Always Short on Time in the Kitchen? These Low-Carb Meals Are Ready in 30 Minutes or Less
After a long day at work, you might be tempted to hop into your coziest sweatpants and head straight for the couch — but if you're on a low-carb diet, you can't afford to order takeout night after night. And while you could spend hours and hours on Sunday prepping healthy meals for the week, you may find that sacrificing an entire afternoon makes you want to hang up your apron, too. Enter these simple 30-minute recipes. Whenever you choose to cook, they'll save you time in the kitchen, while helping you stick to your low-carb goals. So, the next time you find yourself skimming a restaurant menu, pull up this list instead.
Salmon and Kale Caesar Salad
Canned salmon helps this fresh, filling salad come together in record time. You might try making the homemade Caesar dressing ahead to save precious minutes (and avoid the temptation of whatever you have in your fridge).
Get the recipe: salmon and kale Caesar salad
Garlic Herb Pork Fillet Skewers
Let the pork marinate for just 10 minutes while you fire up your griddle pan. Pair the skewers with a fresh salad for a summertime vibe that's good year-round.
Get the recipe: garlic herb pork fillet skewers
Cauliflower Risotto with Chicken and Asparagus
Creamy risotto is typically packed with carbs, but this cauliflower version is perfectly suited to your diet. Swap in other low-carb ingredients for the chicken and asparagus for a fresh dish every time.
Get the recipe: cauliflower risotto with chicken and asparagus
Asian Surf and Turf
Try serving this speedy surf and turf with cauliflower rice and even more roasted vegetables for a filling but virtuous dinner.
Get the recipe: Asian surf and turf
Chicken Tacos in Lettuce Wraps
Swapping out flour tortillas for lettuce wraps is one of the simplest ways to cut carbs, and with shredded chicken, salsa, and avocado crema to fill them, you won't have to worry about leaving the table hungry.
Get the recipe: chicken tacos in lettuce wraps
Greek Cauliflower Salad Bowl
You can make this tasty vegetarian dish in bulk and eat it for lunch throughout the week. To save even more time, use prepackaged cauliflower rice.
Get the recipe: Greek cauliflower salad bowl
Sheet Pan Eggs
This low-carb breakfast couldn't be simpler to make. Bake a batch on Sunday, and you'll be set for days.
Get the recipe: sheet pan eggs
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
It almost seems impossible for wings to look this good and still be low-carb, but the beloved air fryer delivers that crispy outside using only olive oil and in as little as 25 minutes.
Get the recipe: air fryer chicken wings
Cauliflower "Mac" and Cheese
Satisfy those pasta cravings with this delightfully cheesy cauliflower recipe. Just roast the cauliflower separately, then toss it with the sauce to nail the texture.
Get the recipe: cauliflower "mac" and cheese
Buffalo Chicken Swiss Chard Wraps
Swiss chard tastes a little more bitter than a traditional lettuce wrap, but like other dark leafy greens, it's also nutrient-rich!
Get the recipe: buffalo chicken swiss chard wraps
Greek Turkey-Stuffed Zucchini
These zucchini boats are filled with ground turkey, red onion, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta cheese for a truly delicious bite.
Get the recipe: Greek turkey-stuffed zucchini
Crab Louie
To prep this salad even more efficiently, try hard-boiling the eggs in an Instant Pot. Then it's just a matter of stirring together the dressing and slicing the avocado and tomato.
Get the recipe: crab louie
Vietnamese Spring Rolls
Fill rice paper with tofu and veggies (skipping the cellophane noodles!), and finish the dish with homemade peanut sauce to really bring it over the edge.
Get the recipe: Vietnamese spring rolls
Burger Bowl
It's all of your favorite burger toppings — lettuce, tomato, onion, bacon, pickles, and avocado — served in a bowl instead of a bun. (There's even a special sauce!)
Get the recipe: burger bowl
Chinese Lemon Chicken
When you're craving Chinese takeout, whip up this tasty dish and serve with cauliflower or brown rice.
Get the recipe: Chinese lemon chicken
Coconut Curry Meatballs
With red curry paste, coconut milk, and peanut butter in the ingredient list, you can rest assured that these flavorful portions of ground pork are no ordinary meatballs.
Get the recipe: coconut curry meatballs
Pan-Seared Salmon with Avocado Gremolata
This light, fresh dinner takes just 10 minutes to cook, and between the salmon and gremolata with avocado and olive oil, it's loaded with healthy fats.
Get the recipe: pan seared salmon with avocado gremolata