Category: Sides

Keto Side Dishes

The words “keto diet” may conjure up visions of bacon, butter, and heavy cream, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the delectable food options available to keto dieters.  Most people build their meal plans around main dishes, which makes sense. Main dishes usually provide the bulk of the protein in a given meal, and we all know how critical protein is for maintaining strength and staying healthy now and well into old age. But sides are how you add color, pizzazz, texture, and even more flavor. Steak—delicious. Steak served with a big-ass side salad and crispy roasted broccoli—out of this world.  Without further ado, here are 20 of our favorite side dishes to complete your fabulous, low-carb keto meals. 20 Keto Side Dishes You’ll Love Warm Vegetable Side Dishes 1. Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts Brussels sprouts have experienced a major popularity boost since everyone discovered that they’re actually quite delicious roasted and served with bacon. This recipe adds tangy and sweet balsamic vinaigrette to take the flavor to another level. Get the Recipe 2. Grilled Greek Veggies Customize this easy, flavorful recipe with whatever vegetables you have on hand. It’s great for summer when your garden is producing bounties. Get the Recipe 3. Mushroom and Bacon Risotto Plain cauliflower rice might not be very exciting, but this flavorful mushroom and bacon dish is a total crowd-pleaser. Get the Recipe 4. Sesame Ginger Broccoli This recipe will tempt even those folks who aren’t the biggest fans of broccoli. The trick is to roast it long enough to develop some lightly browned crispy bits around the edges. Get the Recipe 5. Creamed Spinach Creamed spinach might seem old-fashioned and, let’s face it, not that appealing, but give this one a try. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. Bonus: it’s dairy-free! Get the Recipe 6. Mashed Vegetables (That Aren’t Potatoes)  Mashed potatoes contain too many carbs to enjoy on a keto diet (unless you’re willing to stop at a spoonful or two). Luckily, there are lower-carb vegetables that are just as delicious mashed. Get the Recipe 7. Air Fryer Green Beans Perhaps you’ve had fried green beans off the menu at your favorite pub, but those were probably battered and fried. These are equally delicious and much more keto-friendly. Get the Recipe 8. Fajita Veggies These make a yummy topping for a burrito bowl or big-ass steak salad, but you can also enjoy them with some simple grilled chicken or scrambled eggs. Get the Recipe 9. Cauliflower Steaks If you’ve only ever had cauliflower mashed or roasted, you must try these cauliflower steaks. Chimichurri is the real star of this show, though. Get the Recipe 10. Cacio e Pepe A keto version of the classic pasta dish of cheese and pepper made with zucchini noodles. Get the Recipe 11. Summer Ratatouille Ratatouille isn’t just a friendly talking rat, it’s a very beautiful layered baked vegetable side dish. It takes a bit of prep work to chop the veggies and assemble … Continue reading “Keto Side Dishes”

Read More

Easy Green Bean Casserole

This quick and easy green bean casserole is the perfect addition to any holiday dinner. This recipe calls for Primal Kitchen’s Mushroom Gravy to help cut down on the preparation time. In no time you’ll have a warm and comforting dish that will compliment any meal. We keep things simple with onions and mushrooms, but if you’re looking to switch things up this recipe would be great with chopped bacon or bacon grease instead of butter.
How to make green bean casserole
First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then steam your green beans until they are tender. While they are steaming, prepare your crispy onions. Cut the onion in half and slice it into very thin half moons. Toss the onions in a bowl with oil, then add the almond flour, thyme and salt and pepper and gently mix until just combined.

Lay the onions out in a single layer on a sheet pan and roast in the oven for 7-10 minutes. Give the onions a shake or toss and continue roasting until they are golden. I recommend watching them because they can quickly go from browned to burnt. Set aside while you finish the green beans.

Heat the butter in a large oven-safe skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. Once melted and bubbling, add the chopped onion and sauté until golden, then add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the mushrooms and allow them to cook for about 2 minutes, or until they are just tender. Pour in the Mushroom Gravy and coconut milk and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Strain the steamed green beans and add them to the skillet. You can also add some coconut aminos or even a squeeze of lemon if you’d like. Mix in the thyme, pepper and salt and let the sauce start bubbling again. Fold the green beans into the sauce and cook on the stovetop until the green beans are well coated in the sauce and the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, take the skillet out of the oven and spread the crispy onions on top all over the green beans. Place the skillet back in the oven for about 10 more minutes. The sauce the green beans are in should be fairly thick, and will further thicken as the casserole cools. Allow the casserole to cool slightly, then serve and enjoy!

 

Read More

Air Fryer Green Beans – Quick and Easy Recipe!

The air fryer is already your favorite appliance for making chicken wings and crispy Brussels sprouts, but you haven’t unlocked its full potential until you try this quick and easy air fryer green beans recipe. Flavorful, crispy green beans are the perfect addition to your next game day smorgasbord. Trying to get your kids to eat more veggies? Look no further than this fun finger food. Serve these air fryer green beans with Primal Kitchen Ranch Dip to tempt even the pickiest eater. (What kid doesn’t love dipping?)

Although you can air fry frozen vegetables, this recipe works best with fresh, firm green beans. Try it and let us know how it turns out!

Read More

Creamed Spinach Recipe

Creamed spinach gets a bad rap because the version many of us grew up with was too often overdone and underwhelming. It’s a shame because cooked spinach can and should be bright and delicious!

This recipe will show you how to make creamed spinach that retains its appealing taste and texture in the final dish. Sautéed mushrooms and shallots add nuance, and since this creamed spinach is made without cream cheese, it’s not too heavy. If you omit the parmesan, the recipe is even dairy-free!

We love this spinach served with a juicy beef roast. Cheese lovers should try adding some Parmigiano Reggiano or pecorino at the end for a nice finish.

Read More

Low Carb and Keto Alternatives to Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are almost expected as part of a holiday spread. In fact, I would argue that mashed potatoes appear on more holiday tables than a turkey or roast, because even vegans will serve them. But, if you’ve been living more ancestrally and you’ve been keeping your carbs low, you may be looking for a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes.

Whether you’re trying to lower your carb intake or just switch things up, why not try a different vegetable mash this season? Not to worry, each of these options makes a great vehicle for gravy, and we’re all in it for the gravy anyway, aren’t we?
Carbs in Mashed Potatoes
One cup of mashed potatoes contains 36.9 g of carbohydrates. After you subtract the fiber, you’re left with 33.6 g net carbs in mashed potatoes.

If you’re limiting carbs, just one serving of traditional mashed potatoes doesn’t leave room for much else.

Read More

Mushroom and Bacon Cauliflower Rice Risotto Recipe

The rich flavors of salty bacon and earthy mushrooms dominate this low-carb risotto dish, turning riced cauliflower into a super-flavorful side. Cauliflower risotto is fantastic served with a main course of roasted chicken, salmon, or thick, juicy pork chops.

The recipe below is great without any additional ingredients, but if you’re really craving comfort food then fatten the risotto up a bit. Generous amounts of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese or butter (or both) will do the trick. A garnish of fresh herbs like basil, parsley and chives add color and flavor.

Read More

Latest Posts