It can be really tough to cut out carbs from your diet – they are all around you, all the time. Restaurants often keep costs down with pasta-heavy-meat-sparse meals, carbs are some of the cheapest foods at the grocery store (if you’re being super conscious of your grocery budget) and let’s face it, even ice cream isn’t safe from the carb content. Ugh.
When you consciously make the decision to cut out carbs or switch to a low-carb diet, it actually becomes pretty simple.
Just like when you make something a habit, start small and manageable. You do not need to cut carbs cold turkey. All you need to do is find ways to lower your carb intake and make a better substitution. Then, as it becomes a habit you will subconsciously be doing it for every meal.
The best way we have found to cut out the carbs is by cooking some quick and easy recipes from the Metabolic Cookbook.
Low Carb Recipes – Breakfast
With store shelves full of grain-based breakfast options, this is probably the toughest low carb meal to get all the carbs out of. But never fear, we’ve got you covered with some healthy low-carb recipes!
Low Carb Pancakes
Found on The Novice Chef
If someone would place this delicious stack of flapjacks in front of me, I would have no clue they were low carb! They look divine! Brunch does not have to be skipped to avoid those carbs anymore.
Broccoli, Ham, and Mozzarella Baked with Eggs
Found on Kalyn’s Kitchen
Nothing beats a casserole on a cold day. Many times those casseroles are filled with carbs! This recipe is great because it can be used for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Try out this low carb recipe from Kalyn over at Kalyn’s Kitchen.
Gluten-Free English Muffins In A Minute
Found on Low Carb Yum
Who doesn’t love a quick, simple breakfast like a toasted bagel or English muffin? You won’t need to give even that up if you’re on a low carb diet — time to dance for joy and shout hallelujah! Use this to make a solid egg breakfast sandwich, or eat it alone for a low carb breakfast without eggs.
Keto Waffles
Found on Ditch The Carbs
Waffles have to be one of the most popular breakfast choices but aren’t traditionally low-carb diet-friendly. Yet here we are, with an incredibly delicious low carb waffle recipe you can make in a snap!
Sausage, Spinach, & Feta Frittata
Found on I Breathe, I’m Hungry
If you’re not a huge fan of eggs but you’re going low-carb, you might want to start liking them a little bit more. You’ll find them in a lot of breakfast recipes for their great nutritional value, high protein content, and ability to make you feel full on a very small volume of food!
Try baking this recipe in a muffin tin to convert it to an easy to reheat grab and go low carb breakfast!
Herb Turkey Egg Wrap
Found on My Life Cookbook
Move over, breakfast burritos…there’s a healthier player in town! If you’re using breakfast as the highlight of your day while dieting, then an easy high protein low carb recipe for weight loss, like this one, is right up your alley. Replace the turkey with ham, if that’s more your thing, and enjoy the filling, fresh flavors of this keto-friendly breakfast burrito!
Squash Hash with Kale and Baked Eggs
Found on Martha Stewart
A lot of people like smoothies and a low carb breakfast smoothie would fit the bill even better! While smoothies are great for on-the-go, sometimes it’s nice to have a sit-down meal, too. Try this green vegetable packed breakfast to start your day off as nutritious as possible!
Low Carb Recipes for Lunch & Dinner
We all know that using dinner leftovers for lunch is a super savvy move. But so is eating low-carb! Any of these low-carb dinner ideas with chicken below can be used for either a satisfying lunch or a filling dinner meal, so get creative while you’re doing your meal prep and do a little mix and match!
Low Carb Recipes – Chicken
Grilled chicken breasts are the best choices of meats when you’re dieting because it is low carb, low fat, and consequently low calorie. But most importantly, it’s also one of the most affordable meats you can buy with all of those excellent qualities!
Garlic Chicken Stir Fry
Found on The Recipe Critic
Ordering Chinese food can be expensive and not healthy. Making an at-home stir-fry can feed that craving while making a healthy, cost-effective option. Add some zero-calorie hot sauce for a low-calorie spicy dish.
Buffalo Ranch Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Found on That Low Carb Life
I’m not drooling; you’re drolling. This is such a flavorful twist on the ever-popular buffalo ranch grilled chicken pasta, but obviously without the pasta! This is one of those low carb foods that’s so good you really won’t ever miss the original!
Easy Mozzarella Chicken (Low-Carb Chicken Parm)
Found on Cafe Delites
I love finding recipes that are so flavorful and similar to the original that you don’t even notice you’re on a low carb diet! This easy version of chicken parm is fast, delicious, and so good for you — in just about 20 minutes you’ll have this quick and easy low carb dinner recipe ready!
Easy Keto Low Carb Pizza Chicken
Found on Sweet C’s Designs
Most of the time when you see a low carb pizza recipe, they use cauliflower on the crust. Would you believe me if I told you this one uses chicken breasts for the crust? Count me in!
Low Carb/Keto Green Chile Chicken
Found on Easy Family Recipes
Being on a diet and still getting dinner on the table in a timely fashion don’t always go together. Having a few good low carb chicken casserole recipes in your back pocket, like this one, are a life-saver! Get everything into a casserole dish and you can practically let dinner cook itself!
Low Carb Chicken Philly Cheesesteak Bowl
Found on Easy Healthy Living
Everyone loves a good Philly cheesesteak sandwich, right? So happy to find a substitute option that doesn’t skimp out on the flavor and magic of the sandwich (but without the carb bloat after)!
Bacon, Cream Cheese, Cheddar Chicken
Found on Julia’s Album
Um, yum. I love how even though this is a low-carb chicken breast recipe, the boneless chicken breast being your best choice, I think this recipe would be just as delicious if you used chicken thighs to save a little bit of money and put a new flavor to this low carb recipe!
Herbed Chicken & Mushrooms
Found on Peace, Love, and Low Carb
Here’s a low carb recipe with chicken thighs, so you know it’s full of flavor even if it’s so simple to make! You could definitely replace the thighs for chicken breasts making this an even better choice as the chicken to top off your next lunch salad!
Chicken Florentine Crepes
Found on Low Carb Maven
These little gems are a great, healthy, low-carb lunch recipe for kids because it feels as cool as a burrito but tastes as amazing as Heaven! These are even made with low-carb crepes, to make sure this fits the low-carb lifestyle!
Keto Chicken Pot Pie
Found on Low Carb With Jennifer
Are you ready for this one? Because this must be the crowning glory of all low-carb chicken breast recipes, being able to recreate a dish so traditionally carb-heavy with a low-carb-friendly version!
Low Carb Recipes – Beef (& More)
Beef is such a versatile meat, especially since there are so many different cuts to choose from! The exceptional protein content makes these recipes a great choice if you’re in need of the best low-carb recipes, to also satisfy a high-protein diet. Any of these low-carb beef recipes are sure to be a hit with your crowd!
Whole 30 “In-N-Out” Style Burger
Found on Brit+Co
Yes, it’s possible to feel like you’re eating restaurant-quality foods even without the carbs! Here’s a nice twist on a lettuce wrap that’s likely to be a big hit at your summer barbeques parties! Add some hot sauce for extra spice.
Layered Taco Salad
Found on Chin Deep
Taco salad is a favorite in our house. So many delicious flavors mixed together, yum! This taco salad is picture-perfect. It is also made in a baking pan so it is perfect to bring a low-carb recipe to a get-together and share the wealth.
Steak Fajita Roll-Ups
Found on Diethood
You will not miss the tortilla wrap for these steak fajitas. I also love the portion sizes of these fajitas. Overindulging in these will not leave you feeling guilty.
Easy Balsamic Glazed Steak Tips and Mushrooms
Found on The Kitchn
Instead of steak and mashed potatoes, change up the mashed potatoes to be mashed cauliflower. Cook up this steak and mushrooms and place them on top of the mashed cauliflower. You will enjoy it just as much, if not better!
Amazing Low Carb Beef Stew
Found on Low Carb Maven
Here is another incredible low carb recipe substitute for a classic favorite dish! We absolute LOVE beef stew in our house, so we can’t wait to try this recipe during stew season!
Low Carb Beef Stroganoff
Found on Ditch The Carbs
We’re on a roll with finding updated classic recipes! Beef stroganoff is often considered a seriously budget-friendly meal. Finding low carb recipes to replace meals which fit that criteria are a great way to keep your diet not only health-conscious but budget-conscious, too!
Low Carb Keto Beef & Broccoli
Found on Food Faith Fitness
Do you know us at all? Then you know we pretty much LIVE for a good beef and broccoli recipe! Simply replace cauliflower rice for its high carb cousin and you’ve got yourself an amazing dinner!
Slow Cooker Pot Beef Short Ribs
Found on Wholesome Yum
I, for one, am all for recipes that are amazingly delicious but are totally a shortcut version of the traditional cooking method. So making BBQ foods in the slow cooker definitely fits that bill!
Easy Baked Sirloin Roast With Herb Rub
Found on Beauty and The Foodie
Is there anything that says “comfort food” more than a moist and tender beef roast with fresh herbs recipe? I’m not sure, but this recipe looks absolutely delicious!
Pizza Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Found on Don’t Go Bacon My Heart
One of the most frequent carbs we LOVE is pizza! Who doesn’t? As you transition into eating low carb recipes, exchange pizza dough for a portobello mushroom. These individual pizzas look delicious and there is no harm in having more than 1 or 2.
Replace the pepperoni with ground beef and taco seasoning to make a quick and easy low carb taco pizza!
Paleo Shepherd’s Pie With Roasted Veggies
Found on Whole New Mom
Yet another classic, low-cost recipe, reinvented! You’re absolutely going to love this flavor-packed recipe. For a fun summer twist, try grilling the veggies instead of roasting them in the oven!
Low Carb Recipes – Fish/Seafood
Choosing to use fish or other seafood as the meat in your meals is a great way to include some of the best low carb recipes for vegetarian eaters into your meal plan!
Whether you’re actually a vegetarian or not, the health benefits of eating fish are irrefutable, so definitely consider adding some of these to your meal plan for this week! These are also excellent options for diabetics!
Salmon & Summer Veggies in Foil
Found on Cooking Classy
Foil dinner recipes are not just for the summer or camping. You can use them all year round. They make baking and cleaning up so easy. This baked salmon low-carb recipe looks so good!
Zucchini Shrimp Scampi
Found on Damn Delicious
For Christmas a few years back we received a Veggie Noodle Maker where we can take a zucchini vegetable and turn it into zucchini noodles. For low-carb recipes, it is perfect to cut out the carbs in pasta and still enjoy our favorite pasta dishes. Give it a try!
Easy Low Carb Baked Fish
Found on Easyhealth Living
This is a nice, simple, delicious, and versatile recipe that makes a great starting point for whatever sides or salads you might choose to pair with it!
Low Carb Oven Fried Fish Fillets
Found on Simply So Healthy
Who needs those carb-heavy, breaded, pre-packaged fish fillets when you can make your own delicious and flavorful version (not to mention healthier) at home instead?
Low Carb Almond Crusted Cod
Found on Heathglen Farm & Kitchen
Here’s a tasty twist on the classic breaded fish — I would have never thought to use almonds as a low carb breadcrumb replacement!
Grilled Shrimp Skewers With Creamy Chili Sauce
Found on Diabetes Strong
Grilling and seafood don’t often go together except for fish. But even then it can be tough to grill since fish can so easily flake apart and be a disaster. Try this shrimp skewer recipe instead, to get your grill on and get your “fish” on!
Veggie Bake with Jalapeno Shrimp
Found on Cotter Crunch
Besides low carb recipes being good for weight loss, spicy foods are also helpful in shedding pounds. You can make this dish as spicy as your tastes would like, and be healthier for it!
Tuna Patties
Found on The Rising Spoon
If beef burgers don’t work for you, but veggie burgers sound awful, then you’ll definitely want to try this middle-of-the-road burger with a delicious flavor all its own! Made with canned tuna, this is incredibly grocery budget-friendly, too!
(Do read the recipe carefully to find the gluten and grain-free substitutes!)
Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Wraps
Found on Diabetes Strong
These wraps are made with a low-carb tortilla, to keep them healthier. You could easily just toss this recipe over a bowl of lettuce to make a fresh salad instead!
Creamy Garlic Shrimp With Parmesan
Found on Cafe Delites
This is an excellent multi-purpose low carb recipe since you could put it into a low-carb wrap for a quick lunch or pair it with any number of sides, such as cauliflower rice or zoodles!
Low Carb Recipes – Meatless
If you’re in need of some seriously budget-friendly low-carb recipes, then cutting the meat out entirely once in a while is a good way to go. Any of these recipes are filling and satisfying so you won’t even notice that you’re “missing” an ingredient!
Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup
Found on Wholesome Yum
If you are lucky enough to live near a Panera Bread, you know how out of this world their broccoli cheese soup is. Get the same experience at home with this cheesy low carb soup.
Vegetarian Black Bean Chili
Found on Martha Stewart
Chili is the perfect food for a winter warm-up or a successful tailgate party! Try this vegetarian option for your next get-together!
Antipasto Kale Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
Found on Sugar-Free Mom
There’s nothing as easy to make meatless as a salad! But sometimes it can be tricky to keep eating them when you’ve been on a diet for a while. This recipe spices things up with some fresh ingredient ideas!
Twice-Baked Spaghetti Squash with Kale, Feta, & Mozzarella
Found on Kalyn’s Kitchen
Move over, twice-baked potatoes, there’s a new recipe in town! This simple dish is absolutely packed full of nutrition, low carb to boot, and sure to be a great addition to your recipe collection!
Oven-Fried Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Ranch Dressing
Found on Sugar-Free Mom
Regular, bone-in chicken wings might be fairly carb-free, but those delicious little boneless “chicken wing bites?” Loaded with carbs, much to the sadness of the world. This recipe is not only meat-free but breading-free (obviously) to make a fantastic and incredibly tasty low-carb recipe for vegetarians!
Mediterranean Zucchini “Pasta”
Found on Peace, Love, and Low Carb
For a seriously exotic dish to spice up your week, you’ll definitely want to give these zucchini noodles a try!
Low Carb Recipes – Desserts
What is life without a little something sweet once in a while? The trouble is, sugar and low carb definitely don’t play nice together! Take a look at these desserts to find one that can fit your tastes AND your diet!
Keto Lemon Bars
Found on Hey Keto Mama
I feel like a lot of people can shy away from lemon-flavored cakes and similar desserts, but if you haven’t tried these, you need to!
Peanut Butter Mousse
Found on All Day I Dream About Food
There are few desserts that are richer than mousse, so being able to have an incredibly delicious dessert without the carbs is an absolute win! Try this rich dessert for your next special occasion!
Edible Cookie Dough
Found on Low Carb with Jennifer
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that the vast majority of pregnant women crave cookie dough during pregnancy. Weird, right?
The trouble is, cookie dough tends to have a TON of sugar, which is not so great for pregnancy — you’re already gaining weight fast and don’t need extra help, you’re more at risk of gestational diabetes, and once you start with sugar and carbs it’s always a downward spiral!
Pregnant women rejoice for these low-carb cookie dough bites!
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Found on The Big Man’s World
While these are definitely a solid dessert recipe, I don’t see why they couldn’t act as a tasty snack too, right? I mean, if we can eat peanut butter with lunch there’s no reason you can’t have it any time of day, especially if it’s in a low-carb form!
Low Carb Cheesecake
Found on My Baking Addiction
Cheesecake is one of those desserts that you either love or you hate. Regardless of the camp you’re in, you’ll going to want to try this lower-sugar and lower carb version and see if it doesn’t quickly become a new favorite dessert!
Keto No Bake Cookies
Found on It’s Simple
You mean to tell me I can have cookies, without the carbs, AND without the oven and extra dishes involved? This sounds like a dream come true, even without this also being a low carb recipe!
Ultimate Chocolate Cake (Gluten-Free & Paleo)
Found on gnom-gnom
Kelan, if I don’t get this cake for my next birthday… (Kidding. Mostly.)
If this isn’t perfection in a pan, I don’t know what is!
BONUS – Low Carb Whole Food Swaps
Found on My Fitness Pal
We love this low carb recipe chart and frequently refer back to it. It’s hard enough to cut out carbs but having a visual alternative makes it much easier. My Fitness Pal is a great website and app that helps you count your calories and lose weight. A little while back, Kelan was able to lose 40lbs using My Fitness Pal and eating healthier options.
