45 Low-Carb Side Dishes That Will Keep You Full Without Wrecking Your Diet
Following a low-carb eating plan can potentially help you lose weight, lower your cholesterol and blood pressure and reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes—and that’s not just us saying it; studies back this up. But when following any sort of diet, it’s important that the food actually tastes good (otherwise what’s the point?). Instead of accepting that you’ll be hungry after dinnertime, fill your plate with low-carb and keto-friendly vegetables like cauliflower, zucchini, kale, cucumbers and more. These 45 low-carb side dishes will round out your meal without wrecking your diet, from cacio e pepe Brussels sprouts to melted onions.
RELATED: 55 Low Carb Lunch Ideas You’ll Actually Be Excited to Eat
1. Cacio e Pepe Brussels Sprouts
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, low sugar, ketogenic
2. Turnip Fries
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, low sugar, low fat
3. Ina Garten’s Roasted Broccolini and Cheddar
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: low sugar, sheet pan recipe, ready in <30 minutes
4. Chilled Cucumber Salad
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, <10 ingredients, gluten free, dairy free, vegan
5. Keto Instant Pot Greek Cauliflower Rice
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, Instant Pot recipe, crowd-pleaser
6. Cauliflower ‘Potato’ Salad
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: low sugar, under 500 calories, make ahead
7. Kale and Brussels Sprouts Caesar Slaw
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, ready in <30 minutes, make ahead, gluten free
8. Baby Vegetables with Orange and Thyme
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: under 500 calories, beginner-friendly, sheet pan recipe
9. Cold Sesame Cucumber Noodles
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, ready in <15 minutes, beginner-friendly
10. Zucchini and Tomato Ragù
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, low sugar, gluten free
11. Roasted Radishes with Butter
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
12. Coconut Creamed Spinach
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pan, dairy free, gluten free, vegan
13. Gluten-Free Cheese and Cauliflower ‘Breadsticks’
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: gluten free, low sugar, under 500 calories
14. Cacio e Pepe Zucchini
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, sheet pan recipe
15. Slow Cooker Garlic-Herb Mashed Cauliflower
- Time Commitment: 3 hours, 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, make ahead
16. Honeydew, Feta, Jalapeño and Lime Salad
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, gluten free
17. Celery Salad with Walnuts and Pecorino
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, low sugar, gluten free
18. Roasted Cabbage Steaks
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, sheet pan recipe, low sugar
19. Smashed Brussels Sprouts
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, sheet pan recipe, beginner-friendly
20. Balsamic-Thyme Roasted Mushrooms
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, gluten free, dairy free
21. Zesty Chargrilled Broccolini
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <15 minutes, dairy free, gluten free
22. Cacio e Pepe Cauliflower
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
23. Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: low sugar, sheet pan recipe, crowd-pleaser
24. Melted Onions
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: low sugar, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
25. Strawberry, Basil and Arugula Salad with Lots of Black Pepper
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, no cook, <10 ingredients
26. Poached Egg with Frisée and Arugula Salad
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: low sugar, <10 ingredients, dairy free, gluten free
27. Charred Cauliflower with Crunchy Garlic Chile Oil
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: low sugar, ready in <30 minutes, gluten free, dairy free
28. Turmeric-Spiced Cauliflower and Broccoli with Capers
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: low sugar, crowd-pleaser, sheet pan recipe
29. Broccoli Rabe and Burrata with Lemon
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, high protein
30. Blistered Green Beans with Tomatoes, Pounded Walnuts and Raw Summer Squash
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, gluten free, dairy free
31. Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy
32. Cauliflower, Olive, Pepper and Caper Salad (Insalata di Rinforzo)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser
33. Brussels Sprout Sliders
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, low sugar, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
34. Light and Tangy Coleslaw
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, dairy free
35. Creamed Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onions
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
36. Sweet Potato, Tomato, Kale and Halloumi Sheet Tray
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, <10 ingredients, low sugar, gluten free
37. Easy Zucchini Chips
- Time Commitment: 2 hours
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, sheet pan recipe
38. Tomato Salad with Grilled Halloumi and Herbs
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <15 minutes, gluten-free
39. Cauliflower Rice
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <30 minutes, low sugar, ketogenic
40. Cold Lemon Zoodles
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, no cook
41. Zucchini Rice
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, one pan, beginner-friendly
42. Crispy Parmesan Brussels Sprout Bites
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: low sugar, crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
43. Pesto Zoodles
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: gluten free, ready in <30 minutes
44. Whole Roasted Radishes
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: low sugar, <10 ingredients, one pan
45. Kale Caesar Salad
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, <10 ingredients, low sugar
RELATED: 30 Tasty Keto Side Dishes You Can Eat with Anything