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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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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  • brunch
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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 the easiest way to understand the keto diet? ›

The ketogenic diet is an eating pattern that includes high amounts of fat, low to moderate amounts of protein, and very little carbohydrates. The keto diet is typically rich in foods like butter, cheese, eggs, meat, nuts, oils, seafood, and seeds.

What is lazy keto menu? ›

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 should I eat first in the morning on keto? ›

Eggs are a great keto diet choice, and you can ply yourself with fiber, vitamins, and minerals by eating an omelet with low-carb veggies. Try onions, mushrooms, garlic, spinach, bell pepper, and squash as options.

What is the single best keto food? ›

Meat and poultry

Meat and poultry are considered staple foods on the keto diet. Fresh meat and poultry contain no carbs and are rich in B vitamins and several important minerals. They're also a great source of high quality protein, which may help preserve muscle mass during a very low carb diet ( 18 , 19 , 20).

What are the top 10 keto foods? ›

These are the top 10 keto foods you should include if you're on...
  1. Salmon. Whether wild or farm-raised, salmon is rich in fat, making it an essential ketogenic diet staple. ...
  2. Eggs. This affordable protein and fat source is highly versatile. ...
  3. Cauliflower. ...
  4. Greens. ...
  5. Avocado. ...
  6. Nuts. ...
  7. Olive oil. ...
  8. Zucchini.

What food is not allowed in keto? ›

10 Foods You Can't Eat on the Keto Diet & Their Substitutes
  • Grains and Starches. ...
  • Sugary Foods and Sweets. ...
  • High-Carb Fruits. ...
  • Starchy Vegetables. ...
  • Legumes and Beans. ...
  • Processed Foods with Hidden Carbs. ...
  • Alcohol and co*cktails. ...
  • High-Carb Sauces and Condiments.

What are the golden rules of keto? ›

The basic rules of keto are eating few carbohydrates and emphasizing fat with a moderate intake of protein. In order to be in a state of ketosis, you will likely have to track the amount of carbohydrates you eat by weighing out your food.

Is peanut butter lazy keto? ›

Peanut butter is moderately low in carbs and contains both fiber and healthy fat. Its composition makes peanut butter a balanced food that can be added to keto diets, depending on how it's made.

What is better than keto? ›

Though both the keto diet and Mediterranean diet can both promote weight loss, evidence suggests that the Mediterranean diet is safer, more sustainable, and more effective long-term.

What happens on the first 3 days of keto? ›

In the initial stages of a ketosis diet, people may feel more tired and weaker than usual. This fatigue occurs as the body switches from burning carbohydrates to burning fat for energy. Carbohydrates provide a quicker burst of energy to the body.

What foods to avoid when starting keto? ›

You need to limit your consumption of high-carb foods like: - Grains: Rice, wheat, oats, barley, rye, quinoa, buckwheat, etc. - Starchy Vegetables: Potatoes, peas, sweet potatoes, yams, corn, cassava, artichoke, etc. - Refined Carbs: Bread, pasta, pastries, tortilla, sandwich, etc.

How do I survive my first week of keto? ›

Tips for alleviating mental and physical fogginess during the first few days of keto:
  1. Go super low carb for the first week (no more than 10g of net carbs per day). ...
  2. Start your diet off with an intermittent fast. ...
  3. Use high-intensity exercise and low-intensity exercise strategically.
Jun 1, 2020

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.

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