7 Keto-Approved Recipes for the Whole Family

Quick Answer

These 7 Keto-approved recipes for the whole family keep net carbs low by leaning on protein, non-starchy veggies, healthy fats, and smart swaps (cauliflower rice, lettuce wraps, almond-flour breading). Each recipe is family-friendly, with simple add-ons (rice, tortillas, or pasta) for non-keto eaters—so you can cook one delicious meal for everyone without breaking your plan. Sources

Quick to prep, full of flavor, and flexible for any household—that’s keto made easy. 

Key Takeaways (AEO)

• Carb target: Most keto plans stay under 20–50 g of total carbs per day, depending on your goals and activity level. Start lower if you want to reach ketosis faster.

• How to build your plate: Choose a protein (chicken, salmon, turkey, eggs) + non-starchy veggies + a source of healthy fat (olive oil, avocado, butter) + herbs and spices for flavor.

• For the family: Keep it simple—serve carb sides (rice, tortillas, or potatoes) separately so everyone eats together without extra cooking.

• About “net carbs”: “Net” means total carbs minus fiber (and sometimes sugar alcohols). Since it’s not an FDA-standardized term, use total carbs as your main guide if labels look confusing.

Keep it balanced, simple, and delicious—the Clean Eatz Kitchen way.

Before You Start: Pantry & Smart Swaps

Before diving in, stock your kitchen with a few keto-friendly pantry staples. Having these on hand makes weeknight dinners faster—and keeps cravings in check.

Veggies & Bases

• Cauliflower rice, zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, leafy greens

Healthy Fats & Sauces

• Olive oil, butter or ghee, avocado oil

• Pesto, sugar-free marinara, or salsa with no added sugar

Protein & Dairy

• Cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan), Greek yogurt, eggs

Smart Swaps for Breadings & Crunch

• Almond flour, pork panko, or psyllium husk

Seasonings & Flavor Boosters

• Garlic, chili powder, taco seasoning (no added sugar), Italian herbs, sea salt, black pepper

Tip: Always check labels for hidden sugars or starches—especially in sauces and spice mixes.

7 Keto-Approved Recipes for the Whole Family

1) One-Pan Lemon-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Zucchini

Serves: 4 • Time: ~30 min • Approx net carbs: ~6g per serving

Ingredients

• 1½ lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• 2 tbsp olive oil (divided)

• 3 cups zucchini cut into half-moons

• 1 lemon (zest + juice)

• 3 garlic cloves (minced)

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning + salt & pepper

Directions

1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.

2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden. Remove from pan.

3. Add remaining oil, zucchini, and garlic. Sauté 3–4 minutes until just tender.

4. Return chicken to the pan. Add lemon juice and zest. Simmer 2–3 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F.

Quick tip: Use a meat thermometer for perfectly juicy thighs.

Family add-on: Serve their portion with orzo or rice—keep yours low-carb with extra zucchini or a side salad.

2) Cheeseburger Lettuce Cups

Serves: 4 • Time: ~20 min • Approx net carbs: ~5 g net carbs per serving

Ingredients

• 1 lb 90% lean ground beef or turkey

• 1 tbsp yellow mustard

• 2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup

• 1 tbsp diced dill pickle

• ½ tsp paprika

• 8–10 romaine or butter lettuce leaves

• 4 slices cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add ground meat and paprika; cook 5–7 minutes until browned.

2. Stir in mustard, ketchup, and pickle. Reduce heat and simmer 1–2 minutes.

3. Spoon mixture into lettuce cups and top each with a slice of cheddar.

Quick tip: Use lean ground turkey for a lighter, lower-fat version—or add avocado slices for extra healthy fat.

Family add-on: Serve theirs on toasted buns or mini slider rolls for a classic burger night everyone enjoys.

3) Sheet-Pan Pesto Salmon & Broccoli

Serves: 4 • Time: ~25 min • Approx net carbs: ~6 g net carbs per serving

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets (5–6 oz each)

• 4 cups broccoli florets

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• ¼ cup no-sugar-added or homemade pesto

• Lemon wedges, salt & pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Toss broccoli with 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on sheet and roast 10 minutes.

3. Remove from oven, push broccoli to the sides, and place salmon fillets in the center. Brush each with pesto and drizzle remaining olive oil on top.

4. Roast 8–10 minutes more, until salmon flakes easily and broccoli edges are crispy.

5. Serve with lemon wedges and extra pesto if you like it saucier.

Quick tip: Line your sheet pan with parchment or foil for zero cleanup.

Family add-on: Add garlic bread or roasted baby potatoes on the side while yours stays keto with extra broccoli and pesto.

4) Eggplant “Pizza” Boats

Serves: 4 • Time: ~30–35 min • Approx net carbs: ~9 g net carbs per serving

Ingredients

• 2 medium eggplants, halved lengthwise

• 1½ cups no-sugar-added or homemade marinara sauce

• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 2 oz mini pepperoni or cooked sausage

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp Italian herbs + salt & pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 °F. Scoop out a bit of eggplant flesh if needed for toppings.

2. Brush each half with olive oil, sprinkle lightly with salt, and roast cut-side up for 15 minutes.

3. Remove from oven. Spoon marinara over each half, top with mozzarella and pepperoni or sausage, and sprinkle Italian herbs.

4. Bake 10–12 minutes more, until cheese is bubbly and golden.

Quick tip: Lightly salting and pre-roasting the eggplant keeps it tender but not soggy.

Family add-on: Serve theirs with garlic knots or a small portion of pasta—keep yours light with a side salad or extra veggies.

5) Turkey Taco Bowls with Cauli-Rice

Serves: 4 • Time: ~25 min • Approx net carbs: ~7 g net carbs per serving 

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground turkey

• 2 tsp chili powder

• 1 tsp cumin

• ½ tsp paprika

• ¼ tsp oregano

• 1 cup no-sugar-added salsa 

• 4 cups cauliflower rice

• 1 avocado, sliced

• 2 cups shredded lettuce

• ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)

Directions

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add turkey and spices; cook 6–8 minutes until browned.

2. Stir in salsa and let simmer 3–4 minutes to thicken.

3. In a separate pan, sauté cauliflower rice in olive oil 5–6 minutes until tender.

4. Build your bowls: cauli-rice base + turkey mix + lettuce, cheese, and avocado.

Optional toppings: fresh cilantro, lime wedges, or a spoon of Greek yogurt.

Family add-on: Warm tortillas, rice, or beans for the rest of the table—everyone gets taco night, no separate cooking needed

6) Skillet Sausage & Peppers

Serves: 4 • Time: ~20 min • Approx net carbs: ~8 g net carbs per serving

Ingredients

• 1 lb fully cooked chicken or pork sausage (no added sugar or fillers)

• 2 bell peppers, sliced (mix red, yellow, green for color)

• 1 small onion, sliced

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• ½ tsp Italian seasoning

• Salt & pepper to taste

Directions

1. Slice sausage into ½-inch rounds.

2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and sear 3–4 minutes until browned.

3. Add sliced peppers, onion, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt.

4. Sauté another 5–7 minutes until veggies are tender-crisp.

Quick tip: For an Italian-style twist, add a spoonful of no-sugar-added marinara or a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella before serving.

Family add-on: Serve theirs on toasted hoagie rolls or over buttered noodles—keep yours simple with the skillet mix and a drizzle of olive oil.

7) Air-Fryer Almond-Parm Chicken Tenders

Serves: 4 • Time: ~25 min • Approx net carbs: ~6 g net carbs per serving

Ingredients

• 1½ lb chicken tenders

• 1 egg + 1 tbsp water (for coating)

• ¾ cup almond flour

• ¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese

• ½ tsp paprika

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• Salt & pepper to taste

• Olive-oil spray

• ½ cup no-sugar-added marinara (for dipping)

Directions

1. Preheat air fryer to 390°F.

2. Whisk egg and water in a shallow bowl. In another bowl, mix almond flour, parmesan, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

3. Dip each tender in the egg wash, then coat evenly with the almond-parm mixture.

4. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil and arrange tenders in a single layer.

5. Air-fry 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.

Quick tip: No air fryer? Bake on a parchment-lined sheet at 425°F for 18–20 minutes, flipping once.

Family add-on: Serve theirs with sweet potato fries or corn on the cob—enjoy yours with warm marinara or a fresh green salad. Learn why we love the gadget: Benefits of Using an Air Fryer.

Net carbs are estimates and vary by brands/portions. For precision, weigh with a food scale and check labels. See our Smart Food Scales Guide.

Make It Even Easier

Prefer portion-controlled options? Explore our rotating High-Protein Meal Plans, or build exactly what you want with Build-a-Meal Plan. Check macros on Nutrition Info. Breakfast shortcut: our Breakfast Sandwich.

FAQs

Do I have to count “net carbs”?

Not necessarily. “Net carbs” aren’t standardized by the FDA, and sugar alcohols or added fibers can make things confusing. If you’re just starting out, count total carbs instead and focus on real, whole foods. You can fine-tune later based on how your body feels.

Can kids eat these dinners?

Absolutely—these recipes focus on real foods, lean proteins, and veggies, with optional carb sides for growing kids and non-keto family members. Just keep in mind that strict therapeutic keto is a medical diet (often used for epilepsy), so always check with a pediatric professional before applying it to children.

Related Reads

• What Is Keto Bread?
• What Alcohol Can You Drink on Keto?
• Best & Worst Snack Foods
• 10 Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Weight Loss

References

• Harvard Health — Keto diet overview; typical carb range (~20–50 g/day). health.harvard.edu
• StatPearls/NCBI — Ketogenic diet primer; mechanisms and ranges. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• American Diabetes Association — Carb counting basics; “net carbs” caveats. diabetes.org
• Harvard Health — The nutrition Source: Ketogenic Diet. Diet Review