Madeleine Hull
Fajitas are a popular dish for those on the keto diet, as they are usually made with chicken, beef, or shrimp, and vegetables like bell peppers and onions—all of which are keto-friendly. However, traditional fajitas are served with tortillas, rice, and beans, which are high in carbohydrates. For this reason, those on the keto diet may need to make adjustments when ordering fajitas at a restaurant or make their own keto-friendly tortillas and rice at home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Carbohydrate content | Low-carb |
| Protein | Chicken, beef, shrimp, steak |
| Vegetables | Bell peppers, onions, avocado, lettuce, cabbage, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms |
| Sides | Rice, beans, tortilla chips |
| Spices | Chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, basil, cilantro, lime juice |
| Toppings | Sour cream, cheese, guacamole, salsa, queso |
| Variations | Fajita salad, fajita bowl, lettuce wraps, cauliflower rice |
| Tortilla alternatives | Low-carb tortillas, coconut wraps, cabbage rice, cauliflower rice, cabbage, lettuce |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Fajitas are keto-friendly, especially when made at home
- Avoid tortillas, rice, and beans when eating keto fajitas
- Chicken, beef, shrimp, and skirt steak are popular protein choices
- Low-carb vegetables include bell peppers, onions, and cherry tomatoes
- Toppings and sides include avocado, cheese, sour cream, and lime
Fajitas are keto-friendly, especially when made at home
Fajitas are a keto-friendly option, especially when made at home, as they allow you to control the ingredients and keep the dish low-carb. While traditional fajitas are served with tortillas, rice, and beans, which are high in carbohydrates, there are simple substitutions and omissions that can be made to make this dish keto-friendly.
Firstly, the tortillas can be substituted with low-carb options such as lettuce wraps, coconut wraps, or low-carb tortillas made from cauliflower or coconut wraps. You can also skip the tortillas altogether and enjoy your fajita filling over cauliflower rice or cabbage rice. If you're feeling adventurous, you can try "miracle" rice made from low-carb konjac.
Secondly, while fajitas typically include bell peppers and onions, which have some natural sugars, these vegetables can be included in smaller portions or substituted with other low-carb vegetables, such as zucchini or cabbage. Mushrooms are also a delicious addition to the mix.
Lastly, when it comes to protein, chicken, beef, or shrimp are popular choices for keto fajitas. You can marinate the protein in olive oil, garlic, lime juice, and spices like chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Just be mindful of the marinade time, especially with chicken, as it can alter the texture of the meat if left too long.
By making fajitas at home, you can control the ingredients and create a delicious, keto-friendly meal that doesn't sacrifice flavor. So, go ahead and enjoy those fajitas, but remember to make smart substitutions and keep an eye on your portion sizes to stay within your keto macros.
Salted Pistachios on Keto: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Avoid tortillas, rice, and beans when eating keto fajitas
While fajitas are generally considered keto-friendly, there are some high-carb ingredients that you should avoid when eating keto fajitas. These include tortillas, rice, and beans.
Tortillas are typically made from corn or flour, both of which are high in carbohydrates. Traditional corn tortillas have 17 net carbs per two tortillas, while a standard flour tortilla has about 34 net carbs per piece. As a result, these types of tortillas are not suitable for a keto diet. However, there are several low-carb tortilla options available that can be purchased or made at home. For example, you can find low-carb tortillas from brands like Mr. Tortilla, Mission Low Carb, and Tumaros. These options have significantly fewer net carbs per tortilla, ranging from 1 to 4 net carbs. Additionally, you can make your own keto tortillas or opt for alternative wraps like coconut wraps or large lettuce leaves, which serve as nature's low-carb tortillas.
Rice is another high-carb ingredient commonly found in fajitas that should be avoided when eating keto fajitas. Instead of rice, you can use cauliflower rice, which is a low-carb alternative. Cauliflower rice can be used as a base for your fajitas or as a side dish. If you're not a fan of cauliflower, other low-carb options include hearts of palm rice or "miracle" rice made from low-carb konjac.
Beans are often served with fajitas, especially refried beans, but they are high in carbohydrates. When ordering fajitas at a restaurant, it is important to request that beans be left out of your dish to keep it keto-friendly.
By avoiding tortillas, rice, and beans, you can enjoy keto fajitas that are packed with flavour and your favourite keto-friendly toppings and sides.
Eggs Everyday on Keto: Good or Bad?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Chicken, beef, shrimp, and skirt steak are popular protein choices
Beef fajitas can be made with thinly sliced beef for stir fry, peppers, and onions. Skirt steak is a popular cut of beef for fajitas and is often used in old-school diners. It is an economical cut of beef that some people say has a better flavor than ribeye, tenderloin, or New York Strip. It is important to remember that skirt steak needs to be marinated to tenderize it and cooked over intense high heat to develop a nice char before the interior gets overcooked.
Shrimp fajitas are also a keto-friendly option. When ordering shrimp fajitas at a restaurant, you can ask for extra shrimp if you skip the beans, rice, tortillas, and chips.
Pumpkin Pie on a Keto Diet: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Low-carb vegetables include bell peppers, onions, and cherry tomatoes
Fajitas are a popular keto-friendly dish, especially when made at home. While traditional fajitas are served with tortillas, beans, and rice, which are high in carbohydrates, it is possible to make low-carb substitutions. For example, you can replace tortillas with lettuce wraps, coconut wraps, or low-carb tortillas. Instead of rice, you can use cauliflower rice, hearts of palm rice, or "miracle" rice made from low-carb konjac.
In addition to vegetables, avocados, sour cream, cheese, and guacamole are popular toppings for keto fajitas. For extra flavor, you can add spices such as chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Lime juice can also be squeezed over the fajitas before serving.
When preparing keto fajitas, it is important to consider the serving size and portion control. The amount of carbohydrates consumed should align with your keto macros. Additionally, when dining out, it is recommended to inquire about sugary marinades and avoid high-carb sides like tortilla chips.
Keto Diet: Can You Eat Roy Veggies?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Toppings and sides include avocado, cheese, sour cream, and lime
Avocado, cheese, sour cream, and lime are all great toppings and sides for keto fajitas. Avocado, for example, adds lots of healthy fats to your meal. You can also use guacamole in place of sliced avocado. Cheese is another tasty addition to keto fajitas. Try cheddar, cotija, queso fresco, or shredded Mexican cheese.
Sour cream is a delicious topping for keto fajitas, and it pairs well with cheese and avocado or guacamole. You can also add a squeeze of lime juice to your fajitas to brighten up the dish. If you're making chicken fajitas, you can marinate the chicken in lime juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, salt, and chili powder.
When preparing keto fajitas, it's important to avoid high-carb ingredients such as tortillas, rice, and beans. Instead, you can use low-carb tortillas or wraps made from coconut or lettuce leaves. You can also serve your fajitas over cauliflower rice or lettuce for a low-carb fajita salad.
Chitterlings on Keto: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, fajitas are generally one of the most keto-friendly Mexican dishes.
Traditional corn tortillas are not keto-friendly, but there are many keto-friendly options available, including:
- Mr. Tortilla
- Mission Low Carb Tortillas
- Tumaros
- Outer Aisle's cauliflower wraps or bread thins
- Lettuce leaves
Some keto-friendly sides to have with fajitas include:
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Avocado
- Cheese
- Lime
- Cilantro
- Cabbage rice
- Cauliflower rice
- Black soybeans
Some keto-friendly fillings for fajitas include:
- Chicken
- Beef
- Shrimp
- Skirt steak
- Vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms
When eating fajitas on keto, it is important to avoid high-carb ingredients such as:
- Tortillas
- Rice
- Beans
- Chips
