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And here we are! We’ve spent ages scouring the web, testing, tasting, and testing again – and we’ve come up with only the BEST VEGETARIAN KETO RECIPES!

To even be considered for this list of veggie exclusives, recipes have got to be quick, tasty and naturally vegetarian, and suitable for the ketogenic diet.

Recipes for the vegetarian keto diet

As you know peeps on a keto diet have to be picky with their recipes to make it all work. Here are the requirements that all of the recipes in this list fulfill:

• each meal contains max 10 grams of carbs
• quick and healthy (max prep/cook time of 40 mins, total)
• simple ingredients/staples
• keeps well for a couple of days

So without any further ado, here are our favorite vegetarian keto ideas!

We’ve also taken the time out to sort these tasty recipes into the classic breakfast, lunch and dinner categories. Scroll down to see!

Breakfast

Carbs: 2.7g
Bonus: very easy, quick and super-tasty 🙂

The 2 ingredient Low Carb Cream Cheese Pancakes. Just mix eggs and cream cheese to get delicious low carb, high taste pancakes. Ready in 10 minutes.

Carbs: 4g
Bonus: quick and nutritious breakfast, very delicious!

Simple recipe, great taste, with bell pepper adding a delightful crunch. Low carb and high in protein. Perfect as a full meal or filling snack.

Protein: 7g
Carbs: 5g
Calories: 106kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: AnEdibleMosaic
Bonus: low carb, gluten-free

Leftover cauliflower rice comes alive in these hash browns that are crunchy, savoury with spices and cheese, and perfect paired with eggs. Make a big batch and freeze for use later.

Carbs: 6g
Recipe by: HurrytheFoodUp
Bonus: tastes like holiday!

Fresh basil, salty feta, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and sweet cherry tomatoes: that’s the beautiful combo that gives these breakfast egg muffins the name ‘Italian Style’.

Protein: 16g
Carbs: 6g
Calories: 212 kcal
Ready in: 65 minutes
Recipe by: KalynsKitchen
Bonus: perfect for Sunday brunch

A wonderful medley of asparagus, mushrooms, and goat’s cheese, this makes a sumptuous and filling breakfast or brunch option. Full of keto vegetables. Serve it for lunch by making one of the salads in this collection to go with.

Protein: 13g
Carbs: 4g
Calories: 209 kcal
Ready in: 60 minutes
Recipe by: TheLiveinKitchen
Bonus: easy make-ahead recipe, gluten-free

This is the perfect recipe to prep ahead for a weekend brunch to serve a crowd, or cook it up on Sunday, pop the slices in the freezer, and enjoy a no-fuss savory breakfast all week long. Made with eggs, cheese, cream, and a variety of veggies.

Lunch

Protein: 11g
Carbs: 8g
Calories: 207kcal
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: KetoVegetarianRecipes
Bonus: gluten-free and oil-free

Caprese salad meets risotto in this medley of cherry tomatoes, basil and mozzarella, in this keto-friendly Caprese Cauliflower Raisotto. Good for a weekend lunch or as a dinner option too.  

Protein: 7g
Carbs: 2g
Calories: 108kcal
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: ResolutionEats
Bonus: paleo, vegan, grain-free, gluten-free

The hearty French stew, re-imagined as a salad! This recipe for low-carb ratatouille is a delicious blend of roasted eggplant, onions, yellow squash, and red bell peppers. Delicious served warm or cold, ideal for a packed lunch.

Protein: 10g
Carbs: 7g
Calories: 236kcal
Ready in: 60 minutes
Recipe by: PeelwithZeal
Bonus: gluten-free, lunch-box friendly

A new low-carb take on a Southern tradition, this crustless tomato pie recipe is naturally gluten-free and keto-friendly. Using fresh tomatoes, this classic southern tomato pie is full of flavor and perfect for weekend brunch or as a dinner side dish.

Protein: 21g
Carbs: 8g
Calories: 123kcal
Ready in: 75 minutes
Recipe by: MyPlantifulCooking
Bonus: high in protein, can be frozen

This vegan seitan doner kebab is the meatless version of the classic Turkish ones. It is juicy, meaty, and packed with tons of flavor. This versatile dish is simple, fuss-free, and full of plant protein! Make ahead and serve it in a pita with fresh salad vegetables for a yummy packed lunch!

Protein: 4.1g
Carbs: 4.7g
Calories: 103kcal
Ready in: 10 minutes
Recipe by: TheDeliciousSpoon
Bonus: fresh, light and summery!

A popular Italian salad brimming with garden veggies, sweet basil, and pearls of bocconcini cheese! Perfect for a light lunch or even as a dinner party appetizer.

Protein: 2g
Carbs: 10g
Calories: 109kcal
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: FlavourandSavour
Bonus: gluten-free and vegan

Cooked quickly under the broiler, and then drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar, these Broiled Italian Tomatoes are full of the flavors of sunny Tuscany. A good recipe for summer garden tomatoes and it also elevates lacklustre winter tomatoes, too! Perfect for a light lunch or as an appetizer.

Carbs: 4g
Bonus: light, easy, quick, and yummy 🙂

This classic creamy cucumber salad has been passed down for good reason – it’s incredible! It’s also simple and quick, just the way it should be.

Dinner

Carbs: 7g
Bonus: healthy and delicious, full of health benefits, can be stored for a while in the fridge

This low-carb pie that’s keto-friendly is incredibly tasty – and the best thing – it takes only five minutes to prep! Seriously! In this writer/eater’s humble opinion, it’s probably the best vegetarian keto recipe out there. Try it right away! 🙂

Carbs: 1g
Bonus: mega quick, perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Just eggs in this deliciously simple and perfect natural omelette. Omelettes the way they should be. Vegetarian, healthy, and ready in 7 minutes.

Protein: 16g
Carbs: 7g
Calories: 303kcal
Ready in: 1 hour 15 minutes
Recipe by: WhatAGirlEats
Bonus: Mexican, party entree

This low-carb Hatch Chile Rellenos Casserole has all the flavor of regular chile Rellenos, but without the breading and frying. Try with poblanos, pasillas, or Anaheim chiles, if you cannot get your hands on authentic Hatch chiles.

Protein: 3g
Carbs: 8g
Calories: 83kcal
Ready in: 1 hour 30 minutes
Recipe by: EasyIndianCookbook
Bonus: perfect party showstopper

Whole roasted cauliflower with Indian spices is a vegetarian centerpiece that is great for parties, gatherings, and family meals. Made using Tandoori masala as the main spice, the cauliflower is cooked to perfection and is tender inside and crisp outside.

Protein: 10g
Carbs: 9g
Calories: 242kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: LowCarbNoCarb
Bonus: low carb, grain-free and gluten-free

Cherry tomatoes, garlic, and feta sing in this dish made with low-carb, plant-based noodles made from Hearts of Palm. So good you won’t even realize they are not “real” pasta!

Protein: 12g
Carbs: 9g
Calories: 212kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes (plus 20 mins of prep)
Recipe by: LowCarbSpark
Bonus: Perfect comfort food

Melt-in-your-mouth eggplant rolls that are packed with flavor, the rollatini is stuffed with a creamy Italian-inspired cheese and spinach mixture. Even if you normally steer clear of eggplant, this will make you change your mind about the purple vegetable!

Protein: 3g
Carbs: 3g
Calories: 82kcal
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: TheBellyRulestheMind
Bonus: air-fryer-friendly recipe

Delicately spiced, perfectly seared on the outside and tender on the inside, these are the best cabbage ‘steaks’ ever! A healthier alternative to heavier entrees!

Appetizer

Protein: 3.1g
Carbs: 7.1g
Calories: 46kcal
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: TheFlavorBells
Bonus: Works just as well in a regular oven

Crispy from the outside and tender from the inside, this is Brussel Sprouts at their finest. Use your favorite spice to add the jazz to this super healthy and delicious veg.

Carbs: 3g
Bonus: quick and easy, full of proteins, vitamins, and healthy fats

Our secret to the best stuffed eggs recipe is in creating low-calorie deviled eggs with paprika, chives, garlic powder, lemon juice, and of course avocado! Shhh, don’t tell anyone!

Protein: 7.4g
Carbs: 1.6g
Calories: 83kcal
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: SummeryYule
Bonus: light, airy, and just 3 ingredients!

Grain-free, high-protein “bread” is typically made with eggs, cream cheese, cream of tartar, and spices of your choosing. If you have tried to make meringues (and/or cloud bread) before, with 100% failure, this recipe comes with a secret to ensure success!

Protein: 3g
Carbs: 3g
Calories: 97kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: LowCarbSpark
Bonus: easy recipe, perfect for parties and for snacking!

These mushrooms are stuffed with a delicious combination of cheese, cream cheese, onion, garlic, and spices, making them a fantastic appetizer for any occasion. This is a great and delicious way to cook some big mushrooms that are easy to make and always a crowd favorite!

Protein: 3g
Carbs: 4g
Calories: 136kcal
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: AnEdibleMosaic
Bonus: perfect for picnics!

This Cauliflower Potato Salad recipe (aka mock potato salad) has a creamy mayo-based dressing with a touch of Dijon, dill, and a few spices. It’s every bit as delicious as regular potato salad, but with just 3g net carbs per serving!

Vegetarian Keto FAQ

Since the keto diet requires a bit of knowledge, I put together a small FAQ revolving around the vegetarian side things.

So is vegetarian ketosis a real thing?

Sure it is! Generally, those on the ketogenic diet try to consume no more than 20g-50g of carbs per day. Or 15g-30g net carbs. Net carbs means: Total Carbs – Fiber – Sugar Alcohols.

The same rules apply to vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

Can vegetarians get into ketosis?

Usually, after a couple of days – or sometimes up to three or four days of consuming no more than 20g-50g carbs a day – you’ll enter ‘ketosis’.

This is when the body starts to break down fat and protein for energy – as it suddenly has no (or few) carbs to use, as it normally would.

Can you be keto and vegetarian at the same time?

So, yes, is the answer. It can be a little trickier using only vegetarian recipes as keto often leans heavily on meat and fish. But it’s certainly still possible on the vegetarian diet!

Keto diets have been shown to be quite effective for short-term weight-loss and may help prevent cancer and heart disease, though more research is needed.
However – it is not always easy to maintain – especially for vegetarians.

The same goes for the vegan diet. It can be done with vegan recipes, but it is a little trickier.

Why do keto?

One of the most common reasons to do keto is for weight loss. It has also been suggested that keto diets help with epilepsy, and there are many studies investigating this.

We would always advise speaking to a doctor before embarking on any type of new diet or lifestyle.

If weight loss a vegetarian is something you are interested in, we suggest you check out our free 7-day vegetarian weight loss meal plan.

What are the best keto-low-carb foods?

• Cauliflower
• Eggplant / Zucchini (you can make great zucchini noodles from these!)
• Kale
• Spinach
• Other leafy greens
• Mushrooms
• Green beans
• Berries
• Olives
• Cheese (both cottage and hard cheese like parmesan cheese)
• Full-fat yogurt (and many other dairy products)
• Eggs
• Many nuts (especially pecan, Brazil, macadamia and hazelnuts)
• Many seeds (like chia, flax, hemp and sesame)
• Nut butters like peanut, sunflower seed or almond butter (without added sugar)

As you can see, there are many to pick from! Many of the best tasty vegetarian keto recipes include ingredients from the list above.

You can also use more processed goods like ‘keto bread’ or low-carb pasta like shirataki noodles.

Essentially the ketogenic diet is a very low-carb diet and so will always feature low-carb recipes from keto breakfast to lunch to main course and dinner then dessert!

Healthy fats play an important role too, so many of these recipes feature those.

Alrighty, this brings up to the end of our Top 25 Vegetarian Keto Ideas, we hope you enjoy them! We selected them to be easy, quick and low-carb recipes.

Are you looking for more weight-loss recipes? We have a whole load right over here as well. They’re not all keto, but they’re all delicious. Have a browse!