
Adobo is a popular Filipino dish that can easily be adapted to fit a keto diet. The dish is typically made by marinating any protein of choice in a sauce made with vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper. While some recipes call for the addition of brown sugar, this can be substituted with a keto-friendly sweetener such as stevia or Swerve to make the dish keto-compliant. Chicken adobo is the most popular variant, but keto-friendly alternatives using beef or pork are also available.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Carb content | Low-carb |
| Oil | Avocado oil, olive oil, coconut oil, or any keto-approved cooking fat |
| Meat | Chicken thighs, drumsticks, chicken breast, pork, beef, quail, goat, or any protein of choice |
| Marinade | Soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, black pepper, palm sugar, brown sugar, or a keto-friendly sweetener |
| Sides | Cauliflower rice, garlic green beans, fried cauliflower rice, cauliflower mash, low-carb Filipino pancit, chicken fried rice |
| Storage | Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for up to four months |
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What You'll Learn

Filipino Chicken Adobo is keto-friendly
Filipino Chicken Adobo is naturally low-carb, but some adjustments can be made to make it even more keto-friendly. For example, using a keto-friendly oil like coconut oil, lard, tallow, or avocado oil is recommended. While palm sugar or brown sugar is traditionally added to the adobo for sweetness, keto-friendly sweeteners like stevia, swerve, or monk fruit with allulose can be used instead.
The beauty of Filipino Chicken Adobo is that it can be adapted to suit individual tastes and preferences. Some recipes include onion, while others omit it to reduce carbs. The type of vinegar used can also vary, with apple cider vinegar being a popular choice for keto dieters due to its subtle sweetness and health benefits.
Leftovers are another benefit of Filipino Chicken Adobo, as the dish keeps well in the fridge for up to three days and can be frozen for up to four months. The meat can be shredded and used in soups, tacos, or salads, making it a versatile addition to meal prep.
Overall, Filipino Chicken Adobo is a delicious and keto-friendly option, offering a simple and savory taste of Filipino cuisine.
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Adobo is a method of preparation
The word "adobo" comes from the Spanish word "adobar," which means "to marinate." It is a cherished staple and national dish of the Philippines, offering variations with different types of meat. The dish is known for its simplicity and the tanginess of its sauce.
To make the marinade, combine minced garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, and bay leaves in a large bowl. You can also add black peppercorns and red pepper flakes for a hint of heat. For the soy sauce, it is recommended to use a gluten-free version or tamari if you are gluten intolerant. The chicken is then added to the marinade and left for at least 20 minutes, or preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
After marinating, the chicken is removed from the marinade, and the sauce is reduced. The chicken is then added back to the sauce and cooked until fully cooked and well-coated. The bay leaves, whole peppercorns, and garlic are important for adding flavour and can be removed before serving, although this is not recommended.
The dish can be served with sautéed garlic green beans or fried cauliflower rice as a side dish. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for up to four months.
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Adobo is a low-carb dish
Adobo is a cherished staple in the Philippines, and the term comes from the Spanish word "adobar," meaning "to marinate." The dish is typically prepared by marinating any protein of choice in a blend of soy sauce and vinegar. While the dish is naturally low-carb, some recipes may include ingredients that are not keto-friendly, such as brown sugar or palm sugar. However, these sugars can be easily substituted with keto-friendly sweeteners like stevia, swerve, or monk fruit with allulose.
The protein of choice is usually chicken, with chicken thighs being particularly popular due to their succulent texture and rich flavor. The chicken is marinated in a blend of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper. Some recipes may also include onion, cayenne, or red pepper flakes for a hint of heat. The chicken is then baked or cooked in a skillet until tender and coated in a tangy, savory sauce.
To make the dish even lower in carbs, some people choose to replace the soy sauce with coconut aminos. Additionally, avocado oil, olive oil, coconut oil, or other keto-approved cooking fats can be used in place of neutral-tasting oils. While the dish is typically served with rice, keto-friendly alternatives include cauliflower rice, fried cauliflower mash, or low-carb Filipino pancit.
Adobo is a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit individual tastes and preferences. It can be made in a slow cooker, roasted in the oven, or cooked in an air fryer. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to three days or frozen for up to four months, making it a convenient option for meal prep. Overall, adobo is a delicious and flavorful low-carb dish that can be easily adapted to fit within the constraints of a keto diet.
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Adobo can be cooked in an air fryer
Adobo is a Filipino dish that typically consists of meat marinated and cooked in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper. It is characterized by its tangy, salty, and savory flavors, and can be made with various proteins such as chicken, pork, or seafood. The dish is naturally low-carb and keto-friendly, and can be made even more so by replacing the soy sauce with coconut aminos.
The cooking time may vary depending on the type of chicken used. For example, bone-in chicken pieces may require a few extra minutes. Additionally, you can adjust the seasoning to suit your taste preferences. While the traditional adobo seasoning includes vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and bay leaves, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade for a hint of heat. Alternatively, you can use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar for a slightly sweeter flavor.
Once the adobo is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. You can serve it with Spanish side dishes or use it as a filling for fajitas, tacos, burritos, or sandwiches. For a low-carb option, serve the adobo with cauliflower rice or low-carb taco salads.
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Adobo can be served with cauliflower rice
Adobo is a Filipino dish that involves marinating a protein of your choice (usually chicken or beef) in a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper. It is then cooked down in the same sauce, resulting in a tangy, savoury, and slightly sweet dish.
Adobo is a keto-friendly dish on its own, but it can be made even more so by replacing the soy sauce with coconut aminos to lower the net carbs. You can also skip the onions to further reduce the carb count.
Adobo is often served with cauliflower rice, a keto-friendly substitute for regular rice. To make cauliflower rice, simply pulse cauliflower in a blender until it reaches a rice-like consistency, then fry it in a pan for a few minutes. You can add a bit of water to help it soften.
- Combine soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and cayenne in a Dutch oven or oven-safe pot. Stir until well-mixed.
- Stir in onions and bay leaves.
- Pat chicken thighs dry and season with black pepper.
- Place chicken thighs in a single layer in the pot, nestling them alongside the onions and sauce.
- Bake uncovered at 400 F for 30 minutes, flip the chicken, then bake for another 30 minutes or until browned.
- To make the cauliflower rice, heat coconut oil in a pan on high heat.
- Add the cauliflower and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Serve the chicken adobo on top of the cauliflower rice.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can eat adobo on keto. Adobo is a method of preparation, and the marinade, so you can use any protein to go with it, from pork to beef, even quail and goat.
You can use olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or any other keto-approved cooking fat.
Combine soy sauce, vinegar, garlic cloves, and bay leaves to create the marinade. Marinate the chicken for at least 20 minutes, or for best results, leave it in the refrigerator overnight.
You can use a brown sugar substitute like Swerve, stevia, Sukrin gold, or any other keto-friendly sweetener.
You can serve keto adobo with cauliflower rice, fried cauliflower rice, cauliflower mash, low-carb Filipino pancit, or garlic green beans.











































