Hello! I’m Anjali. I’m a board certified health coach, author, wife, mom and food lover from the SF Bay area (now living in Seattle, WA!); with a passion for delicious food and a desire to make healthy eating easy, tasty and fun! Learn more about me here and stay for a while!
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Following a low-carb diet while you’re a vegetarian may seem difficult, but not when you have a collection of simple and easy low-carb vegetarian recipes at your fingertips. Here you’ll find healthy, delicious, and satisfying recipes made with wholesome ingredients!
If you are going low carb, and also are vegetarian, you may find it more difficult than those that are omnivores. That’s because most low-carb recipes use animal protein as the main ingredient. In addition, many vegetarian foods use starchy vegetables and grains to bulk up their recipes. However, there are plenty of low-carb, high protein vegetarian alternatives that are satisfying, tasty and filling!
You are in the right place for finding delicious low-carb recipes. In this collection of delicious recipes, you’ll find high protein low carb recipes that use ingredients like avocadoes, eggs, cheese, nuts, nut butter, and more to create drool-worthy recipes.
These 30 low-carb vegetarian recipes will help jump-start your weight loss goals with healthy fats and wholesome vegetable-heavy dishes. They’re a great way to introduce low-carb recipes into your daily diet, or provide some recipe inspiration if you’re looking to try to go low-carb once in a while!
Many of these recipes are also suitable for those who follow a vegan diet. Just be aware of those recipes that include cheese, or eggs – you can still turn them into low-carb vegan recipes by using a vegan substitution instead.
You can use these recipes to customize your own meal plans for the month. All of these recipes have less than ~15-20 grams of net carbs, making them a delicious low carb and keto-friendly option for anyone looking to eat a little bit healthier!
When making a hearty salad include leafy greens, non-starchy vegetables, sliced nuts (like pine nuts), and cheese for added crunch, and to give your salad bulk. You’ll find healthy and great foods to satisfy every taste.
These salads have rich avocado, cubed cheese, creamy coconut milk dressings, or vinaigrettes with olive oil on fresh greens! These salads are packed with lots of veggies, are filling enough to make a meal, and are a great option for lunch or dinner!
Tomato Avocado Cucumber Salad
This quick, easy tomato avocado cucumber salad is a delicious blend of colorful, fresh veggies that will brighten up your dinner table. It’s vegetarian, gluten-free, and the perfect healthy side dish for a picnic, summer gatherings, potlucks with friends, or a quick weeknight dinner any time of the year! Plus, you'll only need 10 minutes of prep time to make it!
I absolutely love how my Roasted Pumpkin Salad combines comforting flavors and wholesome ingredients like pumpkin, quinoa, kale, and arugula! It’s a seasonal family favorite that’s naturally gluten-free, vegan, and ready in under an hour, perfect for a quick, hearty side or main dish.
This simple and quick Lentil and Feta Salad is made with cucumbers, juicy grape tomatoes, red onion, corn, and bell pepper for a high protein, nutrient-packed salad hearty enough to make a meal!
This copycat Chick-Fil-A kale salad recipe will quickly become one of your new favorite salads! It is made with a blend of kale and cabbage, and tossed in a homemade apple dijon vinaigrette for the perfect combination of tangy and sweet. If you are looking for healthy options for lunch or dinner, give this simple recipe a try!
My refreshing Keto Greek Salad is a healthier, low-carb take on classic Greek salad, but with all the deliciousness of a traditional recipe! Packed with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, salty olives, and tangy feta cheese drizzled with a zesty dressing, this keto salad recipe is perfect for potlucks, picnics, light lunches, or even easy dinners.
My Apple Walnut Salad is a delightful blend of crisp greens, tart apples, creamy feta, and crunchy walnuts, all tossed in a zesty apple cider vinaigrette. Fresh, flavorful, and ready in just 15 minutes, it’s perfect for holiday meals or a quick, light lunch!
Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Spinach and Chickpeas
This recipe makes cauliflower the star, roasted to perfection and tossed with a warm dressing, along with some chickpeas for protein, spinach for some greens, and kalamata olives for a nice tangy bite.
Appetizers are a delicious way to start your meal. The key to preparing a low carb appetizer is to leave out the bread, and use a vegetables in its place.
These appetizers range from zucchini pizza boats, that use sliced zucchini as the base, topped with mozzarella, and fresh veggies. Instead of chicken wings, you’ll find simple to make buffalo cauliflower bites. Use sliced veggies to enjoy these low carb dips.
Vegetarian Pizza Zucchini Boats
Hollowed-out zucchini is loaded with tangy marinara sauce, perfectly seasoned veggies, and gooey mozzarella cheese to create these tasty, stuffed vegetarian zucchini boats. A healthier alternative to traditional pizza, these pizza zucchini boats are easy to make and packed with flavor! Ready in under 30 minutes, and kid-friendly, it's an easy low-carb dinner idea the whole family can enjoy!
Healthy Kale Dip with Cream Cheese and Smoky Onion
This healthy kale dip made with smoky onion and cheese is packed full of flavor. It's a lightened up sharing dip, perfect for pot lucks, BBQ's and parties!
This cucumber gazpacho is light, refreshing, and so simple to make! Cooling cucumber, honeydew, tomato, and fresh mint come together to create a healthy soup that’s easy, quick, and both savory and slightly sweet! Serve it as an easy dinner, light lunch, or any time you have extra cucumbers to use up! This recipe is naturally gluten-free, vegan, and nut-free!
Zesty, savory, and super delicious, my edamame guacamole without avocado is the perfect healthy dip! Made with protein-packed edamame and a few other simple ingredients, it’s naturally gluten-free, as well as low in fat and calories. Whether you serve it on top of your favorite tacos or with simple tortilla chips, it’s sure to be the star of your next party.
Baked stuffed zucchini flowers with a creamy ricotta filling are classy, stylish, and sophisticated. If you’ve never tried zucchini blossoms before, you have to try this recipe! It’s simple but elegant, and is a classic Italian dish. Great as an appetizer or side, stuffed squash blossoms are family-friendly and a total crowd-pleaser!
Making a low-carb side dish is easy to do! Focus on low-starch vegetables like cauliflower, kale, jicama, eggplant, and cabbage.
Indian Vegetables Recipe
Indian Vegetables or Vegetable Sabji is best described as sautéd veggies with roasted Indian spices to amp up the flavor. It's a delicious side dish, or can be a main meal when served with roti, daal, or spiced yogurt for protein!
These oven baked parmesan kale chips are the perfect guilt-free snack because they have the crunch and flavor of traditional chips but are much healthier for you! Plus, this easy kale chip recipe can be made in your oven – no dehydrator necessary!
Air fryer jicama fries are crispy, easy to make, and the perfect side dish. These jicama fries are a healthy alternative to traditional french fries, but are super flavorful thanks to aromatic spices like fresh rosemary, garlic powder, and fresh thyme. Cut out the splattering oil by using the air fryer instead!
Thai basil eggplant stir-fry is a delicious and quick vegetarian dish made with eggplant, peppers, onions, garlic, and a blend of fresh Asian sauces and spices. Made with Japanese eggplant, Thai basil, and peppers, this 30-minute stir-fry can be served as a side dish or a light main dish for a tasty weeknight dinner!
These delicious, crispy, roasted air fryer carrots are unbelievably easy to make! Make them sweet, savory or spicy based on your preferences. Ready in minutes, this simple air fryer recipe is an easy way to incorporate a great side dish into the rotation for lunch or dinner! The whole family will love these delicious carrots made in the air fryer.
Cauliflower Sabji is an Indian vegetable side dish spiced with curry flavors. It's simple to make, and full of flavor. An excellent way to get a healthy serving of vegetables into your daily diet!
This deliciously spiced Indian cabbage with peas is spiced with cumin seeds, coriander, turmeric. In India it is called sabzi which means "vegetable dish." It's got a bit of a kick from the cayenne pepper, and a nice char on the cabbage gives it a smoky flavor! A delicious traditional Indian side dish!
These healthy deviled eggs made with Greek yogurt are full of flavor and oh so creamy. They are healthier and more nutritious than traditional deviled eggs, but taste even better!
My Cheesy Garlic Roasted Asparagus is incredibly easy to make and ready in just 10 minutes! Topped with melty mozzarella, parmesan, garlic, and spices, it’s my go-to appetizer or side dish that my family loves all year round.
Create a low carb meal with rich and thick soups, seasoned spaghetti squash, vegetable tofu skewers, eggs, and more. Use your instant pot, slow cooker, or air fryer to help you simplify mealtime.
Most of these recipes are suitable for those on a keto diet, and are total comfort food. Cauliflower rice when serving main course stir-fries and mixed vegetables both make for low carb and low-calorie meat substitutes. You’ll find an easy dinner idea for each day of the week, guaranteed to become a family favorite!
Curried Cauliflower Soup
Curried cauliflower soup is creamy and extra comforting when served with warm naan bread. Top with crunchy cashews for a meal that totally hits the spot! Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and ready in under 30 minutes.
This vegan asparagus soup is easy, healthy, and super rich and creamy – without needing any cream or milk! Enjoy this asparagus soup without cream for a light lunch, dinner, or side dish. It takes just 30 minutes to make this pureed soup and it's perfect for the whole family to enjoy!
This Curry Spaghetti Squash recipe is wonderfully spicy, delicious, and filling! It's an excellent pasta substitute topped with fire roasted tomatoes, and chickpeas for added protein! It makes a healthy and satisfying dinner for the whole family!
These healthy Tofu Skewers are an easy meal that can be made in under 30 minutes! Each kabob has tofu, peaches, onions, zucchini, and a sweet and salty ginger soy marinade that pulls all the flavors together!
Ready in under 20 minutes, my healthy, low-calorie omelette is packed with flavor and lean protein. Made with egg whites for fewer calories and fat, this tastes just like a classic omelette but is lightened up and healthier!
This palak tofu recipe is full of spices, creamy and rich, but thanks to light coconut milk and tofu in place of paneer, it’s only about 200 calories for 1/4 of the ENTIRE recipe, and it's gluten-free and vegan friendly too!
Try any of these tips and tricks when trying to make your favorite recipes more suitable for a low carb diet!
Create healthy breakfasts with eggs including healthy omelette, scrambles, or a crustless quiche stuffed with low carb veggies and cheese.
Make pizza using a crust made from cauliflower or sweet potatoes.
Make pasta out of zucchini noodles, butternut squash or sweet potato noodles, and then toss them in this delicious tomato sauce that also happens to be keto-friendly!
Make a burrito using lettuce wraps instead of tortillas.
Make a broccoli stir fry using broccoli, leafy greens and tempeh.
Create low carb bowls with a mixture of your favorite sugar free dressing, non-starchy veggies, and vegetarian friendly protein!
Dessert doesn’t have to be off the table! Thanks to sweeteners like monk fruit and stevia, you can make the majority of your favorite desserts with low carb chocolate, and sugar free substitutes to satisfy your sweet cravings.
❓FAQs
Can You Be A Low Carb Vegetarian? Is plant based keto possible?
Yes absolutely! While those who follow a vegetarian diet do not eat meat, poultry or fish, they do eat other animal products like dairy and eggs.
Additionally, there are quite a few low carb plant based proteins that vegetarians can eat (soy, nuts and seeds primarily). The key is to stay away from all grains and fresh fruit – which are healthy, but both are high in carbs.
Plant based keto will take more discipline and creativity than a traditional keto diet, but between dairy, plant based proteins, and healthy veggies, it is definitely possible!
What foods have little to no carbs?
Other than the obvious foods like meat, poultry and fish, here is a list of our favorite low or no-carb foods: tofu, tempeh, seitan, nuts and nut flours like almond flour and coconut flour, seeds, eggs, all dairy, nutritional yeast, coconut oil, avocados and most fiber-rich veggies and non starchy veggies including asparagus, radishes, artichokes, broccoli, kale and all other leafy greens (bok choy, spinach, lettuce, etc.)
Is vegetarian better than keto?
That depends on who you ask! From a pure health standpoint, a vegetarian or vegan diet (when followed correctly and is free of processed food, fast food, and sugar) is better for long term health than keto, since it’s lower in fat and higher in fiber.
However, a vegetarian or vegan diet high in refined carbs and sugar is not healthier than keto! And a keto diet that’s a bit more balanced and not solely focused on meats and fats can be just as healthy as a vegetarian diet. In the end, it’s all about balance and moderation to make any diet a success.
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So many vegetarian recipes! I really like all the salads here, they all look delicious!
Thanks Biana! The salads really are delicious!
This list is great! We have a family member who started her vegan journey and I’m always looking for delicious new vegan recipe ideas.
Awesome!! I can’t wait to hear how these recipes turn out for you!
So many amazing recipes here! I love deviled eggs, and the air fryer options are amazing!
Thanks so much Katie!! 🙂
What a great roundup to head into the New Year with!
Thanks so much Gina! Enjoy!