35 Low-Carb Vegetarian Recipes That Are Actually Tasty (2024)

Table of Contents
1. Vegan Keto Coconut Curry (10g Carbs) 2. Alison Roman’s Roasted Squash With Yogurt And Spiced Buttered Pistachios (11g Carbs) 3. Turmeric-spiced Cauliflower And Broccoli With Capers (13g Carbs) 4. Cacio E Pepe Cauliflower (9g Carbs) 5. Baked Eggs In Avocado (9g Carbs) 6. Cold Sesame Cucumber Noodles (14g Carbs) 7. Zucchini & Tomato Ragù (7g Carbs) 8. Tomato Salad With Grilled Halloumi And Herbs (8g Carbs) 9. Quiche With Gluten-free Sweet Potato Crust (15g Carbs) 10. Zoodle Stir-fry (18g Carbs) 11. Meal-prep Creamy Kale Caesar Salad (8g Carbs) 12. Mini Eggplant Pizzas (13g Carbs) 13. Pesto Zoodles (14g Carbs) 14. Sweet Potato, Tomato, Kale And Halloumi Sheet Tray (16g Carbs) 15. Vegan Keto Everything Bagels (1g Carbs) 16. Cold Lemon Zoodles (8g Carbs) 17. Vegan Spaghetti Squash With Mushroom Marinara Sauce (25g Carbs) 18. Baked Zucchini ‘ziti’ Spirals With Mozzarella (18g Carbs) 19. Charred Broccoli With Sriracha Almond Butter Sauce (25g Carbs) 20. Vegetarian Sushi Cups (25g Carbs) 21. Grilled Peach And Halloumi Salad With Lemon-pesto Dressing (21g Carbs) 22. Cauliflower Fried Rice (23g Carbs) 23. 30-minute Vegetarian Meatballs (12g Carbs) 24. Zoodles With Tomato Sauce And Mozzarella (22g Carbs) 25. Charred Cauliflower With Crunchy Garlic Chile Oil (8g Carbs) 26. One-pan Eggs With Asparagus And Tomatoes (13g Carbs) 27. Creamy Gochujang Zoodles (21g Carbs) 28. Avocado Greek Salad (12g Carbs) 29. Cauliflower ‘potato’ Salad (9g Carbs) 30. Keto Instant Pot Greek Cauliflower Rice (6g Carbs) 31. Cauliflower Tortillas (5g Carbs) 32. Mexican Zucchini Boats Ingredients (24.5g Carbs) 33. Baby Vegetables With Orange And Thyme (14g Carbs) 34. Crispy Tofu Bites (10g Carbs) 35. Rainbow Vegetable Skewers (3g Carbs) Shop Kitchen Picks: Senior Food Editor FAQs References

food

35 Low-Carb Vegetarian Recipes That Are Actually Tasty (1)

By Katherine Gillen

Published Mar 9, 2021

A lot of low-carb diets (which, FYI, the American Academy of Family Physicians defines as an intake of 20 to 60 grams of carbohydrates per day) rely heavily on meat. But don’t fret, vegetarians. Plenty of plant-based options are light on carbs but still filling, thanks to tofu, healthy fats, fiber-rich veggies and legumes. Need some inspiration? Here are 35 low-carb vegetarian recipes we love.

RELATED

18 Big-Batch Vegetarian Dinners That Serve the Whole Family

Helene Dujardin/The Essential Vegan Keto Cookbook

1. Vegan Keto Coconut Curry (10g Carbs)

Even if you’re not jumping on the keto train, this flavorful dish will satisfy your cravings. The tofu soaks up the sauce in a way that can only be described as *chef’s kiss.*

Get the recipe

Michael Graydon and Nikole Herriott/Nothing Fancy

2. Alison Roman’s Roasted Squash With Yogurt And Spiced Buttered Pistachios (11g Carbs)

You could serve this hearty caramelized squash as a side, but it also makes a mean main course for fewer people. (Don’t get us started on that yogurt sauce.)

Get the recipe

Eric Wolfinger/The Mexican Keto Cookbook

3. Turmeric-spiced Cauliflower And Broccoli With Capers (13g Carbs)

The best part about this sunny dish? You just toss everything together and pop it in the oven. Twenty-five minutes later, a star is born.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

4. Cacio E Pepe Cauliflower (9g Carbs)

It’s so luscious and cheesy, we might need to eat it in private.

Get the recipe

Eric Wolfinger/The Mexican Keto Cookbook

5. Baked Eggs In Avocado (9g Carbs)

There are boring healthy breakfasts (oats), unhealthy breakfasts (sticky buns) and exciting, filling, magical breakfasts (this guy).

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

6. Cold Sesame Cucumber Noodles (14g Carbs)

Pick up a package of marinated, baked tofu at the store and dinner is already halfway done. Did we mention how much we love the tangy soy-vinegar dressing?

Get the recipe

Helen Cathcart/Tuscany

7. Zucchini & Tomato Ragù (7g Carbs)

When you’re working with in-season vegetables, simple is almost always best. Top this 20-minute sauce with a poached egg and you’re good to go.

Get the recipe

Aubrie Pick/Great Tastes

8. Tomato Salad With Grilled Halloumi And Herbs (8g Carbs)

Who needs a giant steak when you have gooey grilled cheese?

Get the recipe

9. Quiche With Gluten-free Sweet Potato Crust (15g Carbs)

Ditch the traditional crust and you’re left with a tasty and good-for-you go-to for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

10. Zoodle Stir-fry (18g Carbs)

You have 22 minutes to get dinner on the table. Ready? Go.

Get the recipe

100 Days of Real Food

11. Meal-prep Creamy Kale Caesar Salad (8g Carbs)

This creamy homemade dressing beats anything you’ll find in the grocery aisles. It also takes like two seconds to make—a win-win.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

12. Mini Eggplant Pizzas (13g Carbs)

Not only are they low-carb and damn cute but they’re also way easier to make than whipping up a homemade pie.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

13. Pesto Zoodles (14g Carbs)

And the category is “freshly grated Parm.”

Get the recipe

Laura Edwards/The Yoga Kitchen Plan

14. Sweet Potato, Tomato, Kale And Halloumi Sheet Tray (16g Carbs)

When you want a homemade dinner but don’t actually feel like cooking, the baking sheet is your best friend. Plus, there’s almost no cleanup after.

Get the recipe

Helene Dujardin/The Essential Vegan Keto Cookbook

15. Vegan Keto Everything Bagels (1g Carbs)

Make ’em on Sunday night so you can grab and go all week long.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

16. Cold Lemon Zoodles (8g Carbs)

Get this: No actual cooking is required. Genius, right?

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

17. Vegan Spaghetti Squash With Mushroom Marinara Sauce (25g Carbs)

It might not be exactly like your nonna’s version, but considering it tastes like it simmered all day, we feel confident it would still make her proud.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

18. Baked Zucchini ‘ziti’ Spirals With Mozzarella (18g Carbs)

We’ll always have a soft spot for decadent, carb-y traditional baked ziti, but this equally cheesy version is doing a good job of filling in.

Get the recipe

Linda Pugliese/Just Married

19. Charred Broccoli With Sriracha Almond Butter Sauce (25g Carbs)

We’d like to eat this riff on Thai peanut sauce with a spoon.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

20. Vegetarian Sushi Cups (25g Carbs)

Wrapping up raw fish at home? Sounds like a lot of work. Chopsticks are optional for these cuties, but encouraged.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

21. Grilled Peach And Halloumi Salad With Lemon-pesto Dressing (21g Carbs)

A salad that’s filling enough to be a meal? You can thank our BFF halloumi for that.

Get the recipe

RELATED

40 Easy Vegetarian Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

22. Cauliflower Fried Rice (23g Carbs)

Instead of making you feel bloated and greasy (ahem, takeout), this 25-minute dish will fill you up in the best way possible. And when in doubt, put an egg on it.

Get the recipe

23. 30-minute Vegetarian Meatballs (12g Carbs)

If we’re being honest, we were hooked at “masala sauce,” but the freezability of the meatballs is another strong selling point.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

24. Zoodles With Tomato Sauce And Mozzarella (22g Carbs)

Sorry, spaghetti. We’re breaking up with you and running away with this Italian-inspired number. (Fresh basil, on the other hand, we’ll never get tired of.)

Get the recipe

Emily Dorio/The Saltwater Table

25. Charred Cauliflower With Crunchy Garlic Chile Oil (8g Carbs)

Meat need not apply: This side is spicy, sweet, crunchy and just as satisfying as any chicken dinner.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

26. One-pan Eggs With Asparagus And Tomatoes (13g Carbs)

A 30-minute meal that works for breakfast, lunch or dinner—huzzah.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

27. Creamy Gochujang Zoodles (21g Carbs)

We’ll never get tired of zucchini noodles, especially when they’re smothered in a creamy, spicy sauce.

Get the recipe

RELATED

50 Low-Carb Lunch Ideas You’ll Actually Be Excited to Eat

35 Low-Carb Vegetarian Recipes That Are Actually Tasty (29)

Cafe Delites

28. Avocado Greek Salad (12g Carbs)

You totally have 15 minutes to spare.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

29. Cauliflower ‘potato’ Salad (9g Carbs)

When the carb cravings hit, cauliflower is here to sub in for potatoes! And yes, it works.

Get the recipe

Leslie Grow/Keto In an Instant

30. Keto Instant Pot Greek Cauliflower Rice (6g Carbs)

Plain cauliflower rice is just fine. But this Greek cauliflower rice, from Jen Fisch is even better.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

31. Cauliflower Tortillas (5g Carbs)

Call all your keto friends! Taco Tuesday is super low-carb again!

Get the recipe

35 Low-Carb Vegetarian Recipes That Are Actually Tasty (33)

Food Faith Fitness

32. Mexican Zucchini Boats Ingredients (24.5g Carbs)

Possibly the easiest dinner you’ll ever make.

Ola Smit/Dinner's In the Bag

33. Baby Vegetables With Orange And Thyme (14g Carbs)

It’s flavorful and easy, with pretty much no cleanup.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

34. Crispy Tofu Bites (10g Carbs)

You'll want it on hand for those times when you're craving a nibble but also want to keep it healthy-ish.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

35. Rainbow Vegetable Skewers (3g Carbs)

These rainbow vegetable skewers contain one ingredient each, so they’ll grill to perfection.

Get the recipe

RELATED

36 High-Protein Vegetarian Meals That Won’t Leave You Hungry

35 Low-Carb Vegetarian Recipes That Are Actually Tasty (39)

Katherine Gillen

Senior Food Editor

Katherine Gillenis PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City...

read full bio

35 Low-Carb Vegetarian Recipes That Are Actually Tasty (2024)

FAQs

Can you be low-carb and vegetarian? ›

Vegetarians tend to eat other animal-derived products, including dairy, eggs, and honey, while vegans do not. Vegetarian and vegan diets can be heavy in carbs, from grains, bread, starchy vegetables, and fruits. However, following a low-carb vegetarian or vegan diet is entirely possible.

How to eat more protein and less carbs as a vegetarian? ›

Dairy Products and Eggs Are Low in Carbs

Eggs and dairy products, without added sugar, are low in carbs, but high in both protein and fat. For vegetarians (not vegans), they are perfect for a low-carb diet. Eggs: Contain only trace amounts of carbs. Choose pastured, omega-3-enriched or free-range eggs if you can.

What vegetables have no carbs? ›

A. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, celery, iceberg lettuce, cucumber, and tomatoes contain very few or almost no carbohydrates. The carbohydrate count ranges from 2.97 to 3.89 grams. One cup of raw kale contains 0.9 g of carbohydrates (0% DV), making it a low-carb option.

Which Bean is lowest in carbs? ›

Highest and Lowest Carb Beans

Among these, black soybeans and green beans have the lowest carbs, potentially making them better for a keto diet. On the other hand, chickpeas, pinto beans, and navy beans have high carbs.

What is the best meat for vegetarian? ›

Vegetarian Meat Alternatives Ranked From Best to Worst
  1. Texturized Soy Protein. This is a no-brainer – texturized vegetable protein, also known as texturized soy protein, wins in overall meat-like texture and taste. ...
  2. Tofu. ...
  3. King Oyster Mushrooms. ...
  4. Seitan. ...
  5. Jackfruit. ...
  6. Tempeh. ...
  7. Cauliflower. ...
  8. Beans and legumes.
Apr 21, 2022

What is the best protein for vegetarians? ›

Top Protein Sources for Vegans and Vegetarians
  • Tempeh. In Pascale's opinion, the “foremost” protein source for vegans and vegetarians is tempeh, which she describes as a fermented alternative to tofu that's made with a whole soybean. ...
  • Lentils. ...
  • Beans. ...
  • Nut Butters. ...
  • Hemp Seeds. ...
  • Tofu.
Jan 23, 2024

What happens to your body when you go vegetarian? ›

Vegetarians tend to weigh less than meat-eaters, and to have lower cancer rates. “Evidence also suggests that a vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of death from certain heart diseases, and that those who follow a vegetarian diet tend to have lower LDL [“bad”] cholesterol levels,” says Engel.

Which meat has no carbs? ›

Foods that are typically allowed on a no-carb diet include: Meat and low carb animal products: chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, venison, bison, pork, eggs, butter, lard, cheese. Seafood: salmon, tilapia, cod, shrimp, sardines, herring, crab.

What snack food has no carbs? ›

Zero Carb Snacks:
  • Cheese: A savory and satisfying snack, cheese is low in carbs and high in flavor. ...
  • Hard-Boiled Eggs: Packed with protein and virtually carb-free, hard-boiled eggs make for a portable and nutritious snack. ...
  • Pork Rinds: Crispy and carb-free, pork rinds are a savory alternative to traditional snacks.

What are 7 great vegetables to cut down on carbs? ›

List of the best low carb vegetables
  • Cucumbers. Cucumbers are a refreshing and nutritious addition to any salad — Greek or otherwise! ...
  • Iceberg lettuce. ...
  • Celery. ...
  • White mushrooms. ...
  • Spinach. ...
  • Swiss chard. ...
  • Broccoli. ...
  • Bell peppers.

Is it possible to be keto and vegetarian? ›

Can the keto diet even work for those of us who avoid animal products? The answer is a resounding YES!

How many carbs should a vegetarian eat? ›

“This means that over half of your daily calorie intake should come from starchy foods, fruit and vegetables. This applies whether you are a meat eater, vegetarian or vegan.” The NHS recommends that individuals eat at least 260g of carbohydrates a day.

Can plant-based be low-carb? ›

Interestingly the principles of veganism and low carb can be very compatible, both ways of eating aim to reduce processed and refined foods, aiming to build a diet of whole, real foods. Meaning that a well-formulated vegan diet can also be low carb too.

Does low-carb mean no vegetables? ›

Well-planned low-carb diets do include vegetables, fruit, beans and even small portions of whole grains, such as oats and quinoa. So if your friend says “I don't eat carbs” or “I'm following a low-carb diet,” it usually means they've cut back on sugar and bread.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Patricia Veum II

Last Updated:

Views: 6484

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Patricia Veum II

Birthday: 1994-12-16

Address: 2064 Little Summit, Goldieton, MS 97651-0862

Phone: +6873952696715

Job: Principal Officer

Hobby: Rafting, Cabaret, Candle making, Jigsaw puzzles, Inline skating, Magic, Graffiti

Introduction: My name is Patricia Veum II, I am a vast, combative, smiling, famous, inexpensive, zealous, sparkling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.