Here Are 29 Keto-Friendly Lunch Recipes You'll Actually Get Excited About (2024)

Saying goodbye to bread doesn't have to be tragic.

By Camille Lowder and Mackenzie Filson
Here Are 29 Keto-Friendly Lunch Recipes You'll Actually Get Excited About (1)

When you're starting out with the keto lifestyle, one of the most unexpectedly tricky things is figuring out what to eat when you’re not at home, especially at lunchtime. Often takeout and restaurants only yield bland options, and we aren't about bland here at Delish. Far from it. Which is why we rounded up the best keto lunch ideas you'll actually be excited about (like low-carb lettuce wraps, salads, even cauliflower crust pizza). It can take a bit more preparation, but we think the reward of making and bringing your own lunch is SO worth it. Even if you work from home, knowing you’ve got a delicious lunch already prepared can be the ultimate day-maker. Check out our list of 29 keto-friendly lunches, and we know you’ll be inspired to make your own low-carb lunch in no time.

For optimum portability, you really can't beat the combo of protein + lettuce wrap. From there, the options are pretty much endless, some of our favorites are turkey taco lettuce wraps or a classic like tuna salad, but feel free to get creative with both your fillings and wraps (we also are big fans of these Philly cheesesteak cabbage wraps). You can assemble as few or as many as you’d like, right at your desk. If you’re more the everything-in-a-bowl-type (or stuff-everything-in-an-avocado-type), we’ve got ideas for you too, like our deconstructed egg roll bowls and bruschetta chicken stuffed avocados.

Having a tough week at work? You can always fall back on comfort food, like our , pizza frittata, or turkey zucchini enchilada casserole. Whatever you do, make sure to bring your lunch in something cute and functional you’ll be excited to pack every day (this list is aimed at lunchboxes for kids, but we’re adult enough to admit to being into them anyway).

Want more keto inspiration? Check out our keto keto breakfast and keto dinner ideas too. And don't forget the keto snacks!

1

Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps

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We’re always on the lookout for yummy ground turkey recipes, and this one is one of our faves. These lettuce wraps come together fast (just 20 minutes!), are super flavorful, and can be customized how you like it. Top them with your favorite taco toppings, really anything goes!

Get the Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps recipe.

2

Caprese Chicken Stuffed Peppers

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Stuffed peppers are our favorite way to add a veggie boost to classic weeknight dinners. For this recipe, we decided to fit everything you love about our Caprese chickenchicken breasts, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, balsamic—all into these gorgeous stuffed peppers for a satisfying (and eye-catching) meal.

Get the Caprese Chicken Stuffed Peppers recipe.

3

Pizza Frittata

Here Are 29 Keto-Friendly Lunch Recipes You'll Actually Get Excited About (5)

If you're craving pizza but want a substantial meal, turn to this pizza frittata. We load this frittata up with marinara, shredded mozzarella, and sliced pepperoni for savory pizza flavor in the classic frittata form. Serve at as the ultimate brunch dish or for a protein-packed lunch.

Get the Pizza Frittata recipe.

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4

Cauliflower Fried Rice

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Fried rice is a classic and comforting recipe that everyone loves…except maybe those who are trying to eat less rice. So, we created this spin on the fave that subs cauliflower for rice, while still crushing the flavor game. Whether you’re skipping carbs or trying to eat more vegetables, this cauliflower fried rice is for you.

Get the Cauliflower Fried Rice recipe.

5

Bruschetta Chicken Stuffed Avocados

Avocados make the perfect snack bowls. Therefore, stuffing them full of bruschetta chicken was one of easiest decisions we've ever made. You don't need to take off the skin completely—we just think it's super-pretty that way. Plus, it make it's easier to to attack with a fork and knife.

Get the Bruschetta Chicken Stuffed Avocados recipe.

6

Italian Antipasto Brussels Sprouts Salad

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Piled high with a variety of cheeses, slices of cured meats, and briny veggies, an antipasto platter is a beautiful sight to behold. If you too love the famed spread and want to enjoy its flavors in as many ways as possible, you've gotta make this Brussels sprouts salad next.

Get the Italian Antipasto Brussels Sprouts Salad recipe.

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7

Keto Beef Stew

Here Are 29 Keto-Friendly Lunch Recipes You'll Actually Get Excited About (9)

Making beef stew keto-friendly only means a few simple swaps. It's still just as silky and deeply comforting as the original.

Get the Keto Beef Stew recipe.

8

Philly Cheesesteak Cabbage Wraps

Here Are 29 Keto-Friendly Lunch Recipes You'll Actually Get Excited About (10)

We’re kind of obsessed with Philly cheesesteaks. Thinly sliced beef, melty cheese, onions and peppers, all tucked into a hoagie roll—it's everything we love. But what if you’re on that low-carb or keto life? Don’t worry, we’ve got you too. These Philly cheesesteak cabbage wraps are everything you love about the OG, without the bread.

Get the Philly Cheesesteak Cabbage Wraps recipe.

9

Egg Roll Bowls

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If you're a fan of crispy savory egg rolls, then you might consider this unwrapped version your dream lunch. Without the need to wrap or fry, this veggie-packed meal comes together in well under an hour. Garnish with crispy raw scallions, toasted sesame seeds, and plenty of sriracha or chili oil.

Get the Egg Roll Bowls recipe.

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10

Lasagna-Stuffed Zucchini

Here Are 29 Keto-Friendly Lunch Recipes You'll Actually Get Excited About (12)

Lightening up lasagna with zucchini is one of our fave low-carb dinner hacks. Fill up the zucchini with everything you love about the Italian classic, and enjoy it carb-free.

Get the Lasagna-Stuffed Zucchini recipe.

11

Best Tuna Salad

Here Are 29 Keto-Friendly Lunch Recipes You'll Actually Get Excited About (13)

We know, we know, you're not supposed to bring fish for lunch, but this tuna's just SO good. Eat it in lettuce wraps or with keto crackers for the perfect low-carb lunch.

Get the Best Tuna Salad recipe.

12

Turkey Zucchini Enchilada Casserole

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There are few things zucchini can't do, it seems. From grilled zucchini to zucchini soup and zucchini lattice lasagna, you can use it in so many different ways. Here, the summer squash is standing in for corn tortillas in this casserole recipe that takes the summer squash fully into the colder months.

Get the Turkey Zucchini Enchilada Casserole recipe.

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13

Big Mac Salad

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To make a salad that was anything but boring, we decided to turn the classic Big Mac flavors into a delicious dinner salad. Think of your favorite burger plus the satisfying crunch of a salad all in one bite…what’s not to love? Just be sure to swap in your favorite keto ketchup when making the dressing!

Get the Big Mac Cheeseburger Salad recipe.

14

Keto Taco Cups

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Taco shells made out of cheese = the ultimate keto hack. We're basically talking about frico, an Italian cooking method in which cheese is cooked in a pan until slightly crispy but malleable. Here, we're baking little mounds of cheddar and shaping them into handheld cups before they cool completely.

Get the Keto Taco Cups recipe.

15

Philly Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps

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Whether you're going low-carb, looking for an easy game day appetizer, or need a meal-prep dream, these Philly Cheesesteak wraps are here to save the day. Packed with all your favorite components from the classic sandwich—tender skirt steak, onions, peppers, and melty cheese—you won't even miss the hoagie in these low-carb wraps.

Get the Philly Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps recipe.

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16

Cobb Egg Salad

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Egg salad is wonderful as is. But add bacon, blue cheese, avocado, and tomatoes, and you've got a lunch that you'll be dreaming about for days.

Get the Cobb Egg Salad recipe.

17

Burrito Zucchini Boats

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You won't miss the tortilla in these stuffed zucchinis. They've got everything you love about your favorite burrito—black beans, corn, CHEESE—minus the carbs!

Get the Zucchini Burrito Boats recipe.

18

Buffalo Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

Here Are 29 Keto-Friendly Lunch Recipes You'll Actually Get Excited About (20)

Meet your new favorite low-carb dinner. It's super-flavorful, fresh, and it's ready in under an hour. Want a meatless option? We love adding roasted Buffalo cauliflower to these wraps, too!

Get the Buffalo Shrimp Lettuce Wraps recipe.

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19

Keto Taquitos

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Typically, taquitos are made by rolling a variety of fillings tightly in a corn tortilla before deep frying. They're good. Like, REALLY good. Unfortunately, they're not keto, so we got creative and replaced the tortilla with something that is: cheese!

Get the Keto Taquitos recipe.

20

Keto Chicken Salad

Here Are 29 Keto-Friendly Lunch Recipes You'll Actually Get Excited About (22)

We firmly believe that all chicken salads would benefit from crispy bacon and this easy Keto version is proof. The dressing is tangy and with added avocado it's a perfect chicken salad. Serve it on lettuce or some keto cloud bread.

Get the Keto Chicken Salad recipe.

Here Are 29 Keto-Friendly Lunch Recipes You'll Actually Get Excited About (23)

Camille Lowder

Digital Food Producer

Camille Lowder is the digital food producer at Delish, otherwise known as our resident queen of recipe galleries. Previously, she attended the Natural Gourmet Institute for culinary school and worked at/managed a number of New York restaurants. She loves anything vegan, foods masquerading as other foods (hello, cauliflower), and a well-used Oxford comma.

Here Are 29 Keto-Friendly Lunch Recipes You'll Actually Get Excited About (24)

Mackenzie Filson

Mackenzie Filson is a food writer and contributing digital food producer at Delish. Her favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate-pine. If wine was an astrological sign she'd be a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. She's never met a bag of Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos she didn't eat in one sitting.

Here Are 29 Keto-Friendly Lunch Recipes You'll Actually Get Excited About (2024)

FAQs

Is peanut butter OK on keto? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

What is a lazy keto meal? ›

A lazy keto diet consists of low-carb foods like meat, fish, full-fat dairy and non-starchy vegetables, but limits high-carb foods such as bread, potatoes, sugary snacks and some fruits. If you've tried the keto before and found it too tedious, lazy keto could be a good compromise.

What is the keto 30 challenge? ›

What is the KETO 30 Challenge? The KETO 30 Challenge is simple: get everything you need to change your lifestyle and go keto for 30 days. We'll help you every step of the way so you stay committed for all 30 days. Challenge yourself to be your best self!

Is popcorn okay for keto? ›

Net carbs are calculated by taking the total grams of carbohydrate in a food and subtracting the amount of fiber. In this case, popcorn contains 6 grams of carbs per 1 cup serving and 1.2 grams of fiber, bringing the net carbs per serving to 4.8 grams. Yes friends, popcorn is indeed a keto food.

Can you eat bananas on keto? ›

Bananas. Bananas may be great for muscle recovery, reducing bloat, and calming an upset stomach, but they're on the list of foods you can't eat on the keto diet. With 25g of carbs per 100g serving, bananas are too high in carbs.

Which fruit is keto? ›

Keto fruits by definition are low in carbohydrates. You still need to exercise portion control with most keto-friendly fruits to be within the limits of a keto diet. Keto-friendly fruits include avocados, watermelon, strawberries, lemons, tomatoes, raspberries, peaches, cantaloupe, star fruit, and blackberries.

What is dirty keto? ›

In essence, dirty keto is a variation of the keto diet (a high fat, moderate protein, low carb diet) that allows you to consume whatever you want as long as it meets your macro goals. While it still reduces carb intake, it does not pay attention to the nutritional value of the fats and protein consumed.

How can I eat less than 20 carbs a day? ›

To stay under 20 grams of carbs a day, fill yourself up with lots of vegetables, proteins, and healthy fats.

What is the daily carb limit on keto? ›

The ketogenic diet typically reduces total carbohydrate intake to less than 50 grams a day—less than the amount found in a medium plain bagel—and can be as low as 20 grams a day. Generally, popular ketogenic resources suggest an average of 70-80% fat from total daily calories, 5-10% carbohydrate, and 10-20% protein.

How fast to lose 20 pounds on keto? ›

“If the patient can maintain a steady calorie deficit, I expect them to lose one to two pounds per week,” says Dr. Seeman. So after 12 weeks, her clients are usually down around 20-25 pounds.

Can I lose 20 pounds in one month on a keto diet? ›

Keto Success Story. After such a successful first month — 20 pounds lost — he was motivated to try new things and make sure his weight loss continued. “I started to experiment with things like keto coffee and Perfect Keto bars for times when I was on the go…

How many pounds can I lose in 20 days of keto? ›

The keto diet changes the way your metabolism works by encouraging it to use ketone bodies instead of glucose for energy production. In the first couple of weeks, it's possible to lose up to ten pounds. After that, you could be losing one to two pounds per week.

Is diet co*ke OK on keto? ›

What sodas are keto-friendly? You can drink zero-calorie sodas while on keto. These include Diet co*ke, co*ke Zero, Diet Pepsi, and other no-carb options. You can even make homemade soda with carbonated water, fresh fruits, and plant-based sugar additives.

Can you have pickles on keto? ›

Pickles can be keto-friendly as long as they don't contain added sugar. In general, you should select dill or sour pickles but avoid sweet, candied, and bread and butter ones.

Can you snack on cheese on keto? ›

All types of cheese are allowed on the keto diet, as cheese is relatively low in carbohydrate, which complies with the key principle of the keto diet. The Ketogenic diet or “keto” diet is a low carbohydrate and high fat eating plan.

What peanut butter is keto approved? ›

You don't expect it with a brand so associated with jelly, but Smucker's natural creamy peanut butter is great for keto. It only has peanuts and salt, and the high protein, low net carb content make it a great choice.

Is Jif peanut butter OK for keto? ›

Jif's no-added-sugar offering contains 17 grams of fat, 8 grams of protein, 7 grams of carbs, and 2 grams of natural sugar per serving. Both follow the set keto ratio making them keto-approved.

What is the best way to eat peanut butter on keto? ›

Spoon on top of a sweet potato and add a pinch of cinnamon for a tasty breakfast. Grab a jar of Simply Crunchy + a spoon. A spoonful of peanut butter is a perfect Keto snack! We also recently launched our Keto & No Sugar Added Box so you can snag all your favorites at one time.

Can you eat all the cheese you want on keto? ›

You can eat high fat foods like cheese on the Keto diet. Cheddar, Gouda, goat cheese, and blue cheese are the best to consider. Cheese to avoid on Keto are cottage cheese and low fat and processed varieties.

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