19 Deliciously Easy Recipes to Kick-Start Your Keto Diet

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Eating foods high in fat, like butter, cheese, and bacon, sounds counterintuitive, but that's just what the ketogenic diet entails. It means high-fat, low-carb eating in order to reach ketosis, a natural metabolic state in our bodies that forces the use of ketones over carbohydrates for energy. The good news is there are plenty of really delicious low- to no-carb meals out there, like this spaghetti squash mac and cheese or this one-pan salmon and crispy kale dish. Of course, healthy, balanced meals, research, and consulting your doctor are always recommended before starting any diet.

Maintaining this diet may seem nearly impossible with the holidays coming up, but check out these keto-friendly recipes that are as delicious as they are easy to whip up. This is the perfect start for those wanting to try the keto diet, those wanting to cut down on carbs in general, or those who just need some new recipe ideas. Keep in mind, though, that a couple of these recipes may require very slight substitutions to be fully keto!

01
Baked Egg in Avocado
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Baked Egg in Avocado

Get the recipe: baked egg in avocado

02
Healthy Kale Caesar Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Leta Shy

Healthy Kale Caesar Salad

03
Spaghetti Squash Mac and Cheese With Broccoli
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Spaghetti Squash Mac and Cheese With Broccoli

04
Salmon With Crispy Cabbage and Kale
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Salmon With Crispy Cabbage and Kale

05
Guacamole Chicken Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Guacamole Chicken Salad

Get the recipe: guacamole chicken salad

06
Gluten-Free No Mac and Cheese
POPSUGAR Photography | Leta Shy

Gluten-Free No Mac and Cheese

08
Grilled Shrimp
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Grilled Shrimp

Get the recipe: grilled shrimp

09
Slow-Cooker Green Bean Casserole
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Slow-Cooker Green Bean Casserole

10
Easy Roasted Chicken Breast
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Easy Roasted Chicken Breast

11
Egg Cheese Muffins
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Egg Cheese Muffins

Get the recipe: egg cheese muffins

12
Cod With Asparagus in Parchment Paper
POPSUGAR Photography | Camilla Salem

Cod With Asparagus in Parchment Paper

13
Slow-Cooker French Onion Pot Pie Soup
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Slow-Cooker French Onion Pot Pie Soup

Get the recipe: slow-cooker French onion pot pie soup (skip the pie-crust crackers to make this keto!)

14
Grilled Chicken Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Nancy Einhart

Grilled Chicken Salad

Get the recipe: grilled chicken salad

15
Tuna Green Chile Zoodle Casserole
Cotter Crunch

Tuna Green Chile Zoodle Casserole

16
Sheet-Pan Fajitas
POPSUGAR Photography | Erin Cullum

Sheet-Pan Fajitas

Get the recipe: sheet-pan fajitas

17
Pan-Seared Steaks
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Pan-Seared Steaks

Get the recipe: pan-seared steaks

18
Lemon-Thyme Baked Chicken
POPSUGAR Photography | Erin Cullum

Lemon-Thyme Baked Chicken

19
Garlic Lemon Shrimp and Cauliflower Grits
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Garlic Lemon Shrimp and Cauliflower Grits

20
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Tasty Yummies

Cauliflower Fried Rice

Get the recipe: cauliflower fried rice