Almost Zero Carb Holiday Recipes
Simplify your holiday meals with the most popular, tried-and-true favorites made with almost no carbs.
These recipes are unique and satisfying (even to non-low carbers). Let’s rethink our traditional go-tos by substituting healthier ingredients.
- 35 Holiday recipes for bread, sauces, soup, salads, main dishes, stuffing, sides, dessert and drinks.
Almost Zero Recipe eBook
The recipes mentioned in this article are featured in a special Holiday recipe eBook.
35 Holiday drinks, sauces, spreads, gravy, bread, stuffing, starters, sides, main courses and desserts… with almost NO carbs.
Look Inside: Check out what’s on the menu.
This year, tighten your pants. Use the Holidays to your advantage and slide right through, unscathed by carbs.
Almost Zero Main Dishes
Turkey, chicken, duck, goose and ham are traditional stars of the holiday table. But which choice is the most nutritious and keto friendly?
Turkey & Chicken
Eat mainly white meat, with only a nibble or two of dark meat and a little crispy skin.
- Golden brown and juicy, roasted turkey and chicken are holiday classics considered low-to-zero carb foods.
- The white meat is lower in fat and cholesterol than dark meat. However, the dark meat has more iron.
Duck vs. Goose
Duck and goose are glorious additions to a beautiful table. Both are aromatic, with skin that crisps and browns beautifully.
- Without the skin, goose is much higher in calories from fat than duck. Almost five times more calories come from the fat in a goose than the fat in a duck.
- The cholesterol count is a bit lower for a goose than a duck.
Ham
Basic baked ham also fits perfectly into your low carb diet.
- Honey baked ham has more carbs and sodium, so be sure to check the labels carefully.
- Bake or roast your ham with rich spices or a savory glaze, such as a mustard glaze.
Almost Zero Soup, Sauces and Gravy
Enhance the natural flavors of these delicate dishes by selecting organic ingredients, and farm-fresh low carb vegetables in season.
Soups
Make a thick, creamy pumpkin, squash or cauliflower soup.
- Serve soups with toasted, sea-salted almonds for extra crunch.
- Use a dollop of yogurt or sour cream on top to add creamy texture.
Sauces and Gravy
Use the pan drippings from the main course, add a little water or wine, and simmer in a saucepan over medium high heat.
Let the liquid bubble, reducing it by half. You’ll have a rich flavorful gravy without flour.
Reduce the carbs in sauces and gravies by “bulking it up” with eggplant, pumpkin and black soybeans. These bulking foods absorb the flavors of the dish without adding extra sugar.
Almost Zero Carb Bread
This holiday season, keto bread and crackers make all things possible. Enjoy a little crunch under something creamy.
Use for appetizers, in casseroles, with salads or just to collect soups and gravy!
Almost Zero Carb Stuffing
A savory, traditional stuffing with butter and fresh herbs.
Skip the bread-based stuffing and get creative:
- Use cubes of yellow squash or cauliflower. Add sausage, celery, onion, toasted nuts and traditional holiday herbs.
- Explore other unique ingredients like wild mushrooms, smoked sausage, apples or oysters.
Almost Zero Carb Sides
Create a new tradition and reinvent your Holiday side dishes. Mashed mock potatoes satisfies your starchy cravings without adding carbs.
Add cream cheese for a smoother texture, or toasted almonds for extra crunch. Add crispy bacon, a sharp cheese or smoked hot sausage.
Baked spaghetti squash with Parmesan cheese makes a great sub for pasta.
Fresh Holiday Salads
Use crispy spinach and mixed greens, toasted or spiced nuts and unexpected citrus to lighten things up.
For warm salads, add fresh chopped savory herbs to complete the holiday flavor palate.
Almost Zero Carb Desserts
Invest in almond flour to replace wheat flour crusts, or use crushed toasted nuts and seeds.
Whipped heavy cream is easily flavored with sugar-free syrups or extracts. Fluffy egg white dollops transform into crunchy cookies.
Almost Zero Carb Beverages
Holidays and celebrations call for equally as festive drinks.
Irish Coffee/Cocoa
Dress up your after-dinner cocoa or coffee with meringues, cream or a splash of spirits. Whiskey is zero-carb, but the alcohol does turn into sugar in the body, so limit yourself.
Non-alcoholic version: Substitute pure vanilla extract or bourbon flavoring for the whiskey.
Use a rich coffee blend (regular or decaffeinated) and put a big dollop of freshly whipped heavy cream with vanilla on top. Perfect hot or cold.
Wine
A glass of wine with dinner is a classic holiday treat. Unfortunately, wine does contain carbs, about 2 to 4 net carbs per 6 oz glass.
Reduce the carbs (and the alcohol content) even more by adding a flavored sparkling water, and a few low carb berries or fruit slices.
Make Progress Before the New Year
These keto Holiday dishes have one thing in common: the same delicious taste and textures as your old favorites.
But this season, the holidays won’t destroy your diet.
Look Inside: Check out what’s on the menu.
Holiday drinks, sauces, spreads, gravy, bread, stuffing, starters, sides, main courses and desserts… with almost NO carbs.
Category: Meal Plans
