Mexican Food And Keto: What You Need To Know

Mexican food is known for its bold flavours, vibrant colours, and variety of dishes. It is a cuisine that is loved and celebrated around the world, but can you enjoy it while following a keto diet? The keto diet, which focuses on low-carb, moderate-protein, and high-fat meals, may seem challenging to stick to when dining out, especially at Mexican restaurants where tortillas, rice, and beans are staple ingredients. However, with a few simple swaps and mindful choices, it is possible to enjoy a delicious Mexican meal while staying keto-friendly.

Keto-friendly Mexican dips: guacamole, queso, and salsa

Mexican food can be keto-friendly, but it requires skipping the tortillas, chips, and other carb-heavy options. Luckily, there are plenty of keto-friendly dips to choose from, including guacamole, queso, and salsa.

Keto-Friendly Guacamole

Guacamole is naturally high in healthy fats and low in carbs, making it an excellent choice for keto dieters. You can make your own keto guacamole by mashing avocados and mixing them with sour cream, tomato, onion, garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, cumin, and salt. This dip is perfect for those who want a creamy and chunky texture. To prevent the avocado from turning brown, smooth out the top layer and brush on some lime juice before storing it in the fridge.

Keto-Friendly Queso

Queso is another delicious and keto-friendly dip option. You can make a low-carb version by melting butter in a skillet and adding in onion, jalapeno, and cumin. Once the vegetables have softened, add cream cheese, heavy cream, and water, followed by shredded cheddar and Monterey jack cheese. You can adjust the spice level to your preference and top it off with pico de gallo or guacamole. This dip is perfect for those who want a smooth and creamy cheese sauce.

Keto-Friendly Salsa

Salsa is a fresh and flavorful choice that is naturally low in carbs. You can make your own keto salsa by blending canned tomatoes, jalapeno, onion, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and cumin. This dip can be made smooth or chunky, depending on your preference. It is an excellent choice for those who want a spicy and vibrant dip to pair with low-carb chips or tortillas.

These keto-friendly dips are perfect for those following a low-carb, high-fat diet. They offer a range of flavors and textures, making it easy to stick to your keto diet while enjoying your favorite Mexican dishes.

Keto-friendly Mexican appetisers: ceviche and chicharrones

Mexican food is one of the most flavorful, nutritious, and keto-friendly cuisines. While it is typically associated with high-carb foods like tortillas, rice, and beans, there are plenty of keto-friendly options to choose from, especially if you make certain dishes at home.

Ceviche and chicharrones are two keto-friendly Mexican appetisers. Ceviche is a tangy, high-protein, low-fat Mexican appetiser that is often served as an entrée. It is made with raw fish cured in citrus juices, which gives it a tangy flavour and cooks the fish. The most common toppings and seasonings include cilantro, onion, tomatoes, and peppers. While ceviche is typically served with tortilla chips, it can be diluted with keto-friendly ingredients like avocado to make it more keto-friendly.

Chicharrones, also known as pork rinds, are another keto-friendly appetiser. Chicharrones con Huevos, which translates to "pork rinds with eggs," is a dish that combines chicharrones with eggs, tomato, avocado, jalapenos, and cilantro. This dish is a good source of fats and protein, and it is also low in carbs, making it a well-balanced option for those following a keto diet.

When dining out at a Mexican restaurant, it is important to be mindful of high-carb ingredients like tortillas, rice, and beans. However, there are still plenty of keto-friendly options to choose from, such as fajitas, carne asada, and salads, as long as you skip the tortillas and opt for low-carb toppings and sides.

Keto-friendly Mexican drinks: tequila with soda water and lime, or low-carb beer

When it comes to keto-friendly Mexican drinks, there are a few options to choose from. One popular choice is to enjoy tequila, which has no carbs, on its own or with a mixer such as soda water and lime. This can be a refreshing and tasty way to enjoy a drink while sticking to your keto diet.

Another option for keto drinkers is to choose a low-carb beer. These beers generally have less than 1g of carbs per 100ml and can be a great way to enjoy a drink without compromising your keto lifestyle. Some popular low-carb beers include Corona Premier, Blue Moon LightSky, Budweiser Select 55, and Michelob Ultra Pure Gold. These beers can be a good choice for those looking for a refreshing drink with fewer carbohydrates.

It's important to remember that even when choosing keto-friendly drinks, it's important to consume alcohol in moderation. This typically means one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Additionally, it's worth noting that while these drinks are keto-friendly, they may not be completely carb-free, so it's always a good idea to check the nutritional information and choose your drinks wisely.

So, if you're following a keto diet and looking for Mexican-inspired drinks, tequila with soda water and lime or a low-carb beer can be great options to enjoy in moderation.

Keto-friendly Mexican meals: fajitas, taco salads, carnitas, and carne asada

Mexican food is often keto-friendly, and there are many delicious keto-friendly Mexican meals to choose from. Here are some ideas for fajitas, taco salads, carnitas, and carne asada that will satisfy your Mexican food cravings while keeping you in ketosis.

Fajitas

Fajitas are a great option for a keto-friendly Mexican meal. Simply cook your choice of meat (chicken, beef, or shrimp) with peppers and onions, and use a keto-friendly taco seasoning. Skip the tortillas and serve your fajita mixture over a bed of lettuce or cauliflower rice. You can also add some healthy fats like avocado or guacamole, and sour cream.

Taco Salads

Taco salads are another delicious and keto-friendly option. Start with a base of lettuce and add your choice of protein (ground beef, chicken, or turkey) and toppings such as cheese, avocado, salsa, and sour cream. You can also add some crunch with low-carb tortilla chips or extra veggies like onions, tomatoes, or jicama.

Carnitas

Keto carnitas are a delicious and easy-to-make Mexican dish. This recipe typically involves slow-roasting pork shoulder in lard with seasonings like orange, lime, cumin, and garlic. The meat is then shredded and broiled to crispy perfection. Carnitas can be served in a bowl with cauliflower rice and toppings like guacamole, or in lettuce wraps or tacos with keto-friendly tortillas.

Carne Asada

Carne asada is a Latin American dish that typically consists of grilled beef marinated in bold flavors like lime juice, garlic, cilantro, and cumin. For a keto-friendly version, choose a cut of beef that is suitable for grilling, such as flank or skirt steak, and be sure to slice the meat thinly and against the grain to ensure tenderness. You can serve your carne asada with a chimichurri sauce made with garlic, parsley, oregano, and red wine vinegar.

Keto-friendly Mexican sides: extra vegetables, salad, and guacamole

Mexican food can be keto-friendly, but it requires some adjustments. The keto diet is low-carb, moderate-protein, and high-fat, which means that carb-heavy foods like tortillas, tortilla chips, starchy vegetables, rice, and beans are off the menu. However, there are still plenty of delicious Mexican side dishes that can be enjoyed on a keto diet. Here are some ideas for keto-friendly Mexican sides with an emphasis on extra vegetables, salad, and guacamole:

Extra Vegetables

When eating keto, it's important to increase your intake of low-carb vegetables. Fortunately, Mexican cuisine offers a variety of vegetable-based side dishes that can be easily adapted to fit your dietary needs. Some keto-friendly Mexican vegetable sides include:

• Cauliflower rice: A great alternative to traditional rice, cauliflower rice can be used as a base for fajitas, tacos, or burrito bowls.
• Stuffed mini peppers： These make a tasty and colourful side dish.
• Avocado fries: Slices of avocado coated in bacon and baked until crispy.
• Roasted vegetables: Try roasting low-carb veggies like zucchini, eggplant, or asparagus with Mexican spices.
• Pickled jalapenos: Add a spicy kick to your meal with these tangy peppers.

Salad

Salads are a great way to add extra vegetables to your Mexican meal. When ordering a salad at a Mexican restaurant, here are some keto-friendly tips to keep in mind:

• Skip the tortilla shell bowl and opt for a regular bowl or plate.
• Choose a salad with plenty of leafy greens like romaine lettuce, spinach, or arugula.
• Add extra meat and cheese to your salad for a boost of protein and healthy fats.
• Avoid starchy vegetables like corn and ask for low-carb vegetables like avocado, tomato, or onion instead.
• Be cautious of salad dressings, as they may contain added sugar. Opt for a simple vinaigrette made with oil and lime juice, or stick to sour cream or guacamole.

Guacamole

Guacamole is a keto-friendly staple when it comes to Mexican sides. It's high in healthy fats and low in carbs, making it a perfect dip or topping for your favourite Mexican dish. Here are some tips for enjoying guacamole on a keto diet:

• Make your own keto-friendly guacamole at home by mashing avocados with sour cream, diced tomato, onion, minced garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, and cumin.
• Instead of tortilla chips, dip low-carb vegetables like cucumber slices, mini sweet peppers, or even pork rinds into your guacamole.
• Add a dollop of guacamole to your salad or fajitas for extra creaminess and flavour.
• Store guacamole in an airtight container with the top layer smoothed out and brushed with lime juice to prevent oxidation and browning.

Frequently asked questions