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Low Carb Side Dishes

by Laura Fuentes

January 12, 2022
updated Jul 19, 2023
5 from 9 votes
Make it a meal with these simple and delicious low-carb side dishes that are easy to make and pair great with your protein!
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All the articles & recipes on this website have been created through real-life testing and experience (no ai) since 2010. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

If you are trying to follow a low-carb diet, but don’t know what else to serve at dinner other than steamed broccoli or green beans, these low-carb side dishes are just what you need! 

They’re delicious family-friendly options you can easily prepare for a balanced meal, and some of them taste so good, you’ll find it hard to believe it’s low-carb! 

To make it easier on you, I’ve grouped the recipes by net carb count. You’ll find a variety of options for side dishes with less than 5, 10, and 20 grams of net carbs that you can select according to your macro goals. 

Low Carb Sides

Sometimes it’s easy to find a healthy, low-carb dinner idea that works for your family but not as easy to find a delicious side option to go along that isn’t full of carbs or slathered with melted cheese and butter. 

However, with these delicious low-carb sides below, you get recipes that are easy to prepare and serve alongside any entreé. Everything from roasted vegetables to an epic Avocado Salsa, grain-free biscuits, and of course, simple recipes for cauliflower rice and baked spaghetti squash, there’s something for everyone. 

If making a well-balanced meal each night is something you want to make a regular thing at your house, you won’t have to guess what to serve with the Family Kickstart Program.

With it, you’ll have delicious and healthy recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, sides, and snacks taken care of, just like the options above. It’s everything you need to eat better as a family in a 4-week plan.

Low Carb Side Dish Recipes

Although these low-carb side dish recipes are veggie-packed, they go beyond the usual side salad and steamed veggies. With the right seasoning and preparation, these options make healthy eating easy and more enjoyable for kids and adults. 

The net carb count below each recipe is based on per serving and is calculated by subtracting the amount of fiber from total carbs. 

Low Carb Sides Under 5 Grams Net Carbs

The side dishes featured below offer less than 5 grams of net carbs per serving. While these are options are delicious and suitable for everyone, they are perfect for anyone on a strict low-carb/keto diet.

roasted asparagus with lemon
Roasted Asparagus with Lemon
5 from 16 votes
Net carbs = 2 grams
Steamed asparagus is no comparison to these tender roasted asparagus with bright flavor from the lemon. It’s an impressive side dish that takes less than 15 minutes to prepare. 
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closeup look at a large bowl of avocado salsa
Avocado Salsa
5 from 16 votes
Net carbs = 3 grams
Creamy avocado diced and tossed with sweet shallots and citrusy flavor from lime juice and cilantro- it’s everything you love about guacamole but a little more bite! Use it as a low-carb side or topping for grilled chicken and fish. 
Make This Recipe
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
5 from 6 votes
Net carbs = 4 grams
The combination of oven-roasted flavor with smoky buffalo sauce is enough to make these cauliflower bites your favorite veggie dish. Serve them as a side for dinner or as a party appetizer and watch them disappear. 
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Almond Flour Biscuits
5 from 18 votes
Net carbs = 5 grams
A delicious, grain-free biscuit recipe that’s easy to make. Serve them for breakfast or whenever you need something to sop up the last bit of gravy.
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Cauliflower Rice
5 from 15 votes
Net carbs = 5 grams
Making your own cauliflower rice is one of the easiest ways to bring back dishes you miss like fried rice, stir-fry, and burrito bowls. An entire head of cauliflower yields twice the amount you’d get from pre-packaged cauliflower rice. 
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Large baking sheet of roasted cauliflower rice
Roasted Cauliflower Rice
5 from 22 votes
Net carbs = 3 grams
Roasting the cauliflower rice gives this simple veggie a mouthwatering toasty and nutty flavor. It’s easy to prepare and always hits the spot.
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large platter filled with roasted carrots and radishes
Roasted Radishes and Carrots
5 from 25 votes
Net carbs = 4 grams
The most underrated veggies: carrots and radishes, get a delicious oven-roasted makeover. Roasting makes the veggies tender and gives them a pleasant and slightly sweet flavor. 
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Baked Parmesan Zucchini
Baked Parmesan Zucchini
5 from 20 votes
Net carbs = > 1 gram
An easy and tasty way to turn zucchini into an addictive dish the kids will love! These are seasoned with Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese, but you could swap those for any of your favorite seasoning blends. 
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healthy zucchini au gratin in an orange baking dish
Zucchini Au Gratin
5 from 22 votes
Net carbs = 3 grams
This au gratin is a lightened-up version made without the heavy cream sauce and topped with a crispy Parmesan breadcrumb topping. Everyone will be asking for seconds. 
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parmesan green bean fries on a plate
Parmesan Green Bean Fries
4.83 from 137 votes
Net carbs = 5 grams
If you’re tired of bland steamed green beans, try this recipe for cheesy baked green bean fries. They’re super easy to make and great for dipping with Ranch or hummus.
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zucchini chips in a small bowl
Air-Fryer Zucchini Chips
5 from 5 votes
Net carbs = 3.5 grams
Salty and savory zucchini chips you can make in an air-fryer fast! These are super light and can be served with sandwiches, salads, or if you need a different idea to use up an abundance of zucchini. 
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Low Carb Sides Under 10 Grams Net Carbs

These didn’t quite make the 5 grams of net carb count, but they are still perfect low-carb side dishes everyone will enjoy.

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
5 from 25 votes
Net carbs = 6 grams
Crispy Brussels sprouts with that mouthwatering bacon flavor, blue cheese, and a splash of tangy vinegar. This one makes an appearance at holiday gatherings and everyday dinners.  
Make This Recipe
sliced and grilled vegetables on skewers
Grilled Vegetable Kabobs
5 from 30 votes
Net carbs = 6 grams
Next time you fire up the grill, throw a few of these veggies kabobs on it! The easy marinade and char marks give those summer veggies extra flavor. 
Make This Recipe
Garlic Butter Spaghetti Squash
5 from 17 votes
Net carbs = 8 grams
Not only will you find three ways to cook spaghetti squash, but this post shares a simple and delicious garlic butter spaghetti squash recipe that’s perfect as a low-carb base for meatballs or your favorite pasta sauce. 
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closeup view of savory butternut squash topped with parmesan cheese
Savory Butternut Squash with Garlic & Parmesan
5 from 19 votes
Net carbs = 6 grams
Roasting gives butternut squash those caramelized edges and savory-sweet flavor that steaming can’t, add Parmesan cheese and butter to the mix, and you’ve got one incredible dish. 
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baked broccoli tots on a cooling rack
Parmesan Broccoli Tots
5 from 17 votes
Net carbs = 8 grams
These Parmesan Broccoli Tater Tots are baked to perfection with a crispy outside and soft, cheesy middle. Dip them with Ranch, marinara, or any of your favorite sauces. 
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Spanish Cauliflower Rice
5 from 17 votes
Net Carbs = 7 grams
Full-flavor Spanish rice with minimal carbs. This is another keto-friendly side dish that you can serve with your favorite dinners.
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Low Carb Sides Under 20 Grams Net Carbs

Easy veggie side dishes that pack a ton of flavor and fewer than 20 grams of net carbs per serving. These are ideal for anyone with a moderate carb intake (less than 100 grams a day).

roasted fall vegetables on a sheet pan
Roasted Fall Vegetables
5 from 21 votes
Net carbs = 15 grams
The easiest way to turn fall vegetables into a side dish your family will love! The bright colors and delicious roasted flavor will make a veggie lover out of anyone. 
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Roasted Parsnips
5 from 16 votes
Net carbs = 20 grams
If you’ve never tried parsnips, this recipe is the perfect introduction. The parsnips acquire a nutty, caramelized flavor and fork-tender texture when roasted, making them just as addictive as they sound. 
Make This Recipe
large bowl of balsamic beets
Balsamic Roasted Beets
5 from 15 votes
Net carbs = 20 grams
A splash of tangy balsamic vinegar adds a delicious contrast to the earthy flavor of beets. This recipe is a great as a healthy side dish, over a salad, or all on it’s own. 
Make This Recipe
Spiralized Zucchini & Tomatoes
5 from 32 votes
Net carbs = 12.5 grams
Another low-carb alternative to pasta that’s no less delicious and simple to toss together for a quick weeknight dinner with your favorite chicken entree or pasta sauce.
Make This Recipe
Super Greens Salad
5 from 17 votes
Net Carbs = 9.5 grams
This Asian Kale Salad is topped with a tasty Sesame Ginger Dressing and is the perfect partner for any low-carb meal.
Make This Recipe

The Secret to Family-Friendly Low-Carb Food

If making tasty low-carb meals that are family-friendly is your goal, I have good news- it’s not unrealistic. The recipes above prove you can prepare healthy foods without sacrificing flavor. 

However, in order to make that goal stick and healthy eating something you can share with the entire family, having a plan is the first step, and that’s where my Family Kickstart program comes in handy. 

It’s a 4-week meal plan of clean and paleo recipes made with kids and adults in mind. Each week gets its own recipes for breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, plus a done-for-you shopping list and prep guide, so you don’t have to figure out what to make and how to make it. 

And if you’re curious what the recipes inside Kickstart look like, the ones in this post and these paleo meal prep ideas are what you’ll find. Delicious meals prepared with fresh ingredients in a way that’s appealing and flavorful. 

With a program guide and the structured meal map and prep ahead tips, the Family Kickstart has helped parents learn the ins and outs of clean eating and prove that they can prepare healthy and delicious meals day after day. Many families have continued to follow the program’s guidelines, even after it’s completed! 

And that’s my goal, to get you confident in the kitchen and make fresh eating as a family enjoyable and sustainable. Can I welcome you to join me? Check out everything Family Kickstart has to offer here. 

bowl of garlic butter spaghetti squash

Best Low-Carb Side Dishes

Laura Fuentes
Make it a meal with these simple and delicious low-carb side dishes that are easy to make and pair great with your protein!
5 from 9 votes
Servings 4
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
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Ingredients
  

  • 1 large spaghetti squash, halved and seeds scooped out
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Cook the spaghetti squash in the microwave, oven, or slow cooker.
  • Once the spaghetti squash is fork-tender, shred the squash meat into a large serving bowl.
  • Top with 2 tablespoons butter, garlic powder, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Toss to combine, serve, and top with remaining Parmesan cheese.

Equipment

family kickstart program on a phone and ipad
Family KickStart Program
intermittent fasting ebook displaying on a tablet and a phone screen
Intermittent Fasting eBook

Nutrition

Serving: 1 servingCalories: 145kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 429mgPotassium: 283mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 504IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 128mgIron: 1mg
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    Recipe Rating




  1. Isabel

    May 08, 2023 at 10:41 am

    5 stars
    Easy and very satisfying!

    Reply

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