Clean keto is a low-carb diet that emphasizes eating high-quality, unprocessed foods. While you can still indulge in butter, cheese, bacon and other delectable treats while on this plan, it’s essential to keep your carb intake low enough to stimulate fat burning.
Dirty keto, on the other hand, doesn’t prioritize food quality and allows you to indulge in fried foods like parmesan-crusted chicken nuggets. While this less restrictive version of keto may help you shed pounds temporarily, it also deprives you of essential nutrients.
One-Pan Italian Chicken and Veggies
Clean keto recipes don’t have to be boring or bland – they can still taste delicious and provide the right balance of fats, proteins, and carbs that helps you maintain a healthy weight while controlling blood sugar levels. The key is keeping carbs low so your body enters into ketosis (ketogenic state), where it burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates.
This one-pan Italian chicken and vegetable recipe is the ideal weeknight dinner! The chicken gets smothered in an irresistible balsamic glaze, while the vegetables provide tons of flavor and fiber.
This recipe is low in carbs and gluten-free, plus it’s super simple to make with only one pan! With such a small pan size, cleaning up afterward is a breeze!
Serve this dish on its own or combine it with rice or potatoes to add some bulk. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated later for a quick dinner.
For a healthier version of this Italian classic, you can omit the meat and add sliced mushrooms or halved Brussels sprouts instead. You could also amp up the flavor by using either store-bought or homemade multi-purpose Italian seasoning mix for some added zest!
This dish is an ideal way to get more veggies into your diet, particularly if you’re on a low-carb plan. To make it even healthier, substitute soy-based nut butter with non-soy based one for added healthy fats and antioxidants! For additional color and flavor, add fresh parsley and balsamic vinegar!
Ginger Chicken Bowl
If you’re on the keto diet and searching for a flavorful yet simple meal to satisfy your palate and keep you full, this ginger chicken bowl could be just what the doctor ordered. It features ground chicken sauteed with ginger and garlic over cauliflower rice with fresh raw carrots and cucumber in an Asian-inspired meal that’s sure to please anyone’s palette.
To prepare this recipe, marinate the chicken in a mixture of root ginger (DO NOT use powdered ginger as it won’t work), garlic and gluten-free soy sauce for about 30 minutes. While the chicken is marinating, whisk together all ingredients for the carrot-ginger dressing – one of my most recent and exciting additions to my kitchen cupboard!
Once the chicken has finished cooking, drizzle some carrot-ginger dressing onto your plate and pour it on top of the meat for an eye-catching presentation and fun way to enjoy dinner!
This calorie-conscious recipe for a nutritious and keto friendly stir-fry is ideal for any meal of the day. Plus, if you’re in need of quick meal prep, this dish makes an ideal meal prep item!
Mizkan’s Organic Rice Vinegar adds an irresistibly tangy, sweet and slightly tart flavor to this recipe. Crafted from only the best organic gluten-free rice grown in Japan, this vinegar makes an excellent ingredient to have on hand for creating many delectable dishes.
This ginger-infused chicken dish is an easy recipe that anyone can make, no matter their busy schedule. It makes a great dinner to prepare ahead of time so you just need to pop it in the oven when ready. Plus, it makes an excellent lunch when packed in a low carb container!
Halibut and Zoodles
Halibut is an ideal fish to add to your keto meal plan since it’s low in carbohydrates and packed with protein. Plus, its high omega-3 fatty acid content makes it a perfect addition to any keto meal plan.
Halibut is an ideal protein choice for those on the keto diet, and Keto Pots offers this delicious recipe featuring seared Pacific halibut in a light lemon butter sauce to complement its delicate flavor.
Halibut is served with zucchini noodles, an excellent substitute for pasta when you’re looking to cut back on carbs. Tossed together with fresh Italian parsley and sweet summer tomatoes, this dish comes together quickly, easily, and with great flavor.
This quick tilapia dish can be prepared quickly and easily using an air fryer, making it perfect for busy weeknights or weekends when you want a simple meal that requires minimal cleanup. Plus, this gluten-free, low carb recipe is keto friendly as well as Whole30 friendly – making it the ideal recipe!
On the keto diet, you can enjoy a tilapia bowl topped with lemon garlic slaw – an easy and delicious side dish perfect for any meal. Packed full of fresh herbs and spices, this salad makes an excellent accompaniment to any fish or shrimp recipe.
Another recipe for halibut uses smoked halibut, which is an excellent way to add some smokey flavors to your keto meal. Plus, it’s perfect for those who want to avoid deep-fried food since it’s baked instead of fried.
Alaska Seafood’s spicy halibut bowl is the perfect appetizer for parties. It doesn’t take much time to make and its blackened seasoning and sriracha sauce add a nice kick of heat.
You can make this recipe for dinner as it’s an incredibly easy and delicious meal that can be served with any vegetable or rice of your choice. Top the halibut off with grilled vegetables or go for a more classic approach by serving it alongside a hamburger. No matter how you serve it – on its own or alongside other dishes – your next dinner party is sure to be a hit!
Bacon and Eggs
Bacon and eggs make for a quick and satisfying keto breakfast recipe. The protein-packed combination of bacon and eggs provides plenty of energy while increasing your daily fat intake. It’s the perfect way to kickstart your morning!
You can even meal-prep this delectable recipe for a hectic week or last-minute need, then simply heat and serve when needed. It makes an especially lovely brunch option on special occasions like Mother’s Day or Easter.
This low carb breakfast recipe relies on using compliant bacon, which is free from nitrates and nitrites as well as added sugar. You can find various low-carb bacon options at most grocery stores.
These bacon egg cups are a healthy, low-carb keto breakfast recipe that can be tailored with your favorite veggies, meats and cheeses. Perfect for serving on a slow Saturday or doubleing and baking for a family-friendly Sunday breakfast – they make for an easy morning!
Egg cups make excellent meal-prep options, as they bake up quickly and easily. Enjoy these egg cups with some fruit like bananas or apples for a nutritious, low-carb breakfast that’s sure to fill you up!
These bacon egg muffins are perfect for anyone on or off the keto diet, offering a delicious treat that will keep you feeling satisfied and full until lunch. This recipe can be easily customized with different ingredients to serve up to 6 people.
Another option is to use the dough from this recipe as a base for cheese and bacon roll-up, which takes no time to prepare. Simply roll out into six triangles, fill with soft scrambled eggs mixture and cooked bacon, then tightly roll up and bake.
This is one of the simplest ways to cook bacon while on a keto diet, making it great for meal-prepping as you can prepare ahead of time for your next breakfast. For an even healthier option, add slices of avocado and fresh chives to the dough before rolling it up – guaranteed deliciousness!
