Eating a high-protein, low-carb diet provides lasting energy and keeps you full without weighing you down. Plus, your conventional wisdom questioning dietitian will tell you that these diets can help you reach your weight loss goals, lower your blood sugar and decrease your risk of heart disease [1][2].
To build high-protein, low-carb meals, focus on consuming high-quality proteins, leafy greens and plenty of vegetables. Meanwhile, try to avoid foods that contain high grams of carbs per serving, including grains, legumes, starchy vegetables, fruit and sugar.
Fortunately, many of your favourite meals are already high in protein and low in carbs. Below, we share reinvented favourites and new dishes for a low-carb, high-protein diet.
14 High-Protein Low-Carb Meals
Filled with plenty of veg and high-quality protein, these energising meals will leave you satisfied. You’ll be covered for breakfast, lunch and dinner with high-protein, low-carb meals like a caramelised onion frittata, spicy keto 'tacos' and lettuce-wrapped burgers.
1. Dijon Pecan Salmon With Avocado Mayonnaise
These flaky-on-the-inside, crunchy-on-the-outside salmon fillets are coated in dijon mustard and Hunter & Gather Avocado Oil Mayo for a satisfying flavour. Plus, the pecan crust adds a nutritional boost to this high-protein dish. Pair with roasted green beans, Brussels sprouts or other veg to complete the dish.
2. Pressure Cooker Paleo Thai Red Curry
Curry is high in healthy fats and low in carbohydrates. This recipe combines coconut milk, red curry paste, mixed veg and your choice of meat for a one-pot dish that packs 16 grams of protein. Pro tip: Choose non-starchy vegetables, such as bell peppers, courgette and broccoli, to keep your carb count low.
3. Keto Lettuce-Wrapped Lamb and Mint Burgers
Here's a low-carb life hack: Replace grain based tortillas and burger buns with iceberg lettuce wraps. These ketogenic lamb burgers do just that, keeping all the protein and flavour of a juicy burger without the added carbs. Top with Hunter & Gather Avocado Mayo, mustard, pickles, red onions, tomato or your other favourite toppings to complete the dish.
4. One-Pan Paleo Dinner Recipe With Beef Mince and Sweet Onion
Why waste your time prepping a main course and sides when you could whip up an entire meal in one dish? This one-pot meal packs sweet potatoes, leafy greens, bone broth, spices and your choice of protein into one savoury dish. With this recipe, you won't just cut down on carbs — you'll cut down on the cleanup.
5. The Ultimate Keto and Paleo Caramelised Onion Frittata
When you're following a low-carb diet, many of your former favourite breakfast foods — toast, cereal, and porridge — get tossed out of the cupboards. Replace those high-carb dishes with this highly satisfying low-carb frittata. Dairy-free, sugar-free and grain-free, it uses 10 eggs in one skillet for a high-protein breakfast.
6. Stuffed Pepper Keto Tuna Melt With Cashew Cheese
Yes, you can still enjoy your favourite sandwiches on a low-carb meal plan. You just need to be a little inventive. This low-carb tuna melt uses halved bell peppers as the sandwich bread for a savoury high-protein lunch. Plus, it's made with cashew cheese, making it a suitable option for those following a dairy-free diet.
7. Paleo Buffalo Chicken Bake
If you're looking for a high-protein dinner that packs a bit of heat, this low-carb recipe may be it. This delicious one-pot chicken includes shredded chicken breasts, onions, garlic, celery, cauliflower rice and hot sauce for a spicy, satisfying dish.
Want to make it a wrap? Combine your buffalo chicken bake, blue cheese crumbles, carrots and celery into iceberg lettuce leaves for a buffalo chicken wrap.
8. Spicy Keto Cheese and Beef Taco Boats
Think you can't enjoy Mexican food on a low-carb diet? Think again.
While you may be avoiding corn tortillas or rice, you can still enjoy all your favourite flavours with these keto taco boats. Simply season ground turkey or beef with cumin, paprika, chili powder and salt, then pack into cheese 'taco shells’. Top it off with all your favourite toppings, including onions, avocado, tomatoes and cilantro.
9. Grain-Free Sushi Wraps
Rice-free, grain-free and low-carb sushi? Oh please, do tell us more.
These low-carb sushi rolls are made by wrapping bacon around sliced cucumbers, carrots and avocado. Top off the dish with sesame seeds and Hunter & Gather avocado mayo. If you're looking for a gluten-free soy sauce, dip your sushi rolls in coconut aminos.
10. Asian Cashew Coleslaw With Seaspoon Seaweed and Avocado Mayonnaise
If you think salads are boring, you simply aren't doing it right. This Asian-inspired salad combines shredded cabbage, carrots and red onions, then mixes in cashews and green onions. A homemade, gluten-free salad dressing adds an Asian kick, using coconut aminos, lime juice, avocado oil mayo and spices. Top your salad with your choice of protein, such as grilled shrimp or salmon.
11. Cream of Shiitake and Leek Soup
Here's something you may not know: Plants can be a good source of protein — you just need to know what to look for. For example, mushrooms offer this macronutrient while containing roughly 15 vitamins and minerals [3].
This low-carb soup is made with shiitake mushrooms, leeks, bone broth, cashews and spices. Pair it with this roasted kale and butternut crunch salad to complete your meal.
12. Keto BLT Sandwich
For this innovative BLT sandwich, you'll combine lettuce, tomato, bacon and avocado mayo on cloud bread. Cloud bread is a wonderful low-carb invention made with three eggs, cream of tartar, salt, cream cheese and baking soda. The result is a grain-free bread that's light, fluffy and much lower-carb than anything you'll find on supermarket shelves.
13. Spicy Almond Butter Mayo Chicken Salad
Forget the takeaway — this refreshing salad provides all the Thai flavours you're craving. You'll marinade chicken in a delicious dressing made from Hunter & Gather Avocado Mayo With Chipotle & Lime, almond butter, ginger and garlic. Then, add the chicken to a crunchy salad made from cucumbers, radishes, sugar snap peas and sesame seeds.
14. Smoked Mackerel Chicory Boats
Whether you're looking for a light lunch, appetiser or dinner option, these mackerel boats will deliver. Made with mackerel fillets, avocado mayo, lemon juice and chicory leaves, this no-bake dish takes hardly any time to prepare. Pair it with a Greek side salad to complete the dish.
Include High-Protein, Low-Carb Dishes in Your Weekly Meal Prep
Nutritionists that are in the know praise high-protein, low-carb diets for their seemingly limitless health benefits. Studies show that increasing your protein intake while cutting down on carbs can boost your metabolism and decrease your risk of developing a number of chronic diseases.
Fortunately, many dishes you enjoy are already high in protein. With a few low-carb hacks, such as swapping tortillas for lettuce wraps, cauliflower for rice or even halved bell peppers for sandwich buns, you can create a delicious meal.
To keep your meals exciting and your tastebuds guessing, be sure to shop Hunter & Gather condiments and sauces. Sugar-free and seed/vegetable oil free mayos as well as unsweetened ketchup and barbecue sauce will make the low-carb switch even easier.
All information provided on our website and within our articles is simply information, opinion, anecdotal thoughts and experiences to provide you with the tools to thrive.
It is not intended to treat or diagnose symptoms and is definitely not intended to be misconstrued for medical advice. We always advise you seek the advice of a trained professional when implementing any changes to your lifestyle and dietary habits.
We do however recommend seeking the services of a trained professional who questions the conventional wisdom to enable you to become the best version of yourself.
REFERENCES
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537084/
[2] https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/for-dietitians
[3] https://time.com/5500684/are-mushrooms-healthy/
