled with a soup that’s been comforting souls for ages. Brimming with heartiness, Tom Kha Soup hails from a tradition where every ingredient sings in a harmonious blend, proving that comfort food transcends borders. It’s a spoonful of home, no matter where you are.
Get the Recipe: Tom Kha Soup

Authentic Hungarian Goulash

Hungarian Goulash in two white bowls.
Authentic Hungarian Goulash. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Venture into the heart of comfort food with a dish that’s a hug in a bowl. Authentic Hungarian Goulash has long been a bastion of homestyle cooking, inviting you to sit back and enjoy the warmth. This dish doesn’t just feed your body; it soothes your soul with every rich and hearty spoonful.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Hungarian Goulash

Mediterranean Chicken Bake

Mediterranean Chicken Bake with herbs, cheese and tomatoes in a platter.
Mediterranean Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Bringing the warmth of the Mediterranean into your kitchen, this dish is all about the bake that makes the flavors sing together. Mediterranean Chicken Bake is a swan song to simplicity, combining wholesome ingredients in a dance that’s as pleasing to the palate as it is to the eye. It’s like a sunny day on a plate.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken Bake

Beef Barbacoa

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

Tender meat that effortlessly pulls apart with a fork and a flavor that lingers long after the plate is clean. Beef Barbacoa is slow-cooked splendor, a testament to the art of low and slow. It welcomes you to gather around the table and shares the moment, filling the room with more than just its irresistible aroma.
Get the Recipe: Beef Barbacoa

Old Fashioned Ham Salad

Ham Salad with dill pickle on a plate.
Old Fashioned Ham Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Sometimes the old ways are indeed the best ways, and this dish is a nod to a timeless classic that still stands tall today. Old Fashioned Ham Salad unites simple, wholesome ingredients for a result that’s anything but ordinary. It’s the perfect spread for any special occasion that calls for a touch of warm nostalgia.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Ham Salad

Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs in a bowl.
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Who says you need to sacrifice health for convenience? These little spheres of joy prove that quick can also be wholesome. Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs come together in a snap, offering a delicious solution that’s both lean and mean. A meal that shows how modern methods can create timeless tastes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

Mexican Cauliflower Rice

A plate of Mexican Cauliflower Rice garnished with cilantro, served with a lime wedge. Fresh tomatoes and cilantro are visible in the background.
Mexican Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Gone are the days when cauliflower played second fiddle on the vegetable roster. Transformed into something unexpectedly enjoyable, Mexican Cauliflower Rice puts a new spin on a classic side. It’s a celebration of flavor in every forkful, showing off the versatility of one of the garden’s quiet achievers.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Cauliflower Rice

Beef Goulash

Beef stew in a white bowl with a fork.
Beef Goulash. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Cozy up with a bowl of Beef Goulash for a hearty and deeply fulfilling meal. This comforting stew is rich in flavors and perfect for any day. Simple ingredients and traditional cooking methods highlight the dish’s authenticity. A classic choice that never goes out of style, providing warmth in every spoonful.
Get the Recipe: Beef Goulash

Shirazi Salad

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

Freshness has a name, and it’s found in a salad that encapsulates the brightness of a garden in bloom. With a crunch in every bite, Shirazi Salad is a celebration of freshness and simplicity, whisking you away to a place of vibrant flavors without fuss. It’s the breath of fresh air that any meal can welcome.
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.

Cheat days are more frequent with Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu, without straying from your low-carb plan. It’s an updated take on a favorite, using modern cooking methods to keep it light. Tasty and simple, making an old classic fit your new lifestyle. Great for when you’re craving something familiar.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Southern Ham Salad

A bowl of Southern ham salad and a plate of croissants on a wooden table.
Southern Ham Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

In the world of comfort foods, there’s always room for a Southern touch. Southern Ham Salad brings a homestyle favorite right to your kitchen, blending time-honored flavors that are best shared with friends and family. It’s the dish that’s always welcome at the table, no matter the occasion.
Get the Recipe: Southern Ham Salad

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.

When palates crave something deeply flavorful and fulfilling, there’s a traditional stew that answers the call. Birria de Res is a hearty invitation to indulge in a dish that humbly boasts a long tradition of pleasing discerning palates. It’s a meal that wraps comfort around each delicious spoonful like a warm embrace.
Get the Recipe: Birria de Res

Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers

Five cooked Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers served on a white rectangular dish, garnished with chopped herbs.
Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Let the slow cooker work its magic, and what emerges is a dish brimming with flavors that have been given time to meld and mingle. Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers showcase a play of textures and tastes, proving that great meals can be both effortless and extraordinary. A perfect example of set-it-and-forget-it cuisine.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers

Kefta Beef Kabobs

Kefta Beef Kabobs stacked on a white platter.
Kefta Beef Kabobs. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

A fantastic journey awaits with skewers that promise much more than just meat-on-a-stick. Kefta Beef Kabobs are all about the allure of grilled goodness, offering a simple yet profound pleasure that only comes from cooking over an open flame. A dish best enjoyed under the sky, shared with good company.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Beef Kabobs

Mediterranean Cod

A rectangular plate with Mediterranean Cod placed on a lemon-patterned cloth. A vine of cherry tomatoes is beside the plate.
Mediterranean Cod. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Seafood enthusiasts, rejoice for a dish that brings the ocean’s bounty right to your table with minimal effort but maximum reward. Mediterranean Cod is a light yet flavorful choice that combines the sea’s subtle tastes with a hint of the Mediterranean’s best. It’s the sort of meal that makes any day feel a little brighter.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cod

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