Leena Watts
Portillo's offers a variety of keto-friendly options that can help you stay in ketosis. From salads to hot dogs and sandwiches, there are many ways to eat keto at this restaurant. While some menu items may be keto-friendly, it's important to watch out for hidden carbs and sugars in dressings and sauces. In this guide, we will explore the best keto options at Portillo's and provide tips for staying within your daily carb limit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can you eat tortillas on keto? | Yes, but corn tortillas are generally off-limits due to their high carbohydrate content. |
| Keto-friendly tortillas ingredients | Almond flour, coconut flour, flax, psyllium, chia seeds, cheese, vegetables, lupin flour, xanthan gum |
| Store-bought keto tortillas | Most pre-made keto tortillas are not gluten-free and contain wheat gluten. Coconut wraps, cheese wraps, and cauliflower-based wraps are exceptions. |
| Carbohydrates in keto tortillas | 0.6-2 grams net carbs per serving |
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What You'll Learn
Salads at Portillo's
Portillo's Chopped Salad is an iconic salad from the famous Chicago restaurant. It's a hearty, crunchy, savoury salad filled with textures and flavours. The base of the salad is made up of chopped lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, and green onions. It also includes chicken, bacon, cheese, and pasta. The cheese is usually gorgonzola, but feta, parmesan, cheddar, or provolone are also used. The salad is tossed in a house dressing, which is a light vinaigrette made with olive oil, vinegar, garlic, dijon mustard, sugar, oregano, salt, and pepper.
The salad can be easily customised to suit different dietary needs and preferences. For a vegetarian option, the chicken and bacon can be omitted and replaced with chickpeas. To make it gluten-free, gluten-free pasta can be used, and to make it dairy-free, the cheese can be omitted. Other vegetables that can be added include cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, avocado, and shredded brussels sprouts.
The salad can be made at home, but the specific recipe for the house dressing is kept secret. However, some people have attempted to recreate it, and one suggestion is to whisk together olive oil, vinegar, garlic, dijon mustard, sugar, oregano, salt, and pepper. Another suggestion is to use a store-bought vinaigrette.
Portillo's Chopped Salad is a popular choice for a weekday lunch or a side dish at a party or BBQ. It's a filling and tasty option for those on a keto diet, as it is low in carbs and high in protein and healthy fats.
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Customizable orders
There are many ways to customize your orders to make them keto-friendly. Corn tortillas are generally off-limits on a keto diet due to their high carbohydrate content. However, there are some great alternatives that you can use instead.
One option is to use keto-friendly flour substitutes such as almond flour, coconut flour, or lupin flour. Almond flour, in particular, is a popular choice as it has a light and sturdy texture. You can also add psyllium husk for added fiber and to help bind the dough together. With these ingredients, you can make soft and pliable tortillas with only a few grams of net carbs per serving.
If you don't want to make your own tortillas, there are some store-bought options available, although most pre-made keto tortillas are not gluten-free. Coconut wraps, cheese wraps, and cauliflower-based wraps are some good options. You can also get creative and use lettuce wraps or low-carb sandwich wraps for your favorite Mexican dishes.
For those who are short on time, a simple solution is to buy low-carb tortillas from the store. While they may have a higher carb count than homemade tortillas, they can still be a good option if you're looking for convenience.
With these customizable options, you can enjoy your favorite Mexican dishes while sticking to your keto diet. Whether you choose to make your own tortillas or buy them pre-made, there are plenty of ways to enjoy keto-friendly tortillas and wraps.
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Carb counts
However, there are alternative options available that significantly reduce the carb count. For instance, tortillas made with almond flour offer a keto-friendly alternative, with some recipes resulting in tortillas containing only 0.6 grams of carbs per serving. These tortillas are typically made with a combination of almond flour, lupin flour, and xanthan gum, providing a soft and pliable texture similar to traditional tortillas.
Another option is to use coconut flour as a substitute. Coconut wraps, often found in stores, provide a convenient keto-friendly choice. Additionally, homemade tortillas made with coconut flour offer a viable option, though they may require a tortilla press or a rolling pin to achieve the desired flatbread shape.
It is worth noting that some keto dieters opt for a slightly different approach by using lettuce wraps instead of traditional tortillas. This option virtually eliminates carbs while still providing a suitable vessel for taco, fajita, or burrito fillings.
Lastly, for those who enjoy the convenience of store-bought options, there are pre-made keto tortillas available. However, it is important to carefully read the labels, as most of these options are not gluten-free and may contain wheat gluten and flour.
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Keto-friendly options
There are several keto-friendly options available at Portillo's. Firstly, it's important to note that keto-friendly bowls and salads can be created by combining "Nudies" (a protein option without any added sauce or toppings) with your choice of condiments, dressings, and greens. The Chicago Combo Bowl (6g net carbs) and Classic Beef Bowl (9g net carbs) are good keto-friendly options. You can also order a burger or sandwich without the bread and have it served in a bowl instead. Low-carb dressing options include Greek Vinaigrette, Lite Ranch, and Caesar Dressing.
When it comes to beverages, Diet Coke, Iced Tea, and Coffee are safe choices. Additionally, you can consider the Beef N Cheddar Croissant, which has 50g of net carbs, and the Italian Beef (without bread) as potential options, but be mindful of their carb content.
It's worth noting that some people have expressed concerns about the accuracy of nutritional information for certain menu items, so it's always a good idea to do your own research and make adjustments where necessary.
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Low-carb dressings
The keto diet is a very-low-carb, high-fat diet that has gained popularity in recent years. While this way of eating can be restrictive, creative recipes can provide the flavours of old high-carb favourites with minimal carbs.
Most store-bought salad dressings are unsuitable for a keto diet due to excess carbs. However, there are some exceptions, such as sugar-free salad dressings or simple vinaigrettes.
- Vinaigrettes: Vinaigrettes are a perfect keto-friendly option as they are extremely low-carb and high-fat. They are typically made with olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, and sometimes herbs, spices, mustard, salt or pepper.
- Keto Italian Dressing: This dressing includes olive oil, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, basil, oregano and salt.
- Keto Caesar Dressing: This dressing is made with mayonnaise, olive oil, parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard and anchovy paste.
- Keto Blue Cheese Dressing: This dressing combines mayonnaise, blue cheese, sour cream or yogurt, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- Keto Thousand Island Dressing: This dressing includes mayonnaise, sugar-free ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and chopped gherkins.
- Keto Russian Dressing: Similar to Thousand Island, but with added ingredients like horseradish and pepper sauce for spice.
- Asian Salad Dressing: This dressing is delicious on salads or stir-fried vegetables. It can be sealed in a Mason jar and stored in the refrigerator for about six weeks.
In addition to these options, you can also find recipes for low-carb peanut sauce, raspberry and tarragon dressing, and lemon vinaigrette.
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Frequently asked questions
Some keto-friendly foods at Portillo's include the Jumbo Hot Dog, Beef N Cheddar Croissant, and Italian Beef (no bread).
Some keto-friendly toppings and dressings at Portillo's are "Nudies" (proteins without added sauce or toppings), Greek Vinaigrette, Lite Ranch, and Caesar Dressing.
The Chicago Combo Bowl and the Classic Beef Bowl are keto-friendly options, with 6g and 9g of net carbs, respectively.
Some keto-friendly beverage options at Portillo's are Diet Coke, Iced Tea, and Coffee.
