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Carbs can be the ultimate comfort food, so eating less of them can sometimes feel as though something is missing from your meals. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are plenty of delicious low-carb recipes that are packed with flavour and go far beyond the usual cauliflower rice or grilled chicken with a side of veg.
It’s worth remembering that carbohydrates can be an important source of nutrients and energy, so while reducing them may be helpful for some people looking to manage their blood sugar or lose weight, experts generally don’t recommend cutting them out altogether. The quality of the carbohydrates we eat matters, too. Choosing higher-fibre options over refined, ultra-processed ones can help us feel fuller for longer and support steadier blood sugar levels.
If, like us, you often find yourself spending far too long wondering what to have for lunch, here are eight low-carb recipes to inspire you. From Chinese steamed eggs to steak salad, these dishes are as delicious as they are nutritious.
1. Tuna-stuffed avocado with vegetables
If you’re looking for a simple low-carb lunch to prepare in as little as 15 minutes, why not try Prince’s tuna-stuffed avocado recipe? Simply halve an avocado and mix tinned tuna with chopped spring onion, chilli, coriander and tomato. Stir through lime juice and olive oil, season with salt and pepper, then divide the filling between the avocado halves.
This quick and colourful dish is packed with protein, with tuna providing around 25-30g per 100g. Avocados are nutritional powerhouses, too. Half a medium avocado counts towards your five-a-day and provides plenty of fibre and potassium, as well as predominantly unsaturated fats. These heart-friendly fats can be a useful alternative to saturated fats as part of a balanced diet, while potassium is an important nutrient for maintaining healthy blood pressure.
2. Chinese steamed eggs
Chinese steamed eggs are a silky, savoury dish you can whip up in just 15 minutes when you’re craving something comforting. The indulgent texture might fool you – the eggs are steamed into a soft, creamy custard – but this dish is low in carbohydrates and high in protein. Most of the flavour comes from drizzling light soy sauce and sesame oil over the cooked eggs, then cutting through the delicate custard several times so the sauce can seep in.
The eggs are easy to make, too. Simply whisk them with stock powder, warm water and salt, then pour the mixture through a fine sieve into ramekins. Transfer them to a large enough steamer, cover each ramekin tightly with a lid or plastic wrap, and steam over medium heat for around 12 minutes. Check out this Chinese eggs recipe from Eat, Little Bird to give it a try.
3. Spinach wraps
Sandwich wraps are one of the most popular and convenient lunch options around, so it can feel frustrating to give them up when trying to reduce your carb intake. But these spinach wraps from Creative Nourish offer a delicious low-carb alternative that you can fill with your favourite ingredients. Even better, they take just 20 minutes to prepare and cook, and require just three ingredients: eggs, spinach, and salt.
They’re incredibly simple to make. Blend the spinach, eggs and salt until smooth, then use a ladle to spoon the mixture into a frying pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, then leave to cool before adding your favourite fillings. Try grilled chicken with houmous and lettuce; tuna with Greek yoghurt and avocado; or chickpeas with crunchy vegetables and tahini.
4. Thai-style beef salad with chilli and peanut
Tuna and chicken are often the stars of the show when it comes to salads, so for something a bit different, why not add steak? While red meat is best enjoyed in moderation, it’s a good source of iron, protein and vitamin B12, an essential nutrient that helps keep our blood and nervous system healthy.
This Waitrose Thai-style beef salad with chilli and peanut combines savoury soy-marinated steak with a punchy Thai dressing made from fish sauce, lime, honey, garlic, chilli and lemongrass. The result is a delicious balance of salty, sour and sweet flavours, with fresh herbs and crunchy peanuts adding freshness and texture. Best of all, it’s ready in just under 30 minutes.
5. Shakshouka
Popular across North Africa and the Middle East, shakshouka is a hearty dish of eggs gently poached in a rich, spiced tomato sauce. Its name comes from Maghrebi Arabic and means “all mixed up”, reflecting the medley of flavours in the dish. A rich tomato base brings a juicy tang, while cumin and paprika add warmth and depth. Breaking the soft yolks into the hot sauce adds a velvety richness that balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
This healthy shakshouka recipe from BBC Good Food contains just 342 calories per portion, provides 21g of protein and counts as four of your 5-a-day. It’s ideal for batch cooking, too. You can make a double or triple batch of the sauce, portion it up and store it in the fridge or freezer. When you’re ready for lunch, all you need to do is heat the sauce and cook the eggs.
6. Chicken soup
Chicken soup is a wonderful all-rounder: comforting, nourishing, quick to make and packed with savoury umami flavour. For many of us, it also has a nostalgic quality, bringing back memories of our parents’ or grandparents’ kitchens. And while soup isn’t always associated with protein, the chicken in this recipe provides plenty, while using shop-bought cooked or leftover chicken can make it even quicker to prepare.
This keto chicken soup recipe from Sugar Free Londoner is a favourite of ours. It’s packed with flavour and vegetables, including onion, garlic, carrots, celery and kale, as well as plenty of fresh herbs, and is ready in just 40 minutes. If you don’t have time to make it at lunchtime, prepare it a few days ahead, keep it in the fridge and simply heat up a portion when you’re ready to eat.
7. ‘Marry Me’ chicken
‘Marry Me’ chicken was a recipe created by Lindsay Funston, a food editor at Delish. In 2016, she was doing a video shoot for the Italian-inspired dish when a staff member took a bite and blurted out, “I’d marry you for that chicken!” Shortly after, the recipe went viral, and people have since created all sorts of variations, inspired by the idea that it’s so delicious, it could prompt a marriage proposal after just one bite!
It’s a romantic blend of seared, succulent chicken breasts simmered in a rich, creamy sauce with fresh garlic and herbs, and sweet sundried tomatoes. The original version is made with heavy cream, but for a lighter take, you can use cottage cheese, like in this healthy ‘marry me’ chicken recipe from Everyday Healthy Recipes. It’s lovely on its own, or you could serve it over a bed of cauliflower mash.
8. Chilli beef lettuce wraps
Gordon Ramsay’s chilli beef lettuce wraps are proof that a low-carb lunch doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavour. Savoury minced beef is fried until crisp with garlic, ginger, and fresh chilli, then finished with a splash of fish sauce, lime, and spring onions for that unmistakable sweet-salty-sour balance. It’s all piled into crisp gem lettuce leaves and drizzled with a zingy soy, lime, and coriander dressing, bringing together warm spices, fresh citrus, and plenty of crunch.
Beyond the flavour, beef mince is packed with protein and iron, and swapping the wrap for lettuce keeps the carbs right down without losing any of the satisfaction. It’s quick enough to throw together in 20 minutes, easy to eat at your desk or on the go, and filling enough that you won’t be reaching for a snack an hour later.
Final thoughts…
Healthy low carb meals don’t have to feel boring or restrictive. From warming shakshouka to no-cook recipes like stuffed avocados, there are plenty of tasty alternatives that won’t leave you feeling shortchanged.
For further reading, check out our article: The keto diet: what is it, and does it really work?
Are you following a low-carb diet? Do you have any other suggestions for low-carb lunch recipes? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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