6 Easy Low-Carb Dinners for Busy Weeknights

Cutting back on carbohydrates doesn’t mean dinner has to be complicated or repetitive. These six recipes use ingredients such as shrimp, chicken, beef, turkey, vegetables, and eggplant to create satisfying meals without relying heavily on pasta, rice, or bread. There are quick skillet meals, a sheet-pan dinner, and comforting dishes that work well for a family meal. Whether you’re already eating low-carb or simply looking for more vegetable-forward dinners, these recipes offer plenty of variety for the week ahead.

Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles

Zucchini noodles are a simple way to replace traditional pasta while adding another serving of vegetables to dinner. The shrimp cooks quickly in a garlicky butter sauce, making this a useful recipe when you don’t have much time to get dinner on the table. Finish the dish with Parmesan, parsley, or another fresh herb for extra flavor. If you prefer firmer zucchini noodles, cook them briefly so they don’t become watery.

Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Chicken and Veggies

A sheet-pan dinner keeps both the cooking process and cleanup relatively simple. Chicken roasts alongside vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, and bell peppers, while lemon, garlic, and herbs provide plenty of flavor. Cut the vegetables into similar-sized pieces so they cook more evenly. You can also switch up the vegetables based on what you already have in the refrigerator.

Cauliflower Fried Rice

Riced cauliflower gives this take on fried rice a vegetable-based foundation while keeping the familiar combination of eggs and stir-fried vegetables. Soy sauce, garlic, and other seasonings add the savory flavor you’d expect from a fried rice dish. For the best texture, avoid overcrowding the pan so excess moisture can evaporate as the cauliflower cooks. Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or another protein if you’d like to make the meal more substantial.

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Beef and broccoli is a weeknight combination for good reason: the ingredients cook quickly and work beautifully with a savory sauce. Thinly sliced beef develops a nice sear while the broccoli adds color and crunch to the dish. Garlic and ginger give the sauce a classic stir-fry flavor without requiring a long list of ingredients. Serve it on its own or alongside cauliflower rice if you want something that more closely resembles a traditional takeout meal.

Bunless Turkey Burger with Avocado

Skip the bun and serve turkey burgers with lettuce, tomato, and creamy avocado for a simple alternative to a traditional burger. Turkey can be leaner than some ground beef options, but the exact nutrition depends on the ground turkey you choose and how the burgers are prepared. A little seasoning goes a long way, since ground turkey has a relatively mild flavor. Add your favorite low-carb toppings to make each burger your own.

Eggplant Lasagna

Eggplant takes the place of traditional pasta sheets in this vegetable-forward version of lasagna. Layers of eggplant, marinara sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella create the familiar combination of tomato, cheese, and herbs in every bite. Roasting or otherwise cooking the eggplant before assembling the dish helps remove some of its moisture and keeps the finished lasagna from becoming watery. Let it rest briefly after baking so the layers have time to set before slicing.

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