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Popular amongst fitness folks, the keto diet is gaining steam amongst athletes of all levels, as a way to burn fat while building muscle. If you’re looking to keep your meals keto-friendly, there are plenty of delicious side dishes to complement your main courses. Here are some great keto side dish ideas to incorporate in your meal planning:
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- 2 2. Zucchini Noodles with Pesto
- 3 3. Creamed Spinach
- 4 4. Garlic Butter Green Beans
- 5 5. Avocado and Tomato Salad
- 6 6. Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
- 7 7. Cheesy Broccoli Casserole
- 8 8. Stuffed Mushrooms
- 9 9. Keto Cauliflower Rice
- 10 10. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
- 11 11. Keto Coleslaw
- 12 12. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Radishes
- 13 13. Eggplant Fries
- 14 14. Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
- 15 15. Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Chips
- 16 16. Baked Feta and Tomato Casserole
- 17 17. Keto Broccoli Tots
- 18 18. Garlic Butter Mushrooms
- 19 19. Spaghetti Squash with Pesto
- 20 20. Keto Jalapeño Poppers
- 21 21. Spinach and Artichoke Dip
- 22 22. Cauliflower Au Gratin
- 23 23. Stuffed Avocados
- 24 24. Crispy Cabbage Steaks
- 25 25. Keto Garlic Breadsticks
- 26 26. Cauliflower Hummus
- 27 27. Zucchini Casserole
1. Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
A low-carb twist on classic comfort food, this dish uses cauliflower florets instead of pasta, and it’s typically made with a creamy cheese sauce. It’s satisfying and perfect with grilled meats or roasted chicken.
2. Zucchini Noodles with Pesto
Zucchini noodles (or “zoodles”) are an excellent pasta substitute. Toss them with a homemade pesto sauce for a fresh and low-carb side dish.
3. Creamed Spinach
Spinach cooked with heavy cream, garlic, and parmesan cheese makes for a rich and creamy side dish that’s keto-friendly and packed with nutrients.
4. Garlic Butter Green Beans
Sauté fresh green beans with butter, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon. You can even sprinkle in some parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
5. Avocado and Tomato Salad
Mix avocado chunks, cherry tomatoes, and red onion with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. It’s a light and refreshing side that’s also high in healthy fats.
6. Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
Wrap a few asparagus spears with bacon and roast them in the oven. The bacon adds a deliciously smoky flavor to the asparagus, making this a savory and satisfying side.
7. Cheesy Broccoli Casserole
Combine steamed broccoli with a cheesy sauce made from cheddar and cream cheese, then bake it until bubbly. This makes a great keto-friendly comfort food dish.
8. Stuffed Mushrooms
Fill mushrooms with a mixture of cream cheese, shredded cheese, and herbs, then bake until golden. These make for a flavorful and low-carb side dish.
9. Keto Cauliflower Rice
Cauliflower rice is a great base for various dishes. Sauté it with some garlic and butter or make a fried rice variation with scrambled eggs, green onions, and soy sauce (or coconut aminos).
10. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast with crispy bacon pieces. It’s a savory side with a slight crunch.
11. Keto Coleslaw
Use a keto-friendly sweetener in place of sugar to make a creamy coleslaw with shredded cabbage, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of mustard.
12. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Radishes
If you miss potatoes, roasted radishes are a great alternative. Toss them with olive oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese, and roast until tender.
13. Eggplant Fries
Cut eggplant into fry shapes, coat with almond flour or grated parmesan, and bake or air-fry until crispy. Serve with a keto-friendly dipping sauce.
14. Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Toss cauliflower florets in a spicy buffalo sauce and bake until crispy. They’re perfect for a flavorful, spicy kick, especially with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing.
15. Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Chips
Slice zucchini into thin rounds, coat them with a mix of parmesan cheese and almond flour, and bake until crispy. These make a great alternative to traditional chips.
16. Baked Feta and Tomato Casserole
Inspired by the popular TikTok trend, this dish involves baking a block of feta cheese with cherry tomatoes and olive oil. You can mix it up with zucchini noodles or roasted cauliflower for a creamy, tangy side.
17. Keto Broccoli Tots
Made with finely chopped broccoli, cheese, and almond flour, these “tater tots” are baked until crispy. They’re a great finger food and can be served with a keto-friendly dipping sauce.
18. Garlic Butter Mushrooms
Sauté whole mushrooms in butter, garlic, and herbs until they’re tender and golden. Mushrooms soak up the flavors beautifully and pair well with any protein.
19. Spaghetti Squash with Pesto
Roast spaghetti squash, then scrape out the strands with a fork. Toss with a keto-friendly basil pesto sauce for a satisfying, pasta-like side dish.
20. Keto Jalapeño Poppers
Halve jalapeños and fill them with a mixture of cream cheese, shredded cheese, and crispy bacon bits. Bake until the cheese is melty and slightly browned.
21. Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Combine chopped spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, and shredded mozzarella for a warm and cheesy dip. Serve it with keto-friendly crackers, pork rinds, or raw veggies.
22. Cauliflower Au Gratin
Thinly slice cauliflower and layer it in a baking dish with cream, cheese, and a touch of garlic. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden for a creamy, indulgent side dish.
23. Stuffed Avocados
Scoop out some of the avocado to create a bowl, and fill it with bacon bits, shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream. You can also add a touch of hot sauce for extra flavor.
24. Crispy Cabbage Steaks
Cut cabbage into thick slices or “steaks,” brush them with olive oil, and season with garlic, salt, and pepper. Roast them in the oven until the edges are crispy and caramelized.
25. Keto Garlic Breadsticks
Use fathead dough (a keto dough made with mozzarella, almond flour, and cream cheese) to make garlic breadsticks. Top with garlic butter and a sprinkle of parmesan for an irresistible side.
26. Cauliflower Hummus
For a dip option, blend steamed cauliflower with tahini, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice to make a creamy cauliflower hummus. Serve it with celery sticks, cucumber slices, or bell peppers.
27. Zucchini Casserole
Layer thin slices of zucchini in a baking dish with marinara sauce and shredded cheese. Top with more cheese and bake until bubbly. It’s like a low-carb lasagna without the pasta!
These keto sides are all versatile, easy to prepare, and packed with flavors to keep your keto meals interesting. Enjoy experimenting with these ideas and pairing them with your favorite keto-friendly mains!
Amine is a Toronto based entrepreneur who is passionate about Fitness, Diet and Health. He is passionate about teaching other entrepreneurs and “office workers” how to stay fit using simple yet effective bodyweight workouts that can be accomplished anywhere.