Keto Recipes For A Low-Budget

Are you considering transitioning to a keto diet? If you are, cost might be a concern.

It’s true, high-carb staples like bread and pasta are generally inexpensive compared to low-carb options like meat and fresh berries.

But with some careful planning, you can stick to a budget while on a keto diet.

Today, I have 25 wallet-friendly keto meal ideas to share. They’re not only affordable but also tasty.

I’ll also provide the macros for each meal so you can monitor your intake. Let’s get started!

1.) The Best Chicken Salad Recipe

Meal prepping is another great way to save meals on a keto diet. And this chicken salad is not only tasty, it’s also great for meal prepping.

It’s creamy and full of chicken pieces. The crunchiness of the toasted almonds melds perfectly with the creaminess of the mayonnaise.

And because you’re using 6 different herbs and spices, it’s packed with flavor. To measure them, make sure you have a set of measuring spoons handy. I like these ones because they don’t rust or get stained.

This recipe makes 3 servings, but you can just double it. That way, you can have all your lunches prepped for the week.

Just be sure to keep your leftovers in good airtight storage containers like these. That’s so they stay fresh longer.

2. Beef & Broccoli Bake

Fortunately, a keto diet encourages a higher fat content in beef, making ground beef a more economical choice.

This dish presents a clever solution for getting kids to enjoy their vegetables. With nicely browned beef and butter-sautéed broccoli, it’s a flavorful combination.

And let’s not forget the irresistible melted cheese on top.

The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity—it takes just 20 minutes to prepare, making it ideal for hectic weekday evenings.

3.) Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps

Not in the mood for heavy food? You’ll love these lettuce wraps.

They’re filled with perfectly seasoned ground turkey. The bell peppers add some Mexican flare, as does the taco seasoning.

You’ll be making your own taco seasoning. This saves you money, and as an added bonus, there is no added sugar or preservatives.

Like some heat? Feel free to add some jalapenos.

4. Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup

I love eating meat, as I’m sure many of you do too. But sometimes you need a break from meat.

This soup is cheesy and creamy, and it’s pretty filling. And since it contains veggies, it’s a complete meal.

All you need to make it are 5 ingredients: broccoli, garlic, broth, heavy cream, and cheddar cheese. And in 20 minutes, dinner is served.

5. Keto Fish Pie

Calling all seafood enthusiasts! This one’s tailored for you.

On tonight’s menu, we have keto fish pie, a quintessential British comfort dish.

This hearty pie features a medley of various fishes swimming in a creamy sauce, all crowned with a layer of mashed potatoes.

While some versions may include lobster, we’re keeping it budget-friendly by opting for more economical seafood like salmon, cod, and smoked mackerel. Additionally, instead of traditional mashed potatoes, we’ll be using cauliflower mash.

The result? A creamy, cheesy fish pie that’s incredibly comforting. Plus, with its omega-3 fatty acids, it’s not only delicious but also beneficial for your brain.

6. Keto Slow Cooker Meatballs

Craving more Italian flavors? Then these meatballs are a must-try.

While traditional meatballs might not be keto-friendly due to breadcrumbs, these ones are perfectly suitable!

Tender and juicy, they’re simmered in a homemade marinara sauce crafted from crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, and bay leaf.

Instead of breadcrumbs, these meatballs feature a mix of mozzarella and parmesan cheese, adding both tenderness and cheesy goodness. Personally, I find them even more delightful than traditional meatballs.

Pair them with zucchini noodles for a low-carb option. If you need to make zucchini noodles, consider getting a spiralizer like this one.

7. Salsa Chicken Recipe

Chicken breasts often lack flavor due to their low fat content.

However, these salsa-topped chicken breasts defy blandness. They’re rich with sauce and cheese, and the taco seasoning infuses them with Mexican zest.

With just 5 ingredients – chicken breasts, taco seasoning, tomato seasoning, cheddar cheese, and parsley – you can whip up this delicious dish.

Before cooking, it’s important to pound the chicken breasts to ensure even cooking. A sturdy kitchen mallet like this one is ideal.

While this salsa chicken dish stands on its own, you can elevate it further by adding crispy bacon for extra flavor and fat.

8. Keto Pizza Casserole

Now it’s time for pizza casserole. If you’ve been missing pizza, you’re in for a treat.

You’ve got spicy Italian sausage, nicely browned ground beef, pepperoni, oeey gooey cheese, fresh green bell peppers, and saucy marinara sauce all baked in a casserole.

You definitely won’t miss the crust. After all, pizza is all about the toppings, right?

And to make it even more “pizza-like,” feel free to add some black olives or even mushrooms.

9. Low Carb Beef Cabbage Soup

Vegetables can really break the bank, especially when they’re not in season. However, cabbage tends to be a more economical option, offering good value for your money.

In addition to being low in carbs, cabbage is packed with vitamin C, benefiting your immune system. It’s also known to potentially lower cholesterol levels, making it a wise addition to your diet.

Tonight’s dinner features finely ground beef cooked in tomato juice alongside cabbage and bell peppers, resulting in a delicious and comforting soup.

With its yield of 11 servings, this dish is perfect for meal prepping as well.

10. Keto 2 Minute Noodle Soup

In our fast-paced lives, convenience is paramount, and that includes meals.

This noodle soup is ready in just a few minutes and surpasses the flavor of store-bought instant noodle soups.

Its deliciousness comes from a blend of six different spices like chili flakes, turmeric, and onion salt.

Plus, it’s significantly lower in carbs, with only 1 gram of net carbs per serving.

The secret to its low-carb status lies in the use of edamame spaghetti, crafted from edamame bean flour. It’s just as tasty as traditional pasta but boasts added protein and fiber, keeping you satisfied for longer. Ready to give it a shot? 

11. Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs With Creamy Mustard Sauce

When it comes to the keto diet, chicken thighs take the crown. Their higher fat content sets them apart from chicken breasts.

Not only are they more flavorful, but they’re also budget-friendly.

These chicken thighs boast tenderness and juiciness. The mustard sauce adds creamy sweetness with a touch of Dijon mustard heat.

Ensure you have liquid stevia on hand for sweetness without compromising ketosis. If you need some, you can find it here.

Pair with cauliflower mash or broccoli mash. Use a steamer set for cauliflower rice, and a food processor, which you can find here, for the mash.

12. Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe

When you’re on a keto diet, entertaining can be a hassle. Because of your keto requirements, you may end up making two separate dishes; one for you and one for your dinner guests.

Not only is this more stressful, it ends up being more expensive too. Cha-ching, cha-ching!

So, why not make one dish that everyone will enjoy? And save money too.

These stuffed chicken breasts look and taste amazing. The provolone cheese and asparagus work wonderfully in the chicken breasts, while the melted Italian cheese blend makes a great topping… your guests will be asking for seconds.

And they’re really easy to make too. You’ll be starting off your chicken breasts on the stove before finishing them off in the oven, so make sure you have a good oven-safe skillet.

Iron skillets are best to use because they’re not only oven-safe, they also sear your chicken beautifully. If you’re looking to save some money, there’s a deal right now on this high quality iron skillet.

13. Roasted Yellow Squash With Parmesan Cheese

In addition to your meats, incorporating low-carb veggies is essential on a keto diet. They provide vital nutrients such as fiber, along with a multitude of vitamins and minerals.

However, let’s be honest: increasing vegetable intake can be challenging, especially if they lack flavor.

Enter roasted yellow squash. This dish is a game-changer, offering a cheesy, sweet, and aromatic experience. For an extra kick, consider adding cayenne pepper.

Perfect as a side dish, it pairs wonderfully with steak or roasted chicken, enhancing your meal with both flavor and nutrition.

14. Low Carb Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole

This casserole is a cheeseburger lover’s delight-without the bun. It’s meaty, creamy, and packed with cheesy goodness.

The bacon puts it over the top. It even has pickles. After all, what’s a cheeseburger without a pickle?

It’s a good thing, it makes 10 servings. Because it’s sure to be gobbled up quickly.

15. Stuffed Pepper Without Rice

Looking to save time? Stuffed peppers are a budget-friendly option that streamlines your kitchen efforts. These peppers are loaded with ground beef, a blend of three cheeses, and chunky marinara sauce.

And don’t overlook the rice. Instead of traditional rice, cauliflower rice is used here.

This addition not only provides a rice-like texture but also boosts nutrition. It could even serve as a satisfying ketogenic snack!

16. Keto Baked Breaded Chicken Breast

Don’t you just love breaded chicken breast? But they don’t exactly love you back. That’s because of the breadcrumbs.

These breaded chicken breasts are super moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside. And because they’re baked instead of fried, they’re healthier for you too.

And they only contain 2 grams of net carbs per serving.

The key to them being low carb is the breading. Instead of using breadcrumbs, you use almond meal. It’s a great ketogenic substitute.

Besides being lower in net carbs, almond meal is also an excellent source of vitamin E, which promotes healthy skin.

Don’t have almond meal? You can stock up on some here or process some almonds in a food processor to make your own.

To make it a meal, serve with zucchini fries and low carb ketchup.

17. Best Homemade Chicken Soup Recipe

Life can be hectic and overwhelming, which is why sometimes you just need to pause and savor a comforting bowl of chicken soup.

However, buying canned chicken soup can add up. It’s much more economical to craft your own.

This recipe is wonderfully straightforward. Using a whole chicken instead of chicken parts not only simplifies the process but also saves you money—win-win!

The homemade broth bursts with flavor, while carrots and celery bring a refreshing crunch and anti-inflammatory properties.

Thanks to hours of gentle simmering in a slow cooker, the chicken becomes incredibly tender. If you’re in need of a slow cooker, I recommend this affordable option.

An intriguing addition to this soup is apple cider vinegar. Trust me, it’s essential! Not only does it enhance the soup’s flavor, but it might even aid in reducing belly fat.

18. Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs

Speaking of saving money, let’s not forget that time is also valuable. Let’s aim to save time in the kitchen!

These chicken thighs are wonderfully juicy on the inside, with an extra crispy skin thanks to being skin-on.

The green beans are equally delightful, sautéed in a flavorful mix of butter, chicken drippings, and garlic-herb goodness.

What’s great about this dish is that it’s a one-skillet wonder, minimizing cleanup time and maximizing convenience.

19. Zucchini Casserole

Casseroles are wonderfully delicious and comforting, aren’t they?

This zucchini casserole is no exception, boasting a creamy and cheesy texture. The zucchini adds a burst of freshness and nutritional value to the dish.

Moreover, it’s a great source of magnesium and potassium, aiding in combating symptoms of the keto flu.

Creating this casserole is a breeze. The only time-consuming part is slicing up the zucchini. To speed up the process, consider using a mandolin slicer.

20. Broccoli Chicken Casserole With Cream Cheese & Mozzarella

Here’s another casserole. After all, you can never have enough casseroles, right?

This one is as beautiful to look at as it is to eat. It’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with chicken and broccoli… Thus, a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies.

It’s also packed with protein. So, it’s great for growing kids.

21. Sausage, Pepper, & Cauliflower Fried Rice

Do you love fried rice? This is sure to satisfy your cravings.

You’ve got nicely browned smoked sausage, a medley of red, green and yellow peppers, and some nicely seasoned cauliflower fried rice.

For convenience, you can use packaged cauliflower rice. But to save money, you can make yours from scratch.

Just cut your cauliflower into small pieces. Then pulse in a food processor until rice-like. This food processor should do the trick.

22. One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs With Mushrooms

Looking for a dish that impresses your dinner guests? Look no further.

This dish is not only delicious, but it’s elevated by the addition of a garlic butter sauce.

Rich and aromatic, it’s sure to have your guests savoring every last bite, perhaps even licking their plates clean.

Serve it over cauliflower rice for a complete and satisfying meal.

23. Low Carb Crock Pot Mexican Chicken Soup

Soups not only fill you up but also help you save some cash.

Who can resist the comfort of a steaming bowl of chicken soup? This one is particularly cozy, brimming with tender chicken pieces. Plus, the chunky salsa and Pepper Jack cheese give it a delightful Mexican twist.

Creating this soup is a breeze. Simply toss your ingredients into your slow cooker and let it do the work. That’s my kind of cooking!

If you’re in need of a budget-friendly but reliable slow cooker, check out this option.

24. Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken

Chicken is a great budget-friendly way to get your protein and fat. But after a while, it can get kind of boring.

So, if you need to jazz up your chicken, this is the way to go. The chicken is juicy and tender and packed with flavor.

That’s because it’s cooked in a lemon garlic sauce. But the best part is this is a one-pot dish.

You do all your cooking in an Instant Pot. So, you have less cleanup at the end. 

Don’t have an Instant Pot yet? You can save a ton of money on this one now.

25. Low Carb Tuna Casserole

Don’t you just love canned tuna? Not only is it tasty, but it’s also pretty cheap.

It’s also a great source of brain-boosting Omega-3s. So, eat up that tuna!

This tuna casserole is packed with cheesy goodness. It also has a bit of heat and sweetness thanks to the Dijon mustard, cayenne pepper, and red onions.

And because you’re not using any noodles, it’s pretty low in carbs too. Now that’s a win-win situation in my books.