35+ Best Keto Side Dishes for Low-Carb Eating

Keto lovers are relentlessly searching for the best keto side dishes. What is keto anyway? It’s a diet that calls for food high in fat but low in carbs. The result is a supermodel waistline that everyone dreams for.

Low-carb vegetables, meat, poultry, and cheese are some foods you need to have more while you’re on keto. Cut back on grains, low-fat dairy products, sugary food, and of course, junk food like snacks.

It’s always challenging to balance health and flavor when it comes to a keto diet; if it tastes good, it’s probably not healthy and vice versa. However, the list I have rounded up for you below will prove that anything’s possible.

Here Are 36 Superior Keto Side Dishes For Weight Watchers

Do you want that hot body for summer? No need to hit the gym or starve yourself; the list above has many delicious keto side dishes that help maintain your curves.

In addition, if you are sick of using too much oil, there are various keto ideas cooked in an air fryer that you can try out too.

Keto Side Dishes With Cauliflower

1. Cauliflower Baked Ziti
2. Loaded Cauliflower Salad
3. Loaded Cauliflower Soup
4. Mashed Cauliflower with Parmesan and Chives
5. Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
6. Coconut Lime Cauliflower Rice

Keto Side Dishes With Broccoli

7. Smashed Broccoli
8. Broccoli Casserole with Bacon
9. Broccoli Salad
10. Broccoli Cheese Soup
11. Mediterranean Broccoli Salad

Keto Side Dishes With Bacon

12. Maple Bacon-wrapped Carrots
13. Bacon Asparagus Bites
14. Bacon Onion Rings
15. Creamy Garlic Mushrooms and Bacon
16. Jalapeno Bacon Cheese Bread
17. Bacon Zucchini Fries

Keto Side Dishes With Cheese

18. Cacio e Pepe Brussels Sprouts
19. Cheesy Baked Asparagus
20. Spinach Dip
21. Cheesy Baked Green Beans
22. Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
23. Cheesy Cauliflower Alla Vodka Casserole

Other Keto Side Dishes

24. Turnip Fries
25. Grilled Asparagus
26. White Chicken Chili
27. Easy One-pan Ratatouille
28. Avocado Pepperoni Salad
29. Keto Gravy
30. Melon Caprese Skewers
31. Butternut Squash Soup
32. Spaghetti Squash Pizza Nests
33. Wilted Kale Salad
34. Zucchini Fritters
35. Cranberry Sauce

I won’t keep you around any longer. Start scrolling down!

Keto Side Dishes With Crunchy Cauliflower

Cauliflower is one of the starter ingredients to step into the keto food world. What keto side dishes can you make with a cauliflower head? Explore the options below.

1. Cauliflower Baked Ziti

Cauliflowers and cheese prove that they are excellent partners when it comes to keto. This casserole dish is loaded with ground beef and three different kinds of cheese, including ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella, and it keeps its promises – high-fat, low-carb content only!

Also, there are varied substitutes for ricotta cheese if you don’t like its flavor. In general, there are no fixed rules of what cheeses you should add into this dish.

2. Loaded Cauliflower Salad

Summer comes early with this loaded cauliflower salad. Cauliflower has a mild flavor that pairs well with other ingredients, so I decided to mix it with some bacon slices, sour cream, shredded cheddar, and some salad seasonings.

3. Loaded Cauliflower Soup

From salad to soup, cauliflower shows that it is not a one-sided vegetable. The soup is a lovely flavor combo of center-cut bacon, cauliflowers, rich chicken broth, and shredded cheddar for a creamy texture. And yes, it is excellent as leftovers, too!

4. Mashed Cauliflower With Parmesan And Chives

Is this mashed potato, you ask? Nope. It’s mashed cauliflower, made with parmesan and chicken broth to create a velvety texture with a creamy mouthfeel. Sprinkle some chives for a smidgen of greenness and enjoy the taste.

5. Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

Once again, cauliflower receives the mash treatment for your ketogenic diet. In this recipe, butter substitutes cheese to give the mash a silky texture that melts instantly in your mouth, while garlic imparts slightly warm undertones to the side dish.

6. Curry Roasted Cauliflower

This cauliflower side dish is about to steal the show with its heart-warming pungency. The cauliflower florets are roasted until golden, and they are spiced up with curry powder for a boost of flavor. Since it’s a one-pan dish, cleaning up is done in a breeze!

7. Coconut Lime Cauliflower Rice

You probably think that a rice plate seems a little too much for a side dish – well, the rice here is, in fact, cauliflower! Besides the creative dress-up, the dish holds my appeal for the luscious tropical vibes from coconut, whereas cilantro and lime add a refreshing finish to the plate.

Succulent Broccoli Side Dishes For Your Keto Diet

Broccoli is cauliflower’s faux ami, but it has that inviting greenness that you can’t say no to. Let’s find out what keto side dishes you can make with broccoli!

8. Smashed Broccoli

Smash them, broccolis! This mess-free keto recipe is so simple that you can even do it blindfolded. Season your broccolis to taste with kosher salt, sea salt, red pepper, and a splash of lemon juice.

9. Broccoli Casserole With Bacon

Some good old casserole is what you need to keep your waistline in control – of course, broccoli has to be in there! Loaded with cheesy goodness and chewy bacon pieces, this dish will become the next keto obsession that you don’t want to miss.

Even when you don’t know the proper ways to store broccoli, which might make your veggie a bit soggy, this recipe can still compensate for it. You’ll be so busy savoring the harmonious blends of flavor that you won’t even notice the broccoli isn’t as fresh as it should be.

The easiest broccoli and bacon casserole recipe that you should try right away!

10. Broccoli Salad

Do you know what I love about salad? It’s the fact that I get to mix and match different ingredients to see what works best. With broccoli, the combinations are endless, but my go-to choices are bacon, cranberries, red onions, honey, and smoky tamari almonds.

Another reason I love broccoli salad is that it goes with many, many dishes. My personal favorite combination is broccoli salad as a companion dish for perogies. However, you can pair this tasty food with virtually anything you like.

11. Broccoli Cheese Soup

It’s always a blessing to have some cheese while you are on a keto diet. The texture is terrific, and that golden color makes my mouth drool every time. Broccolis taste a million times better when they swim freely in the warm, cheesy broth. Fantastic!

12. Mediterranean Broccoli Salad

It’s a party of flavors in this Mediterranean-style salad, and you are invited to join the fun. Relish the refreshing taste of broccoli, artichoke, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and sunflower seeds. Fair warning – the yogurt dressing for this salad is highly addictive!

Healthy Mediterranean-Style Broccoli Salad Just For You:

Crispy Bacon Sides And Keto Are Inseparable

Most keto newbies are stunned when they learn that bacon is keto-friendly. With its high-fat content and umami taste, bacon is truly a game-changer in your low-carb diet.

Another thing to ensure your healthy eating is identifying whether your bacon is spoiled or not before using. Luckily, there are ways to recognize it at ease.

13. Maple Bacon-Wrapped Carrots

Who says that keto is all about tasteless foodstuff with no flavors? Change their mind with these carrots stick with a sweet-loving tenderness. Bacon strips are glazed with maple bourbon until crisp, bringing out an incredible taste to please you.

Let’s have a look at the following video!

14. Bacon Asparagus Bites

These bite-sized keto treats are absolutely gorgeous. Asparagus is blanched to retain the flavor and texture, then wrapped with strips of bacon and a layer of cream cheese. Can this be any simpler?

When prepping this dish, it’s best that you opt for fresh asparagus, as the dish’s flavors depend on the veggie a lot. If you buy your grocery a few days in advance, make sure the way you store asparagus is correct, or you’ll end up with a bunch of limp, soggy veggies.

15. Bacon Onion Rings

Onion rings? Lame. Bacon onion rings? I’m in. In this keto version, onion rings are coated with brown sugar and cayenne pepper, wrapped thoroughly with bacon strips, Keto finger, and baked until golden. Serve with ranch dressing.

16. Creamy Garlic Mushrooms And Bacon

They say that three’s a crowd, but that’s not correct when you’re talking about garlic, mushrooms, and bacon. Mushrooms and garlic are famous for their affair in many dishes, but they decide to hang out with bacon this time to create a quick, delectable side dish.

17. Jalapeno Bacon Cheese Bread

Indulge yourself in this quick bread recipe filled with bacon and cheese goodness. Jalapenos are in this keto bread, too, and they turn on the heat with their bright flavors. I love to dip my bread in soup, what about you?

18. Bacon Zucchini Fries

Take it slow and savor these zucchini fries while they last because they are an absolute delight! With its scrumptiously sweet and savory taste, bacon pairs well with almost any veggie, including zucchinis with a rich feel.

Cheesy Keto Side Dishes That Taste Like Heaven

Admit that; cheese has made your keto diet a bit less boring. Whether it’s cheddar or parmesan, these cheese-infused keto side dishes are your dreams come true. And remember to opt for a premium cheddar cheese for the most delicious treat,

19. Cacio E Pepe Brussels Sprouts

Cacio e Pepe literally means “cheese and pepper,” and these two simple, lovely ingredients have enhanced the taste of brussels sprouts to a great extent. Top the Italian plate with some grated cheese and serve.

20. Cheesy Baked Asparagus

Asparagus is a blank canvas vegetable, so it’s always a good idea to let them team up with another strong-flavored ingredient. If you can read my mind, you know I’m talking about cheese – my pick is mozzarella for a never-ending pull or parmesan for a fruity-nutty taste.

Bake your asparagus with cheese is a never bad idea:

21. Spinach Dip

The number of keto dip recipes available at the moment is not impressive, so this cheesy dip is such a rare gem. What’s in there? There are crispy bacon bits, baby spinach leaves, sour cream, with cheese – yes, lots of cheese, because there’s no such thing as “enough cheese”!

22. Cheesy Baked Green Beans

This one’s a bang for your bucks! I admit that green beans are a great source of vitamins and minerals, but they can be an acquired taste when served alone; therefore, my solution is to cheese them up with mozzarella and parmesan. Classic trick.

Try these low-budget keto green beans with cheese:

23. Cauliflower Mac And Cheese

Mac and cheese are no strangers to the American and British. In this keto side dish, cauliflowers replace the macaroni, and the gooey cheese is still the bright counterpart that lends a distinctive creamy richness.

23. Cheesy Cauliflower Alla Vodka Casserole

Let me describe how a delicious keto side dish looks and tastes: cauliflowers are laced with vodka sauce and mixed with heavy whipped cream, cheese, and butter, topped off with layers of gooey cheese for a pleasant mouthfeel. In short, this casserole is amazing!

Other Keto Side Dishes You Would Love To Try

Of course, keto does not revolve around broccoli, cauliflower, bacon, and cheese only. Here are some innovative keto side dishes that use other ingredients for the sake of change.

24. Turnip Fries

Keto finger food always has a special place in my heart, which is why I’m utterly obsessed with these turnip fries. Turnip has a crisp, starchy flesh that is perfect for baking – no frying required!

If you’ve bought turnips beforehand, learn how to keep these turnips fresh properly. This way, your turnip fries’ flavor won’t get affected.

25. Grilled Asparagus

This side dish is more about using techniques than playing with ingredients. It’s easy, but to grill them to perfection is a whole new ball game. They should be crisp and tender after 3-4 minutes on the grill. If you overcook asparagus, they will become mushy.

Grill the most perfect asparagus for your diet:

26. White Chicken Chili

Do you love chicken? If so, this white bean chicken chili is made just for you. It is keto-friendly and loaded with intricate flavors, from the spicy kick of green chilies and jalapeno to the complex blend of aromatic seasonings. Serve with a dollop of sour cream.

27. Easy One-Pan Ratatouille

Ratatouille is a traditional stewed vegetable dish that has taken the world by storm since that Disney movie with the same name. Apart from the vivid color combination, ratatouille is also a delicious keto side dish, perfect for serving with pasta.

28. Avocado Pepperoni Salad

You can never go wrong with salad when on keto, and here’s the proof. Avocado is one of my favorite fruits for its subtle flavor with nutty undercurrents, which is unique. On the other hand, pepperoni brings a distinctive smokiness to the salad, leaving you wanting more.

29. Keto Gravy

Holy moly, this keto gravy will hit you right in the spot, so get prepared! You can find thousands of variations online, but I like to keep it simple and hassle-free by using only chicken or beef broth, butter, onion powder, and garlic powder.

Let’s have a look at the following video!

30. Melon Caprese Skewers

Keto recipe for a backyard party? Stop right here; these skewers will please a whole crowd with their satisfying taste. All you have to do is thread cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon balls, mozzarella balls, and ruffled prosciutto on the skewer and drizzle some basil vinaigrette.

31. Butternut Squash Soup

End your soup cravings in an instant with this rich and creamy butternut squash soup. Butternut squash is famous for its nutty flavor, giving many dishes a characteristic taste. Meanwhile, sage and rosemary add a cool, woodsy fragrance to this mellow soup.

You should see the video below:

32. Spaghetti Squash Pizza Nests

You can’t have pizza while you’re on keto, but some little pizza nests should be acceptable, right? These mini savory treats inspired by the Italian classic won’t fail to satisfy you – in fact, you will stuff yourself with a lot more than you can have!

33. Wilted Kale Salad

Going on keto when you have a hectic schedule is frustrating. I’ve been there before, and here’s my little savior. In a serving of this wilted kale salad, you will find all the nutrients you need for your diet – plus, it’s flavorful, and you can rustle it up in the kitchen for less than 10 minutes.

34. Zucchini Fritters

This side dish is the ultimate comfort food you ever need in your life. Zucchini is grated and combined with flour, parmesan, garlic, and egg.

Simple and tasty, so there should be no more excuses to skip eating zucchinis from now on! And guess what; this recipe is a perfect accompaniment for cod fish. See! These fritters are not only easy to make but also versatile to pair with various dishes.

35. Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry is the only fruit ingredient that makes it to this list, so there has to be something. Cranberries are low in sugar, which accounts for the signature tartness that keeps people coming back for more. Are they keto, you ask? Absolutely, since they are high in fiber. Keto’s

Don’t wait until Thanksgiving – make this cranberry sauce now:

From Side Dishes To Main Attraction

Let’s be honest, those are the best keto side dishes you have ever come across, and they are about to become your new favorite. With such gorgeous tastes and beautiful colors, it’s hard to believe that they are side dishes – in my opinion, they deserve more recognition from people, not just keto lovers.

Now that you have learned how to make top-notch keto side dishes, it’s about time to enjoy the taste and leave the guilt behind. If you believe you are a keto expert and would like to share some side dish recipes, feel free to comment below. Healthy eating is meant for sharing!