Most people enjoy side dishes with their meals, and a good side dish makes a meal feel more complete. When you’re following the keto way of eating, you have to take special preparations for the best side dishes. However, you can enjoy delicious side dishes with your keto meal plan.
What they don’t know is just how many different keto side dishes there are that could make any meal stand out.
The ketogenic diet, commonly known as “keto,” has gained significant popularity in recent years. As a low-carb, high-fat eating plan, it offers various health benefits, including weight loss and balanced blood sugar levels. Those who follow this dietary lifestyle often find themselves in search of side dish recipes that complement their main course while adhering to keto guidelines.
With a focus on healthy fats and nutrient-rich vegetables, keto side dishes offer immense flavor and satisfaction. They typically feature ingredients such as avocados, leafy greens, and cauliflower, which are known for their low carb content and versatility. The creative use of these ingredients ensures that even those with dietary restrictions can enjoy tasty, satisfying meals without compromising their health goals.
Asparagus is already delicious on its own, but when you roast it with some garlic and parmesan you won’t be able to stop eating it!
If you buy pre-diced garlic this recipe only takes a couple of minutes to prep. You can start eating this side in under 15 minutes total, making it one of the fastest keto side dishes. Keto sides are generally shorter to make but some will require baking or cooking.
This side dish is a versatile option you can make almost any way you want.
The ingredients are simple so you don’t have to spend a lot of time prepping and you can choose whether you want to make it in the oven or on the stovetop.
You might only need a couple to go with your dinner, but if you make extra you can snack on them anytime you want.
Spaghetti squash is another one of those ingredients you can use in a ton of keto meals and it works well with all of them.
Now that you have your mashed potatoes down, what’s better than pouring some keto-friendly country gravy all over them?
Keto gravy is great to add to any keto side dishes or any keto meals (especially breakfast!) because it only has one carb per serving and takes as little as 5 minutes to make.
Here’s the best trick for this type of salad: make a bunch of dressing the first time you make it.
This way, you can always refrigerate the rest and use it on another salad.
You’ll need some bacon, Brussel sprouts, parmesan cheese, and almonds to create this beautifully tasting salad and it only takes about 20 minutes to prepare.
Similar to the Chicken Bacon Ranch casserole above, this is a hit in any family.
Add cheese, bacon, broccoli, and cauliflower to give it a great mix of delicious flavors with healthy veggies mixed in. You could dice up a mushroom to make it even healthier.
You can really mix up your cauliflower casserole with any ingredients you love.
Topped with parmesan crisps, this delicious casserole isn’t just keto-friendly but gluten-friendly as well.
Don’t be intimidated by the ingredients on the list. You could buy some pre-prepared items from the store to make it faster. Onion powder is one of those flavors that would be great to add and doesn’t take any additional prep.
The keto green bean casserole is meant as a side to your favorite meals, but it’s big enough to make a meal on its own!
You don’t have to worry about overindulgence with this side dish.
The veggies used are perfect for the keto diet and perfectly portioned.
You don’t have to worry about your veggies coming out plain because the balsamic vinegar, seasonings, and garlic take it over the edge. The best part is you can get it done in under an hour.
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
