Lazy keto meals make it simple to eat low carb! These 15+ easy lazy keto recipes are ready in under 30 minutes prep time, plus they're packed with flavor.
By Maya Krampf Updated Published November 8, 2021
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Tips For Lazy Keto Meal Prep
Best Lazy Keto Meals
Recipe Reviews
These lazy keto meals are exactly what you need to make following a ketogenic diet super easy AND delicious. They’re the best way way to get all the benefits of a low carb “lazy keto” lifestyle, without hours of time and effort every week!
I have lots of easy keto recipes here on Wholesome Yum, but in particular, this collection of lazy keto recipes will help you create meals with just minutes of hands-on prep time. Mix and match them to create a beginner lazy keto meal plan that keeps you on track.
Tips For Lazy Keto Meal Prep
To save the most time, try these tips when you make lazy keto meals:
Use Prepared Ingredients – Get pre-chopped veggies, shredded chicken, pre-shredded cheeses, and prepared sauces like ranch dressing for maximum time savings. (Or, make them ahead yourself!)
Choose Simple Recipes – Pick easy, all-in-one meals or pair very simple mains with basic sides.
Double Recipes, Then Freeze For Later – Freezing leftovers makes lazy keto diet meals come together even faster the second time around.
Lazy Doesn’t Always Mean “Dirty” – Dirty keto and lazy keto are not always the same thing. You can restrict your carbohydrates, make super simple meals, and eat clean foods at the same time.
Try Intermittent Fasting – Fasting means fewer meals to plan, and it has many benefits when paired with a lazy keto lifestyle. If this is too hard or doesn’t work with your schedule, you could also just do coffee with cream (or bulletproof coffee) for breakfast.
Best Lazy Keto Meals
Save time and stay healthy with these easy lazy keto recipes. They all come together quickly, or take minimal prep time and cook on their own! If you need even more ideas, many of my other keto dinner recipes are also quick and easy.
Keto Korean Beef Bowls
Quick cooking ground beef and savory cauliflower rice create a takeout-style meal in 20 minutes.
One of the best beginner lazy keto meals! It only takes 5 minutes to prepare, and it’s so easy to make ahead (with spinach or broccoli!). Save even more time with shredded rotisserie chicken, pre-cooked bacon bits, and bottled ranch.
Get The Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole Recipe
Kielbasa And Sauerkraut
This sweet, tangy, and savory dinner recipe takes 5 minutes to prepare, then develops all its flavors in the slow cooker.
Get The Kielbasa And Sauerkraut Recipe
Instant Pot Steak Fajitas
No more babysitting the pan! Quick cooking in the Instant Pot delivers this dish to your table in well under 20 minutes.
Get The Steak Fajitas Recipe
Broccoli Cheese Soup
The perfect light lunch that stores well in the fridge. With 5 ingredients and 20 minutes, you can make a keto soup that rivals your favorite cafe!
Get The Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Legs
It’s true — your air fryer can make lazy keto meals, too! Serve this juicy, crispy protein with a fast side dish like sauteed zucchini.
All the savory taste of your favorite burger — but it won’t kick you out of ketosis. It takes just 20 minutes, with 2g net carbs.
Get The Big Mac Salad Recipe
Keto Shrimp Scampi
With tender garlic shrimp and spiralized vegetables, it’s one of those easy keto dinners you’ll make on repeat. Done in under 30 minutes, too!
Get The Keto Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Stuffed Pepper Soup
At just under 8g net carbs, this soup captures all the flavor of stuffed peppers (without all the work to stuff them)!
Get The Stuffed Pepper Soup Recipe
Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad
No need for lettuce! Lazy keto meals like this are perfect for a crowd (whether they follow a traditional keto diet or not). Try it with pan seared pork chops for a complete meal in under 20 minutes.
Get The Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe
Chaffle Pizza
You might think of chaffles as keto breakfasts, but they work for any meal! This one loads the chaffle “crust” with lots of melty cheese and pepperoni… perfect with a side of sauteed mushrooms.
Get The Chaffle Pizza Recipe
Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
You won’t miss the bun! A cheesy broth and hearty chunks of meat and veggies make a soup so good, you won’t believe it’s 5g net carbs.
Get The Bacon Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
Keto Antipasto Salad
Make lazy keto meals like this when you need a lighter main dish — or serve it a heartier recipe like sausage stuffed mushrooms.
Get The Keto Antipasto Salad Recipe
Cauliflower Mac And Cheese
The best way to make keto vegetables irresistable? Cover them with cheese! This dish makes a mouthwatering main dish or side with just 5 ingredients.
Get The Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe
Keto Bell Pepper Sandwich
As easy and lazy as a conventional sandwich — without the bun!
Foods you can eat on the keto diet include fish and seafood, meat and poultry, non-starchy vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and zucchini, avocados, berries, nuts and seeds, eggs, high-fat dairy products, olive oil and other oils, and high-cocoa chocolate.
A lazy keto diet consists of low-carb foods like meat, fish, full-fat dairy and non-starchy vegetables, but limits high-carb foods such as bread, potatoes, sugary snacks and some fruits.
"Ketosis is the ultimate goal of a ketogenic diet, but with the 'lazy' approach, you cannot guarantee that you remain in ketosis," Bradley said. Even if lazy keto means you won't reach the coveted ketosis status, Bradley said this is a moderate version of a low-carb diet that's more sustainable.
Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.
People who consume too many calories may gain weight, even if they are in a state of ketosis. It is, therefore, important that people keep track of the number of calories that they consume. Sticking to a balanced meal plan can help a person work toward their ideal weight.
While the lazy keto diet offers more flexibility, there are still certain foods you should avoid or consume in moderation. These include: High-carb foods: Bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and sugary snacks. Starchy vegetables: Potatoes, yams, corn and peas.
Low-carb foods such as meat, fish, dairy products, and non-starchy vegetables are the key components of a lazy keto diet, while high-carb foods like bread, potatoes, sugary snacks, and fruits are avoided. Check out our complete keto grocery list for beginners to give you some inspiration.
One of the main reasons people don't lose weight on the ketogenic diet is that they're consuming too many carbs. To reach the state of ketosis — a metabolic state in which your body burns fat for energy instead of glucose — carbohydrate intake must be drastically reduced.
A lazy keto diet only requires someone to limit their carbohydrates to 10% or less of their daily calories. This approach means that a person does not need to track their fat and protein intake. Some people use keto diets to lose weight or reduce their body fat.
Net carbs are calculated by taking the total grams of carbohydrate in a food and subtracting the amount of fiber. In this case, popcorn contains 6 grams of carbs per 1 cup serving and 1.2 grams of fiber, bringing the net carbs per serving to 4.8 grams. Yes friends, popcorn is indeed a keto food.
Bananas. Bananas may be great for muscle recovery, reducing bloat, and calming an upset stomach, but they're on the list of foods you can't eat on the keto diet. With 25g of carbs per 100g serving, bananas are too high in carbs.
Keto fruits by definition are low in carbohydrates. You still need to exercise portion control with most keto-friendly fruits to be within the limits of a keto diet. Keto-friendly fruits include avocados, watermelon, strawberries, lemons, tomatoes, raspberries, peaches, cantaloupe, star fruit, and blackberries.
We'll also share some great low-carb egg-based keto recipes. Eggs are keto-friendly and safe to eat when you're on the ketogenic diet. Eggs are low in carbs while containing high amounts of protein and healthy fats. You can have 6 to 7 eggs every day while on the keto diet.
Some healthy unsaturated fats are allowed on the keto diet — like nuts (almonds, walnuts), seeds, avocados, tofu, and olive oil. But saturated fats from oils (palm, coconut), lard, butter, and cocoa butter are encouraged in high amounts.
Can you eat too much salad on keto? Vegetables do contain carbohydrates, so it is possible to eat too much salad and exceed your carb limit for the day. However, if you're careful about the greens and other veggies you include and don't overdo it, delicious salads can be a staple in your keto diet.
Can I eat a whole chicken on keto? If it's within your protein budget, yes. However, a keto diet doesn't mean you can eat an unlimited amount of protein. Remember that protein can transform into glucose in the body, meaning a large protein intake can affect your ketosis levels if you are not careful.
Introduction: My name is Neely Ledner, I am a bright, determined, beautiful, adventurous, adventurous, spotless, calm person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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