Jump into keto with these quick starter meals!
Everyone knows about keto diets. If you haven’t been living under a rock for the last 10 years, you’ve probably at least heard about keto. If you haven’t, or you have but just don’t really know the details, go ahead and check that out right here.
Regardless, keto is wildly popular and while once thought of as a trendy fad diet has proven itself a mainstay in the weight loss world and is attracting thousands of new people every year. The biggest issue for newcomers, as with any diet, really, is how to practically implement your new nutrition! It’s easy to read about all the benefits and what foods are okay and what foods aren’t, but applying that knowledge to your every day eating habits is tough.
That’s where we come in! This is a short, simple list of 5 delicious keto-friendly recipes that are easy to prepare and perfect for beginners!
1. Balsamic Chicken
⏰ Total Time: 30 Minutes
🍴 Makes: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
Directions
🍴 Step 1
Whisk together all ingredients except chicken. In a bowl, toss chicken with 1/3 cup vinegar mixture; let stand 10 minutes.
🍴 Step 2
Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat until a thermometer reads 170°, 6-8 minutes per side. Drizzle with remaining vinegar mixture before serving.
2. Zucchini Crust Pizza
⏰ Total Time: 45 minutes
🍴 Makes: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 cups shredded zucchini (about 1-1/2 medium), squeezed dry
- 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
Toppings
- 1 jar (12 ounces) roasted sweet red peppers, julienned
- 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced turkey pepperoni
Directions
🍴 Step 1
Preheat oven to 450°. Mix the first 8 ingredients; transfer to a 12-in. pizza pan coated generously with cooking spray. Spread mixture to an 11-in. circle.
🍴Step 2
Bake until light golden brown, 13-16 minutes. Reduce oven setting to 400°. Add toppings. Bake until cheese is melted, 10-12 minutes longer.
3. Naked Fish Tacos
⏰ Total Time: 25 minutes
🍴 Makes: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup coleslaw mix
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 green onion, sliced
- 1 teaspoon chopped seeded jalapeno pepper
- 4 teaspoons canola oil, divided
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper, divided
- 2 tilapia fillets (6 ounces each)
- 1/2 medium ripe avocado, peeled and sliced
Directions
🍴 Step 1
Place the first 4 ingredients in a bowl; toss with 2 teaspoons oil, lime juice, cumin, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Refrigerate until serving.
🍴 Step 2
Pat fillets dry with paper towels; sprinkle with the remaining salt and pepper. In a large nonstick skillet, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat; cook tilapia until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork, 3-4 minutes per side. Top with slaw and avocado.
4. Asparagus-Mushroom Frittata
⏰ Total Time: 45 minutes
🍴 Makes: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 8 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 package (8 ounces) frozen asparagus spears, thawed
- 1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup finely chopped sweet red or green pepper
- 1/4 cup sliced baby portobello mushrooms
Directions
🍴 Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, ricotta cheese, lemon juice, salt and pepper. In a 10-in. ovenproof skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add asparagus, onion, red pepper and mushrooms; cook and stir 6-8 minutes or until onion and pepper are tender.
🍴 Step 2
Remove from heat; remove asparagus from skillet. Reserve eight spears; cut remaining asparagus into 2-in. pieces. Return cut asparagus to skillet; stir in egg mixture. Arrange reserved asparagus spears over eggs to resemble spokes of a wheel.
🍴 Step 3
Bake, uncovered, 20-25 minutes or until eggs are completely set. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut into wedges.
5. Denver Omelette Salad
⏰ Total Time: 25 minutes
🍴 Makes: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1-1/2 cups chopped fully cooked ham
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 small green pepper, chopped
- 4 large eggs
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
🍴 Step 1
Arrange spinach and tomatoes on a platter; set aside. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ham, onion and green pepper; saute until ham is heated through and vegetables are tender, 5-7 minutes. Spoon over spinach and tomatoes.
🍴 Step 2
In same skillet, heat remaining olive oil over medium heat. Break eggs, 1 at a time, into a small cup, then gently slide into skillet. Immediately reduce heat to low; season with salt and pepper. To prepare sunny-side up eggs, cover pan and cook until whites are completely set and yolks thicken but are not hard. Top salad with fried eggs.
So that’s just about it for these super tasty and super easy keto-friendly recipes. They all take under an hour to make including prep time and are so delicious you really won’t believe they’re keto! If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions don’t hesitate to use the comments section or drop us an email!
