12 Delicious Low-Carb Recipes That Are Healthy & Easy to Make
You want meals that taste amazing, fill you up, and don’t load you with unnecessary carbs, right? Same here. Low-carb eating doesn’t have to be boring chicken breast and lettuce (yawn). With the right recipes, you can enjoy food that’s satisfying, flavorful, and—dare I say—exciting.
Today, I’m sharing 12 low-carb recipes that I actually love making when I don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen. They’re healthy, super simple, and won’t leave you hungry an hour later. Bonus: they’re all easy enough for beginners, and I’ve added ingredients and instructions for each.
Let’s get cooking!
1. Zucchini Noodles with Pesto & Chicken
When you crave pasta but don’t want the carb crash, zoodles (zucchini noodles) are a lifesaver.
Ingredients:
- 2 medium zucchinis (spiralized)
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, sliced
- 3 tbsp pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet.
- Toss in zucchini noodles and sauté for 2–3 minutes.
- Add chicken and pesto, stir until everything is coated.
- Season with salt and pepper.
Why I love it: It feels like pasta night without the carb hangover.
2. Cauliflower Fried Rice
Who knew cauliflower could step in for rice and still taste incredible?
Ingredients:
- 1 medium head cauliflower (riced in a food processor)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup mixed veggies (carrot, peas, green beans)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 green onions, chopped
Instructions:
- Heat sesame oil in a pan, add riced cauliflower.
- Stir-fry with veggies for 5–7 minutes.
- Push everything to the side, add eggs, scramble them, then mix together.
- Add soy sauce and top with green onions.
Pro tip: Add shrimp or chicken for extra protein.
3. Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Fast, fresh, and crunchy—perfect for work lunches.
Ingredients:
- 8 large lettuce leaves (romaine or butter)
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 2 green onions, chopped
Instructions:
- Cook turkey in sesame oil until browned.
- Add garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Stir for 3 minutes.
- Scoop into lettuce leaves and sprinkle with green onions.
Why it works: All the flavor, none of the carbs from tortillas.
4. Egg Muffins with Veggies
Meal prep gold. These little guys save me on busy mornings.
Ingredients:
- 6 eggs
- ½ cup spinach, chopped
- ½ cup bell peppers, diced
- ½ cup shredded cheese
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Whisk eggs, then stir in veggies and cheese.
- Pour into muffin tin and bake for 20 minutes.
Storage tip: Keep in the fridge for 4 days—grab and go!
5. Keto Taco Bowls
Skip the tortilla, keep the flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning (sugar-free)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- ½ cup salsa
- ½ cup shredded cheddar
- ½ avocado, sliced
Instructions:
- Cook beef with taco seasoning.
- Layer lettuce, beef, salsa, cheese, and avocado in a bowl.
- Add sour cream if you’re feeling extra.
IMO: This beats taco night at a restaurant any day.
6. Garlic Butter Shrimp with Broccoli
Quick, garlicky, and loaded with protein.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Steam broccoli until tender.
- Sauté garlic in butter, then toss in shrimp. Cook 2–3 minutes per side.
- Add broccoli and lemon juice. Stir everything together.
Pro tip: Double the garlic. Always.
7. Caprese Salad with a Twist
Fresh, light, and Instagram-worthy.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup mozzarella balls
- 1 cup spinach or arugula
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper
Instructions:
- Toss everything in a bowl.
- Drizzle olive oil and balsamic glaze.
- Season and serve.
Why it’s awesome: It tastes fancy, but takes 5 minutes flat.
8. Cauliflower Crust Pizza
Pizza night is back, baby!
Ingredients:
- 1 head cauliflower (riced)
- 1 egg
- 1 cup mozzarella
- ½ cup tomato sauce (sugar-free)
- Toppings: pepperoni, veggies, etc.
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Mix cauliflower, egg, and cheese into a dough. Press onto a baking sheet.
- Bake 15 minutes, then add sauce and toppings. Bake another 10 minutes.
Note: It’s not Domino’s, but it’s pretty close. 😉
9. Cucumber & Tuna Salad
Refreshing and protein-packed.
Ingredients:
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 can tuna (in water), drained
- 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Mix tuna, yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Toss with cucumber.
- Chill before serving.
My take: Perfect summer lunch. Light but filling.
10. Baked Salmon with Asparagus
A dinner that looks fancy but is basically zero effort.
Ingredients:
- 2 salmon fillets
- 2 cups asparagus
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt & pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place salmon and asparagus on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle with oil, garlic, and lemon.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes.
Result: Flaky, juicy salmon every time.
11. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
Creamy without mayo overload.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup celery, chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
- 1 tbsp mustard
- Salt & pepper
Instructions:
- Mix yogurt, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in chicken, celery, and onion.
- Serve in lettuce cups or on its own.
Why it’s genius: Lower fat, higher protein, same creamy goodness.
12. Zucchini Lasagna
Low-carb comfort food at its best.
Ingredients:
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced thin lengthwise
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella
- 1 cup marinara sauce (sugar-free)
- Italian herbs
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook beef with marinara sauce.
- Layer zucchini slices, ricotta, beef, and mozzarella in a dish.
- Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.
Final thought: You won’t even miss the noodles.
Why Low-Carb Works (Without Feeling Like a Diet)
Ever notice how eating fewer carbs makes you feel less sluggish? Low-carb recipes work because they cut out empty fillers like bread and pasta, and swap in nutrient-dense foods—protein, veggies, and healthy fats. That combo keeps you full, energized, and less likely to snack later.
Plus, most of these recipes are so flavorful you’ll forget they’re technically “healthy.”
Conclusion
There you have it: 12 delicious low-carb recipes that prove healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring or complicated. From zoodle pasta to cauliflower pizza, these meals show you can enjoy food, stay full, and skip the carb crashes.
So next time you’re stuck wondering, “What low-carb meal should I make?”—bookmark this list, grab your ingredients, and whip up something that’s both easy and mouthwatering.
👉 Which of these recipes are you trying first? Personally, I’m torn between cauliflower fried rice and zucchini lasagn
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