70 Low-Carb Dinners That Don’t Suck, from Juicy Meatballs to Lightning-Fast Stir Fries
If you’ve just started a low-carb diet, more power to you. After all, it might help you lose weight, lower your cholesterol and blood pressure and reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes. But plain chicken breasts and steamed broccoli will only get you so far. When you tire of the usual, add any of these 70 low-carb dinners to your repertoire. With filling meals like coconut curry meatballs, honey mustard salmon and chicken-Brussels sprouts stir fry on the list, you’ll avoid a dinner rut while sticking to your meal plan.
But first, why does your body need carbs in the first place? According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, carbs give your body glucose, which is converted into energy. Carbs can be split into three categories: sugar, starch and fiber. The type of carbohydrates you eat is more significant for your healthy than the amount of them; for instance, whole grains like quinoa and barley are better for you than refined, processed and sugary foods, like white bread, soda and cookies.
Read on for 70 low-carb dinners that are sure to keep you on track, satiated and energized on your meal plan.
55 Low-Carb Lunch Ideas You’ll Actually Be Excited to Eat
1. Chicken and Snap Pea Stir Fry (11g Carbs)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
If you can carve out 20 minutes to slice and dice some veggies, you’ll have a healthy, satisfying dinner on the table faster than you can order takeout. Feel free to add any less-than-perfect produce lurking in your fridge to the mix.
2. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Stuffed Peppers (17g Carbs)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, <500 calories
This isn’t your mother’s chicken salad (no offense, Mom). We’re swapping the mayo for Greek yogurt and sandwich bread for crispy bell peppers. Bonus: They make great meal-prep lunches.
3. 20-Minute Shrimp Scampi Zoodles (16g Carbs)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, <10 ingredients
And you thought sticking to a healthy meal plan was going to be time-consuming. Want to make this dish even easier? Pick up some store-bought zoodles at the store instead of spiralizing them at home.
4. Family Style Chicken Caesar Salad (8g Carbs)
The Minimalist Kitchen
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
Skip the croutons tonight and you’re in for a dish that clocks in at just 8 grams of carbs per serving. With garlic, olives and Worcestershire in the dressing, we promise you won’t miss a thing.
5. Meal-Prep Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles (28g Carbs)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: make ahead, high protein
OK, 28 grams of carbs per serving might seem like a lot (especially compared to others on this list), but that’s for the whole meal. Besides, think about how many carbs a bowl of angel hair would rack up.
6. Chicken Meatballs with Coconut-Herb Sauce (17g Carbs)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: Whole30, low sugar, high protein
We love spaghetti and meatballs, but this low-carb swap might be even better. The meatballs are juicy, tender and flavorful, but won’t put you in a food coma before you have a chance to catch up on your Netflix queue.
7. Bruschetta Chicken (6g Carbs)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: one pan, high protein
Why bother with soggy breading when you can get the chicken crispy all by itself? The secret lies in making sure your skillet is hot enough to get everything well browned before the meat hits the pan.
8. Zoodle Stir Fry (18g Carbs)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
Why do we love stir fries? Their versatility and lightning-fast cook time, for starters. Plus, this take is packed with so many crisp-tender veggies that you won’t miss the rice.
9. Sheet Pan Lemon Butter Veggies and Sausage (18g Carbs)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, sheet pan recipe, <500 calories
A hands-off, low-carb dish that cooks on a single baking sheet? It’s *not* too good to be true. If there are any leftovers, serve them for tomorrow’s lunch.
10. Baked Sesame-Ginger Salmon in Parchment (21g Carbs)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, high protein
Our motto, forever and always? No cleanup, no problem. This 30-minute dish cooks up in parchment parcels, so you won’t even need to scrub a sheet pan.
11. Kung Pao Chicken (17g Carbs)
Stir-Fry
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Why We Love It: one pan, low sugar, low carb, high protein
This takeout favorite uses a single skillet and only requires ten active minutes of your time. Stir fries for president! Feel free to substitute tofu, pork or beef for chicken.
12. Keto Pasta with Lemon-Kale Chicken (9g Carbs)
Dana Carpender/Keto for One
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, keto
Wait, pasta is on your low-carb diet? Yep, and you can thank shirataki noodles. They’re made from yams, high in fiber and low in calories. Win-win-win.
13. Mini Eggplant Pizzas (13g Carbs)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
You’ve heard of cauliflower pizza crust…but what about eggplant pizza crust? Simply slice, top, bake and eat, people. Your kids will love decorating their own.
14. Quiche with Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Crust (13g Carbs)
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, low carb
Ditch the traditional dough crust and you’re in for a low-carb slice of brinner heaven. We’re filling our version with kale, but if you’re in the mood for a fridge cleanout, any green will work.
15. Spicy Stir Fried Chicken and Shredded Brussels Bowls (19g Carbs)
Skinnytaste One and Done
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, low sugar, one pan
Brussels sprouts in a stir fry? Considering the way they get all caramelized and crispy around the edges, we wholeheartedly endorse this decision. And in case you need help shredding them, this is the easiest way.
16. Cauliflower Fried Rice (23g Carbs)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
Oh, cauliflower. What would we do without you? A runny egg will never do you wrong either, especially atop this savory, low-carb spin on a takeout staple.
17. Spicy Lemon-Ginger Chicken Soup (15g Carbs)
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Aran Goyoaga
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, low sugar
One slurp and you’ll never look at canned chicken noodle soup the same way again. Even better, you can customize your bowl with different greens. Try kale or Swiss chard instead of spinach.
18. Everything Chicken Wings (1g Carbs)
Mellissa Sevigny/Squeaky Clean Keto
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: keto, high protein, crowd-pleaser, no sugar
Looking for a Super Bowl recipe to impress? These buttery wings have you covered. Save time by using store-bought everything bagel seasoning instead of blending your own.
19. Warm Ginger-Scallion Pork & Kale Salad (19g Carbs)
Kelsey Preciado/Unbelievabowl Paleo
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <15 minutes, paleo, high protein, gluten free
If you find kale tough to eat raw, sautéing it in honey-ginger dressing will soften it right up, making it easier on your pearly whites and your digestive system. Problem solved.
20. Shrimp with Cauliflower “Grits” and Arugula (13g Carbs)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, beginner-friendly
Yup, we’ll definitely be whipping up those goat cheese-laced grits for breakfast, too. Use store-bought riced cauliflower to cut back on prep time; your dinner guests won't know the difference.
21. 15-Minute Skillet Pepper Steak (12g Carbs)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, one pan
Give us a skillet and we’ll give you a reason to be excited for tonight’s low-carb dinner. This high-protein dish is the easiest way to prepare steak at home. Even newbies can tackle it flawlessly, promise.
22. Gochujang Chicken Stir Fry (22g Carbs)
Stir-Fry
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, low sugar, beginner-friendly
Gochujang, a sticky, spicy-sweet Korean chili paste, is packed with flavor. It’s the key to making this low-effort, quick chicken dish. (Psst: You can find it at any well-stocked grocery store.)
23. Honey-Mustard Sheet Pan Salmon (23g Carbs)
Aubrie Pick/Eat What You Love
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, high protein
This simple sheet pan recipe will convert you into a seafood person (if you aren’t one already, that is). You can do all your prep work while the oven preheats. Serve it with cauliflower rice if you usually pair a grain with salmon.
24. 20-Minute Paleo Egg Roll in a Bowl (8g Carbs)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: gluten free, paleo, low sugar, <30 minutes
All of the eating and none of the assembly? Yes, please. It’s true that everything tastes better in a bowl. Believe it or not, you won't miss the crunchy egg roll wrapper.
25. Zucchini Noodle Pad See Ew (22g Carbs)
Liz Moody/Healthier Together
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: gluten free, high protein, dairy free
This healthy spin on a Thai takeout fave tosses wide zucchini noodles (instead of traditional rice noodles) in a gingery, garlicky sauce you’ll swoon for. Eggs, flank steak and cashews make the dish extra filling.
26. Instant Pot Keto Indian Butter Chicken (6g Carbs)
Leslie Grow/Keto in an Instant
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, keto, Instant Pot recipe
This Indian-inspired delight is packed with protein and flavor, thanks to a blend of warm spices in the coconut cream sauce. Even better, the pressure cooker pulls it off in 20 minutes flat.
27. Salmon with Pesto and Blistered Tomatoes (11g Carbs)
Elizabeth van Lierde/Everyday Entertaining
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, special occasion–worthy, <10 ingredients
You’re only six ingredients and 35 minutes away from this stunning entrée, which calls for easy store-bought pesto. Plate it over greens or cauliflower rice to keep the carbs to a minimum.
28. Tuna Salad with Yogurt, Capers and Za’atar (2g Carbs)
Romas Foord/Sea Salt and Honey
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, make ahead
Creamy Greek yogurt, briny capers and a few pantry staples (like cider vinegar and olive oil) can transform canned tuna into something spectacular enough to serve for dinner. Scoop it up with veggies or spread it on low-carb rolls.
29. Gena Hamshaw’s Caesar Smashed White Beans (22g Carbs)
Ashley McLaughlin/The Vegan Week
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, vegan
Whatever you do, don’t sacrifice flavor in the name of a diet. This plant-based recipe is almost like if Caesar salad and hummus had a very delicious baby. Serve it with lettuce cups to eliminate more carbs.
30. Ina Garten’s Creamy Chicken Thighs with Lemon and Thyme (10g Carbs)
Quentin Bacon/Go-To Dinners
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, high protein, one pan
Ina Garten isn’t known for serving up diet food, but we love that this decadent skillet just so happens to be low-carb friendly. It's also positively packed with protein and fancy enough to serve at a dinner party.
31. Crispy Chickpeas and Scallops with Garlic-Harissa Oil (27g Carbs)
Caitlin Bensel/The Mediterranean Dish
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, special occasion–worthy, one pan, <30 minutes
With crispy chickpeas to soak up all the spicy juices, you won’t even miss that crusty bread for dipping. Serve the scallops with dressed greens or soup if you're craving a side.
32. Lemongrass-Ginger Coconut Grilled Steak (3g Carbs)
Chelsea Kyle/For the Table
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
What’s the secret ingredient to making the tastiest grilled steak ever, you ask? It’s fish sauce. Serve this stunner with a big green salad to make it a complete meal.
33. Honey-Mustard Grilled Chicken with Foil Packet Green Beans (13g Carbs)
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, kid-friendly
This low-carb dinner maximizes the flavor and minimizes the mess, thanks to an ingenious way to cook your veggies without a grill basket. Good looking out, aluminum foil.
34. Spicy, Crunchy Tuna Salad Lettuce Cups (6g Carbs)
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, make ahead, <30 minutes
This is not your deli’s tuna salad—OK, it kinda is, but with a spicy twist from jarred chile crisp. Substitute low-carb wraps, crackers or rolls for lettuce cups if you're craving bread.
35. Leftovers Frittata (13g Carbs)
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: one pan, beginner-friendly, low sugar, <30 minutes
The only thing sadder than tossing past-their-prime leftovers in the bin is reheating them in the microwave and forcing yourself to eat them plain. Enter this epic fridge cleanout frittata that's designed to dinnertime and reduce waste.
36. Mustardy Pork Tenderloin with Grapes and Red Onions (23g Carbs)
Nicole Franzen/To the Last Bite
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, special occasion–worthy, low carb
Pork tenderloin has somehow become synonymous with dry, boring dinners, but it doesn’t have to be that way. As the grapes roast, they turn jammy and saucy alongside the onions and mustard, creating a pan sauce that’s practically irresistible.
37. 15-Minute Herb-Crumbed Fish (3g Carbs)
Kate Sears/The Modern Table
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
Grab any herbs in your fridge (even if they’re wilted), add breadcrumbs or crackers (or potato chips!) and blitz them in the food processor for a delicious and golden herb-crumb fish topping. Voilà, dinner is handled.
38. Hot Honey Chicken Thighs (13g Carbs)
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: one pan, high protein, <10 ingredients
It’s giving “fried chicken” but without all the messy oil and carb-y breading. The secret to making crispy chicken thighs is to start them in a cold pan to slowly render the fat without burning the skin.
49. Summer Vegetable Steak Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing (25g Carbs)
Eva Kolenko/The Modern Proper
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, gluten free
This salad has a trick up its sleeve: It relies on the broiler instead of the grill, so you don’t have to fuss with gas, charcoal or the weather forecast to make dinner. Thanks us later.
40. Bacon Jalapeño Smashburgers (25g Carbs)
Mark Weinberg/I Dream of Dinner
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
There's no need for ketchup, mustard or even buns when there’s bacon involved. The seven-ingredient handhelds call for ground chicken, but just about any protein is fair game on a low-carb diet. Just go easy on the French fries.
41. Garlic-Confit Chicken with Lemon and Thyme (8g Carbs)
Kate Sears/The Modern Table
Time Commitment: 2 hours and 5 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, high protein
Say “confit” and we immediately think food that’s delicious but too fussy to make at home. But this dish defies all assumptions: Most of the cooking is hands off, and the garlic confit can even be prepared ahead of time.
42. Salmon al Pastor (8g Carbs)
Kristen Kilpatrick/The Comfortable Kitchen
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, low sugar, beginner-friendly
It’s time to rethink the ho-hum-yet-healthy salmon dishes you’ve been serving on repeat. This version borrows the flavor of al pastor with warm spices and a sweet-tart pineapple topping. Might we suggest serving it with guacamole and low-carb chips?
43. Easy, Lazy Chicken Soup with Beans and Greens (22g Carbs)
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, gluten free, dairy free
The beans are canned, the greens are swappable and the entire dish is easier to make (and tastier) than grabbing a can opener and downing the store-bought stuff. We won't tell if you use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own, either.
44. Winter Red Cabbage and Apple Soup (21g Carbs)
Issy Croker/One: Pot, Pan, Planet
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, vegan
Cabbage doesn’t get nearly as much love as other vegetables, but this gorgeous, jewel-toned soup can help change that. It’s creamy, bright and fresh all at once. We’ll take extra crème fraîche on ours, please.
45. Alison Roman’s Swordfish with Crushed Olives and Oregano (5g Carbs)
Michael Graydon and Nikole Herriott/Nothing Fancy
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: dairy free, <30 minutes, special occasion–worthy, high protein
Swordfish is ideal for anyone dipping their toes in the seafood waters, because it’s as mild as chicken. This version requires fewer than ten ingredients and comes together in just 30 minutes of your precious time—but looks way more complicated.
46. Seared Scallops with Green Peas, Mint and Shallots (23g Carbs)
Amanda Frederickson/Simple Beautiful Food
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: gluten free, dairy free, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes
Our number one tip for success? Make sure your scallops are super dry before plopping them in a preheated skillet. Otherwise, they’ll never get a gorgeous, golden brown sear (and that’s kind of the best part).
47. Instant Pot Carrot Ginger Soup (17g Carbs)
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: Instant Pot recipe, dairy free, gluten free, <30 minutes
If you want to make this soup vegan, use vegetable stock or water instead of chicken stock. The coconut milk added at the end? It’s optional, but adds a creaminess that we can’t imagine you’d want to pass up.
48. Roasted Tomato Soup (6g Carbs)
Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, gluten free
Stop settling for the bland stuff in a can. Roasting your tomatoes unlocks tons of flavor with very little effort, and it’s the key to making this easy soup (even with out-of-season produce). Grilled cheese on low-carb bread, anyone?
49. Low-Carb Zucchini Enchiladas (26g Carbs)
Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, gluten free, high protein
Say “see ya” to tortillas and swap in thin-sliced zucchini for a low-carb dinner that's about to become a staple at your place. The fillings are flexible, so use whatever is in your fridge. Just don't skip the chicken (or cheese).
50. Keto Instant Pot Greek Cauliflower Rice (6g Carbs)
Leslie Grow/Keto in an Instant
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: low sugar, keto, <30 minutes, Instant Pot recipe
Plain cauliflower rice is just fine, but this Greek version is even better. For one, it’s made in the Instant Pot. And instead of being bland, it’s studded with flavorful bites of olives, feta, herbs and fresh veggies.
51. Vegan Spaghetti Squash with Mushroom Marinara Sauce (25g Carbs)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, gluten free, <10 ingredients
Just because spaghetti squash is a low-carb replacement for pasta doesn’t mean it should pale in comparison. But that also doesn’t mean you should go to the ends of the earth to make a meal. This dinner relies on store-bought staples (like jarred sauce) and flavor bombs (hey, nutritional yeast) to pack a punch.
52. Carrot, Fennel and Miso Soup (24g Carbs)
Aran Goyoaga
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, gluten free
The caramelized vegetables and miso in this soup give it depth of flavor, while the crunchy topping (pumpkin seed-pine nut crunch, to be exact) adds welcome texture. It’s dinnertime magic, we tell you.
53. Bacon-Wrapped Black Cod with Spinach and Capers (7g Carbs)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly
How to make a meal seem instantly more appealing? Wrap it in bacon, of course. It infuses the fish with tons of savory, smoky, salty flavor that's sure to satisfy.
54. Honey Mustard Sheet Pan Chicken with Brussels Sprouts (23g Carbs)
Colin Price/Two Peas & Their Pod
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
If you’re searching for a delicious chicken dish that doesn’t involve roasting for an hour or dirtying up a bunch of pans, this one has your name on it. (Personally, we were sold at “honey mustard,” but the minimal cleanup doesn’t hurt, either.)
55. Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma with Lemon-Tahini Drizzle (11g Carbs)
Kristen Kilpatrick/The Defined Dish
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, crowd-pleaser, high protein
Throw it all on a sheet pan, toss it in the oven and let it cook to perfection while you tend to other important business…whether that’s answering emails, wrangling the kiddos or scrolling TikTok. The creamy tahini drizzle will greet you when you return to the kitchen.
56. Tomato-Poached Cod with Fresh Herbs (19g Carbs)
Patricia Niven/Keeping It Simple
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, <10 ingredients, gluten free
When you want to look fancy and feel good with minimal effort (aka our goal in life), slip this low-carb dinner into your rotation. The recipe calls for canned crushed tomatoes, so you can whip it up year-round.
57. Baked Coconut-Curry Meatballs (7g Carbs)
Tieghan Gerard/Half Baked Harvest Super Simple
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, low carb
Aside from eliminating the need to babysit a skillet on the stovetop, baking the meatballs yields impossibly tender results every time. Don't even get us started on the creamy, dreamy coconut milk sauce. Serve it with cauliflower rice (or a modest amount of brown rice).
58. Perfect Meatballs with Cherry Tomato Sauce (15g Carbs)
What’s Gaby Cooking
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
We’re hesitant to call anything perfect, but if you served these tender meatballs with a side Caesar salad, you’d come close to just that. Even picky kids will have no complaints about this dinnertime staple.
59. Cast Iron Pork Chops with Cacao-Spiced Rub (7g Carbs)
Eric Wolfinger/The Mexican Keto Cookbook
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: keto, high protein, one pan
Cooking a big cut of meat at home can be daunting, but it’s actually pretty simple with a few tips. One, season the meat at least 30 minutes ahead of time, and two, preheat your skillet until it’s sizzling. It makes the difference between a tough chop and one that melts in your mouth.
60. Instant Pot Coconut Salmon with Fresh Herbs and Lime (5g Carbs)
Christopher Testani/Instant Family Meals
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: Instant Pot recipe, <30 minutes, low sugar
Steam-poaching the fish in coconut milk keeps it moist and infuses it with an instant jolt of flavor. To make this a one-pot deal, you can toss in sliced shiitake mushrooms or snap peas with the salmon. How easy is that?
61. One-Pan Lemon Sage Chicken and Cauliflower (12g Carbs)
Lauren Volo/Cauliflower Power
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: one pan, gluten free, high protein, low sugar
A one-pan dinner that’s made with chicken and cauliflower? And it’s low-carb? Be still our hearts. Serve it with low-carb pasta, zoodles or fresh greens.
62. Baked Chicken and Ricotta Meatballs (20g Carbs)
Patricia Niven/Keeping It Simple
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, sheet pan recipe, low sugar
If you end up with leftover meatballs (all bets are off), warm them in broth and toss in some greens at the end for a quick next-day soup. Throw the spare broccolini in too, while you're at it.
63. One-Pan Roasted Chicken with Carrots (24g Carbs)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, sheet pan recipe, high protein
Nothing tastes better than enjoying your dinner without a pile of dirty pots and pans in the sink. Squish all the roasted garlic out onto your chicken and spread it across every inch for a boost of savory flavor.
64. Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas (9g Carbs)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 7 hours and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, make ahead, <10 ingredients
Cooking a pork shoulder in a Crockpot means that you’ll have the juiciest, tenderest filling for tacos without doing a ton of work. Use low-carb tortillas to stick to your healthy meal plan, or use the meat to top a salad.
65. Pistachio-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Apple and Escarole Salad (17g Carbs)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, high protein, sheet pan recipe
Surprise: This elegant main course cooks from start to finish on a single sheet pan. The pistachio crust adds crunchy texture without the need for breadcrumbs. Go ahead and crown it with sugar-free applesauce if you'd like.
66. Chicken Thighs with Pancetta and Green Olives (4g Carbs)
Christopher Hirsheimer/Canal House Cook Something
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: one pan, low sugar, high protein
Don’t be surprised at the directions: The thighs cook for almost 30 minutes undisturbed, which is essential to getting earth-shatteringly crisp skin. The fatty pancetta and punchy olives are just a delicious bonus.
67. Keto Instant Pot Sausage-Kale Soup (20g Carbs)
Leslie Grow/Keto in an Instant
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, Instant Pot recipe, beginner-friendly
Use any type of sausage you prefer (kielbasa, chorizo and Italian sausage are all great choices), and you can easily change the flavor profile of this nourishing soup. Swap Swiss chard, collards or spinach in for kale too, if you'd prefer.
68. Black Pepper Chicken (17g Carbs)
Kristen Kilpatrick/The Defined Dish
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, low sugar, dairy free
Not only is this quick dinner a chance for a crisper drawer cleanout, but it’s also gluten, grain and dairy free, paleo and Whole30-approved. (Oh, and even your kids will ask for a second helping.)
69. Mark Bittman’s Cauliflower “Polenta” with Mushrooms (21g Carbs)
Jim Henkens/How to Cook Everything Fast, Revised Edition
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, <10 ingredients, low sugar, <500 calories
An alternative to polenta, based on super-soft cauliflower, increases your vegetable intake without decreasing your dinnertime pleasure. Try swapping the mushrooms for caramelized zucchini in the summertime.
70. Broccoli Margherita Pizza (11g Carbs)
Con Poulos/Week Light
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: low sugar, <500 calories, vegetarian
As much as we’d love to order in a massive, cheesy pie every night, it’s just not in the cards. But with a few heads of broccoli, we can get one step closer to our dreams. Be generous with the fresh mozz, will ya?
How Many Grams of Carbs Should You Eat in a Day?
Carbs are our main source of fuel, so they should make up 45 to 65 percent of our total daily calories, or 225 to 325 grams per day on a 2,000-calorie diet, according to the Mayo Clinic. In the case of being on a low-carb diet, keeping your intake down to 20 to 57 grams per day is a pretty common restriction. To stay energized for extended periods of time, you should prioritize complex carbs that are rich in fiber. Just be sure to be mindful of portion size if you're on a low-carb diet and always check with a medical professional before starting a new diet plan.
