Mac & cheese, lasagna, pot pie — all keto. Warm Up →
Salads on keto are not sad bowls of lettuce. These 22 recipes range from hearty chicken salads that work as a full meal to classic picnic sides like potato salad and coleslaw. I always have at least one of these prepped in the fridge for quick lunches.
Chicken salads are my go-to lunch. Protein-packed, filling, and they hold up in the fridge for days.
Butter lettuce, red cabbage, almonds, and grilled chicken tossed in a creamy tahini dressing with sesame seeds. Crunchy, fresh, and filling. I make this for lunch at least twice a week.
Crunchy cabbage, edamame, cucumber, and shredded chicken tossed in a peanut sauce with lime and chili. Bold Thai flavors with serious crunch in every bite.
Chopped broccoli, bell pepper, and shredded chicken in a tangy lemon-garlic dressing made with Greek yogurt. I prep this on Sunday and eat it for lunch through Wednesday.
Sliced avocado, hard boiled eggs, romaine, and chicken tossed in an olive oil and sherry vinegar dressing. Five minutes to assemble and it keeps me full all afternoon.
Homemade taco seasoning on ground beef served over lettuce with all the fixings. I drizzle sour cream and salsa over the top. Taco night without the tortillas.
Big salads that serve as a complete meal. Loaded with protein, cheese, and bold dressings.
Kale, sliced apple, prosciutto, and creamy brie tossed with candied pecans and walnuts in an apple cider vinaigrette. The cayenne in the candied nuts gives it a little heat. My fancy fall lunch.
Ham, turkey, Swiss, hard boiled eggs, and fresh vegetables over mixed greens with homemade ranch. Old-school deli salad that doubles as dinner.
Deli turkey, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and pepperoncini over baby spinach and romaine. Everything you want in a sandwich, just without the bread.
The viral Jennifer Aniston salad, but with cauliflower rice instead of bulgur. Lupini beans, pistachios, cucumbers, feta, and fresh herbs. High protein and no lettuce.
Salami, pepperoni, olives, roasted asparagus, and mozzarella over greens with a red wine vinaigrette and a hit of red pepper flakes. Like walking into an Italian deli.
The sides everyone expects at a cookout. Potato salad, macaroni salad, coleslaw, and fruit salad, all made keto.
Roasted radishes in place of potatoes, mixed with hard boiled eggs, mayo, Dijon, and dill pickles. I swear the texture fools everyone. The capers are my own addition.
Keto macaroni noodles tossed in a mayo and sour cream dressing with celery, apple cider vinegar, and a squeeze of lemon. Creamy and tangy, just like the original. I bring this to every cookout.
Cabbage slaw dressed with avocado oil, lime juice, cumin, sliced jalapeno, and fresh cilantro. Bright and punchy. My go-to side for anything coming off the grill.
Four kinds of berries tossed in a sugar-free lime and poppy seed dressing. Ready in five minutes. Light, refreshing, and it rounds out any meal.
Three layers of colored jello, red, white, and green, made with sugar-free gelatin. Retro, fun, and you can make it ahead. The kids always go for this one first.
A keto version of the classic with real low-carb pretzels crushed into the base, a whipped cream cheese layer in the middle, and homemade strawberry gelatin on top. I make the jello from scratch, no box mix.
Simple sides that come together in under 15 minutes. Fresh, bright, and ready to go alongside a main dish.
Tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and torn basil with balsamic vinaigrette. Takes 10 minutes to throw together and goes with everything on the table.
Cucumbers scored accordion-style and marinated in a sesame, soy, and rice vinegar dressing with garlic and red pepper flakes. Spicy, tangy, and addictive.
Baby kale tossed with toasted almonds, shaved parmesan, and a bright lemon-garlic dressing. Massaging the kale with the dressing softens it so it's tender, not chewy.
Raw broccoli and cauliflower florets tossed with cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, mozzarella, and walnuts in an Italian vinaigrette. Crunchy and hearty.
Grilled jalapenos, grilled onion, bacon, and cream cheese all turned into a salad with a smoky dressing. All the flavors of a jalapeno popper without the deep fryer.
Fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, and parmesan blended into a vinaigrette with lemon juice. I make a jar of this every week and it goes on everything from salads to grilled vegetables.