Keto Lunch Ideas: A Sustainable Approach to Low-Carb Living
Diet fads, including the search for innovative keto lunch ideas, come and go with amazing regularity. Yet, there is not a day that some new ‘miracle’ weight loss regime is not featured in magazines, on television, and online. But the truth of the matter is that these diets remain popular for only a short period of time. There are several reasons for this. First, some of these diets require so much of a lifestyle change that people do not have the long-term discipline to stick to. Who wants to be measuring every ingredient by the gram for the foreseeable future? There is also the fact that some of the recipes in these diets are incredibly restrictive and don’t taste that good. The net result is that people very quickly gain back the weight they have lost. The exception to this rule may very well be the ultra-low-carb keto diet. This diet has an amazing variety of delicious ingredients. Its nature also means that you will not feel hungry the whole day. Below, you’ll find three easy keto lunch ideas featuring keto-friendly foods that are not only delicious but also easy to prepare.
Keto Work Lunch Ideas: Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
- Prepare Your Asparagus: Trim the ends to ensure even cooking.
- Wrap It Up: Take two pieces of asparagus and snugly wrap them with a single piece of bacon. Repeat this step until you’ve prepared as many servings as you desire.
- Bake to Perfection: Arrange the bacon-wrapped asparagus on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 20 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is tender.
- Serve With Boiled Eggs: Accompany this delectable dish with boiled eggs for a satisfying, low-carb lunch that’s both delicious and nutritious.
This bacon-wrapped asparagus recipe redefines the keto work lunch, blending the nutritional benefits of a ketogenic diet with culinary pleasure. Quick to prepare and packed with flavor, it’s the perfect example of how keto lunch recipes can be both delicious and supportive of your health goals and break your bad sugar habit if you have one.
Keto Lunch Ideas: Zucchini Lasagna
Who doesn’t love a great lasagna? This fabulous keto-friendly meal replaces pasta components with zucchini, which adds oodles of flavor and some great textures to the dish. Pile on the cheese, and you have a decadent meal that you will want to enjoy again and again. Moreover, this healthy keto lunch idea includes Zucchini, a rich source of potassium, making it a standout choice.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon butter, ghee, coconut oil, or lard
- 1/2 lb. spicy Italian sausage or sweet Italian sausage
- 15 oz. ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons coconut flour
- medium-high large whole egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- large clove garlic (finely chopped)
- 1 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
- 4 large zucchini (sliced long ways to 1/4” pieces)
- 16oz Rao’s marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon mixed Italian herb seasoning
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp red pepper flake
Instructions:
- Thinly and evenly slice your zucchini. Sprinkle salt on to pull out water and place to the side
- Heat the butter in a skillet over medium-high.
- Crumble up the sausage and add to hot butter in a skillet
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees
- Coat your baking dish with butter or cooking spray (9×9 baking dish)
- In a small bowl, add the cheese, 1 egg, coconut flour, garlic powder, and garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.
- You can use a jar of marinara, but make sure there is no sugar in the ingredients. Add Italian season and some red pepper flakes to the sauce in the jar and stir.
- Place the cut zucchini on a tee towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much water as possible.
- In the greased baking dish, layer the zucchini, then add 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture. Next, sprinkle on about 1/4 of the Italian sausage, and then layer the sauce.
- Repeat until your ingredients are gone, with the sauce being the last layer. Next, add the remaining parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with some foil and then bake for 30 minutes. Then, take off the foil and bake for about 15 more minutes.
- Be sure to let it sit for about five to 10 minutes and cut and enjoy!
This dish is a testament to the variety and deliciousness that keto lunch ideas can offer, making it a perfect choice for anyone looking to enjoy a low-carb lifestyle without sacrificing taste. (Check out our list of carb counts for keto, offering detailed carb counting per food.)
Keto Lunch Ideas: Loaded Cauliflower Bake
This is one of those keto lunch ideas that truly has it all. For this recipe, you’ll need butter, two types of cheeses (cream cheese and cheddar), bacon, and another protein of your choice. But the real star is the cauliflower—transformed into baked creamy, crunchy perfection. And let’s mention that cauliflower is an excellent addition to your Thanksgiving table.
Ingredients:
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 oz. cream cheese
- 1 1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, separated
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Instructions:
- Preheat your over to 350 degrees
- Blanch the cauliflower for 2 minutes and then drain
- Set aside 1/4 tablespoon crumbled bacon and 1 tablespoon green onions to top the casserole.
- Using a medium pot, melt down the butter, cream cheese, heavy cream, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Add salt and pepper to taste, mixing well.
- Add the cauliflower, cheese mix, bacon, and green onions in a baking dish, stirring them together.
- Top with the remaining cheese, bacon, and onions, and bake for about 30 minutes. Next, check the cauliflower, and if you want, keep baking until it is at the desired tenderness.
These are only a few of the hundreds of keto lunch ideas available. Try them. You will not be disappointed; you’ll find that eating keto can be both delicious and satisfying.
Wrapping Up: Delicious Diversity in Keto Lunches
In exploring these varied keto lunch ideas, from the innovative zucchini lasagna to the hearty bacon-wrapped asparagus, and rounding off with the comforting Loaded cauliflower bake, it’s clear that a keto diet offers much more than just weight loss benefits—it invites creativity and flavor into your kitchen. Each recipe showcases how simple ingredients can be transformed into delicious meals that satisfy cravings without straying from keto principles. As we’ve seen, adopting a keto lifestyle doesn’t mean sacrificing taste or variety. Whether you’re in the mood for something creamy and comforting or crisp and savory, there’s a keto-friendly lunch option for you. By incorporating these ideas into your meal planning, you’re not just following a diet; you’re embracing a healthier lifestyle that doesn’t compromise on enjoyment or nutrition. So, as you venture into your keto journey, remember these recipes as your go-to for inspiration. They prove that with a little creativity, you can enjoy every meal, savoring the rich flavors and textures that keto cooking has to offer. Here’s to delicious discoveries and your health—bon appétit!