15 Side Dishes While You Are on Keto

Keto If you’re following a ketogenic diet, you’ve probably got your go-to dinners down. But then comes the question of what to serve with keto meals. You know classic side dishes like potatoes and rice are out. Maybe that’s a bit of a bummer if your life before keto included these carb-heavy sides on the regular. So what can you actually enjoy? Plenty! There are tons of low-carb vegetables that fit into the diet, leaving lots of room for creativity. Get to know things like cauliflower, leafy greens, and mushrooms and you might just find you hardly miss your mashed potatoes of the past.

Here are 15 of the best keto side dishes that are easy to pull off and partner well with just about any keto dinner you put on the table. They show off just how versatile the diet really is, and are proof that you hardly need to compromise your dinner plate. It can still be plenty flavor-packed while it adheres to the diet — and it can be colorful and feel-good, too.

1. Garlic Butter Mushrooms

Plenty of garlic and butter make just about anything taste amazing, as is the case with these quick and easy sautéed mushrooms.

2. Creamy Spinach with Dill

This lightened-up version of creamed spinach is almost like Greek spanakopita in a bowl, thanks to the addition of dill and nutmeg.

3. 90-Second Keto Bread

This lightning-fast coconut and almond flour bread is made in a mug in the microwave, which means it’s the perfect option when you forgot to plan a side dish ahead of time.

4. Mexican Restaurant-Style Cauliflower Rice

If you’re tired of the same ol’ cauliflower rice, give this Mexican restaurant-inspired version a spin. Tomato paste and cumin add rich, savory flavor while serrano pepper delivers heat

5. Saucy Chili-Garlic Cucumber Noodles

While these spicy cucumber noodles make a great side, they also can take center stage if you pile a bowl of them with roasted shrimp or a fried egg.

6. Oven-Roasted Frozen Broccoli

Keep a bag or two of frozen broccoli on hand and you’ll always have a fast and easy vegetable side dish to make — even if your crisper drawer is empty.

7. Loaded Cheesy Cauliflower Bake

We are just warning you now: While you may intend to serve this as side dish, it might become the star of the dinner table.

8. Salt and Pepper Smashed Cucumber Salad

The easiest cucumber salad made with just salt, pepper, and a homemade vinaigrette.

9. Skillet Kale with Lemon & Garlic

If you’re not quite sure how to make kale taste good, let this basic recipe be your new go-to. Definitely opt for the red pepper flakes if you like spice.

10. The Creamiest Mashed Cauliflower

The secret to the creamiest mashed cauliflower isn’t actually heavy cream or even milk — it’s the cauliflower’s flavorful cooking liquid.

11. Roasted Cabbage with Bacon

Transform ho-hum cabbage into something much, much more by roasting it with bacon at high heat until it’s charred and soaking in the meat’s flavor.

12. French Ratatouille

This thick and silky French stew of eggplant, zucchini, sweet peppers, and tomatoes can also be a light main dish, if you prefer.

13. Quick and Easy Sautéed Broccoli Rabe

This step-by-step recipe for easy sautéed broccoli rabe involves quickly blanching the vegetable to reduce bitterness.

14. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan

Halfway through roasting Brussels sprouts how you normally would — high heat and on a preheated baking sheet for optimal caramelization — you’ll shower the pan with a whole cup of Parmesan cheese.

15. 10-Minute Garlic Broccolini

This simple recipe for sautéed Broccolini with garlic and red pepper flakes that’s the perfect weeknight side dish.