Looking for delicious low-carb keto side dishes? I’ve got you covered! These 20 easy recipes will keep your meals interesting without kicking you out of ketosis.
20 Easy Keto Side Dishes That Are Low-Carb and Delicious
1. Keto Grilled Asparagus
I love the simplicity of this dish. The lemon and spices really bring out the flavors of the asparagus, and you can never go wrong with Parmesan cheese. While this recipe calls for garlic powder, you can easily use fresh garlic for a zestier flavor. The whole thing is cooked and ready to eat in 30 minutes or less.
2. Garlic and Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a staple in the keto diet, and there are so many ways to prepare it. I adore this recipe because it’s full of flavor, thanks to the fresh garlic, paprika and Parmesan cheese. It’s easy to prepare, too. Just roast the spiced cauliflower on a baking sheet, and add the cheese during the last few minutes of cooking.
3. Shredded Brussels Sprouts
This is one of the simplest keto side dishes I’ve tried, but the flavor is unbelievable. Even if you’re not usually a fan of Brussels sprouts, I’d be willing to bet that you’ll love this recipe. Shredded sprouts tossed with bacon grease, butter, garlic and red pepper flakes – you really can’t go wrong. The balsamic reduction is optional, but I recommend adding it.
4. Miso Butter Roasted Cabbage Wedges
Cabbage is a healthy and delicious keto-friendly vegetable, but it’s not always easy to find delicious ways to prepare it. This recipe is an exception! Miso paste adds an umami flavor, and breadcrumbs add a little crunch.
I recommend using white miso because the flavor is a little milder. Top it all off with fresh parsley and you have a unique side dish that works for any meal.
Related: 25 Easy Keto Bowls to Meal Prep that are Perfect for Weight Loss
5. Skillet Butter and Garlic Mushrooms with Cauliflower
Mushrooms and cauliflower come together in this buttery dish topped with fresh thyme and parsley. I love that this dish is cooked in a skillet, so it takes no time at all to prepare. In 15 minutes or less, you’re ready to eat. I prefer baby bella mushrooms for this recipe, but you can use whatever you want. To save time, use frozen cauliflower florets.
6. Roasted Radishes with Garlic Browned Butter
Roasted radishes may just be my new favorite thing. And this recipe adds tons of flavor, thanks to the garlic browned butter. Lemon zest, thyme sprigs and freshly cracked pepper round things out to create a side dish that pairs well with any main dish you want to serve. Just roast the radishes in the oven for 30 minutes, prepare the brown butter and toss with the radishes before serving.
7. Garlic Bacon Broccoli Skillet
This low-carb side dish combines minced broccoli florets with crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, onion, olive oil, fresh herbs and garlic. Chopping the florets into small bites makes this dish easier to eat and quicker to cook. The cheese adds a creaminess and brings out the bacon’s flavor. Don’t forget to top this dish with more fresh parsley to give it an extra kick of flavor before serving.
8. Keto Creamed Spinach
A simple creamed spinach recipe that’s easy to make and delicious. All you need are a handful of ingredients: baby spinach, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, diced onion, garlic and butter. Cook in a deep skillet, and work the spinach in batches to make this dish more manageable to prepare.
The whole thing is ready to eat in just 10-20 minutes, depending on how you like your spinach cooked.
9. Creamy Brussels Sprouts
This is one of my favorite keto side dishes when I’m craving comfort food. Brussels sprouts cooked in a creamy sauce with Dijon mustard, bacon, nutmeg, chives, cheese and cream cheese. It’s a hearty dish, which makes it perfect for fall and winter. While the ingredient list is a little lengthy, this recipe is easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy.
The author of this recipe even shares a video on how to prepare this dish step by step.
10. The Best Fried Cabbage
Who knew fried cabbage could be so delicious? What I love most about this recipe is that I almost always have all of the ingredients on hand. Along with cabbage, you’ll need bacon, onion, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt and paprika. The smoked paprika adds tons of flavor, so don’t skip this ingredient.
I recommend using a cabbage shredder when preparing this dish. It will save you tons of time and frustration.
11. Cauliflower Rice Risotto
Craving risotto? This recipe uses cauliflower instead of rice, so you can enjoy this delicious dish without worrying about falling off track. You’ll need a head of cauliflower, butter, shallots, heavy cream, Parm cheese, garlic and a few other simple ingredients. You’ll also need a food processor to rice the cauliflower.
Make sure that you follow each step carefully. Just like traditional risotto, you’ll need to add ingredients slowly over time to get just the right texture and flavor.
12. Crispy Baked Keto Zucchini Fries
These zucchini fries are extra-crispy and taste just as good as the real deal. You’ll toss zucchini sticks in Parmesan cheese and coat in a Cajun-spiced egg mixture before frying.
Take the time to dry out the zucchini a little before cooking this dish. The drier the zucchini, the crispier these fries will be. You can also try cooking them in an air fryer instead of the oven if you wish.
Related: Best 7 Days Keto Diet Plan to Kickstart Your Diet
13. Creamy Garlic Parm Broccoli with Bacon
Twenty-five minutes and a cast iron skillet are all you need to make this loaded keto broccoli. You’ll start by washing all of your broccoli and chopping it up. Boil the broccoli until tender and cook up the rest of the ingredients in a skillet, except your bacon.
Cook on low until the sauce thickens, then add your broccoli to the sauce and mix well.
Top with bacon crumbles and you’re done. You can also crisp the crumbles by placing the skillet in the oven for a few minutes.
14. Garlic Cheddar Drop Biscuits
If you don’t mind baking, you’ll appreciate the freshness of this recipe. You’ll use almond flour, baking powder, eggs and sour cream for this dish. Garlic powder is added for taste, along with shredded cheddar cheese.
Kids will also love this recipe – I know I do.
Perfect as a dinner roll, you can make these biscuits in as little as 22 minutes.
15. Keto Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is always one of my go-to keto side dishes, and is it any wonder when you have a tasty cheese sauce, bacon and cauliflower? You’ll make the sauce in a sauce pan with milk, cream cheese, shredded cheddar, shredded mozzarella, salt, pepper, herbs and chili powder.
And while the recipe is simple to follow, the author goes the extra mile by recommending a bunch of substitutes, such as:
- Different cheeses you can try
- Spice blends
- Toppings
16. Roasted Garlic Parmesan Carrots
Thirty minutes is all it takes to make these delightful garlic-roasted carrots. And you only need a handful of ingredients to make this dish:
- Carrots
- Butter
- Minced garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley
To make this dish, you’ll simply mix all of the ingredients together, place them on a baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Preparing the carrots will take the most time.
17. Spaghetti Squash Alfredo
If you like Alfredo and want to try a dish that incorporates it and is just as delicious, you’ll love this recipe. You’ll need spaghetti squash, olive oil, spices, garlic, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, nutmeg and fresh parsley.
And the recipe is as simple as cutting the spaghetti squash in half, scooping out the seeds and then baking on a baking sheet for 40 minutes. Don’t forget to add salt and pepper and to drizzle the olive oil on the squash before baking.
While everything is roasting, you’ll make your Alfredo sauce and mix it with the squash strands when they’re done.
18. Twice Baked Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash is one of my fave keto side dishes and it’s simple to make with just seven main ingredients:
- Spaghetti squash
- Butter
- Parmesan
- Garlic
- Crumbled basil
- Salt and pepper
- Provolone cheese (or mozzarella)
Related: 23 Low Carb Lunch Ideas You Can Meal Prep
19. Cheesy Baked Brussels Sprouts
Rich and creamy, these baked Brussels sprouts are perfect even if you have a picky eater because the cream is delightful. You’ll start by adding your Brussels sprouts to a pot and boiling for five minutes.
While the sprouts are boiling, you’ll want to mix your cheddar cheese, cream cheese, salt and pepper, garlic powder and heavy cream together.
Combine the ingredients together and toss well. Put everything in a baking dish and then bake until it’s bubbly and golden.
20. Keto Potato Salad
Potato salad is a dish that doesn’t include cauliflower – can you believe it? And what I really like about Little Pine Kitchen (the recipe’s author) is that they also include a great recipe that allows you to nix the potatoes and use radishes in their place instead.
Add the radishes in a pot of water, bring to a boil and allow to boil without a lid on until tender, or about 15 minutes.
While the radishes are boiling, combine the dressing ingredients together in a large bowl. Your dressing will consist of eggs, celery, bacon, and scallions. Toss the drained radishes in the dressing until everything is evenly coated.
Allow to chill overnight for the best taste.
