27 Keto Ground Beef Recipes for When You’re Sick of Chicken (2024)

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27 Keto Ground Beef Recipes for When You’re Sick of Chicken (1)

By Stephanie Cain

Published Feb 25, 2020

If you’re on the ketogenic diet, we’re willing to bet you’ve eaten a bunless burger a few thousand times this year—or at least enough to know you need a mealtime refresh. And while you want a change of pace, you’re also not entirely sure where to start. We get you: Sometimes you need some inspo for that pound of ground beef in the freezer. Here, 27 easy keto ground beef recipes for when you're sick of burgers, chicken and the rest.

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1. Crock-pot Paleo Chili

Healthy chili does exist, and it’s even more flavorful than the original. Oh, and this low-carb version requires just 30 minutes of active cooking time. You can leave the rest to your trusty slow cooker.

2. Cheesy Mexican Taco Skillet

Dinner’s ready in 20 minutes and it’s low-carb to boot. (Psst: If you're not a fan of cauliflower rice, you could use spaghetti squash instead or add extra ground beef.)

3. Beef, Spinach And Mozzarella One-pot Bake

Gooey mozzarella, meet saucy ground beef. On the off chance you wind up with leftovers, they’ll reheat like a dream and keep in the fridge for four days. (But they definitely won’t last that long.)

4. Spicy Beef Ramen

This cozy bowl isn’t just better for you (thank you, low-carb shirataki noodles): It tastes a million times better than takeout, too. It also happens to be gluten-free, just saying.

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5. Spicy Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps

Taco Tuesday called, and it wants a diet-friendly upgrade. The lettuce wraps are—dare we say?—tastier than any store-bought tortillas.

6. Lasagna With Zucchini Noodles

Where we’re going, we don’t need pasta. We do, however, need lots of bubbly cheese, savory beef and marinara sauce. We think you’ll agree.

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7. Breakfast Meatloaf With Bacon

Meatloaf for breakfast is totally a thing, and it’s surprisingly easy to whip up. Prep everything the night before so you can wake up and barely lift a finger while you sip your morning coffee.

8. Keto Swedish Meatballs

Tender meatballs in a rich, warmly spiced cream sauce? We knew those Swedes were onto something. These would pair great with a bowl of zoodles or spaghetti squash, if you can keep yourself from eating them right out of the pan.

9. Cauliflower And Ground Beef Hash

We’d happily enjoy this 25-minute, five-ingredient dish for breakfast, lunch or dinner, it’s that satisfying. Eat your heart out, scrambled eggs.

10. Cheeseburger Salad

No sad desk salad for you—not with all those glorious toppings. We promise you won’t even miss the mushy hamburger bun.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

11. Classic Stuffed Peppers

These cuties taste just like Mom used to make, but are surprisingly low-carb. (And they happen to be one of our favorite ways to eat our veggies.)

Get the recipe

12. Ground Beef Empanadas

Freeze these for quick weeknight snacks or easy, lazy dinners. The secret to that low-carb crust? Almond flour.

13. Hamburger Soup

Not only is it a one-pot meal that makes excellent leftovers; it’s also the best way to sneak in some extra veggies.

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14. Keto Cheese-stuffed Meatballs

Make this for lunch with a salad on the side and you’re golden. Besides, who can say no to a giant meatball? (That’s a rhetorical question.)

15. Healthy Swedish Meatballs

Not only are they keto, they're also Paleo, Whole30 and gluten-free. What more could you ask for in a one-skillet dinner?

16. No-bean, Whole30 Keto Chili In The Instant Pot

Do you have 35 minutes to spare? Yep, you can make this. (Bonus: It makes a bunch and easily serves a hungry crowd.)

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17. Korean-inspired Ground Beef And Kimchi Bowls

With very little effort, you can have a flavor-packed and diet-friendly dinner on the table. (We're talking 25 minutes, friends.) Store-bought kimchi is clever like that.

18. Easy Keto Lasagna Bake

Ditch the noodles. You won't even miss them with three types of cheese. (That’s mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan for you.)

19. Low-carb Keto Sloppy Joes

We’re suckers for a lettuce wrap, and even more so for a freezer-friendly dinner. Make a double batch so you can have a quick meal ready in a pinch.

20. Taco Spaghetti Squash Boats

They’re filling, nutritious and easy enough to whip up on a weeknight. Just don’t skip the avocado and pico de gallo toppings; they’re the cherry on top.

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21. Easy Keto Korean Ground Beef Bowls

They’re as good as your go-to takeout spot, but so much healthier. The chopsticks are optional, but highly encouraged.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

22. Keto Guacamole Burger Bites

Wrapped in bacon and topped with avo? Even if we weren’t on the keto diet, we’d still have three. (They’re small, so it’s totally fine.)

Get the recipe

23. Keto Cheeseburger Helper

Just like the boxed stuff from your childhood, but a whole lot more diet-friendly. And we have a good feeling even picky kids will gobble it up.

24. Beef Enchilada Stuffed Acorn Squash

These low-carb squash boats taste as impressive as they look. It doesn’t hurt that they’re super-cute and take just ten minutes to prepare.

25. Best Ever Italian Meatballs With Creamy Tomato Sauce

They’re keto, Paleo, Whole30 and best served over a bed of low-carb zoodles. Make a bunch and stash them in the freezer for whenever you have a craving.

26. Easy Low-carb Paleo Meatloaf

It’s a classic for a reason, and now it’s on your diet. Instead of bread crumbs, this meatloaf uses coconut flour as a low-carb binder (so it won’t completely fall apart when you cut yourself a slice).

27. Buffalo Burgers With Buffalo Mayo

You had us at buffalo (and again at ready in 35 minutes). To make it a complete meal, serve with baked sweet potato fries on the side.

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27 Keto Ground Beef Recipes for When You’re Sick of Chicken (29)

Stephanie Cain

Freelance PureWow Editor

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27 Keto Ground Beef Recipes for When You’re Sick of Chicken (2024)

FAQs

What to eat on keto when you are sick? ›

Bananas are a great food while you're sick. Keto dieters will also come to love the many benefits of avocados—another food that's great for nourishing a sick body. Foods high in magnesium will also help your body feel better as it recovers. Eat whole foods and avoid falling into “dirty keto” while you're sick.

Is ground beef good for ketosis? ›

Is ground beef keto friendly? Ground beef contains plenty of protein, some fat, and has no carbs, making it an ideal ingredient for keto recipes. It's also a nutritional powerhouse, and has a wide array of vital nutrients such as iron, B vitamins, magnesium and potassium.

What is the best meat to eat on a keto diet? ›

Some of the best meats for keto include beef, pork, chicken, salmon, and bison. Still, all plain, unprocessed meats are keto-friendly and low in carbs — so there are plenty of options to choose from. However, you may want to choose your meats based on other factors in addition to carb count.

Does being sick take you out of ketosis? ›

Lower ketosis is common during times of illness. This is due to the body's natural process to generate more glucose for energy to fight the infection.

What are the best carbs to eat when sick? ›

Here's what to eat when sick with stomach problems. Bland carbohydrates. Choose bland carbohydrates like plain rice, toast, crackers, or pretzels when your stomach feels queasy. These low-fiber options provide gentle nourishment while minimizing irritation.

How do you break the keto flu? ›

Stay hydrated

Drinking enough water is key for good health in general, but it can also help reduce keto flu symptoms. The diet can quickly deplete your water stores, putting you at risk for dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Glycogen is the stored form of carbohydrates, and it binds to water in the body.

What cheese to eat on keto? ›

Additionally, “full-flavored cheeses like Cheddar, Swiss, and blue cheeses provide an interesting flavor while still fitting into the ketogenic eating pattern,” she says. “These high-fat, full-flavored cheeses can help add taste and texture to many dishes without increasing carbohydrate content significantly.

Can you eat unlimited meat on keto? ›

If you're embarking on a ketogenic lifestyle, you should know that you actually can't eat a ton of meat on the keto diet. In fact, eating too much protein can kick you out of ketosis, so while meats are definitely okay in moderation on a keto diet, they shouldn't be its number one staple.

How much beef per day on keto? ›

In other words, the goal isn't to pile your plate with steak or chicken. So, what should you be filling up on instead? At each meal, aim for 3 to 4 ounces of protein, like lean beef, fish, or pork, depending on your macronutrient needs.

What are the top 5 keto foods? ›

The following is a list of the best healthy food options for a keto diet.
  • Fish and seafood. Fish and shellfish are good choices if you're following a keto diet. ...
  • Meat and poultry. ...
  • Non-starchy vegetables. ...
  • Avocados. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Nuts and seeds. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • High-fat dairy products.
Mar 24, 2024

What fruit can I eat on keto? ›

Keto fruits by definition are low in carbohydrates. You still need to exercise portion control with most keto-friendly fruits to be within the limits of a keto diet. Keto-friendly fruits include avocados, watermelon, strawberries, lemons, tomatoes, raspberries, peaches, cantaloupe, star fruit, and blackberries.

Can you eat too much cheese on keto? ›

Consuming too much cheese on a keto diet can lead to an excessive intake of saturated fat and calories, which may hinder weight loss efforts. It's essential to maintain balance and moderation in food choices to achieve optimal results.

What happens if you eat no carbs for a week? ›

Severe carb limits can cause your body to break down fat into ketones for energy. This is called ketosis. Ketosis can cause side effects such as bad breath, headache, fatigue and weakness.

How do I know I'm in ketosis? ›

Having ketones in the blood is probably the most definitive sign that someone is in ketosis. Doctors may also use urine and breath tests to check for ketone levels, but these are less reliable than blood samples. A special home testing kit allows people to measure their own blood ketone levels.

What to do when you have a cold on keto? ›

Staying hydrated, replacing lost electrolytes, getting enough rest and ensuring you are consuming proper amounts of fat and carbohydrates are ways to reduce keto-flu symptoms.

Should you avoid carbs when sick? ›

The flu occasionally causes you to have an upset stomach, so sticking with foods that are easy to digest like simple/refined carbohydrates is recommended. Foods like dry saltine crackers, toast and pretzels are easy on your stomach and are most likely to be tolerated when you have the flu.

Should you eat carbs or fat when sick? ›

EAT MORE CARBOHYDRATES Energy levels can fall dramatically during illness, so maintaining your carbohydrate intake, said to be the best energy foods, will help provide your body with the fuel it needs to function efficiently and recover quickly.

Do you need extra carbs when sick? ›

When sickness strikes, our immune system springs into action, requiring additional energy to combat invaders. This heightened activity often leads to an increase in our metabolic rate , energy demands and nutritional requirements. Sugary treats and carbs are quick sources of energy, satisfying this increased demand.

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