41 Healthy, Low-Carb Recipes That Are Full of Flavor

These good-for-you dishes keep carbs to a minimum — so you can cut back without missing out!

December 16, 2022

By: Food Network Kitchen

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What Is Low-Carb?

Low-carb diets are considered diets where meals consist of 15 grams or less of carbohydrates per serving. Popular low-carb diets include Atkins, paleo, Whole30 and keto. Whether you're adopting a low-carb diet for weight loss or an underlying condition, it's important to understand that not all carbs are created equal and that a low-carb diet does not mean a zero-carb diet. Carbohydrates come in simple and complex forms. Simple carbs are broken down quickly by the body for energy and tend to be found in highly processed foods like cookies and crackers that don't contain much fiber, vitamins or minerals. Complex carbs take longer to digest and are an essential part of a healthy eating plan. Complex carbs tend to be higher in fiber, vitamins and minerals your body needs. Some examples of complex carbs to add to your low-carb diet are non-starchy vegetables like greens, avocado and tomatoes and non-tropical fruits like berries, citrus and stone fruits. Don't forget to include sources of protein (lean meats, eggs, nuts and seed) and healthy fats (plant-based oils, avocado, low-fat dairy) to round out a healthy low-carb eating plan. A good place to start? These chicken "enchiladas" made with zucchini ribbons instead of tortillas — a simple hack that cuts the carb count to just 10 grams per serving.

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini and Chicken “Enchiladas”

Healthy Cauliflower Rice

This recipe shows how simple it is to turn cauliflower florets into a healthy, low-carb meal or side dish — our version has only about 1/4 of the carbohydrates in rice.

Get the Recipe: Healthy Cauliflower Rice

Chicken Satay Salad

Keep your healthy eating goals on track with this quick-and-easy meal. The chicken breasts are sliced thin so they cook up in a flash — and serving them over greens means your meal is on the table in just 25 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Satay Salad

Spicy Fennel Shrimp

It doesn't get more low-carb than Rachael's easy Spicy Fennel Shrimp. The dish, made with colossal-sized shrimp and a handful of spices, and has just a single gram of carbohydrates per serving.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Fennel Shrimp

Grilled Salmon and Pineapple with Avocado Dressing

Keep it light and healthy with the sweet and smoky flavors of charred pineapple and a grilled salmon filet. And don’t skimp out on dressing — this homemade avocado one does the trick by adding healthy fat and plenty of flavor.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Salmon and Pineapple with Avocado Dressing

Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

Get all the flavors of your favorite Chinese takeout with a fraction of the sodium and carbs with these broiled chicken thighs drizzled in a delicious homemade teriyaki sauce.

Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

Asparagus Noodles with Pesto

This genuis recipe makes use of a vegetable peeler, which you use to cut aspargus stalks into long strips for vegetable "noodles."

Get the Recipe: Asparagus Noodles with Pesto

Healthy Sheet Pan Shrimp and Greens

This healthy protein-packed shrimp dinner starts with an towering mound of kale that wilts while it roasts. Grapeseed oil is a great neutral alternative to flavor-packed olive oil, which could compete with the flavor of the sweet and spicy curry shrimp.

Get the Recipe: Healthy Sheet Pan Shrimp and Greens

Spicy Kale-and-Corn-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Superfood kale and sweet corn create a duo rich in vitamin A. The pepper Jack cheese adds tons of spice while binding the stuffing for the chicken. If spicy's not your thing, try Monterey Jack or Havarti cheese instead for creaminess without the heat.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Kale and Corn Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Microwave Ratatouille

Using the microwave to cook rounds of eggplant, summer squash and tomatoes arranged prettily in a pie dish takes far less time (and olive oil) than does traditional ratatouille, a Provencal appetizer or side dish that calls for dicing and sauteing each vegetable separately.

Get the Recipe: Microwave Ratatouille

Grilled Shrimp in Lettuce Leaves with Serrano-Mint Sauce

Bobby’s seafood dish will have you grilling all season long. His choice of seasoning gives this shrimp a flavor that's both spicy and refreshing.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp in Lettuce Leaves with Serrano-Mint Sauce

Cat Cora's Halibut With Pepitas, Capers, Cherry Tomatoes and Basil

Dress up halibut with a fresh cherry tomato sauce, briny capers and toasted pepitas.

Get the Recipe: Halibut with Pepitas, Capers, Cherry Tomatoes, and Basil

Chicken Piccata

Chicken Piccata is typically loaded with butter and wine, but this lighter version of an Italian favorite uses white wine vinegar and just a little bit of butter to create a sauce so rich you won't be able to tell the difference.

Get the Recipe: Lightened-Up Chicken Piccata

Spicy Cauliflower Stir-Fry

Ree's spicy vegetarian stir-fry packs a ton of flavor, but calls for just seven ingredients — most of which you probably already have in your pantry.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Cauliflower Stir-Fry

Mushroom-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

Stuffing pork tenderloins with a mixture of mushrooms, bacon and parsley makes a hearty main course that's impressive enough for company, and has just 3 grams of carbs per serving.

Get the Recipe: Mushroom-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

Healthy Spicy Steamed Baby Bok Choy

A full serving of our healthy bok choy drizzled with spicy sesame oil boasts just 4 grams of carbohydrates.

Get the Recipe: Healthy Spicy Steamed Baby Bok Choy

Panko-Crusted Halibut with Swiss Chard

The combination of meaty halibut fillets, earthy Swiss chard and bright herbs makes for a satisfying dinner that looks like it came from a restaurant.

Get the Recipe: Panko-Crusted Halibut with Swiss Chard

Ellie's Turkey Meatloaf

This comforting classic swaps out beef and breadcrumbs for oats and ground turkey while still retaining all the same heartiness of the meatloaf you remember growing up.

Get the Recipe: Mom's Turkey Meatloaf

Giada's Salmon With Lemon, Capers and Rosemary

Grilling salmon in foil makes for a no-fuss meal that's fresh and light.

Get the Recipe: Salmon with Lemon, Capers, and Rosemary

Spicy Shrimp Broth

Marcela's spicy soup is packed with shrimp, veggies and tons of healthy flavor.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Shrimp Broth

Buffalo Cauliflower with Blue Cheese Sauce

Enjoy one of your favorite bar and party snacks in a new form. Cauliflower with our spicy Buffalo sauce and cool, creamy blue cheese sauce is as satisfying as wings but with a fraction of the calories and fat.

Get the Recipe: Buffalo Cauliflower with Blue Cheese Sauce

Salmon Baked in Foil

Wrap your salmon in foil and cook it in the oven for an easy, juicy entree that comes in individual serving packets.

Get the Recipe: Salmon Baked in Foil

40 Cloves and a Chicken

Alton's chicken recipe is a garlic lover's dream, and at only 6 grams of carbohydrate per serving, it's a low-carb meal that's also elegant enough to serve to a crowd.

Get the Recipe: 40 Cloves and a Chicken

Roman-Style Chicken

Giada simmers her chicken in a rich, flavorful blend of prosciutto, white wine and Italian spices.

Get the Recipe: Roman-Style Chicken

Healthy Grilled BBQ Meatloaf Foil Pack

What makes this low-fat, low-carb meatloaf speedier than the typical oven version? The reflective surface of the foil packet, which traps and intensifies the heat like a mini silver oven.

Get the Recipe: Healthy Grilled BBQ Meatloaf Foil Pack

Marinated Flank Steak with Blue Cheese Sauce

What really takes this marinated flank steak to the next level is the creamy sauce. Low-fat buttermilk is deliciously creamy but has the same amount of fat as 1 percent milk, and just a little bit of blue cheese will go a long way, so you don't need to substitute anything for it.

Get the Recipe: Marinated Flank Steak with Blue Cheese Sauce

Ellie's Pork Tenderloin With Seasoned Rub

Dry rubs are great for providing loads of flavor without adding a lot of oil or butter; Ellie's includes oregano, cumin, coriander and thyme.

Get the Recipe: Pork Tenderloin with Seasoned Rub

Buffalo Chicken Salad

Ellie makes a healthy version of this classic with all of the original flavor. How does she create a blue cheese dressing with half the calories and a third of the fat of the traditional creamy topping? Greek yogurt.

Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad

Mahi Mahi With Cauliflower

Almonds, raisins and coriander give this fish dish the perfect nutty and sweet balance.

Get the Recipe: Mahi Mahi With Cauliflower

Spicy Shrimp, Celery, and Cashew Stir-fry

Pack some heat into your stir-fry with this pepper-loaded shrimp dish. In addition to celery and cashews, you can throw in veggies for color, flavor and an extra dose of vitamins!

Get the Recipe: Spicy Shrimp, Celery and Cashew Stir-Fry

Baked Cauliflower Tots

What can't cauliflower do? It's delicious as a puree, makes a great meaty steak and now can be enjoyed as the ultimate finger food — a crunchy tot. We use crispy rice cereal as a gluten-free breading. A hot oven (and a little cooking spray) gets you a crackling exterior without deep-frying.

Get the Recipe: Baked Cauliflower Tots

Glazed Salmon and Bok Choy Sheet Pan Dinner

This simple-yet-satisfying meal can be assembled and cooked in minutes on just one sheet pan. What's better than that?

Get the Recipe: Glazed Salmon and Bok Choy Sheet Pan Dinner

Curried Chicken Salad

This salad will keep you energized and alert. Juicy grapes and crunchy almonds are the perfect balance to the kick of curry. Nonfat plain yogurt will give great creaminess to the dish so you'll need much less mayonnaise.

Get the Recipe: Curried Chicken Salad

Marinated Chicken Breasts

Pro tip: Marinate the chicken breasts in a freezer-safe zip-top bag and store in the freezer for up to two weeks. Thaw them in the refrigerator and grill on a busy weeknight.

Get the Recipe: Marinated Chicken Breasts

Breadless Cucumber Tuna Salad Sandwiches

A healthy take on a classic. Cut some carbs by slicing cucumbers in half lengthwise and spooning out their insides. Layer some tuna in between and you’ve got a sandwich — without using any bread.

Get the Recipe: Breadless Cucumber Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Grilled Marinated Leg of Lamb with Asparagus and Mint Chimichurri

A fresh chimichurri sauce made with garlic, parsley, mint and lemon juice brings the classic combination of lamb and mint to a whole new level.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Marinated Leg of Lamb with Asparagus and Mint Chimichurri

Cucumber-Dill Yogurt Dip

Make an easy party dip out of plain yogurt with dill and chunks of fresh cucumber. Keep it light by serving the dip alongside sliced vegetables instead of crackers or chips.

Get the Recipe: Cucumber-Dill Yogurt Dip

Surf 'N Earth

These bite-size crab-stuffed mushrooms are the perfect party appetizer.

Get the Recipe: Surf 'N Earth

Cheesy Scrambled Egg Fajitas

Instead of taco night whip out those tortillas for a breakfast fajita — complete with scrambled eggs, melted cheese and avocado.

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scrambled Egg Fajitas

Herb-Roasted Chicken with Root Vegetables

"Fit Chef Eddie" shares his low-carb recipe for a whole roasted chicken with carrots, rutabagas and turnips. Keep your fingers crossed there are leftovers!

Get the Recipe: Herb-Roasted Chicken with Root Vegetables

Cheese and Chile-Stuffed Mushrooms

There’s no shortage of flavor with these healthy stuffed portobellos. They’re filled with mozzarella cheese, garlic and poblano pepper.

Get the Recipe: Cheese and Chile-Stuffed Mushrooms

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