99 Low Carb Holiday Recipes

Hi there! Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve are coming up fast and we have you covered with 99 delicious low carb holiday recipes!

We usually find that people fall off of the low carb way of eating during this time of year and that's totally normal. It's also more understandable now than ever.

If you want to eat Grammy's famous high carb cookies...go ahead and enjoy them and get back on the low carb wagon.

Balance is key to not going off of the deep end.

We go from breakfast to dessert in this giant round-up of healthy, low carb holiday recipes and treats.

Cheers! Brandy

This is a loooong post to include low carb holiday recipes for everyone's tastes...so feel free to skip to the sections you want.

That's what I would do. Or, grab a cup of coffee and make a list for your holiday menus.

Before I forget....

If this is the first time you are hosting a holiday gathering, you might want to plan for the table setting. We all know that if you have tons of available cash you can make the setting look great, right?

But, how do you make your guests feel honored even if you don't have a stash of moneybags? These are great table setting ideas for hosts and hostesses on a budget.

On to my favorite subject...the food.

🧀Low Carb Starters:

When it comes to low carb holiday recipes, starters are a must to get the party going.

• Spinach Dip Supreme

This recipe is a staple around here. We use it as a dip and occasionally as a pizza topper instead of sauce.

It's satisfying and is almost the perfect ratio of fat and carbs.

• Bacon Guacamole Supreme

You'll be seeing a lot of Mexican holiday favorites in this list. Growing up in So. Cal, Mexican food was naturally part of our holiday festivities.

This fantastic guac is a great dip for easy low carb tortilla chips or you can use it to fill deviled eggs. Don't they look festive?

• Spicy Sausage Bites

This is a great low carb starter to keep the "hangry" people happy before the turkey dinner is served.

• Chia Seed Crackers

These crunchy artisanal crackers are perfect if you make a charcuterie board for snacking.

If you need ideas for building your low carb board, check out Peace Love and Low Carb's amazing post on building an irresistible holiday platter.

• Everything Bagel Crackers

These are so crunchy! Most low carb cheese based crackers are sort of...chewy. These are not like that. They audibly crunch and taste fantastic.

You might want to consider making a double batch if you are planning on sharing...they go fast.

🍲Low Carb Holiday Meals:

Eating season is here!

We don't usually host big meals on the actual dates of holidays. And this year we will probably have even smaller, more intimate meals with friends as opposed to going to bigger gatherings.

So, instead of turkey, we make holiday meals with other main courses.

That way, we don't burn everyone out on turkey before the big days like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

If you are looking for a turkey recipe, don't despair -

Check out this recipe from Tastes Better From Scratch. It's perfect for beginners.

Don't like turkey?

This AH-MAZING Prime Rib recipe from Natasha's Kitchen is sure to get a standing ovation. Her blog is not a low carb only site, but she is an amazing chef and I love her easy vibe. New chefs can easily pull off this recipe.

• Low Carb Tamales

It's just not Christmas at our house without tamales. The fathead style tamale dough is delicious.

Make sure to watch the video if making tamales is new to you.

• Lamb Chops with Wine Reduction Sauce

This is Thom's new favorite. He is amazed every single time at how easily it comes together.

He's fun to cook for.

• Eggplant Lasagna

This is a great option for the vegetarians in your life. It will make your guests feel honored. And, it's still fancy enough for a dinner party.

• Cinnamon Pork Chops

I don't feel like this recipe gets the love it deserves.

The cinnamon and spices are perfect with pork and it can be dressed up or down for any occasion. Plus, pork chops are the perfect choice for budget holiday meals.

• Beef Bourguignon

If you have read any number of my recipes you might have noticed that I am in love with everything French. The food, the people and the country itself.

While beef bourguignon ( Buuf Borg-in-yone) isn't traditionally low carb, this version is. And no, I don't think the taste suffers a bit. It's a favorite around here.

Any chef can pull off this recipe but it's time intensive. A little planning needs to be done. It's soooo worth it.

• Ricotta Stuffed Chicken

Gorgeous, delicious and filling is the best way to describe this holiday table worthy recipe.

The spinach and ricotta filling is an excellent compliment to the chicken.

Low Carb Sides

I have been told by readers that side dishes are often the most difficult to keep low carb - especially in the beginning.

Most of us learned to put together meals with a protein, a veggie and a starch.

Since rice, potatoes or pasta aren't an option when you are keeping your meals low carb, it leaves a hole in the meal.

Any of the choices below are excellent sides that go with most any hearty holiday meal.

• Parmesan Squash Cups

These are unique and help keep portions in check. Plus, they are so tasty and pretty.

• Cauliflower Cheese Bake

Now, I'm not going to say that this will take the place of your beloved Mac and Cheese if you are new to the low carb WOE.

But, it is a damn good casserole type side in it's own right.

• Veggie Holiday Stuffing

The old way of stuffing the turkey with bread has fallen out of favor for a lot of food safety reasons. But sometimes we still like to have a stuffing "type" of side....it just feels like Thanksgiving and Christmas, right?

This veggie stuffing has all of the holiday type flavors without drying out your turkey or causing any safety issues.

I really prefer the veggie stuffing but...

If you want a traditional "bread" low carb stuffing recipe with low carb corn bread, this is a great recipe from That Low Carb Life. Yum!

• Savory Pumpkin Souffle

Ooooh, this one is so unique and tasty. I love it and the creamy texture and savory flavors are perfect together.

• Creamed Spinach

Even my picky spinach hating teen will gobble up this spinach side dish. That's no small achievement.

It's a fantastic way to get more greens into a low carb diet for sure.

• Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce

I don't think this one needs much introduction. Use pure allulose in this recipe for the best results.

• Bacon Cauliflower Mash

This side would never try to make you believe that it's mashed potatoes. It doesn't need to, it's delicious and so pretty too.

• Garlic Parm Green Beans

This is a staple at our family gatherings. It's not a holiday without the green beans.

Plus, it's so super simple to make that I almost feel bad calling it a recipe...it's more like a method of cooking green beans.

Much better than "boiled" green beans.

Sometimes we serve the sweet mustard sauce on the side so guests can drizzle it on however they like.

🍞Bread & Rolls

Ahhh, bread and rolls are an integral part of every holiday meal. You don't have to skip them just because you've gone low carb.

Make sure to check the ingredient list BEFORE the big day gets here to make sure you have what you need for the low carb holiday recipe's you choose for your menu.

• Low Carb Hawaiian Rolls

My Grammy always served Hawaiian Rolls at Thanksgiving. They were one of my favorites...warm from the oven and slathered in butter.

These are fantastic and make great little slider rolls for leftover turkey and ham too.

• Bacon, Cheddar and Black Pepper Dinner Rolls

Bake these in your cast iron skillet for the best rustic looking, fantastic and fluffy low carb rolls.

My husband Thom wrote this recipe and I was really impressed that they came out perfectly on the first try (we usually eat a lot of "experiments" before getting bread recipes "share" worthy).

• Keto Cornbread

Low Carb Cornbread is a go if you have this one little special ingredient.

• Keto Garlic and Parm Dinner Rolls

The garlic and parm dinners rolls are spiced perfectly yo go with any meal that you would normally serve rolls with.

• Low Carb Focaccia

If you fancy a hearty type of chewy bread, this cheesy focaccia might be the ticket.

• Olive Garden Garlic Bread-sticks

These bread sticks are great and super quick to make too.

• Keto Cheddar Biscuits

Biscuits are an amazing way to make sure you can sop up every bit of holiday gravy.

🥣Soup

When it gets chilly there is nothing quite like a hot soup to start a holiday meal.

• Hearty Low Carb Cream of Mushroom Soup

This is not like the canned cream of whatever. This my friend, is a fancy gourmet soup.

You can use this recipe to make your famous green bean casserole or serve it on it's own.

If you are planning to make Green bean casserole, use less liquid in the soup to get the right consistency.

• Pumpkin Soup

The savory appeal of this super-food soup is unique and makes a great addition to a holiday table.

• Cheddar Broccoli Soup

Broccoli and cheese...I think this one is widely known and needs no introduction.

• Sopa de Albondigas (Mexican Meatball Soup)

The flavors of old Mexico will dance across your taste buds.

This soup was my Dad's favorite and more than once he arm wrestled me for the last bowl.

• Colorado Green Chili

This might just be a "Colorado thing". But if you haven't made a steaming pot of green chili recently, give this one a try.

It's fantastic and makes Thanksgiving and Christmastime a little warmer on those chilly evenings.

🥗Salad

• Caprese Salad

This gorgeous red, white and green salad is not only beautiful on a holiday buffet, the flavors are simple and elegant.

It's a salad that everyone will love.

• Tabouli Salad

You can make this healthy salad a day or two ahead of time and it's flavor improves each day.

That makes it the perfect low carb holiday recipe in my book.

• Bacon Broccoli Salad

This low carb recipe is one of those salads that is perfect at a Summer BBQ and still seems at home on a holiday table.

Add a handful of dried cranberries into the mix for festive appeal.

• Crispy Green Bean Salad

The spiced green beans and crunchy walnuts make this an awesome make ahead salad for your holiday menu.

• Quick Greek Salad

You know how some people are known for certain recipes at gatherings? This is the side salad that everyone expects when I go to a pot luck.

And, I never have any left to bring home..

🍷 Low Carb Drinks

• Hot Buttered Rum

This is the classic low carb holiday recipe for hot buttered rum. It's beautiful and packs a punch.

• Holiday Mulled Wine

This warmed wine has all of the seasonal flavors and makes for a very merry evening. It'll make you whole house smell fantastic too.

• Five Low Carb Cocktails

No matter what your poison, you can make a low carb version.

If you are new to the low carb WOE, check out this post on how alcohol affects you while you're in Ketosis....

• Low Carb Hot Chocolate

Hot, creamy low carb goodness. It's a simple recipe and is a crowd pleaser.

• Pumpkin Smoothie

This is a natural caffeine free energy booster to gear you up for all of that cooking. The pumpkin spice flavor will get you in the festive mood.

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie

I share this recipe all year long but the chocolate and peanut butter taste like Christmas to me...or maybe I'm a peanut butter and chocolate junky. I love this ALL year long.

Add a sprig of mint and it'll be irresistible.

• Almond Joy Iced Mocha

If you love the coconut and almond combo- this one is for you!

• Keto Whipped Coffee

This gorgeous coffee is fun to make and even more fun to drink. Christmas morning at it's best!

• Pumpkin Spice Latte

When you need to warm up during those brisk Fall afternoons.

• Pecan Pie Smoothie

Pecan pie flavor without the carbs. Plus, it only takes a couple of minutes to make.

🌿Low Carb Dressings, Jams & Sauce:

• White Country Gravy

This gravy is great with biscuits on mashed cauliflower or on anything you would traditionally top with gravy.

• Brown Holiday Gravy - No Xanthan Gum

This might be my favorite low carb gravy every. It's creamier than traditional gravy and has an almost hollandaise-esque texture.

• Pico de Gallo

This is my favorite salsa! Make it at least 24 hours ahead of time to let the flavors meld.

It'll spice up the appetizers for sure.

• Low Carb Bleu Cheese Dressing

Remember that charcuterie board idea? This dressing is an amazing dip for veggies.

• Hollandaise Sauce

Who doesn't love tender asparagus tips smothered in velvety hollandaise sauce? Classy and classic.

• Cheese Sauce

Easy peasy cheese sauce to top veggies makes a plain side seem decadent.

• Lower Carb Orange Marmalade

I know, I know, oranges are on your favorite Keto Bloggers No-No list. I am going to have to disagree with them. THIS IS AN AMAZING RECIPE!

And, this fantastic low carb holiday recipe weighs in at 2 net carbs per tablespoon. Totally worth it.

Low carb Orange Marmalade is a Christmas Miracle...

• Spinach Basil Pesto

Spinach basil pesto is amazing on zoodles and great on crackers and rolls.

• 8 Savory Butter Recipes

You can make gourmet savory butter in a snap. It's delicious and beautiful.

• Blackberry Jam

This recipe is a tasty and delicious fiber packed powerhouse. Plus, it,s so easy to make.

• Keto Ranch Dressing

Charcuterie board and a salad topping favorite.

• Low Carb Strawberry Jam

My teen prefers this to store bought jam and it's a perfect topping for holiday cookies, cakes and low carb ice cream.

• Keto Bomb Whipped Cream

You can make this whipped cream any flavor that you like.

Once you make this easy low carb whipped cream you will never ever in your life go back to the canned stuff...Keto or not Keto.

• Pumpkin Spice Master Recipe

I threw this one in because it saves me a TON of money from Halloween to New Year.

🍰Low Carb Desserts:

Have you been waiting for me to get to this section? I have been waiting all day to write about my favorite low carb holiday recipes...dessert!

• Nut Free Devils Food Cake

Mmmmmmm. This dark chocolate cake is the cats meow and it's perfect for a holiday dessert.

• Keto Carrot Cake

This one is a site favorite. It's great for any holiday or birthday.

• Pumpkin Cake

This cake is the perfect mixture of pumpkin spice and everything nice...like cream cheese frosting.

The flavors meld in the most splendid way.

• Flan

You knew I would have a Mexican low carb holiday recipe in the dessert section.

Flan is an amazing creamy dessert that has the most simplistic and elegant of flavors. This dessert goes with EVERYTHING.

• Bourbon Pumpkin Cheesecake

This Cheesecake was made in my amazing Ninja Foodi. This thing changed my life.

But, it will work in any instant pot just fine.

• Sugar Free Almond Cookies

These are the perfect snack for Santa. They are sort of short bread like and full of holiday joy.

• Peanut Butter Pie

I know, I know, I have a lot of chocolate and peanut butter recipes. I am obviously and addict.

This recipe takes longer than most of the desserts that I have listed on this site but I think it's totally worth it.

• Peanut Butter Bars

This is like the pie but in an easier, bar version. They are not as pleasing to the eye but certainly fantastic on the tongue.

• Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Classic and packed full of the hearty squash.

• Chia Pecan Pie Pudding

This is simple and delicious recipe. It's so easy to make this recipe ahead of time.

• Keto Peanut Butter Cups

The rustic look and "real" flavors of peanut butter and dark chocolate make this a Christmas Candy worth the time it takes to make homemade.

• Blackberry Cobbler

This gorgeous treat is perfectly portioned and ends your meal with a fruity flavor.

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles

Thom calls these "fat bombs" but I don't dig that name. I like peanut butter and chocolate truffles better...and that is what these are.

• Lemon Poppy-seed Shortbread Cookies

These cookies have a lovely citrusy flavor and are easy to love.

• Sugar Free Creme Brulee

This is an easy recipe that'll make even the newest chefs look like a genius in the kitchen. It's creamy, delicious and will make your loved ones feel special.

• Pumpkin Muffins

Pumpkin muffins are the perfect way to portion your dessert while still being amazingly satisfying.

If you want to dress them up - whip up some cream cheese frosting to top them.

• Low Carb Pumpkin Pie

Classic. Use Allulose instead of erythritol if you can get your hands on it.

• Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Look at how beautiful these are! They scream holiday recipe and are amazing with a little bit of dry champagne on New Years Eve.

• Dark Chocolate Keto Almond Bark

Looking for Christmas candy but turned off by the price and weird ingredients of the store bought brands?

This is easier than you think to make...promise.

• No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake

No bake cheesecake? What could be easier?

This recipe makes a BIG cheesecake.

• Chocolate Ricotta Cookies

These tender cookies are like little cakes.

They are a hit at our house and we served these to Santa a couple of years ago...he left the most wonderful thank you note.

• Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Muffins

Yep, peanut butter and chocolate again. I have gotten some great feedback from readers about this recipe.

• Grain Free Pumpkin & Peanut Butter Dog Cookies - Because I love dogs and they always get treats on the holidays....

This recipe is my best friends favorite.

🍳 Holiday Worthy Breakfasts:

This is the last recipe section and I feel like it's one of the most important.

We don't usually eat breakfast anymore....but on holidays we have brunch. Or breakfast for dinner when it's chilly and snowy and our muscles are screaming from a day of playing in the mountains.

• Biscuits & Gravy

It's not Christmas at our house if I don't make this. I don't know what my people would do in protest.

• Cinnamon Doughnut Muffins

These are fantastic little treats if you miss doughnuts. Delish!

• French Toast Muffins

These have the same taste of the french toast of my childhood, eggy goodness and all.

• Low Carb Waffles

Break out that chaffle maker that's collecting dust and whip these up for a fantastic holiday breakfast.

• Pancakes

I could eat pancakes everyday, but eating them in front of the Christmas tree is a treat that gives me the warm fuzzies.

• Cinnamon Churro Chaffles

Gah....these are amazing. Load them up with real butter!

• Lemon Blueberry Muffins

Make these ahead of time and brew some strong bulletproof coffee.

• Hot Coconut Porridge

If you are planning on playing in the snow, this is a great, easy breakfast that'll keep you going.

📕If you need help getting on track with the Low carb way of Eating...

We have a lot of answers to the most common questions right here. And you can always email Thom@castleinthemountains.com or leave a comment below.

Whew! Did you really make it to the end? You deserve a prize.

This is quite possibly the longest piece I have written since grad school. Sorry, I really want you to have great low carb holiday recipes...

It's all I can do for my fantabulous readers....you guys make this low carb venture fun.

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Glaedelig Jul, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noel, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukah and warmest wishes for any that I have forgotten!

May you and yours eat well and be healthy all year long!

Brandy