31 easy low-carb recipes for beginner cooks

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This collection of 31 beginner-friendly recipes is ideal for those who are following a low-carb diet. These recipes are easy to make, contain minimal net carbs per serving, and are filling and flavorful!

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Cheesy beef casserole with cauliflower rice and spinach being spooned out of a baking dish.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This recipe is a great choice for low-carb beginners because it can be prepared in just 30 minutes. With ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar cheese, it’s a filling and flavorful casserole that provides an easy and satisfying low-carb meal option for weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice And Spinach

Creamy Dijon Chicken

Pan of creamy dijon chicken with a spatula.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Dijon Chicken is perfect for low-carb beginners as it can be on the table in just 30 minutes. Seasoned chicken is cooked to perfection and topped with a creamy Dijon mustard sauce, fresh spinach, and crumbled bacon. It’s a delicious and satisfying dish that the whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Bacon Cheeseburger Salad

Hands scooping up a serving of bacon cheeseburger salad from a bowl.
Bacon Cheeseburger Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Bacon Cheeseburger Salad is an ideal choice for weeknight meals because it requires minimal preparation and offers the flavors of a classic cheeseburger in a convenient salad form. With simple ingredients and easy meal prepping, it’s a delicious and convenient option for low-carb lunches.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheeseburger Salad

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Bacon ranch chicken salad cucumber boats lined up on a plate.
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats are a quick and easy snack or lunch option for low-carb beginners. Made with canned chicken, bacon, and cheese, the chicken salad is scooped into hollowed-out cucumber halves, providing a satisfying and flavorful low-carb meal.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Loaded Zucchini Boats

Three loaded zucchini boats on a plate.
Loaded Zucchini Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Loaded Zucchini Boats are a fantastic appetizer or side dish choice. They can be prepped, baked, and ready to eat in under an hour, making them perfect for parties, game days, or summer meals. These zucchini boats are packed with flavor and offer a delicious low-carb option.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Zucchini Boats

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole in a baking dish garnished with green onions.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole is an excellent choice for low-carb beginners looking for an easy recipe. With frozen broccoli and cauliflower, a creamy cheese sauce, and bacon, this casserole can be baked to golden perfection in just 30 minutes. It’s a delicious option for weeknight dinners or as a side dish for holiday meals.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Keto Chicken Nuggets

Keto chicken nuggets on a plate with a cup of dipping sauce.
Keto Chicken Nuggets. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Keto Chicken Nuggets are a great option because they are quick to make, using canned chicken and a breading made with crushed pork rinds. These nuggets offer a flavorful and healthier alternative to traditional chicken nuggets, making them a perfect low-carb snack or meal option.
Get the Recipe: Keto Chicken Nuggets

Bell Pepper Sandwich

Bell pepper sandwich cut in half on a plate.
Bell Pepper Sandwich. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Bell Pepper Sandwich is an excellent choice for low-carb beginners seeking a unique twist on a traditional sandwich. By using a bell pepper instead of bread, this sandwich offers a quick, satiating, and low-carb meal option that can be prepared in just 10 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Bell Pepper Sandwich

Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup

Easy keto cauliflower cheddar cheese bacon soup in a pot with a spoon.
Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup is a cozy and delicious choice. It combines steamed cauliflower, chicken broth, butter, heavy cream, and cheese to create a creamy and flavorful dish. Topped with crispy bacon, it’s a family favorite that’s easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup

Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

Cauliflower risotto in a pan.
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms is a one-pot dish that low-carb beginners can easily make in just 30 minutes. It offers a creamy, flavorful, and low-carb side dish option for weeknight family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach with tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach dish is perfect for low-carb beginners who want a quick and impressive meal. With perfectly cooked shrimp in a dairy-free garlic sauce, accompanied by fresh grape tomatoes and spinach, it’s a flavorful and satisfying option.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Italian sausage soup in a pot with a spoon and garnishes on the side.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Italian Sausage Soup is an excellent choice for those looking for easy recipes. Prepared in just 30 minutes with one pot, this soup combines Italian sausage, cream cheese, canned tomatoes, and heavy whipping cream to create a flavorful and creamy low-carb soup.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta

Bowl of creamy bacon asparagus pasta with a fork.
Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For anyone seeking an innovative dish, this Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta is a great choice. Prepared in just 30 minutes, this recipe incorporates asparagus into a creamy, gluten-free pasta dish, providing a nutrient-dense and filling low-carb meal option.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Bacon Asparagus Pasta

Lemon Garlic Scallops

Lemon garlic scallops garnished with parsley in a skillet.
Lemon Garlic Scallops. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Lemon Garlic Scallops are surprisingly perfect for low-carb beginners looking for a quick and impressive meal. With a cooking time of under 30 minutes, these scallops require minimal ingredients and can be prepared in just one pan, offering a delightful low-carb seafood option.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops

Tajin Cucumber Boats with Lime Juice

Tajin cucumber boats on a plate next to a slice of lime.
Tajin Cucumber Boats with Lime Juice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Tajin Cucumber Boats with Lime Juice are a low-carb, light, refreshing, and flavorful snack that low-carb beginners can make in just 5 minutes. They provide a fun twist on traditional cucumber snacks and are perfect for satisfying cravings.
Get the Recipe: Tajin Cucumber Boats with Lime Juice

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner with a spoon.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is flavorful and easy to make, making it a great option for low-carb beginners. With perfectly roasted sausage and vegetables, it can be part of a meal prep menu or serve as an easy family dinner. The best part is that it requires only one pan and less time spent in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Fried Cabbage With Bacon

Fried cabbage with bacon garnished with parsley in a pot.
Fried Cabbage With Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Fried Cabbage With Bacon is a simple and delicious low-carb recipe that low-carb beginners can prepare and serve in just 25 minutes. With cabbage, bacon, and onion, it offers a dish with perfectly balanced flavors and textures.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage With Bacon

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy sun-dried tomato chicken in a cast iron skillet.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is a perfect one-pan skillet dish. With boneless skinless chicken thighs cooked in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce made with heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning, it’s a flavorful and satisfying low-carb meal option.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Green Chile Chicken With Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

Green chile chicken in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Green Chile Chicken With Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Green Chile Chicken With Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs is a one-skillet recipe that is easy to make and takes only 20 minutes. It’s a delicious option for utilizing leftover shredded chicken and offers a flavorful low-carb meal.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken With Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Creamy chicken thighs with artichoke hearts in a pan.
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs With Artichoke Hearts. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This recipe for Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts highlights tender chicken thighs coated with spices and seared until golden brown. The creamy sauce made with garlic, butter, heavy cream, and chicken stock complements the dish perfectly, while the addition of artichokes and lemon juice adds a distinctive taste.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

Coconut curry Thai turkey meatballs on top of cauliflower rice in a bowl.
Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs are a flavorful and quick low-carb dinner option for beginners. Made with ground turkey, coconut aminos, canned coconut milk, curry powder, and red curry paste, these meatballs can be ready to serve in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

Sticky Sauce Chicken

Sticky sauce chicken, broccoli, and sesame seeds in a pot.
Sticky Sauce Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Sticky Sauce Chicken is surprisingly easy to prepare and offers a sweet and tangy flavor. The chicken thighs are coated with a delicious sauce made with garlic and ginger, providing a delightful low-carb meal option.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Sauce Chicken

Creamy Garlic Chicken

Garnished creamy garlic chicken over cauliflower rice in a bowl.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Garlic Chicken is a one-pan meal that low-carb beginners can easily make. The chicken breasts are cooked in a creamy white sauce made with Parmesan cheese, garlic, and heavy cream. Served on top of cauliflower rice, it creates a delicious and filling low-carb meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

A bowl of cilantro lime cauliflower rice.
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice is a flavorful and low-carb side dish that can be prepared quickly and easily. With straightforward ingredients, it offers a delicious option for low-carb beginners.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

Canned Chicken Patties

Chicken patties with broccoli on a plate.
Canned Chicken Patties. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Canned Chicken Patties are gluten-free, low-carb, and keto-friendly. They can be made in just 20 minutes and served on their own, alongside steamed vegetables, or as a sandwich, providing a quick and convenient low-carb meal option.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

A pan of creamy broccoli with sun-dried tomatoes with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is a stovetop broccoli side dish that can be made in just 25 minutes. It combines broccoli florets, sun-dried tomatoes, and spices with an easy cream sauce, resulting in a delicious low-carb side dish.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Keto Zuppa Toscana

A bowl of keto zuppa Toscana with a spoon in it.
Keto Zuppa Toscana. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

This Keto Zuppa Toscana is a low-carb copycat recipe that is full of flavor. Made with radishes instead of potatoes, it can be prepared in just 1 hour and provides a delicious low-carb dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is a flavorful and easy one-pan skillet dish that low-carb beginners can make. Prepared in just 30 minutes, it combines seasoned chicken breasts with a creamy mushroom sauce, creating a delicious low-carb meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Zucchini Bites

A plate of zucchini bites next to a cup of dipping sauce.
Zucchini Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Zucchini Bites are a quick and easy recipe that can be made in just 30 minutes. With shredded zucchini, Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, and Italian seasoning, these bites offer a flavorful and low-carb option for beginners.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bites

Taco Dip with Cream Cheese

A hand holding a slice of cucumber topped with taco dip with cream cheese.
Taco Dip with Cream Cheese. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Taco Dip with Cream Cheese is an easy meatless appetizer that can be made in just 15 minutes. It’s perfect for parties, holiday events, or game-day gatherings, providing a delicious and low-carb option.
Get the Recipe: Taco Dip with Cream Cheese

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

A glass bowl of jalapeño popper chicken salad ingredients.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad is a flavorful twist on traditional jalapeño poppers. It can be made in advance and included in low-carb lunch menus, offering a delicious and convenient meal option.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

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