10+ Keto Easy Recipes for Beginners: Simple Dishes to Kickstart Your Journey

Starting a keto diet can feel overwhelming for beginners, but it doesn’t have to be. Easy keto recipes can help you dive in without feeling lost.

With simple and delicious meals, you can enjoy flavorful dishes while sticking to your dietary goals.

These recipes focus on using accessible ingredients and straightforward methods, making cooking a breeze.

Whether you’re a busy parent or just looking to save time, you’ll find that following a keto diet is both enjoyable and manageable.

1) Keto Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Keto Stuffed Pepper Casserole is a delicious and easy dish. It combines the flavors of stuffed peppers with a simple casserole style. This meal is low in carbs, making it perfect for your keto diet.

You’ll enjoy the tasty mix of riced cauliflower, ground meat, bell peppers, and cheese. This one-pan dish is not only hearty but also quick to prepare.

Feel free to customize it with your favorite spices or vegetables. It’s a comfort food you can make any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 1 cup riced cauliflower
• 1 pound ground beef or sausage
• 2 bell peppers, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• Olive oil, for cooking
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add the onion and garlic; sauté until soft.
4. Stir in the ground meat and cook until browned.
5. Mix in the riced cauliflower, tomatoes, bell peppers, salt, and pepper.
6. Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish.
7. Top with shredded Cheddar cheese.
8. Bake for 25 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly.

2) Oven-Steamed Salmon

Oven-steamed salmon is a simple and tasty dish that you can easily make at home. It’s a great option for beginners following a keto diet. The steam helps keep the salmon moist and full of flavor.

To get started, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).

Place your salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Season the fillets with salt, pepper, and any herbs you like.

Next, cover the salmon with aluminum foil to trap the steam.

Bake it in the oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.

Ingredients:

• 2 salmon fillets
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Fresh herbs (like dill or parsley), optional

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Place salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Cover with aluminum foil.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until done.

3) Spicy Chicken Zoodle Soup

Spicy Chicken Zoodle Soup is a warm and comforting dish that’s perfect for a keto diet. It’s easy to make and packed with flavor. Using zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta lowers the carbs while keeping it filling.

To start, gather your ingredients. You’ll need chicken, zoodles (zucchini noodles), onion, celery, carrots, and spices for that extra kick.

Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken breast
• 2 medium zucchinis (spiralized into noodles)
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Hot sauce (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a slow cooker, combine chicken, onion, celery, carrots, chicken broth, salt, and pepper.
2. Cook on low for about 4 hours (about 160°C).
3. Once cooked, shred the chicken.
4. Add zucchini noodles and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
5. Serve hot with hot sauce if desired.

4) Avocado and Egg Salad

Avocado and egg salad is a simple and tasty dish that fits perfectly into a keto diet. The creamy avocado adds great flavor and healthy fats to the eggs, making it satisfying.

You can make this salad quickly, using just a few fresh ingredients. It works well for lunch or a snack and is easy to prepare.

To enjoy your avocado and egg salad, mix together diced hard-boiled eggs and ripe avocado. Add a bit of mayonnaise and lime juice for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 large avocado, pitted and diced
• 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (or lemon juice)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil the eggs for about 10-12 minutes, then cool and peel.
2. In a bowl, mash the avocado.
3. Add chopped eggs, mayonnaise, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
4. Mix gently until combined.
5. Serve immediately or chill before eating.

5) Baked Chicken Parmesan with Zucchini Noodles

Baked Chicken Parmesan with Zucchini Noodles is a tasty dish perfect for those on a keto diet. This recipe swaps traditional pasta for healthy zucchini noodles, keeping carbs low and flavor high.

It’s easy to prepare and takes about 30 minutes. You’ll enjoy crispy, baked chicken topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese. This meal is satisfying and nutritious.

Ingredients

• 2 medium zucchinis
• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for drizzling

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Spiralize the zucchinis into noodles.
3. Place chicken breasts in a baking dish.
4. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
5. Top the chicken with marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese.
6. Drizzle with olive oil.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

6) Cauliflower Rice Stir-Fry

Cauliflower rice stir-fry is a quick and easy dish that’s perfect for anyone on a keto diet. This recipe allows you to enjoy a familiar meal with fewer carbs.

Start by heating avocado oil in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and ginger for flavor.

Next, toss in frozen riced cauliflower and your favorite stir-fry vegetables. Cook until everything is heated through. You can even add an egg for extra protein.

The dish only takes about 10-15 minutes to prepare. Adjust the vegetables based on what you like or have on hand.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons minced ginger
• 20 ounces frozen riced cauliflower
• 2 cups frozen stir-fry vegetables
• Optional: 1 egg

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat avocado oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add minced garlic and ginger, sauté for 1-2 minutes.
3. Stir in frozen cauliflower and vegetables.
4. Cook for 8-10 minutes until heated through.
5. Optional: crack an egg into the pan, scramble until cooked.

7) Chicken Pesto Zoodle Salad

Enjoy a delicious and healthy Chicken Pesto Zoodle Salad that fits perfectly into your keto lifestyle. This recipe uses zucchini noodles, which are a low-carb alternative to traditional pasta. It’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor.

To make this salad, you’ll need cooked chicken, fresh pesto, and cherry tomatoes. You can add nuts for extra crunch if you like.

Ingredients

• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 4 medium zucchinis, spiralized into noodles
• 1/3 cup sugar-free green pesto
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Spiralize the zucchinis into noodles.
2. In a large bowl, combine the zucchini noodles, shredded chicken, and cherry tomatoes.
3. Mix in the pesto until everything is well coated.
4. Top with toasted pine nuts if desired.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy your meal!

8) Grilled Picnic Chicken

Grilled Picnic Chicken is a perfect dish for your outdoor meals. It’s easy to make and packed with flavor, making it a great choice for beginners on a keto diet.

Start by seasoning your chicken with a low-carb barbecue sauce. This adds a tasty kick without the added sugars. You can use chicken thighs or breasts based on your preference.

Preheat your grill to 400°F (200°C). Cook the chicken for about 6-8 minutes on each side until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Serve it hot and enjoy with your favorite low-carb sides.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken pieces (thighs or breasts)
• ½ cup low-carb barbecue sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the chicken with barbecue sauce, salt, and pepper.
2. Preheat the grill to 400°F (200°C).
3. Cook the chicken for 6-8 minutes on each side.
4. Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
5. Serve and enjoy!

9) Rotisserie Chicken with Broccoli

Rotisserie chicken with broccoli is a quick and tasty meal. It’s perfect for beginners on a keto diet and you can enjoy this dish in under 30 minutes.

Start by picking up a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from your local store. This saves time and makes cooking easier. You’ll also need fresh broccoli, cheese, and seasonings.

The combination of tender chicken and steamed broccoli makes for a satisfying meal. You can add some extra cheese for flavor and richness.

This dish is not only easy to prepare but also packed with protein and nutrients. It’s a simple way to stick to your keto plan without much hassle.

Ingredients

• 1 rotisserie chicken
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Chop the rotisserie chicken into bite-sized pieces.
3. Steam the broccoli until tender.
4. In a baking dish, combine chicken and broccoli.
5. Sprinkle cheese on top, and season with salt and pepper.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

10) Keto Chili

Keto chili is a great dish for beginners. It is hearty and full of flavor but low in carbs. You can enjoy it without beans, making it perfect for the keto diet.

This recipe features ground beef, peppers, and spices. You can prepare it quickly on your stovetop or in a slow cooker. It’s satisfying and warms you up!

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, brown the ground beef over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook until soft.
3. Stir in the diced tomatoes and spices.
4. Let it simmer for 20-30 minutes.
5. Serve warm and enjoy your delicious keto chili!