45 Low-Carb Sides That Are High in Flavor
We've got way more than just cauliflower rice.
Finding low-carb but delicious side dishes can be a challenge. Lucky for you, these low-carb sides, like cauliflower mac and cheese and keto salads, are anything but boring and couldn't be easier to make for a busy weeknight dinner. And don't worry, they aren't all cauliflower-based (though we do love how versatile it is).
Speaking of cauliflower (as we tend to do), you absolutely need to jump on making these cauliflower tots, keto mac and cheese, and loaded grilled cauliflower for your next cookout. They make such amazing sides for rounding out any healthy grilled meal, like iceburgers or cabbage wrap burgers, steak, and all our favorite grilled skewers (these keto burger buns are amazing for when you're really craving a low-carb Big Mac too).
The best part of all of these dishes is that you'll find you won't even miss the carbs. We've created amazing swaps on your favorite carb-loaded dishes and staples, like creamy mashed cauliflower and cauliflower rice, to fun spins like loaded zucchini skins, cool ranch zucchini chips, and even bacon avocado fries.
With all these delicious sides on the menu, they just might steal the attention away from your favorite low carb entrées. We have a bunch of easy easy keto dinner recipes, rounded up 9 low-carb meals for less than $25(!), and have tons of healthy low-carb breakfasts. Want to learn more about being low-carb or if it's the right diet for you? Check out our guide to low-carb diet culture.
Cauliflower Tots
These cheesy nuggets of joy might be better than the real thing. We've included an oven-baked version as well as an air-fryer version below—both are great, but we're in love with how golden the air-fryer tots get. Try these zucchini tots next!
Get the Cauliflower Tots recipe.
Creamed Brussels Sprouts
Not a fan of Fontina? Gruyère or white cheddar would also be delicious here. Check out these kung pao Brussels sprouts next—but be warned, it's hard to stop eating them.
Get the Creamed Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Mashed Cauliflower
This cauliflower mash recipe is the perfect low-carb substitute to mashed potatoes. The secret to making steamed cauliflower smooth and creamy? CREAM CHEESE! The cream cheese adds the delicious richness that you might be missing from mashed potatoes.
Get the Mashed Cauliflower recipe.
Best-Ever Keto Mac & Cheese
If you're on keto, you know there are a lot of no-nos in classic mac & cheese. This version takes out all the trouble children (ahem, PASTA) without sacrificing flavor. The pork rind topping is totally optional, but we think it adds a pleasant crunch.
Get the Best-Ever Keto Mac & Cheese recipe.
Grilled Avocado
Grilling avocados not only gives them a charred and smoky flavor, but it makes them incredibly tender and extra creamy. You can eat grilled avocado simply dressed with lime juice and salt, our spicy garlic-oregano dressing (as we do here), but these do well in any recipe that calls for avocado, like guacamole or avocado-tomato salad.
Get the Grilled Avocado recipe.
Brussels Sprouts Chips
Though the 10-year-old version of ourselves would be shocked to hear it, we can't get enough of Brussels sprouts. Not only are they a great veggie side, they make an amazing salty, crunchy snack. We love this garlic-Parm variety dipped in Caesar dressing, but ranch wouldn't be a bad idea either.
Get the Brussels Sprouts Chips recipe.
Cauliflower Rice
The best part about cauliflower rice is that it's even easier to cook than rice. Just heat a pan with some oil and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. We love it as fried rice, cheesy Mexican rice, and especially cheesy cauliflower bread!
Get the Cauliflower Rice recipe.
Sautéed Zucchini
This easy, quick-sautéed garlic-Parmesan zucchini is the perfect side dish for those nights where you want a low-effort, simple side. It's full of flavor, and the zucchini slightly caramelizes as it cooks in the cast-iron pan.
Get the Sautéed Zucchini recipe.
Cheesy Cauli Bread
Who knew you could take a head of cauliflower and turn it into this endlessly dippable cheesy bread? Now we know, and we'll be 100% serving this with plenty of low-carb spaghetti sauce for an amazing side or appetizer.
Get the Cheesy Cauli Bread recipe.
Cheesy Brussels Sprout Bake
The one side dish that will everyone freak out (and run for seconds). If you have vegetarian guests, feel free to skip the bacon. We're all about the smoky flavor, but for this dish, it's all about the cheese.
Get the Cheesy Brussels Sprout Bake recipe.
Bacon Avocado Fries
You can't say no to anything wrapped in bacon. These low-carb "fries" turn a regular slice of avocado into something extraordinary.
Get the Bacon Avocado Fries recipe.
Loaded Grilled Cauliflower
From cauliflower baked ziti to cauliflower grilled cheese, no weird or wacky preparation of cauliflower has gone untried in the Delish kitchen. Of all the different ways to prepare this lovely vegetable, grilling might be our favorite. The steaks still have a bit of crunch, and the smoky flavor plays well with melty cheese and creamy ranch.
Get the Loaded Grilled Cauliflower recipe.
Cool Ranch Zucchini Chips
Got a Dorito craving? You'll love these crispy, ranch "chips". Got a mandoline? Now is the perfect time to use it.
Get the Cool Ranch Zucchini Chips recipe.
Keto Broccoli Salad
Nuts and grated cheese in some form are a great addition to this broccoli salad, but you don't have to stick to almonds and cheddar. Feel free to sub in roughly chopped walnuts and goat cheese for something a bit fancy, or spiced pecans and pepper jack for a bit of kick.
Get the Keto Broccoli Salad recipe.
Bang Bang Cauliflower
When we're looking for a spicy, flavorful side to brighten up our dinner, we turn to bang bang cauliflower. Not only is it quick and easy, but the dish is super adaptable. And when you've mastered this, give this honey-garlic cauliflower a try!
Get the Bang Bang Cauliflower recipe.
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
We turn to cauliflower for all of our low-carb needs—including mac 'n' cheese! We love how sharp cheddar and mild mozzarella balance each other out, but you can totally swap in nuttier Gruyère or creamy goat cheese.
Get the Cauliflower Mac and Cheese recipe.
Cacio E Pepe Egg Noodles
Cacio e pepe is one of our all time favorite pasta dishes. This lightened-up version calls for making your pasta from scratch (thanks to eggs!)—the good news is it's SO much easier than it sounds.
Get the Cacio E Pepe Egg Noodles recipe.
Spicy Roasted Broccolini
We all know by now that roasting vegetables makes them the best version of themselves, and roasted broccolini is no exception. Broccolini is a hybrid of "supermarket" broccoli (Calabrese variety) and Chinese broccoli. It features longer, slimmer, more tender stems that do not require peeling, so you can eat the whole stalk.
Get the Spicy Roasted Broccolini recipe.
Keto Egg Salad
Classic egg salad is usually keto-friendly as it is. But because fat=good, we added an extra creamy, but healthy element: avocado! The whole thing tastes nice and fresh but trust us, it'll really fill you up—even in a lettuce cup. Do we recommend serving it with crispy bacon? Of course we do.
Get the Keto Egg Salad recipe.
Caprese Salad
Caprese salad is one of the best ways to show off those juicy in-season farmers' market tomatoes or your own backyard harvest. We love swapping in burrata for a creamy, rich spin.
Get the Caprese Salad recipe.
