9 Delicious Keto and Low Carb Recipes for Summer

As you might have read, I’ve been living and loving the low-carb lifestyle since the beginning of the year. What I love about it is that there are no hard and fast rules. There’s nothing that says I CAN’T eat this and I HAVE to eat that. It’s simply a matter of keeping your daily carb intake low (low is relative – it all depends on what plan you follow). And it’s also about eating smart carbs.

There’s only one small problem. I didn’t plan on summer.

Summer is the time of hot dogs and hamburgers and potato salad and corn on the cob and macaroni salad and watermelon and…

Well, you get the idea. In the winter, making an batch of Chicken Tikka Masala in the Instant Pot and serving it over cauliflower rice is easy. In the summer, who wants to eat hot, heavy foods. I love so many summery, picnic foods that I set out on a quest to find a few low carb recipes perfect for grilling, cookouts, picnics, or potlucks.

1. Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Anaheim Peppers – Cook Eat Go

Now don’t be scared by this recipe. Anaheim peppers are considered very mild and when you stuff them with all the low carb goodness of sausage and cream cheese and wrap them in bacon, you’ll forget all about the pepper. Stick the whole thing on the grill and you’ll have a crispy delicious appetizer.

2. Bacon Egg Salad Tomato Bites – Beauty and the Foodie

Believe it or not, I’m not a huge bacon lover. But the sweetness of the tomato combined with the savoriness of the egg salad is only accented by the crunchy salty bacon on top.

3. 30 Minute Chopped Tomato Mozzarella Salad with Chicken Sausage & Avocado – Mashup Mom

I never thought I was much of a salad eater until I was looking for a vehicle for all the delicious think to eat on a keto diet. This salad combines some of the best including chicken sausage, fresh mozzarella, and avocado! This is a perfect keto lunch in my book.

4. Sesame Cucumber Noodle Salad – From Pasta to Paleo

Two more things to know about me: I do miss pasta and I don’t like cucumbers. So what’s up with this recipe? I have a vegetable spiralizer that I love so I’d happily substitute fine zucchini noodles (or zoodles) in this recipe.

5. Grilled Cabbage Steaks with Bacon, Garlic & Lemon – Wholesome Yum

If you don’t think you like cabbage, you’ve probably only had the boiled, mushy kind of cabbage your mother made. Fresh, crisp cabbage is perfect in the summer and I’m convinced that every vegetable tastes better on the grill.

6. Shrimp on the Barbie – Pink Fortitude

I don’t love shrimp but I’m wondering if I haven’t found the right way to prepare shrimp. This recipe caught my eye because the shrimp is marinated in lime juice (which aids in the cooking) and then quickly grilled to perfection. (Also, I love these skewers!).

7. Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce – Savory Tooth

While we’re talking about skewered meats, let’s talk one of my favorite recipes. Anything with peanut sauce is delicious but it’s more delicious paired with chicken. Although this recipe calls for an oven bake, these would be perfect if made on the grill.

8. Flank Steak with Chimmichurri – A Clean Bake

One meat I’ve really come to appreciate is beef. Flank steak can be a difficult cut to find so you can use skirt steak or hanger steak and you should still get a similar result. This grilled beef recipe gets extra points for the homemade chimmichurri sauce topped with a touch of sweetness with pomegranate seeds.

9. 4-Ingredient Keto Ice Cream – Savory Tooth

Speaking of sweet… what’s summer without ice cream? Yes, you can indulge once in a while. You can even try out a low carb ice cream on the market. But it’s guaranteed to taste better (and have fewer carbs) if you make it at home yourself. Personally, I’d add a few berries and whipped cream and enjoy!

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While these recipes don’t include hot dogs and apple pie, we do often make bunless burgers, grilled sausages, and deviled eggs for days. But sometimes you just need a little inspiration to get back on track and stay on track because before you know it, Christmas cookies will be calling your name!