25 Easy Vegetarian Keto Recipes for Vegetarian Ketosis (2024)

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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!

25 Easy Vegetarian Keto Recipes for Vegetarian Ketosis (1)

Jump to

  • Keto Breakfast Recipes
  • Keto Lunch Recipes
  • Keto Dinner Recipes
  • Is Vegetarian Ketosis Real?
  • Why do Keto?
  • The Best Vegetarian Keto Foods

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.

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  • 25 Easy Vegetarian Keto Recipes for Vegetarian Ketosis (2)

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

1. Low Carb Cream Cheese Pancakes

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4.75 from 105 votes

Protein: 10g

Calories: 321kcal

Ready in:10 minutes minutes

Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp

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.

2. Low Carb Breakfast Egg Muffins (25 Minutes, Vegetarian)

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4.60 from 146 votes

Protein: 17g

Calories: 219kcal

Ready in:25 minutes minutes

Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp

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.

3. Keto Hash Browns

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.

4. Italian-style Breakfast Egg Muffins

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4.79 from 23 votes

Protein: 19g

Calories: 228kcal

Ready in:30 minutes minutes

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’.

5. Asparagus, Mushroom and Goat’s Cheese Casserole

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.

6. Low-carb Breakfast Casserole

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

7. Keto Caprese Cauliflower Risotto

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.

9. Crustless Tomato Pie

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.

10. Vegan Seitan ‘Donor’ Kebab

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!

11. Cucumber Caprese Salad

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.

12. Broiled Italian Tomato With Herbs

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.

13. Grandma’s Creamy Cucumber Salad

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4.84 from 12 votes

Protein: 1g

Calories: 154kcal

Ready in:5 minutes minutes

Recipe by: Bernadine Fox, Hauke’s grandma

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

14. Low-Carb Spinach and Cheese Pie

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4.72 from 53 votes

Protein: 24g

Calories: 449kcal

Ready in:40 minutes minutes

Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp

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! 🙂

4.92 from 12 votes

Prep Time:5 minutes minutes

Cook Time:35 minutes minutes

Total Time:40 minutes minutes

Servings:4

Calories:315kcal

Author: HurryTheFoodUp

Ingredients

  • 8.8 oz spinach (8.8 oz = 250g) (if frozen, let defrost)
  • 5 eggs
  • 1.5 cup cheddar cheese (1 cup = 125g)
  • 2 tomatoes
  • ½ tsp garlic powder (or garlic salt)
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp basil, fresh (dried is also fine)
  • 1 tbsp oregano (dried is also fine)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for greasing the tray)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 200°C/390°F.

  • Beat the eggs in a large bowl.

  • Add the garlic, nutmeg, onion powder, salt and pepper.

  • Grate the cheese.

  • Give it all a stir then mix in the spinach and cheese.

  • Make sure everything is thoroughly coated in egg and spice mix.

  • Pour into a 9 inch pie tin (grease with a little oil first), spread it evenly and get it in the oven!

  • Slice the tomatoes.

  • After about 20 minutes of cooking, take out the pie and layer the tomatoes on top.

  • Cook for another 15-20 mins.

  • When ready, sprinkle on the basil, oregano and a little more salt and pepper.

  • Done! Serve, and enjoy.

NOTES

Thanks go to this recipe for the inspiration! If you’re after more spinachy goodness then make sure you check out these feta-spinach pancakes. So good!!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

25 Easy Vegetarian Keto Recipes for Vegetarian Ketosis

Amount per Serving

Calories

315

% Daily Value*

Fat

23

g

35

%

Saturated Fat

11

g

69

%

Cholesterol

249

mg

83

%

Sodium

395

mg

17

%

Potassium

627

mg

18

%

Carbohydrates

7

g

2

%

Fiber

3

g

13

%

Sugar

3

g

3

%

Protein

20

g

40

%

Vitamin A

7130

IU

143

%

Vitamin C

26

mg

32

%

Calcium

424

mg

42

%

Iron

4

mg

22

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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15. The Perfect Omelette

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4.37 from 11 votes

Protein: 17g

Calories: 220kcal

Ready in:7 minutes minutes

Recipe by: Hurry The Food Up

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.

16. Hatch Chile Rellenos Casserole

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.

17. Tandoori Gobi or Grilled Whole Cauliflower

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 (more veggie keto Indian recipes this way). Made using Tandoori masala as the main spice, the cauliflower is cooked to perfection and is tender inside and crisp outside.

18. Baked Feta Pasta with Palmini Noodles

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!

19. Eggplant Rollatini with Creamy Spinach Cheese Filling

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!

20. Best Crispy Cabbage Steaks

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

21. Roast Brussel Sprouts

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.

22. Avocado Deviled Eggs

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5 from 4 votes

Protein: 6g

Calories: 107kcal

Ready in:17 minutes minutes

Recipe by: Abril Macías

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!

23. Cloud bread with Greek Yogurt

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!

24. Stuffed Mushrooms

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!

25. Cauliflower Potato Salad

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!

25 Easy Vegetarian Keto Recipes for Vegetarian Ketosis (2024)

FAQs

What foods can you eat unlimited amounts of on keto? ›

Foods you can eat on the keto diet include fish and seafood, meat and poultry, non-starchy vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and zucchini, avocados, berries, nuts and seeds, eggs, high-fat dairy products, olive oil and other oils, and high-cocoa chocolate.

How to get into ketosis as a vegetarian? ›

Many keto dieters simply aim for less than 50 grams of total carbohydrates or 20 grams of net carbs (total carbs–fiber) as a reliable way to enter ketosis. This often involves limiting nutrient-dense plant-based foods rich in carbohydrates, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.

What foods kick you from ketosis? ›

Below is an extensive list of food items you should bid farewell to while following ketosis:
  • Food High In Carbohydrates (Plain & Refined) ...
  • Processed Foods. ...
  • Sugary Drinks, Juice & Sweet Syrups. ...
  • Alcoholic Drinks. ...
  • Trans & Hydrogenated Fats. ...
  • High-carb Condiments & Sauces.
Apr 3, 2023

How much weight can you lose on vegetarian keto? ›

The keto diet changes the way your metabolism works by encouraging it to use ketone bodies instead of glucose for energy production. In the first couple of weeks, it's possible to lose up to ten pounds. After that, you could be losing one to two pounds per week.

How many carbs should a vegetarian eat a day on keto? ›

Most vegetarians eat animal products like eggs and dairy but avoid meat and fish. Meanwhile, the ketogenic diet is a high-fat diet that limits carb intake to 20–50 grams per day.

What foods are 100% carb free? ›

Food and drinks allowed on a no-carb diet include meat, fish, eggs, cheese, butter, oils, water, and plain coffee or tea.

What is the maximum number of carbs to stay in ketosis? ›

On the keto diet, you are allowed to have no more than 50 grams of net carbs per day – and the fewer, the better!

Is peanut butter keto? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

Are cucumbers keto? ›

Cucumber is another popular salad vegetable. It contains many essential nutrients, including vitamin K. Cucumber is also suitable for the keto diet, as its carb content is just 3.63 g per 100 g. To make the carb content lower, a person can peel the cucumber before eating it.

What protein can vegetarians eat on keto? ›

Low-carb vegetarian proteins: Tofu, seitan and tempeh — Although tempeh is higher in carbs than tofu and seitan, it's also high in fiber, so the net carbs (AKA the total grams of carbs minus the grams of fiber) make it keto-friendly.

Can caffeine kick you out of ketosis? ›

Caffeine as a substance is totally Ketogenic, but if you indulge in sugar-laden caffeine drinks and foods, you'll kick yourself out of ketosis before you can say, “Grande - almond - cinnamon - no foam - extra shot - extra hot - three pump vanilla - caramel macchiato please”.

What puts you in ketosis fastest? ›

Cutting your carb intake is the best way to get into ketosis. Other actions, such as consuming MCT oil and exercising in a fasted state, may also help.

How to lose 10 pounds in a month vegetarian? ›

Several strategies can help promote weight loss on a vegetarian diet, including:
  1. Filling half of your plate with non-starchy vegetables. ...
  2. Incorporating protein at every meal and snack. ...
  3. Opting for complex carbs. ...
  4. Watching your portions of high-calorie foods. ...
  5. Eating mostly whole foods. ...
  6. Limiting highly processed foods.
Sep 10, 2019

Can you overeat vegetables on keto? ›

“Even though all vegetables have health value, eating too much of some will likely push you over your carb limit.” Worried about their carb counts, some people avoid veggies altogether when they go keto.

What do 50 grams of carbs look like on keto? ›

What does 50 g net carbs look like? Depending on the foods a person consumes, 50 g net carbs can vary. For example, with low carb foods, around 1,000 g of broccoli, raspberries, or Brazil nuts are roughly 50 g net carbs. However, with high carb foods, 200 g of cashews or 100 g of lentils are about 50 g net carbs.

Is hummus keto? ›

While hummus is suitable for the keto diet, you'll want to limit yourself to a small amount. Consider using it as a garnish rather than as a dip, and avoid dessert flavors. You may also want to consider other low carb dips and spreads, such as baba ganoush, pate, or black soybean hummus.

What foods keep you full the longest keto? ›

13 of the best keto foods that keep you full
  • Olives contain numerous health-promoting compounds. ...
  • Don't be afraid of guacamole. ...
  • Salmon is very high in omega-3 fats. ...
  • Chia seeds crush hunger quick. ...
  • Sprinkle flax meal over salads and smoothies. ...
  • Almonds also have an impressive fiber content.
Oct 9, 2018

What is the maximum keto diet? ›

Following the keto diet requires limiting carb intake to up to 50 g a day. A person generally replaces high carb foods with fatty foods, such as eggs, dairy products, and fresh meat and fish. Wheat products and some fruits, vegetables, beans, and legumes can be high in carbs, so checking food labels is key.

What vegetables are unlimited on keto diet? ›

You do not have to limit vegetables if you are on the keto diet or are considering it. Plenty of low-carb vegetable options include arugula, asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, mushrooms, spinach, and tomatoes.

Can you eat unlimited protein on keto? ›

Eating too much protein on Keto is largely a myth - gluconeogenesis leads to a small increase in glucose production, but we need that to survive. If you are generally active and not in a calorie deficit, you may want to shoot for 1.6 g/kg body weight per day, and prioritize protein on Keto with healthy sources.

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