11 Low-Carb No-Cook Dinners for a Healthy, Refreshing Evening (2024)

  • Healthy Recipes
  • Healthy Mealtime Recipes
  • Healthy Dinner Recipes
  • Low-Carb Dinner Recipes

By

Danielle DeAngelis

11 Low-Carb No-Cook Dinners for a Healthy, Refreshing Evening (1)

Danielle DeAngelis

Danielle DeAngelis is a journalist and Associate News & Trending Editor for EatingWell. Her current beat is focused on food and health news as well as exclusive celebrity features, regularly interviewing the top names of today’s entertainment industry. She previous worked as the 2022-23 fellow and as an assistant editor for the brand. Her passion for reading, writing and eating local all guide her in her position at EatingWell.

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Published on July 5, 2022

Reviewed by Dietitian

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

11 Low-Carb No-Cook Dinners for a Healthy, Refreshing Evening (2)

Reviewed by DietitianJessica Ball, M.S., RD

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, is nutrition editor for EatingWell. She is a registered dietitian with a master's in food, nutrition and sustainability. In addition toEatingWell, her work has appeared inFood & Wine,Real Simple,Parents,Better Homes and GardensandMyRecipes.

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On hot summer days, try one of these healthy and refreshing dinner recipes. No stovetop or oven cooking is required, so you'll be able to keep cool while preparing a delicious and simple meal. Plus, all of these dinners have no more than 15 carbohydrates per serving to make it easy to reach your nutrition goals. Recipes like our Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad and Salmon-Stuffed Avocados are packed with crucial nutrients like fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals to help you follow a healthy low-carb eating pattern.

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Shrimp Cobb Salad with Dijon Dressing

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11 Low-Carb No-Cook Dinners for a Healthy, Refreshing Evening (4)

We've replaced chicken with shrimp in this delicious and easy spin on the classic Cobb salad. This satisfying salad takes just 20 minutes to make, so it's perfect for weeknight dinners, but it's elegant enough to serve to guests.

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Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad

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Avocado makes an exceptionally creamy and healthful dressing for this chicken salad. A bit of ranch dressing with pickled jalapeño adds a tangy spin to the lunchtime classic. Serve it on a slice of whole-wheat toast for an open-face sandwich or in a lettuce cup for a low-carb lunch.

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Chopped Power Salad with Chicken

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Enjoy this filling and colorful salad for lunch or dinner. The dressing gets made in the same bowl that the salad is tossed in, so the greens absorb every bit of flavor.

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Salmon-Stuffed Avocados

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Canned salmon is a valuable pantry staple and a practical way to include heart-healthy omega-3-rich fish in your diet. Here, we combine it with avocados in an easy no-cook meal.

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Spinach & Strawberry Meal-Prep Salad

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One of our most popular salad recipes, Spinach-Strawberry Salad with Feta & Walnuts (see Associated Recipes), gets a makeover in these simple yet totally satisfying meal-prep spinach salad bowls. They require minimal prep and can be customized to your taste. Swap in roasted salmon for the chicken thighs, and almonds or pecans for the walnuts, and use any fresh berry that looks good at your market.

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Broccoli Salad with Bacon

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Classic broccoli salad, the perfect dish for a potluck, is updated with cauliflower, bacon and a sprinkle of crunchy sunflower seeds in this so-easy recipe that's sure to be a new picnic favorite.

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Meal-Prep Turkey Cobb Salad

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Cubed deli turkey takes the place of chicken, while Cheddar replaces blue cheese in this easy Cobb-inspired salad. The protein-rich turkey and cheese, plus eggs and bacon, gives the salad staying power, so you won't get hungry an hour after you eat. Feel free to swap out the turkey for cooked chicken or chickpeas to mix things up. Serve the salad right away or pack it up in individual containers and you'll be set for lunch for days.

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Chicken, Brussels Sprouts & Mushroom Salad

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Shaving the vegetables for this easy salad recipe makes them deliciously tender-crisp without having to cook anything and helps them stand up to the bright homemade vinaigrette and salty Parmesan cheese.

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Cucumber Turkey Sub Sandwich

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When you're craving a sub but you don't want all the carbs, these turkey-and-cheese deli sandwiches on cucumber rolls are a healthy alternative. Hollow out a cucumber and fill it up with your favorite sandwich fillings for a crisp sub with less carbs and calories. Plus, you can easily pack these up for work, school or a picnic--no soggy bread!

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Raw Vegan Zoodles with Romesco

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Trying out a raw vegan diet or just looking for an easy no-cook recipe? This spiralized zucchini noodle dinner with red pepper sauce is refreshing, satisfying and oh-so-delicious! Plus, it couldn't be easier to make. Just whir up the 5-ingredient sauce in your food processor or blender, toss and serve!

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Classic Dill Chicken Salad

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We lightened up the creamy dressing in this healthy chicken salad recipe with a combo of mayonnaise and plain Greek yogurt. Dill, grapes, celery and walnuts make up this classic chicken salad but feel free to experiment with your favorite fruit, vegetables and herbs. Serve it open-face on toasted bread or scoop it on top of fresh salad greens.

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11 Low-Carb No-Cook Dinners for a Healthy, Refreshing Evening (2024)

FAQs

What foods are filling but low in carbs? ›

Meat, eggs, and seafood are low in carbs. You can also eat certain vegetables, including broccoli and eggplant, as well as fruit, such as avocado and apricots, on a low carb diet.

How can I eat low carb if I don't cook? ›

15 Low Carb Meal Ideas for Eating Out
  1. Salads. Salads are a great low carb staple and can be found just about anywhere. ...
  2. Stir Fry. Stir fry is an excellent way to load up on low carb veggies and protein. ...
  3. Ceviche. ...
  4. Sashimi. ...
  5. Grilled Meat and Veggies. ...
  6. Kebabs. ...
  7. Rotisserie Chicken. ...
  8. Steak.
Apr 21, 2023

What is an example of a low carb meal? ›

Examples of low-carb foods include: meat and poultry. fish. nonstarchy vegetables, including leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage.

What is a low carb fruit for low cholesterol? ›

Cantaloupe. Every 100 grams of cantaloupe you eat will cost you only about 8 grams of carbs. That's a little less than one cup, or a large wedge. Cantaloupe is also cholesterol-free, low in sodium, high in vitamins A and C, and a good source of folate.

What foods are basically no carbs? ›

Food and drinks allowed on a no-carb diet include meat, fish, eggs, cheese, butter, oils, water, and plain coffee or tea.

What is the most filling low carb snack? ›

36 tasty, low-carb foods that will keep you full and satisfied
  • Avocado. A whole avocado has about 15 grams of carbs, but you're unlikely to eat the entire thing in one sitting, so it's more realistic that you'll get 4 or 5 carbs in one meal or snack. ...
  • Broccoli. ...
  • Coconut oil. ...
  • Eggplant. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Grapefruit. ...
  • Greek yogurt. ...
  • Green beans.

Can you give me a list of low-carb foods? ›

Non-starchy vegetables: spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, tomatoes. Lower carb fruits: oranges, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries. Nuts and seeds: almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, pistachios. High-fat dairy: cheese, butter, heavy cream, Greek yogurt.

What is the most filling food on keto? ›

13 of the best keto foods that keep you full
  • Mushrooms are a very filling vegetable. ...
  • Sauerkraut is rich in filling fiber. ...
  • Coconut yogurt can promote satiation. ...
  • Green pesto has an amazing fiber content. ...
  • Sardines are incredibly healthy. ...
  • Add eggs to your diet . ...
  • Make sure you are consuming full-fat dairy.
Oct 9, 2018

What meals are carb free? ›

21+ Delicious, Nutritious, and Easy No Carb Meals
  • Roasted Paprika Turkey Wings. Roasted Paprika Turkey Wings. ...
  • Easy One Pan Garlic Dill Lemon Baked Salmon. Easy One Pan Garlic Dill Lemon Baked Salmon. ...
  • Keto Pork Chops. ...
  • Keto Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings. ...
  • Mustard Roast Beef. ...
  • Rosemary Lamb. ...
  • Pepperoni Chips. ...
  • Lettuce Steak Wraps.
Oct 12, 2023

What are cheap low-carb foods? ›

The Basics of Low Carb Eating on a Budget
  • Eggs: An affordable powerhouse of nutrition.
  • Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, and lettuce are low in carbs and great for the wallet.
  • Nuts and Seeds: Perfect for snacking or adding crunch to salads.
  • Legumes: In moderation, certain beans and lentils can fit into a low-carb plan.
Dec 5, 2023

What happens if I eat no carbs for a month? ›

Severe carb limits can cause your body to break down fat into ketones for energy. This is called ketosis. Ketosis can cause side effects such as bad breath, headache, fatigue and weakness.

What is the number one fruit to fight cholesterol? ›

Apples. Apples are the most nutritious, healthy, and tasty fruit. You must have heard the common saying 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away'. Apples can effectively help in lowering your blood cholesterol levels naturally, as it is rich in polyphenols.

What are 4 foods to avoid in a low cholesterol diet? ›

High intake of foods containing unhealthy fats (saturated fats and trans fats) – such as fatty meats and deli-style meats, butter, cream, ice cream, coconut oil, palm oil and most deep-fried takeaway foods and commercially baked products (such as pies, biscuits, buns and pastries).

How to feel full without eating carbs? ›

Focus on high protein foods

If you're a fan of carbs but still trying to cut back, one of the best ways of keeping yourself satisfied is to focus on high protein foods. Protein has been shown to help increase satiety, which means it helps you feel fuller longer. It may also help you eat less throughout the day ( 37 ).

How to make low carb more filling? ›

If you get hungry between meals, here are some healthy, easy-to-prepare, low carb snacks that can fill you up:
  1. a piece of fruit.
  2. Greek yogurt.
  3. one or two hard-boiled eggs.
  4. baby carrots.
  5. leftovers from the previous night.
  6. a handful of nuts.
  7. some cheese and meat.
Dec 13, 2023

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