The fat-burning keto diet has a fair number of restrictions—no wheat, no beans, low sugar. But there are still plenty of options out there to put together a well-balanced, filling, and delicious meal. Don’t get stuck in a diet rut! Find inspiration in the variety of dishes below, from veggie bakes to salads to cheesy treats to keto-friendly “bread.”
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Baked Zucchini and Tomatoes With Cheese
For a deliciously easy keto-friendly side dish, combine fresh zucchini and tomato with onion and garlic and top with cheese. Baked until the veggies are tender and the cheese is melty, baked zucchini is excellent alongside beef, chicken, or pork.
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Creamy Mashed Cauliflower and Leeks
Swap carb-loaded potatoes for creamy cauliflower and leeks in this hearty side dish. With the same texture and flavors you want from mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower is a great option if you’re on the keto diet.
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Keto Cornbread
Gluten-free, keto cornbread is made using almond flour and coconut flour. Serve with just about any meal, including a meaty, no-bean chili. Add chopped jalapeño, bacon, or shredded cheese for more flavor.
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Easy Skillet Green Beans and Bacon
Green beans and bacon are a tasty pair, making this a side dish your family will be asking for again and again. Requiring only a few ingredients, and about half an hour of time, skillet green beans are great for weeknights.
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Kale and Cabbage Slaw With Mustard Vinaigrette
Swap the standard coleslaw for a fresh and crunchy kale and cabbage slaw. Instead of a goopy mayo dressing, this slaw is dressed with a mustard vinaigrette. Walnuts add a nice crunch to this slaw.
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Sautéed Broccoli
For a quick and easy green side dish, sauté fresh broccoli with garlic and top with a squeeze of lemon juice. Sautéed broccoli goes great with any meat or fish main dish, and you can swap some of the green veggies for cauliflower or carrots.
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Cauliflower Hashbrowns
If you’re on a keto diet and missing potatoes, make cauliflower hashbrowns. The finely chopped veggie is combined with a little cheese and shaped into patties before being baked in the oven. While they bake, prep the rest of your meal for an easy dinner.
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Grilled Asparagus
Fresh asparagus, especially during their peak in the springtime, need very little to make them delicious. The green spears are perfect for grilling, taking on the smoky flavor while retaining their texture. Make sure you place them on the grill opposite the direction of the grate, so none of the spears fall through.
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Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Cooking sprouts with crispy bacon will win over even serious green vegetable haters. Roasted Brussels sprouts are easy enough for a weeknight but special enough for Thanksgiving dinner.
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Keto Stuffing
Made using keto cornbread, keto stuffing has all of the flavors and texture you want from the classic dish. Serve it with (what else?) roasted turkey and keto gravy for a meal to remember.
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Fontina, Spinach, and Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms
While stuffed mushrooms are a classic appetizer, they also make a perfect side dish for steak or chicken. This gluten and grain-free recipe includes bacon, spinach, and melty fontina cheese.
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Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Just as comforting as macaroni and cheese, cauliflower mac and cheese is totally keto compliant. Roasted cauliflower replaces the noodles, and is bathed in an ultra-creamy, and cheesy sauce before being baked until bubbly.
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Roasted Peppers and Zucchini
A rainbow of peppers and squash are coated in garlic-infused oil and roasted until tender and flavorful for this side dish. You can find all of the ingredients year-round, making roasted peppers and zucchini an easy, anytime dish.
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Creamed Kale
Turn the popular leafy green into a side dish worthy of a steak dinner, by making creamed kale. Swapped for the standard spinach, this recipe has a little more body and might just turn your kids onto the superfood.
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Cloud Bread
While standard wheat bread is out the window on the keto diet, cloud bread is a fun alternative. Made with whipped eggs and cream cheese, the texture is ultra-light and fluffy. Serve as an alternative to rolls or sliced bread.
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Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
Elote is a delicious summer street food that’s especially good served with other Mexican dishes like birria and carne asada. Perfectly cooked ears of corn are slathered with mayo, crema, and cojita cheese, making them a hit of any family meal or barbecue. If you are looking for a little “cheat day” option while still staying generally keto, this is a fun bet.
