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Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List
Get It NowI spent over a decade eating low carb, and these lazy keto meals saved me on more occasions than I can count. In the beginning, it was definitely a shift not to be able to grab packaged foods anymore. But cooking from scratch makes you feel so much better! Over the years, I’ve created dozens of keto recipes for beginners that are quick and easy, using simple ingredients from your local grocery store. You know, for those days (um, most days for me) that you don’t want to spend half the day in the kitchen.
With just minutes of prep, you can mix and match these dishes to create a beginner lazy keto meal plan that actually works for your busy life. Pick your faves and make them with me!
What Is Lazy Keto?
While other versions of a ketogenic diet require tracking all of your macros, a lazy keto plan only requires that you track net carbs. You can use my personalized macro calculator to determine how many carbs you need each day (I recommend starting between 20-50 grams) and then just stay under that limit.
I find lazy keto much simpler to follow and more sustainable. It also makes it easier for me to prioritize real food ingredients, since I only have to worry about carbs.
My Tips For Lazy Keto Meals
I have lots of easy keto recipes here on Wholesome Yum, but in particular, this collection will help you create meals with just minutes of hands-on prep time. But first, here are my top tips to make your “lazy keto” lifestyle easier:
- You can still use prepared ingredients – Pre-chopped veggies, shredded chicken, pre-shredded cheese, and sauces like ranch dressing can still have clean ingredients from the store. You can also meal prep them ahead!
- Choose simple recipes – If you’re a keto beginner, the easiest options are one-pan meals, or a basic protein with a vegetable on the side. And these are still my go-tos after all these years.
- Double recipes to freeze for later – Whenever I cook, I double the recipe and freeze half. Leftovers make lazy keto meals even quicker the next time around!
- Lazy keto doesn’t mean dirty keto – Dirty keto means low carbs with processed ingredients (including keto fast food), whereas lazy keto is just easy. Both are different ways to follow a keto diet, but I’m a firm believer that you can restrict carbohydrates, meet your goals for macros, and stay in ketosis while still eating clean.
- Try intermittent fasting – It’s fewer meals to plan and pairs perfectly with a lazy keto lifestyle. Some people find it helps with weight loss (source). When that feels like too much for me, I just do coffee with cream or bulletproof coffee in the morning instead.
- Fill the time between meals with simple snacks – You can enjoy keto nuts, berries, and hard boiled eggs without having to cook much, or meal prep some of my low carb snack recipes to keep in your pantry or fridge.
20 Keto Recipes For Beginners
Without further ado, here’s my list of my favorite easy keto recipes! They’re super quick to whip up or practically cook themselves.
1. Korean Beef Bowl
A Korean beef bowl is one of my favorite keto-friendly dinners—so flavorful and satisfying! Juicy, saucy ground beef over tender cauliflower rice, plus fresh cucumbers for crunch. I love topping mine with a fried egg, but it’s totally optional!
2. Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
This casserole is a whole lazy keto meal on its own, and my favorite way to use up leftover chicken breasts. Just add crispy bacon, melty cheese, creamy ranch, and whatever veggies you’ve got. I love to meal prep it and freeze it ahead of time, so I can just pop it in the oven for an easy, no-fuss dinner.
3. Kielbasa And Sauerkraut
A comforting classic made easy in the slow cooker! Juicy smoked kielbasa, tangy sauerkraut, and savory tomatoes cook together for rich, hearty flavor. It’s perfect as-is or served with a side of mashed cauliflower or crusty keto garlic bread!
4. Broccoli Cheese Soup
You’ll love how creamy, cheesy, and comforting this soup is—perfect for chilly nights! Pair it with cauliflower breadsticks and a low carb salad, or make it a full meal by adding shredded chicken, ground sausage, or even cooked bacon!
5. Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, these air fryer chicken legs are packed with buttery garlic and herb flavor. They’re a breeze to make and pair perfectly with roasted vegetables or my fresh Greek salad for a simple, satisfying dinner.
6. Big Mac Salad
This is one of the easiest keto recipes for beginners because anyone can throw together a salad! It combines the juicy, cheesy flavors of the classic burger with the crisp crunch of fresh lettuce and pickles. Toss it all in my creamy, sweet-and-tangy copycat Big Mac sauce, and you’ve got a dish that tastes just like the drive-thru burger—minus the bun!
7. Cauliflower Risotto
Rich, creamy, and loaded with flavor, this cauliflower risotto is comfort food made lighter. Pair it with air fryer steak or baked chicken thighs for a cozy, hearty meal, or serve it as a vegetarian main dish with my Caprese salad on the side.
8. Taco Skillet
My family loves this Mexican skillet plain, but it’s even better in bowls over riced cauliflower, with a dollop of sour cream. Feel free to add your favorite toppings, like avocado, homemade salsa, or shredded lettuce to make it your own!
9. Baked Avocado With Egg
This is a fun way to change up your keto breakfast—creamy, satisfying, and so easy to make. Most of the time, I enjoy them on their own and call it a day, but you can’t go wrong pairing them with some crispy air fryer bacon, turkey bacon, or fresh cucumbers or tomatoes.
10. Keto White Chicken Chili
This is one of my most popular creamy, hearty soups—and a complete meal in one bowl. Top it with a dollop of sour cream, diced avocado, a squeeze of lime, and fresh cilantro. If I’m feeling extra cozy, I’ll pair it with a slice of keto cornbread to soak up every last drop!
11. Egg Roll In A Bowl
Ready in just 15 minutes, this dish is perfect for a lazy keto diet—flavorful, simple, and satisfying. It’s like enjoying an egg roll without the wrapper! It was such a hit that I included it in my first keto cookbook. Enjoy it on its own or with cauliflower fried rice.
12. Stuffed Pepper Soup
It’s hearty, comforting, and packed with all the stuffed pepper flavors you love—but easier! Loaded with ground beef, tender bell peppers, and cauliflower rice, it’s a satisfying meal in a bowl, all in just 30 minutes.
13. Keto Salmon
My favorite keto salmon recipe! The sweet and smoky sugar-free honey glaze creates this irresistible caramelized finish. Pair it with roasted asparagus or sauteed zucchini for a quick, healthy dinner that’s bursting with flavor.
14. Pizza Chaffle
When I first started eating a low carb diet, pizza was the thing I missed the most! I’ve tried plenty of keto pizza crust recipes, but this chaffle pizza is hands down the easiest. Ready in just minutes and topped with sugar free marinara sauce, melty mozzarella cheese, and mini pepperoni, it’ll satisfy those pizza cravings fast.
15. Chipotle Keto Bowl
This quick keto meal is ready in just 20 minutes, but what I love most is how customizable it is. I made it with juicy steak, cilantro lime cauliflower rice, and loaded it up with tomatoes, red onion, avocado, and sour cream. But you can totally make this your own by swapping the protein, adding cheese, turning it into a salad, and so much more!
16. Antipasto Salad
This hearty meal salad is loaded with all the best Italian flavors—salami, mozzarella, prosciutto, artichokes, and more—all tossed in a simple vinaigrette. I love meal prepping this for quick and easy lunches.
17. Keto Pork Chops
Juicy, golden pork chops smothered in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce—what’s not to love? They’re easy enough for a weeknight, but fancy enough for company. I love serving them with roasted broccolini for a simple side and finishing the meal with creamy keto chocolate pudding for dessert.
18. Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with roasted cauliflower, this is comfort food at its best—without the carbs! The rich cheddar cheese sauce makes it irresistible, even for my kids. Pair it with keto chicken nuggets or a juicy burger for the ultimate comfort meal.
19. Bell Pepper Sandwich
When I don’t feel like making gluten-free keto bread, I go for a bell pepper sandwich—it’s quick, fresh, and customizable with minimal prep time! This version has turkey, provolone, bacon, and avocado, but you can switch it up with green peppers, ham, and cheddar, or go veggie with cauliflower hummus and sprouts.
20. Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Hello, bold Asian flavors! The tender, saucy chicken filling pairs perfectly with crisp butter lettuce for the best texture, and they’re ready in just 20 minutes. I love these for lunch or a light dinner.
Lazy Keto Food List
Yes, the lazy approach to keto can include “dirty” and processed foods — but you can also eat clean! I much prefer cleaner options that make me feel better. Below are my lists of convenience foods for lazy keto, for when I don’t have time to cook full recipes.
Clean Foods:
- Packaged cheeses
- Pork rinds
- Pre-washed salad greens
- Pre-cut keto vegetables
- Low carb fruit
- Quality deli meats or hot dogs
- Rotisserie chickens (no sugar added)
- Quality canned seafood, such as tuna or sardines
- Olives
- Pre-spiralized zucchini noodles
- Keto nuts and nut butters
- Sparkling water (no sugar added)
- Plain coffee and tea
“Dirty” Foods:
- Keto fast food
- Low carb convenience meals
- Drive-through coffee drinks
- Low carb packaged snacks with processed ingredients
- Other low carb foods with added starch, sugar, or artificial ingredients
Lazy Keto Food ListPin It For Later!
I also made a comprehensive keto food list and shorter keto grocery list that helped when I was starting out years ago!
Which Meals Were Your Favorites?
I hope these quick keto meals have helped you see that eating low carb doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming! I’d love to know which ones you liked the most — let me know in the comments below. Did your favorites make the list, or do you have others that are your go-to?
For even more lazy keto meals, many of my other keto dinner recipes are just as quick and simple.
Lazy Keto Meals: 20 Easy Keto Recipes For Beginners
6 Comments
Alexis Bloom
1These are amazing! Please make more! I have been on the keto diet for a couple weeks, and these helped me! Thank you! My favorite was the cauliflower Mac and cheese!
Doree
1Love it these are great recipes.
Anne
0Any recipes for keto marmalade?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Anne, I don’t have one currently but will add it to my list!
Sylvia
0These look absolutely delicious and easy enough. I think I’ll try them all. Thank you.
Shelly
0Looking forward to trying these recipes. They look very filling.