Keto Mexican Food: Low-Carb, High-Flavor Fiesta!

Mexican food is often thought to be difficult to navigate for those on a low-carb keto diet, due to high-carb foods like tortillas, rice, and beans. However, Mexican cuisine is one of the most flavorful, nutritious, and keto-friendly cuisines, especially if you make certain dishes at home.

For example, fajitas are a popular sizzling-hot dish that usually includes bell peppers and onions, along with a protein like chicken, beef, or shrimp. They’re typically served with tortillas, but you can skip those and just eat the fajita filling to keep it low-carb.

Carne asada is another keto-friendly option, consisting of a marinated, grilled steak with no carbs.

Ceviche, a cold dish of raw or precooked seafood brined in citrus juice and mixed with veggies and herbs, is also low-carb and can be found on many Mexican restaurant menus.

Guacamole, made from smashed avocado, is naturally high in fat and fiber and low in net carbs, making it another perfect keto-friendly option.

Guacamole with veggie dippers

Guacamole is a great keto-friendly option at Mexican restaurants—it is high in healthy fats and very low in carbs. Typically, guacamole is served with tortilla chips, but these should be avoided when following a keto diet. Instead, opt for veggie dippers such as:

• Jicama
• Tomatoes
• Lettuce spears
• Radishes
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Raw peppers

These vegetables can be sliced, made into sticks, or even turned into chips. For example, radishes, zucchini, and jicama can be cut into chip shapes and baked until crispy.

When eating out at a Mexican restaurant, it is best to avoid high-carb ingredients like tortillas, tortilla chips, rice, and beans. However, guacamole with veggie dippers is a delicious and nutritious keto-friendly option to enjoy.

Keto-friendly salads

Salads are a great option for those on the keto diet, as they can be packed with protein and healthy fats to keep you full and satisfied. Here are some ideas for keto-friendly salads:

Keto Chicken Salads

• Chicken fajita salad: Chicken fajitas served over a bed of greens with peppers, onions, and spices.
• Grilled chicken salad: Grilled chicken with cucumbers, tomatoes, and avocado.
• Chicken BLT salad: Chicken, bacon, lettuce, and tomato with a creamy aioli dressing.
• Chicken enchilada salad: Chicken stewed in a green sauce made from tomatillos, onions, chiles, and herbs, served over greens with sour cream and guacamole.

Keto Beef Salads

• Taco salad: Seasoned ground beef or chicken, lettuce, tomato, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.
• Beef fajita salad: Sizzling beef with peppers and onions served over greens.
• Keto cheeseburger salad: All the flavours of a juicy cheeseburger in salad form.
• Keto beef stroganoff salad: Beef stroganoff served over a bed of greens.
• Keto Mexican casserole salad: Mexican-seasoned ground beef with toppings like cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.

Keto Seafood Salads

• Shrimp salad: Shrimp with avocado and cucumber, topped with a ginger and garlic dressing.
• Seafood salad: Shrimp and salmon with avocado, mayonnaise, and sour cream.
• Ceviche: Shrimp or fish "cooked" in citrus juice, mixed with veggies and herbs.

Keto Vegetable Salads

• Antipasto salad: Italian cold cuts with chilli, basil, and a basil pesto vinaigrette.
• Greek salad: Traditional Greek salad with feta cheese.
• Strawberry spinach salad: Spinach, strawberries, herb chicken, and goat cheese.
• Broccoli salad: Broccoli with feta and almonds.
• Brussels sprouts salad: Shaved Brussels sprouts with toasted almonds, Parmesan, and pomegranate seeds.
• Caesar salad: Romaine lettuce, chicken, bacon, parmesan, and Caesar dressing.
• Taco cauliflower salad: Taco-seasoned cauliflower with greens, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.

Chicken enchiladas verde (without rice and beans)

Chicken enchiladas verde is a delicious Mexican dish that can be easily modified to fit a keto diet. Here is a recipe for chicken enchiladas verde without rice and beans that is sure to satisfy your cravings!

Ingredients:

• 6 chicken deli meat slices (medium thickness, not super thin; roasted or smoked variety)
• 1 1/3 cup shredded cooked chicken
• 1 cup Hatch green chile enchilada sauce or salsa verde, divided
• 1 1/3 cup grated cheese (cheddar, jack, pepper jack, or a mix)
• 1 tablespoon sliced black olives
• 1/2 tablespoon crumbled queso fresco cheese (optional)

Method:

Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 9-inch oval or rectangular casserole baking dish. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the shredded chicken with 1/4 cup of the enchilada sauce or salsa verde. Place about 2 1/2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture on each deli meat slice and roll them up. Arrange the rolls seam-side down in the casserole dish and pour the remaining enchilada sauce over them. Sprinkle the grated cheese and black olive slices on top. Bake for 10 minutes, then place under the broiler on low for 2 minutes to slightly brown the cheese. Sprinkle with crumbled queso fresco and serve.

Tips:

• If you can't find Hatch green chile enchilada sauce, you can use Herdez Salsa Verde instead.
• You can also use shredded rotisserie chicken in this recipe, just make sure to remove the skin.
• This recipe is not only keto-friendly but also gluten-free and tortilla-free.
• For a vegetarian option, you can replace the chicken with a plant-based alternative.

Fajitas with lettuce wraps

Fajitas are a great option for a low-carb keto meal. The dish usually includes bell peppers, onions, and a protein like chicken, beef, or shrimp, served alongside tortillas. To make it keto-friendly, simply skip the tortillas and eat the fajita filling as it is, or use lettuce leaves as wraps.

Ingredients

You can use a variety of proteins and vegetables for your fajita filling. Here are some common ingredients:

• Steak (such as sirloin or skirt steak)
• Chicken (breast or thigh)
• Bell peppers (red, yellow, orange, or green)
• Onions
• Lettuce (butter, romaine, or iceberg)
• Avocado or guacamole
• Sour cream
• Cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, etc.)
• Mayonnaise (chipotle or regular)
• Spices (chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, etc.)
• Oil (olive oil or refined coconut oil)
• Lime juice

Instructions

• Prepare the fajita filling by slicing the protein of your choice into thin strips or cubes. You can use chicken, steak, or even shrimp.
• Make a homemade fajita seasoning by combining spices like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. You can also use a store-bought fajita seasoning blend.
• Marinate the protein in a mixture of oil, lime juice, cilantro, mustard, and fajita seasonings. Set aside for a few minutes to allow the flavors to absorb.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced onions and cook until soft and fragrant.
• Next, add the bell peppers to the skillet and cook until they reach your desired level of doneness. Transfer the cooked vegetables to a plate and set aside.
• In the same skillet, melt some butter and sear the marinated protein. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, depending on your desired level of doneness.
• Return the cooked vegetables to the skillet and mix with the protein. Add the remaining marinade to the skillet and heat through.
• Assemble the lettuce wraps by placing a spoonful of the fajita filling in the center of each lettuce leaf. Top with avocado, sour cream, cheese, mayonnaise, or other desired toppings.
• Wrap the lettuce leaves around the filling, burrito-style, and enjoy!

Tips

• If you're short on time, you can use store-bought fajita seasoning and pre-made guacamole to speed up the preparation process.
• To make the lettuce wraps easier to handle, you can place the lettuce leaves on a square of wax paper before adding the filling. This will help prevent spillages.
• When choosing lettuce for your wraps, look for varieties with large leaves, such as romaine, iceberg, or butter lettuce. This will make it easier to wrap up your fajita filling.
• If you're concerned about the carbs in onions, cook a small portion or split your fajita meal into two servings to keep the carb count low.

Low-carb tortillas

Tortillas are a staple in Mexican cuisine, but they are typically made with carb-heavy ingredients like corn or flour. For those on a low-carb or keto diet, this can be a problem. However, there are now several options for low-carb tortillas on the market, as well as recipes for making your own.

Store-Bought Low-Carb Tortillas

Several brands now offer low-carb tortillas, including Mission Foods and Mr. Tortilla. These tortillas typically have a carb count of 1-2 net carbs per tortilla and are made with ingredients like coconut flour, egg whites, and protein. They come in a variety of flavors, including original, sriracha ranch, sun-dried tomato basil, and spinach.

Homemade Low-Carb Tortillas

If you're feeling adventurous, you can also make your own low-carb tortillas at home. One recipe calls for just three ingredients: coconut flour, egg whites, and baking powder. The tortillas are simple to make: just mix the ingredients together, cook the batter in a non-stick pan, and you're done! The homemade version is also cost-effective and can be frozen and saved for later.

Using Low-Carb Tortillas

Tips for Eating Keto at Mexican Restaurants

In addition to using low-carb tortillas, there are several other tips for eating keto at Mexican restaurants. Guacamole is a great option, as it is high in healthy fats and low in carbs. You can also order fajitas without the tortillas and use lettuce leaves instead. Salads are another good choice, but be sure to skip the tortilla shell and starchy vegetables. Ceviche, carne asada, and chorizo are also keto-friendly options.

Frequently asked questions