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This collection of Low Carb & Keto Mexican Food recipes will satisfy your cravings. In this post, I describe which Mexican foods are usually keto-friendly. I also share drool-worthy recipes & tips for substituting rice, beans, and tortillas for the keto lifestyle.
Besides food, I include a few easy drink recipes for things like Keto Margarita and Keto Mexican Mojito. Some of the recipes you’ll find here are mine – like my favorite, Keto Nachos, which gives you all the decadent toppings and crunchy goodness of the “real thing.” And, some of these recipes come from other great sites I enjoy.
As you read through this list of tempting recipes, I hope you feel inspired to try a few – or all. And, if you find one you truly adore, I’d love to hear all about it!
Why share a Keto Mexican Food post?
Next to Italian dishes featuring pasta, Mexican food has a reputation for being a real problem in a keto diet.
For example, the rice, beans, and tortillas, while delicious, will surely knock most people out of ketosis.
So, I decided to put together this collection because I’m a firm believer that you can have all of the flavors without the carbs (if you choose to).
What Mexican food is keto?
While it’s true that Mexican food can contain a lot of carbs, there are a number of low carb options, too.
When you’re craving Mexican, and on keto, you can generally have:
- Meats – However, be cautious of processed meats. They often contain hidden sugars and grains. Always check the label.
- Cheese & Queso – Great for adding healthy fat. Enjoy queso as a topping or a dip for pork rinds or fresh vegetables!
- Fresh Salsas – Check labels for carb grams if store-bought. Better yet, make your own with fresh ingredients!
Some things that I generally avoid because they have a lot of carbs are:
- Fruity Margaritas – Unless made with sugar-free fruit-flavored mixers.
- Beans – Although high in fiber, beans are very high in carbs.
- Tortillas – Although there are great low-carb versions – homemade and in stores.
- Rice – But cauliflower rice is a great substitute.
Can you have beans on keto?
Keto is actually a metabolic state, rather than a food. Most people aim for 20g net carbs or less each day. But, the number of carbs that will kick you out of ketosis varies by person.
Beans are very high in net carbs. For example, a cup of black beans contains 26g of net carbs. Therefore, many people avoid them.
On the other hand, if you are really craving beans and choose to include a cup of black beans in a keto-friendly recipe you are sharing with three other people, then you are only having about 6g net carbs from the beans.
Ultimately, the decision is yours.
Are there keto-friendly substitutes for things like beans, rice, and tortillas?
Fortunately, there are keto-friendly substitutes for many of the foods you love, and you can find many delicious Low Carb Mexican Food Recipes on the Internet.
As for the “big three” – beans, rice, and tortillas, here are some tips:
Keto Substitutes for Beans
Beans are tough to substitute, I admit. Some have mentioned eating peas or lima beans as replacements.
I personally don’t enjoy either of those so I haven’t tried that. But, it’s a popular substitute that some choose.
Low Carb Substitutes for Tortillas and Chips
Some great substitutes are pork rinds, quest chips, crisped cheese, oven-crisped cauliflower pizza crusts.
There are also some good low carb tortillas on the market by La Tortilla Factory and Mama Lupe’s that only have 3g net carbs per serving.
Keto Substitutes for Rice
Cauliflower rice is great. In fact, I use it for everything, including my most popular recipe, Seared Scallops & Cauliflower Risotto.
One of my favorite Mexican-themed cauliflower rice recipes is my Spanish Cauliflower Rice. I think it’s perfect with the protein of your choice for an easy meal.
Another super easy option is my cilantro lime cauliflower rice, which requires less than a handful of ingredients and one pan.
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice Recipe
Get this recipe
25 Low Carb & Keto Mexican Food Recipes
Slow Cooker Boneless Pork Shoulder – Dr. Davinah’s Eats
If you love a no-fuss meal, then this one is a perfect choice. In this recipe, I use Adaptable Meals Carnitas to make an easy meal prep protein.
Keto Shrimp Tacos – Dr. Davinah’s Eats
If you love tacos but have no idea how you can have the wraps without the grains, then try cheese taco shells. In this quick recipe, I pair pan-seared shrimp, simple toppings, and cheese shells to make a meal.
Keto Carnitas Burrito Bowls – Dr. Davinah’s Eats
One great way to find success with the keto way of life is by prepping your meals in advance. With that in mind, these beef burrito bowls are easy to make to have ready to eat for lunches or dinners or whenever you need something delicious.
Keto Taco Salad Supreme – Dr. Davinah’s Eats
If you start missing the taco salads from your favorite Mexican eatery, my delicious “make at home” version will definitely satisfy. With so many toppings to choose from, there is no way to feel deprived!
Baked Mexican Frittata Recipe – Dr. Davinah’s Eats
Frittatas are wonderful. Simple and versatile, there is no limit to the flavors you can make – including a drool-worthy Mexican dish like this one. The secret to the whole thing is the chorizo, which could be its own food group, it is so good!
Keto Nachos – Dr. Davinah’s Eats
Nachos are one of those foods that many of us simply can’t live without. The good news is, you don’t have to! With my loaded Keto Nachos, you’ll get all the cheesy goodness and crunch you are craving, in a completely keto-friendly package!
Easy Keto Vodka Mojito – Dr. Davinah’s Eats
For those of us who enjoy a nice cocktail from time to time, there are some wonderful keto-friendly options. With a little creativity, I came up with this delicious Keto Mojito that I truly enjoy. To stick with the Mexican Food theme of this post, you should swap the vodka for tequila!
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice – Dr. Davinah’s Eats
This easy side dish recipe takes just 3 main ingredients. It pairs well with so many proteins like chicken, shrimp, halibut, and strip steak to make a meal.
Zero Carb Taco Shells – Dr. Davinah’s Eats
Cheese is so tasty and wonderfully versatile. It is amazing melted over any number of foods. And this recipe shows you that it’s pretty easy to crisp it up to use it for taco shells!
Mexican Whole30 Shrimp Salad (Keto) – So Fab Food
Whether you are eating Keto or Whole30, quick, easy, and truly satisfying meals are a treasure. When you taste all the wonderful flavors involved with my Mexican Whole30 Shrimp Salad, you might be tempted to have it for every meal. All this, and healthy, too!
Stuffed Poblano Peppers With Mexican Ground Beef – Low Carb Maven
If chile Rellenos are one of your favorite things on the planet, you will be thrilled with these stuffed poblano peppers. You get all those amazing flavors, but this recipe won’t make you blow your keto way of eating!
The Best Skinny Margarita Recipe – Sugar-Free and Low Carb – Wholesome Yum
Guess what? You don’t have to live without Margaritas when you are eating low carb or keto! This skinny Margarita recipe is sugar-free, contains 5 ingredients, and whips up in about 5 minutes. What’s not to like?
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail – Two Sleevers
Keto Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Chili Queso Dip – Beauty and the Foodie
I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite things about keto is cheese. And this slow cooker chili queso dip is the ultimate cheese comfort and the perfect dip. Pair this with veggies, low carb tortilla chips, chunks of chicken or meat, or simply lick it off your fingers.
Low Carb (Sneaky Cauliflower) Mexican Lasagna – Sugar-Free Mom
If someone simply placed this lasagna in front of you, you may not even realize that it was low carb. Made with cauliflower tortillas, this Mexican lasagna is cheesy and delicious in all the ways that a good lasagna should be!
Creamy Mexican Slow Cooker Chicken – Low Carb, Gluten-Free – Peace Love and Low Carb
Chicken can be one of the most comforting foods around, depending on how it is prepared. And that is certainly true with this Creamy Mexican Chicken, cooked tender in a crockpot with tomatoes, green chili, and sour cream. Delicious alone or with low carb tortillas and cauliflower rice!
Mexican Beef Taco Lettuce Wraps Recipe – Home Cooking Memories
Tacos are one of those Mexican foods that are really easy to make Keto, and this recipe proves that. Simply using lettuce leaves in place of taco shells is a big part of it. But when filled with delicious ingredients, you get all the satisfaction without the carbs!
Keto Burrito Bowl With Cauliflower Cilantro Lime Rice – Hip 2 Save
Another quick and easy Keto Burrito bowl, this one features homemade taco seasoning and a packet of Goya Sazon. Quick to prepare, this yummy burrito bowl makes a great meal in very little time!
Keto Chicken Fajita Meal – Fit Foodie Finds
Sometimes you’d like to meal prep some tasty chicken fajitas instead of a burrito bowl, and this low carb Mexican recipe is one delicious option. Cook it up in advance and enjoy amazing chicken fajitas all week long!
5-Calorie Raspberry Lime Margarita Fizz (non-alcoholic) – Averie Cooks
If you are craving the flavor of a margarita, but want to avoid the carbs and alcohol, this recipe is the answer. The all-natural ingredients come together to make a delicious, sugar-free treat you won’t be able to resist.
Chicken Enchilada Casserole (Keto, Low Carb, and Grain-Free) – Sugar-Free Mom
If you love enchiladas, you’ll be happy to know that this enchilada casserole is grain-free, keto-friendly, and so delicious that you won’t even miss the tortillas. Try it with all your favorite low carb toppings!
Low Carb Green Chile Enchilada Soup – Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom
If you love green chilies, this is the soup for you. The combination of chicken, cheese, and green chili is incredible, and you can easily make this in a pressure cooker or slow cooker, making it a great choice for busy families!
Keto Taco Bake Recipe – Twin Dragonfly Designs
This tasty keto Mexican food recipe is delicious and simple enough to make on busy family evenings. Yummy enough that even picky kids will like it, this might just become one of your new favorite meals.
Mexican Cornbread Casserole Taco Pie – Low Carb Maven
Mexican Deviled Eggs – The Girl Who Ate Everything
Deviled eggs are one of the most comforting and delicious low carb snacks. But when you give them a Mexican edge, they really get your attention. You might never want the regular kind again.
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