25 Delicious Keto Sides to Round Out a Low-Carb Meal
We have delicious vegetable options for any steak, chicken, or lamb main.
Eating your way through the keto diet can often feel like a whole bunch of heavy, cheese-covered and butter-loaded mains. Figuring out how to complement these fat-forward dishes with something keto-approved to balance it out can be tricky. After all, any major sources of carbohydrates are completely off the menu: no bread, a restricted list of crunchy, cruciferous veggies, and sauces or dressings that contain elevated amounts of sugar are also a no-go. You'll need to know which kinds of veggies you can eat without compromising your daily intake of carbs, plus ways to soothe any gnawing desires for bread, rice, or pasta without breaking your diet.
You'll either jump for joy or be less than enthused to hear this, but many of the best keto side dishes are loaded with fats that you are already eating. Bacon is a must-have, and avocado is another common thread among these keto-friendly sides. These keto staples tend to make they're way into sautés, casseroles, and sheet-pan-baked vegetable medleys that can help meaty entrées feel more balanced than ever. You'll find plenty of cauliflower in this round up, alongside zucchini, bell peppers, asparagus, broccoli, green beans, and brussels sprouts, which are a keto-favorite for their super-low carb counts.
Pairing your favorite meals with any of these super satisfying keto side dishes can help you break out of a keto rut. Keep in mind that you'll have to work these dishes down to maintain ketosis; they're meant to be enjoyed as sides and not as mains! Follow along as we highlight our favorite ways to sneak lighter fare into the keto diet.
Keto Pesto Zucchini Noodles
This pesto sauce is a sneaky way to pack in even more veggies into your dinner; it's made with fresh kale. Nutritional yeast gives it a cheesy vibe without actually turning to (even more) cheese.
Herby Red Potato Salad
Bring this dreamy, creamy red potato salad to your next summer party and it might just outshine the main grilling recipes on the table.
Buffalo Chicken Cobb Salad
The classic wing flavors pair up with lettuce, tomatoes, and eggs, all dressed up in a classic spin of buttermilk ranch dressing. Looking to up your ratios? Add 1 ounce of crumbled blue cheese to each serving.
Lemony Brussels Sprout Salad
Pro tip: You can eat Brussels sprouts raw if they're super thin. Try this super refreshing dish as a side to any meal, as it features water-packed romaine lettuce as well.
Nutty Green Beans and Asparagus With Bacon
Shallots and lemon add a zesty note to these hearty veggies, while chopped pecans come with a punch of earthy warmth to round out your bite.
RELATED: How to Make the Best Asparagus Ever
Get the recipe for Nutty Green Beans and Asparagus With Bacon »
Asparagus With Eggs Mimosa
Bright green asparagus gets fancied up with a shower of grated egg and lemon zest to create springtime on a plate. You can prepare the asparagus, dressing, and eggs ahead of time — just dress at the last minute to keep the colors vibrant.
Cheesy Keto Mashed Cauliflower
Dying for some spuds? Thanks to a hefty amount of butter, cream, and cheese, this low-carb alternative almost tastes like the real deal. You can top with different sauces, too.
Keto Brussels Sprout Casserole
Since they're so flavorful on their own, you only need four ingredients to make this superfast keto side. Bacon, cream, swiss cheese, and fresh sprouts come together in the oven in 35 minutes.
Sautéed Crispy Zucchini
Have five minutes? Cut up fresh zucchini and toss it into a pan with butter; they'll get extra crispy in no time at all. Drizzle cheese and fresh pepper on top for a simple side to accompany any meaty main.
Cauliflower "Popcorn"
You can add an extra layer of delightfully crunchy texture to any meal with this quick side of fried cauliflower. You can customize it with your favorite spice blend or one that complements what you're already serving as a main.
Sautéed Spinach and Garlic
You can swap in baby kale or Swiss chard leaves. For some heat, add red pepper flakes with the garlic.
Brussels Sprouts With Heaps of Bacon
Slab bacon is much different than traditional bacon; it's chewier and more robust, which pairs well with crisp Brussels sprouts. A spritz of balsamic vinegar seals the deal on this flavorful side.
Garlicky Green Beans
While we sourced three different varieties here, plain ole' green beans are just fine. In a pinch, caramelizing them in a hot sheet pan with garlic and Parmesan cheese is the way to go: you can have them ready to eat in 20 minutes flat.
Wilted Kale Salad
Hearty good-for-you greens get rich flavor from sautéed bacon and onion, plus a sprinkling of tangy goat cheese. Add meaty mushrooms for extra oomph.
Tapas Salad
Manchego cheese and cured chorizo star in this keto-friendly Spanish sampler. Chorizo is a delicious cousin to classic bacon, after all!
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
We love how sharp cheddar and mild mozzarella balance each other out in this creamy sauce, but you can totally swap in gruyere or creamy goat. Don't forget the mustard powder!
Creamed Brussels Sprouts
Parmesan, fontina, yogurt, and mayo come together to create an irresistibly creamy base for this veggie casserole. While it calls for Fontina cheese, developers also tested it with gruyere and white cheddar, too.
Shrimp, Avocado, and Egg Chopped Salad
While you can't go too crazy on the tomatoes, this is a beautifully balanced salad to begin with. If you're already eating protein for your entrée, try skipping the shrimp here.
Spaghetti Squash and Chickpea Sauté
This is a true treat for anyone on the keto diet — normally, chickpeas are off the menu as they're high in carbs, as is spaghetti squash. If you've had a relatively good day on your diet, splurging on this faux pasta won't ruin your efforts (just don't have seconds!).
Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin
If you're already tight on your day's worth of carbs, swap whole milk in this recipe for heavy cream. It'll help thicken the gruyere cheese coating anyway.
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