20 Delicious Low-Carb Recipes That’ll Actually Fill You Up
Low on carbs, high on flavor.
There are plenty of reasons to give low-carb meals a try: Maybe you're looking to lose weight, experiment with a gluten-free or keto diet, manage your blood sugar levels or eat healthier. But no diet is sustainable if the meals aren't satisfying and delicious in addition to fitting within your nutrition goals. Enter: low-carb recipes that don't skimp on flavor and easily fit into your weekly meal rotation. Learn about the simple swaps that can make your go-to dinners carb-friendly, or find new recipes that naturally contain only a small amount of the macro. All of these recipes contain 15 grams of carbs or less and plenty of flavor. Ahead, you'll find crunchy veggie salads, juicy marinated meats, cozy stews and soups plus more tasty, healthy dinners.
Quick caveat: Lowering your total carb count is not the be-all, end-all of a healthier diet. Foods with carbohydrates are not inherently unhealthy (we need carbs to survive, after all). Legumes, lentils, potatoes and rice, for example, contain carbs in addition to important nutrients that are incredibly beneficial to our bodies. It's more important to nix low-quality carbohydrate sources, such as refined grains and foods with added sugars, and focus on adding in nutrient-rich low-carb foods like fruit, veggies and proteins. TLDR: low-carb eating can simply mean more of everything else, from plants to protein to powerhouse flavors.
Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
Lettuce wraps are more than just low-carb: They also offer a hit of fresh flavor to balance out fiery spices — and irresistible crunch.
Get the Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Wraps recipe.
RELATED: 28 Healthy and Delicious Ways to Eat All the Shrimp
Sheet Pan Asparagus Frittata
Bake this showstopper for brunch, serve it for dinner alongside a fresh salad or enjoy leftovers stuffed into a low-carb wrap. What can't this frittata do?
Get the Sheet Pan Asparagus Frittata recipe.
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Spicy Miso Chicken with Cauliflower Rice
Pulse up cauliflower florets to mimic the texture of white rice. Trust us, it pairs just as well with bites of deeply savory chicken.
Get the Spicy Chicken Miso Stir-Fry recipe.
RELATED: 60 Healthy Chicken Recipes Perfect for an Easy Weeknight Dinner
Steak with Pickled Veggies
Bright and punchy flavors, like thinly-sliced and quick-pickled beets, help balance the richness of juicy steak.
Get the Steak with Pickled Veggies recipe.
RELATED: 83 Steak Recipes That Make Dinner at Home Feel Extra Fancy
Pork Chops with Bloody Mary Tomato Salad
This vibrant main takes a cue from the brunch cocktail for a flavorful Worcestershire-Tabasco salad dressing.
Savory Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Lettuce wraps really let the tangy flavor of the cilantro-lime turkey shine. Gild the lily with a drizzle of Sriracha.
Get the Savory Turkey Lettuce Wraps recipe.
Halloumi and Eggplant Salad
Hearty cooked lentils and squeaky halloumi cheese make this satisfying enough for a vegetarian main.
Get the Halloumi and Eggplant Salad recipe.
RECIPES: 55 Healthy Vegetarian Recipes You’ll Absolutely Love
Grilled Lamb and Artichoke Kebabs
Store-bought marinated artichoke hearts come in clutch for meal prep. Just pop 'em on a stick and grill to smoky perfection.
Balsamic Chicken Caprese
Tangy balsamic vinegar and melty mozzarella cheese provide plenty of flavor and heft — few carbs required.
Get the Balsamic Chicken Caprese recipe.
Chorizo-Stuffed Zucchini
Hollow out zucchini and roast for a tasty, edible "bowl" for this cheesy chorizo mixture.
Get the Chorizo-Stuffed Zucchini recipe.
Tomato-Poached Cod with Olives and Capers
You'll want to slurp up every last drop of the lemony tomato broth spiked with a delicious, dry rosé.
Vegetarian Antipasto Salad
Looking for a salad that isn't, well, sad? Loaded with chickpeas, mozzarella balls and lots of fresh herbs, this one's your winner.
Get the Vegetarian Antipasto Salad recipe.
RELATED: 37 Delicious Healthy Salads That Are Fresh and Filling
Seared Steak with Apple Salad and Horseradish Vinaigrette
Give simply seared steak an instant boost with prepared horseradish — it's spicy, tangy and tasty.
Get the Seared Steak With Apple Salad and Horseradish Vinaigrette recipe.
Garam Masala Roasted Chicken and Cauliflower
Hearty veggies like crisp, roasted cauliflower are a great stand-in for more carb-heavy picks like potatoes.
Get the Garam Masala Roasted Chicken and Cauliflower recipe.
Gingery Spring Soup
This warm, restorative soup is surprisingly high in protein thanks to cubes of meltingly tender silken tofu.
Get the Gingery Spring Soup recipe.
Sesame-Crusted Salmon with Miso-Roasted Radishes
With a burst of umami flavor from white miso, you'd never know this recipe is just five ingredients.
Get the Sesame-Crusted Salmon with Miso-Roasted Radishes recipe.
RELATED: Our Easiest 5-Ingredient Meal Plan
Steak, Peach, and Watercress Salad
Good news: rich, creamy blue cheese is low-carb. And it provides a sharp contrast to sweet peaches.
Snap Pea and Chicken Salad
One way to cut down on carbs? Make sure your main has plenty of texture, so you don't feel the need to reach for a hunk of bread or bag of chips. Crunchy snap peas fit the bill.
Get the Snap Pea and Chicken Salad recipe.
Sheet Pan Fish and Vegetables
Roasting a whole piece of fish may look intimidating, but it's as easy as seasoning and sticking in the oven for about 10 minutes. Really!
Get the Sheet Pan Fish and Vegetables recipe.
Pea and Ricotta Omelets
Loaded with fresh herbs and sweet peas, this simple, elegant omelet is dinner-worthy.
Get the Pea and Ricotta Omelets recipe.
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