19 Best Keto Recipes For Beginners That Taste Heavenly (2024)

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by Laura Grande

updated February 4, 2022

Scroll through your social media feed and it’s only a matter of time before your eye catches an article extolling the virtues of the ketogenic diet. It’s undeniable that the eating plan (keto, for short) has taken the world by storm. Feeling a little lost? It’s essentially a high-fat, low-carb dietary regime that results in a sharp departure from foods many are accustomed to eating (bid farewell to bread and most fruits!). The end goal is to get your body into a natural metabolic state of ketosis – meaning it doesn’t have enough carbs for energy so it burns fat instead. Although this can be a daunting task for some, eschewing carbs doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to tasty, scrumptious meals. From creamy smoothies and decadent pancakes to mouth-watering breaded chicken cutlets, it’s easier to maintain a keto diet than you might think.

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Food Network Kitchens Keto Mint Chip Breakfast Smoothie.

1/19

Keto Mint Chip Breakfast Smoothie

It would be easy to confuse this smoothie for a glass of, well, mint chocolate chip ice cream. It’s the perfect – and not to mention simple – option for a quick breakfast or snack on-the-go. Find more keto-friendly snacks that are simple to make.

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2/19

Keto Breakfast Casserole

Ease into your new keto diet with this simple, scrumptious breakfast gem that is big enough to feed a crowd. We guarantee your guests won’t be able to resist such a colourful, flavour-packed casserole.

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3/19

The Best Keto Protein Bar Recipe That Totally Beats Store-Bought

Going keto doesn’t have to mean forgoing foods that satisfy your sweet tooth. Loaded with peanuts, peanut butter, eggs and butter, this decadent protein bar is better than anything you’d find in a grocery store. So go ahead and fill up on these keto-friendly proteins and fats. We’ve also got more wholesome recipes packed with healthy fats to keep you full.

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4/19

Keto Egg Cups

You can’t truly go keto without cracking some eggs – and this delicious and portable recipe is as great a place as any to get started on your new diet. Bonus: it tastes incredible at room temperature, making it the perfect on-the-go snack or lunch.

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Food Network Kitchens Keto Cinnamon Bun Muffins.

5/19

Keto Cinnamon Bun Muffins

Following a keto diet plan doesn’t mean discarding the comforting flavours (and scents) of cinnamon buns. Indulge in these guilt-free muffins that you can enjoy for breakfast, dessert or a light snack.

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Food Network Kitchen’s Keto Baked Eggs Florentine for NEW FNK, as seen on Food Network.

6/19

Keto Baked Eggs Florentine

Once you’ve gotten more comfortable with prepping keto meals, try upping your brunch game with this decadent baked egg dish that will leave your guests drooling and asking for more.

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Food Network Kitchens Keto Pancakes.

7/19

Keto Pancakes

They don’t call it the most important meal of the day for nothing! Satisfy your breakfast cravings with these keto-friendly nutty flapjacks, made with almond and coconut flours, coconut milk, chopped macadamia nuts and more.

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8/19

Keto Tuna Salad Cups Are a Seriously Satisfying Snack

This tuna-salad-meets-BLT mashup will become a lunch staple in your household in no time. Don’t forget to sprinkle scallions, bacon and eggs on top for some added hearty, crispy crunch!

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Food Network Kitchens Keto Pizza Snacks.

9/19

Keto Pizza Snacks

Cheese lovers can rejoice in the fact that they can still indulge in their favourite dairy product, even while strictly adhering to the keto diet. That’s right, there’s no need to miss out on pizza night when you get together with friends thanks to this pie’s cheesy, low-carb crust.

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Food Network Kitchens Keto Breaded Chicken Cutlet.

10/19

Keto Breaded Chicken Cutlets

We’ll bet you thought you couldn’t enjoy some of your favourite comfort foods while on a keto diet. Think again! These low-carb chicken cutlets will definitely satisfy your craving for fried chicken.

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11/19

Instant Pot Keto Chili

Whip out your Instant Pot and whip up this hearty, meaty and well-rounded chili with a slow-simmer taste. You’ll be reaching for seconds before you’ve even finished the first bowl. Don’t eat meat? Try one of these vegan keto dinner ideas that are anything but basic.

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Food Network

12/19

Instant Pot Keto Mediterranean Chicken

Give your Instant Pot a workout with yet another satisfying keto-friendly recipe you can whip up in just over an hour. Enjoy the rich Mediterranean flavours of olive oil, briny olives and creamy Greek yogurt with this hearty chicken dish. It serves four, so expect plenty of leftovers.

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13/19

The Keto Kung Pao Chicken Recipe That is Better Than Takeout

Whether you’re a keto follower or not, this scrumptious chicken dish will satisfy protein lovers and healthy veggie seekers alike. For more inspiration, try one of these keto chicken recipes for dinner tonight.

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Copyright © 2019 Jeanine Donofrio. Photography by Jeanine Donofrio, Christopher Broe, and Jack Mathews. Published by Penguin Canada, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher. All rights reserved.

14/19

Cauliflower Steaks with Lemon Salsa Verde

Cauliflower is so versatile, and this keto-friendly recipe uses the entire vegetable from floret to core. It’s a warm, hearty dish that boasts a vibrant pop of colour thanks to the preserved lemon salsa verde on top.

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15/19

Zucchini Noodles With Spinach Pesto is a Yummy Weeknight Dinner

This simple vegan spinach pesto recipe can be paired with traditional noodles or enjoyed with fresh zucchini noodles for a healthy alternative. It’s perfect for those hectic weeknights or one of your first forays into cooking keto-friendly meals.

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Food Network Kitchens Keto Mexican Chocolate Cookies.

16/19

Keto Mexican Chocolate Cookies

Add a little spice to your life! Cinnamon and cayenne add a hint of heat to these decadent Mexican chocolate cookies that even those not following a keto diet will love.

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17/19

Keto Almond Shortbread Cookies

In this instant dessert classic, almonds join forces with luscious cream cheese and butter to create the base of these mouth-watering keto-friendly and gluten-free cookies.

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18/19

A Scrumptious Keto Cheesecake

Creamy, tangy and slightly sweet – yup, this fluffy cheesecake recipe is hard to resist. Who doesn’t love a good, keto-friendly dessert to indulge their sweet tooth?

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19/19

These Chocolate Avocado Keto Cookies Are Healthy Enough for Breakfast

A delicious – and healthy! – breakfast cookie that is the ultimate grab-and-go morning meal. These keto-powered treats contain only 3.2 net grams of carbs, along with a secret weapon ingredient: avocado. You can also try one of these creative and tasty ways to eat avocados (that don’t involve toast).

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19 Best Keto Recipes For Beginners That Taste Heavenly (2024)

FAQs

What is the best first meal for keto? ›

What to eat in the first week of your keto diet
  • Breakfast: You can fry two eggs in butter and serve them with sauteed greens of your choice.
  • Lunch: Go with a bunless burger and top it with vegetables of your choice (mushrooms, tomatoes, or peppers) and some cheese and avocado.
Jun 15, 2022

What is extremely lazy keto? ›

A lazy keto diet consists of low-carb foods like meat, fish, full-fat dairy and non-starchy vegetables, but limits high-carb foods such as bread, potatoes, sugary snacks and some fruits. If you've tried the keto before and found it too tedious, lazy keto could be a good compromise.

What is lady lazy keto? ›

A lazy keto diet only requires someone to limit their carbohydrates to 10% or less of their daily calories. This approach means that a person does not need to track their fat and protein intake. Some people use keto diets to lose weight or reduce their body fat.

What is dirty keto? ›

Dirty keto diet is a type of ketogenic diet that is high in ultra processed foods (fast foods), artificial ingredients, and pre-packaged foods. Unlike traditional keto diet or clean keto, it has no regard for the quality of food consumed, as long as it fits into the dieter's daily macros.

What should I eat first in the morning on keto? ›

Top your protein-packed plain yogurt with some keto-friendly granola and a small bit of fruit for a breakfast treat. Avoid carb-heavy fruits such as apples and bananas, and stick to a small sampling of low-carb choices such as blackberries, raspberries, and star fruit.

What foods to avoid when starting keto? ›

Keto No-Go - What Can You Not Eat On Keto?
  • On a ketogenic diet, you should avoid high-carb foods like grains, sugars, and some fruits. ...
  • - Grains: Rice, wheat, oats, barley, rye, quinoa, buckwheat, etc.
  • - Starchy Vegetables: Potatoes, peas, sweet potatoes, yams, corn, cassava, artichoke, etc.
Apr 3, 2023

Why do I feel so awful on keto? ›

Your body's response to entering ketosis can often mimic symptoms of the flu, thus the name “keto flu.” Essentially, you're feeling the symptoms of withdrawal from carbs. Your body burns carbohydrates (glucose) for energy by default so switching to a fat-burning process confuses your body.

What happens if you eat keto but not in ketosis? ›

Without getting into true ketosis, dieters risk ingesting an enormous amount of fat—and potentially a lot of saturated fat, if you're eating animal meat—without any of the fat-burning effects of ketosis. “The fat is the thing that's problematic for a lot of people on keto,” Fung says.

Can I eat as much as I want on keto? ›

While it's true that the keto diet involves eating lots of protein and fat with very limited carbohydrates, it doesn't mean you can eat in infinite quantities. Like any diet, its success depends on you achieving a calorie deficit.

What can you drink on lazy keto? ›

Keto-friendly alcoholic drinks

Wine and light varieties of beer are also relatively low in carbs — usually containing under 6 grams (g) per serving. Pure alcohol like rum, vodka, gin, tequila, and whiskey contains no carbs. In addition, wine, light beer, and some co*cktails can be relatively low in carbs.

What foods to avoid on lazy keto? ›

What should you avoid on the lazy keto diet?
  • High-carb foods: Bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and sugary snacks.
  • Starchy vegetables: Potatoes, yams, corn (including corn based foods) and peas.
  • High-sugar fruits: Apples, bananas, oranges, peaches and melons.
  • Processed foods: Pre-packaged snacks, fast food and sugary desserts.
Aug 6, 2023

How long did it take you to lose 100 pounds on keto? ›

Faraday said she lost just over 100 pounds in one year on a "lazy keto" diet and since then has been slowly introducing carbs back into her diet while still losing weight.

Is peanut butter dirty keto? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

Is bacon clean keto? ›

Can You Eat Bacon On a Keto Diet? While you may not think of bacon as diet food, most types of bacon fit perfectly into a keto diet plan since they're low in carbs yet high in protein and fat. That means bacon is perfect for snacking on in the afternoon or mixing into your chicken dinner dish for some extra flavoring.

Is cream cheese dirty keto? ›

Cream Cheese

This is a keto favorite, thanks to its nutritional profile: Per the USDA, 1 oz contains 84 calories, 8 g of fat, 1 g of carbs, and 2 g of protein. That means it's a great addition to a meal or snack when you need more fat.

What is the best fast to start keto? ›

A 72-hour fast, or fasting for three consecutive days without any food intake, can help your body enter a state of ketosis. Ketosis is a metabolic state in which your body burns stored fat for energy instead of glucose from carbohydrates.

What should I eat the first 2 weeks of a low carb diet? ›

To kickstart your low-carb diet, focus on foods that are low in carbohydrates. Non-starchy vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats (like olive oil), and fat yoghurt pea milk should be your primary sources of nutrition.

Where do you lose weight first with keto? ›

However, it has been reported that keto diet weight loss can cause more belly fat loss than a standard low-fat diet. One study found that people following a very low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet lost more fat in the trunk area than those following a low-fat diet.

How do I maximize my weight loss on keto? ›

To maximize weight loss on a ketogenic diet, get adequate sleep, reduce stress, be more active and consume whole, nutritious, low-carb foods whenever possible.

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