Skip to content

Top Navigation

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Recipes
  • Holidays
  • Cooking 101
  • Healthy Living
  • Shop
  • News
  • Good.Food.Fast
  • CL Diet

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Register/Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Logout
Pin FB

Explore Cooking Light

Cooking Light Cooking Light
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 31-Day Healthy Meal Plan

      Our 31-day calendar of meals and tips shows you how to cook more and love it with fun, family-friendly meals that come together quickly and deliciously. Read More Next
    • Dinner Tonight: Quick and Healthy Menus in 45 Minutes (or Less)

      Hundreds of delicious recipes, paired with simple sides, that can be on your table in 45 minutes or less. Read More Next
    • Our Favorite Healthy Air Fryer Recipes

      Who ever said that chicken wings, doughnuts, and pizza couldn't be healthy? Read More Next
  • Recipes

    Recipes

    See All Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Recipe Makeovers
    • Quick & Healthy
    • Diabetic
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegetarian
    • Cooking Light Live
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays
    • New Year, New You
    • Super Bowl
    • Valentines
    • Easter
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Cooking 101

    Cooking 101

    See All Cooking 101
    • Essential Ingredients
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Meet the Chef
    • Cooking Resources
    • Budget Friendly
    • Smart Choices
  • Healthy Living

    Healthy Living

    See All Healthy Living
    • Weight-Loss
    • Health
    • Fitness
    • Home
    • Travel
    • Nutrition 101
  • Shop
  • News
  • Good.Food.Fast
  • CL Diet

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Register/Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Logout
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

CookingLight diet CookingLight diet
  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Recipes Chevron Right
  3. 50 Healthy Low-Carb Dinners To Fuel You Through the Week

50 Healthy Low-Carb Dinners To Fuel You Through the Week

August 17, 2016
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
Whether you're going keto or just want to cut down on your carb intake, we have dozens of healthy and hearty recipes that are low in carbs but high in flavor.
Start Slideshow

1 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Healthy Low-Carb Dinner Recipes

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Low-carb recipes don't have to be just meat and vegetables, though if you search for any low-carb dinners on the Internet, that's about all you will find. We've limited these low-carb dinners to 30 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Many are even lower than our 30-gram cap.  

Any carbs you do see in this collection are of the "smart" variety. Smart carbs (like fruit, whole grains, and beans) stretch any carb count you get into a healthier option. They come filled with fiber, protein, and other nutrients, not just empty carb calories. 

1 of 51

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Grilled Beef-Mushroom Burgers

Credit: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Grilled Beef-Mushroom Burgers

Blending finely chopped mushrooms with ground beef adds great flavor, moisture, and even fiber to these no-bun burgers. Garlicky cucumber-yogurt sauce is tasty Middle Eastern–inspired alternative to standard ketchup and mustard.

Served with a juicy slice of fresh tomato and crisp butter lettuce, these burgers are naturally gluten-free. Double the greens and tomato and call it a burger salad. If you're in the mood for bun, try these tucked into warm whole-wheat pitas instead.

2 of 51

3 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cauliflower Risotto With Mushrooms

Credit: Photo: Aaron Kirk
View Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto With Mushrooms

This vegan cauliflower risotto recipe is incredibly satisfying thanks to a few key tricks we employed: riced cauliflower perfectly mimics rice, then using a cauliflower puree instead of cream delivers the creaminess you’d expect in risotto. Sauteed mushrooms add a satisfying, savory, rich bite, and help to tone down cauliflower’s cruciferous-ness. 

3 of 51

Advertisement

4 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Eggs in Purgatory

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling
View Recipe: Eggs in Purgatory

We're not entirely certain about the history of this classic recipe's name, but perhaps it has something to do with the spicy kick of the sauce. Our version is a shakshuka-like dish in which fiery harissa paste and heady spices slowly infuse a rich tomato sauce where eggs gently poach. Look for jars of harissa with the Middle Eastern foods in your supermarket; you can substitute a half to full teaspoon of crushed red pepper in a pinch. The cook time for the eggs depends on the specific heat of your slow cooker. We offer a range of 15 to 20 minutes, so start checking at 15 minutes (or a couple minutes earlier) to ensure the eggs get done to your liking. 

4 of 51

5 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi

Credit: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi

Spaghetti squash is a favorite ingredient for those seeking a lower-carb, gluten-free alternative to pasta. Here, we pair it with fresh shrimp for a healthy spin on classic shrimp scampi. You'll love our clever cooking method for the spaghetti squash, which makes for perfect "noodles."  

5 of 51

6 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Coffee-Rubbed Steak with Brussels Sprouts Salad

Credit: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Coffee-Rubbed Steak with Brussels Sprouts Salad

This super fast weeknight meal comes together in 20 minutes, but is elegant enough to impress a date, or wow a family. The blue cheese and honey give the salad plenty of depth and flavor, and the coffee adds an unbeatable richness to the steak. (Don't worry. It's not enough to keep anyone up.) And it all comes together at just 427 calories per serving! Serve this company-worthy entrée with garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans, and pour a bottle of cabernet sauvignon.

6 of 51

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Paleo Sushi Salmon Roll with Cauliflower Rice

Credit: Photo: Rachel Johnson
View Recipe: Paleo Sushi Salmon Roll with Cauliflower Rice

Make your own sushi with the trendiest "rice" on the market: cauliflower rice. Cook the cauliflower with some coconut milk then pair with nori and sashimi salmon to make the perfect Paleo sushi. 

7 of 51

8 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Orange, Tofu, and Bell Pepper Stir-Fry

Credit: Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Orange, Tofu, and Bell Pepper Stir-Fry

Fresh orange juice perks up this speedy stir-fry, becoming a sticky, glossy sauce for the colorful vegetables. A quick coat in cornstarch helps the tofu develop a supercrisp crust without needing to fry in lots of oil. It's a good idea to have every element at the ready by the stove before you start to cook, as the stir-fry will come together very quickly. You can use bell peppers or any vegetable you have on hand, such as broccoli florets, thinly sliced carrots, or sliced snap peas.

8 of 51

9 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Creamy Tomato Soup with Parmesan Crisps

Credit: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Creamy Tomato Soup with Parmesan Crisps

We've turned our favorite part of a grilled cheese sandwich—when the cheese hits the hot pan and becomes a lacy, golden crisp—into a garnish for quick, creamy tomato soup. Grated Parmesan cheese melts and melds with crispy panko breadcrumbs in the skillet into silver dollar-sized crisps, then are flipped to brown on the other side. If you don’t have half-and-half, stir a spoonful or two of the pureed soup into yogurt until smooth, then stir that mixture back into the soup.

9 of 51

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Crispy Tuna Cakes

Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Crispy Tuna Cakes

Our tasty riff on crab cakes adds oomph to omega-3-rich pouched tuna. For extra flavor, drizzle with any remaining All-Purpose Tahini Dressing you have on hand. We use old-fashioned rolled oats in place of breadcrumbs to sneak in some whole grains.

10 of 51

11 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chicken Meatball and Vegetable Soup

Credit: Ann Taylor Pittman
View Recipe: Chicken Meatball and Vegetable Soup

Here’s a fun and comforting take on chicken soup. We use ground chicken and turn it into super-savory, Parmesan-flavored meatballs. Loads of sliced carrots dot the soup (somehow, most other chicken soups don’t have enough carrots), and big handfuls of baby spinach gently wilt into the broth. A finishing flourish of grated Parmesan cheese enriches every satisfying bowl.

11 of 51

12 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Tomato Salad

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez
View Recipe: Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Tomato Salad

Stuffed zucchini make tasty vessels for carrying a delicious array of ingredients. We stuff ours with a cheesy sausage mixture that easily satisfies as a main dish. The microwave quickly steams the zucchini so that you only need to run the stuffed boats under the broiler for a minute or two. Don't toss out the zucchini pulp—you can save it to make zucchini cakes or fritters.

12 of 51

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Shrimp Fried Cauliflower Rice

Credit: Photo: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Shrimp Fried Cauliflower Rice

This five-ingredient main is a great way to get more seafood into your weeknight rotation. Seek our shrimp that's free of sodium tripolyphosphate (STP), a common preservative that significantly boosts the sodium in your shrimp. Can't find riced cauliflower? Make your own by pulsing cauliflower florets in a food processor until crumbled. Easy!

13 of 51

14 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Caesar Brussels Sprouts Salad with Almonds

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Caesar Brussels Sprouts Salad with Almonds

Sturdy shaved Brussels sprouts hold the crunchy almonds and a garlicky Parmesan vinaigrette without wilting. Serve with roast chicken or lamb.

14 of 51

15 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cauliflower Puree With Barbecue Rotisserie Chicken

Credit: Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Cauliflower Puree With Barbecue Rotisserie Chicken

Don’t rush processing the cauliflower; it’s key to giving the puree the consistency of grits. You can also use purchased riced cauliflower. If it’s frozen, you can toss it right into the saucepan unthawed.

15 of 51

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Zucchini Noodles with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Credit: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Spiralized Zucchini Noodles With Spicy Peanut Sauce

Break out the squash! This 20-minute meal will be your warm weather favorite. Spiralized veggies take the place of pasta, but we promise the 20 grams of protein is enough to fill you up.

16 of 51

17 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Low-Carb Beanless Chili

Credit: Liz Mervosh
View Recipe: Low-Carb Beanless Chili

Not a fan of beans? This is the chili for you. We packed this version full of flavorful veggies such as corn, bell peppers, and chiles, which fill in for the beans and add extra layers of flavor. It’s even tastier the next day, so this no-bean chili is perfect to make ahead. If you can’t get your hands on chipotles in adobo, hot sauce will work in a pinch.

17 of 51

18 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Grilled Vegetable Frittata

Credit: Photo: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Grilled Vegetable Frittata

Frittatas are great canvases for leftover ingredients, especially grilled summer vegetables. We add the vegetables to the egg mixture just before it sets so the veggies don't release too much moisture into the frittata.

18 of 51

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Lemon-Garlic Chicken Salad Lettuce Cups

Credit: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Lemon-Garlic Chicken Salad Lettuce Cups

These fresh lettuce wraps are a cinch to throw together thanks to a smart use of leftovers. Serve them with whatever variety of lettuce leaf you prefer—romaine, iceberg, or green leaf. If you’re packing this to take to work, wait until you’re ready to eat before filling the leaves, so the lettuce stays crisp. 

19 of 51

20 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pistachio-Crusted Pork Cutlets

Credit: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Pistachio-Crusted Pork Cutlets

This delicious dinner is just under 400 calories and packs lots of protein, calcium and potassium. Make sure the cutlets are no more than a half-inch thick so they’ll cook quickly.

20 of 51

21 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Thai Turkey Lettuce Cups

Credit: Photo: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Thai Turkey Lettuce Cups

A little sugar balances the vinegar tang in the turkey mixture and helps develop wonderful crispy bits in the pan. Delicate butter lettuce leaves have a nice cup shape for filling; you could also use romaine.

21 of 51

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Spice-Roasted Salmon with Roasted Cauliflower

Credit: Photo: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Spice-Roasted Salmon with Roasted Cauliflower

Moroccan spices blend earthy (cumin) with warm and fragrant (coriander and allspice). Salmon and cauliflower embrace these flavors well. Look for thicker salmon fillets from the upper portion of the fish rather than thinner tail pieces.

22 of 51

23 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Flax-Boosted Meatloaf

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Flax-Boosted Meatloaf

We call for organic ketchup because it's usually sweetened with sugar, not high-fructose corn syrup. Feel free to toss in chopped fresh herbs for more flavor.

23 of 51

24 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Brown Sugar-Grilled Salmon with Zucchini and Fennel "Noodles"

Credit: Photo: Erin Kunkel; Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
View Recipe: Brown Sugar-Grilled Salmon with Zucchini and Fennel "Noodles"

Sweet-and-tart brown sugar glaze gives fresh catch salmon fillets a tender crunch exterior and loads of rich flavor. Serve over a bed of zucchini and fennel ribbons, if desired.

24 of 51

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Wednesday: Quick Chicken Piccata

Credit: Cooking Light
View Recipe: Quick Chicken Piccata

Chicken piccata is typically made with sliced chicken breasts, but we find chicken "thighccata" to be even more flavorful.

25 of 51

26 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cheesy Sausage, Broccoli, and Quinoa Casserole

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Cheesy Sausage, Broccoli, and Quinoa Casserole

We traded white rice for whole-grain quinoa and kicked out any processed ingredients for a new take on this comfort classic. To add more flavor to quinoa, try toasting it. Freeze an extra pan of this whole-grain main for kid-friendly comfort. Serve with a simple green salad.

26 of 51

27 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Cheeseburger Salad

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: The Cheeseburger Salad

Classic burger elements become a fast, fun salad for the entire family—a deconstructed take on a diner favorite. Instead of four burger patties, we cook just two, then chop and sprinkle them over the top. A handful of crushed potato chips adds crunch. Kick up the dressing with a pinch of ground red pepper.

27 of 51

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chicken and Gnocchi Dumpling Soup

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Chicken and Gnocchi Dumpling Soup

Homey and hearty chicken and dumplings has never been faster or easier, thanks to store-bought gnocchi. Browned bits from the seared chicken thighs create a rich base for the soup, while carrots and peas provide texture and fresh veggies to the soup. This kid-friendly soup is perfect for a weeknight dinner, and leftovers can be packed for lunch tomorrow.

28 of 51

29 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

BBQ Shrimp Toasts

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: BBQ Shrimp Toasts

Shrimps tossed in spicy vinegar BBQ sauce are a super-savory toast topping that makes a great lunch or light dinner. Pair these flavorful open-faced sandwiches with the Haricots Verts with Cherry Tomatoes and Mushrooms for a colorful and complete plate.

29 of 51

30 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cold Noodle Salad with Sesame Crab

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Cold Noodle Salad with Sesame Crab

Minneapolis Chefs Jamie Malone and Erik Anderson lay Asian flavors on this stone-cold stunner. "Varying texture keeps things interesting," Chef Malone says. "Don't overcook your noodles," Chef Anderson says. "You don't want them to be too soft or mushy. You want a pleasant, chewy texture. It's all part of the fun of eating noodles."

30 of 51

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Turkey and Vegetable Stew with Whole-Grain Biscuits

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Turkey and Vegetable Stew with Whole-Grain Biscuits

This hearty spin on chicken and dumplings satisfies with just over 300 calories. Double the recipe to freeze, so you have an easy, comforting dinner when you need it.

31 of 51

32 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Tuna Poke Bowls with Brown Rice and Kale

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Tuna Poke Bowls with Brown Rice and Kale

Upgrade summer's coolest dish, poke, with whole grains, heart-healthy fats, and crisp kale. Want to go beyond the bowl? Serve this 10-minute mixture over mixed greens or with crunchy brown rice crackers, or tuck into corn tortillas.

32 of 51

33 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Crispy Chicken Thighs with Spinach-and-Pea Potato Salad

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Crispy Chicken Thighs with Spinach-and-Pea Potato Salad

A quick sear and a sprinkle of panko cuts prep and cook time in half compared to breading and baking.

33 of 51

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Shrimp, Cabbage, and Carrot Potstickers

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Shrimp, Cabbage, and Carrot Potstickers

Be a last-minute appetizer hero, or serve a better-than-takeout main on the fly. No need for fancy folds: Just moisten wrapper edges and seal.

34 of 51

35 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Tracy Singleton's Sprouted Quinoa with Marinated Veggies

Credit: Photo: Christopher Testani
View Recipe: Sprouted Quinoa with Marinated Veggies

Sprout a grain like quinoa (it takes time but almost no attention) for a pleasing bite and a nutrient boost. Add veggies and nasturtiums and marigolds (flowers optional) for a peppery kick.

This raw-food dish needs planning and patience, but the payoff is a salad that pops with each crunchy bite. Tracy Singleton (owner of Birchwood Cafe) says using cooked and cooled quinoa instead of sprouted quinoa is a fine shortcut, but the salad won't be 100% raw.

35 of 51

36 of 51

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Egg and Tomato Open-Faced Sandwiches

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Egg and Tomato Open-Faced Sandwiches

Slightly thicker (1 1/2-oz.) bread slices build a sturdy sandwich base. Slice your own, or ask to have it sliced on the thick side. Meaty, briny kalamata olives and a splash of vinegar punch up a quick red pepper sauce for these vegetarian sandwiches. Serve with our Cheddar and Chive "Squachos," easy, cheesy nacho-style broiled squash slices, to complete the meal.