Belgian keto guide
Hostile
613 dishes204 keto as served108 with a photo
Keto friendliness
Adapting Belgian cuisine to keto is challenging due to its heavy reliance on prominent carb-dense staples like fries, waffles, and bread.
Top ingredients
Mussels, various cuts of beef, pork, and chicken, eggs, hard cheeses, and non-starchy vegetables such as Brussels sprouts and endive offer keto-friendly starting points.
Danger zones
Major carb traps include frites (fries), waffles, bread, beer, stoemp (mashed potatoes), sugary sauces, and roux-thickened stews like Carbonnade Flamande.
Best for
Best for highly disciplined keto dieters willing to strictly modify orders, prioritize unadulterated proteins, and bypass most traditional sides and preparations.
613 dishes · page 1 of 11
Gegrilde Sardienen
Grilled Sardines with Lemon and Herbs
Whole sardines grilled or pan-fried until crispy, seasoned simply with salt, pepper, a squeeze of lemon, and f…
1 net2 total1 fibre30 protein35 fat450 kcal
Escargots in Lookboter
Snails in Garlic Butter
A classic appetizer of snails baked in abundant garlic-parsley butter, typically served bubbling hot. Naturall…
2 net3 total1 fibre15 protein38 fat400 kcal
Filet d'Anvers met Rucola en Parmezaan
Smoked Antwerp Beef with Arugula and Parmesan
Thinly sliced, air-dried, and lightly smoked beef from Antwerp, known for its delicate, savory flavor. It's ty…
2 net3 total1 fibre40 protein25 fat380 kcal
Filet Pur
Beef Tenderloin with Keto Sides and Butter Sauce
A prime cut of beef tenderloin, grilled or pan-fried to perfection. Typically served with frites and a choice …
2 net5 total3 fibre80 protein47 fat750 kcal
Gebakken Pladijs
Pan-fried Plaice with Lemon-Parsley Butter and Keto Greens
A popular North Sea flatfish, plaice is pan-fried to a delicate crisp and often served simply with lemon and p…
2 net5 total3 fibre43 protein51 fat650 kcal
Gerookte Zalm met Keto Bijgerechten
Smoked Salmon with Keto Sides (e.g., capers, red onion, lemon, leafy greens)
Thin slices of premium smoked salmon, a common offering in Belgian brasseries. Keto version served without toa…
2 net3 total1 fibre30 protein35 fat450 kcal
Roggevleugel met kappertjesboter
Skate Wing with Caper Butter and Keto Greens
A classic Belgian dish featuring pan-fried skate wing, known for its delicate texture, served with a rich lemo…
2 net5 total3 fibre45 protein51 fat650 kcal
Cote à l'Os
Grilled Bone-in Ribeye with Keto Sides and Compound Butter
A generous bone-in ribeye steak, grilled to your preference. This large cut of beef is known for its marbling …
3 net6 total3 fibre105 protein131 fat1700 kcal
Zeeuwen
Whelks (Sea Snails) with Keto Vinaigrette
Boiled whelks, a traditional Belgian seafood snack, typically served cold with a sharp vinaigrette. They offer…
3 net4 total1 fibre25 protein18 fat280 kcal
Carpaccio van Rund met Parmezaan en Rucola
Beef Carpaccio with Parmesan and Arugula
Thinly sliced raw beef fillet, artfully arranged and topped with fresh arugula, shaved Parmesan cheese, capers…
4 net6 total2 fibre35 protein35 fat480 kcal
Gegrilde Merguez met Salade
Grilled Merguez Sausage with Salad
Spicy, grilled North African-style lamb and beef sausages, very popular in Belgium. Served with a simple green…
4 net6 total2 fibre45 protein55 fat700 kcal
Gegrilde Scampi met lookboter
Grilled Scampi with Garlic Butter
Succulent large shrimp (scampi) grilled to perfection, generously coated in a rich and fragrant garlic butter …
4 net5 total1 fibre40 protein70 fat800 kcal
Kikkerbilletjes in Lookboter
Frogs' Legs in Garlic Butter
A popular delicacy in Belgium, frogs' legs are typically pan-fried or baked in a generous amount of rich garli…
4 net5 total1 fibre45 protein60 fat700 kcal
Omelet met Garnaaltjes
Omelette with Shrimp
A classic fluffy omelet, often prepared with butter, filled with a generous portion of small, savory North Sea…
4 net5 total1 fibre35 protein35 fat480 kcal
Rundsconsommé met Fijne Groenten (Koolhydraatarm)
Beef Consommé with Fine Vegetables (Low Carb)
A clear, deeply flavorful beef broth, meticulously clarified to remove impurities, creating a pristine consomm…
4 net5 total1 fibre20 protein8 fat150 kcal
Salade de Chèvre Chaud (zonder honing of croutons)
Warm Goat Cheese Salad (without honey or croutons)
A popular salad featuring slices of warm, often slightly melted, goat cheese served over mixed greens. Keto ve…
4 net8 total4 fibre30 protein45 fat550 kcal
Terrine de Jambon Persillé met Keto Bijgerechten
Parsleyed Ham Terrine with Keto Sides
A traditional cold terrine made from pieces of ham, bound with gelatin and copious amounts of fresh parsley, s…
4 net5 total1 fibre40 protein25 fat400 kcal
Champignons à la Grecque (Koolhydraatarm)
Marinated Mushrooms (Low Carb Greek Style)
Whole button mushrooms marinated and slowly cooked in olive oil, lemon juice, herbs (such as parsley, thyme, b…
5 net8 total3 fibre5 protein18 fat200 kcal
Garnaaltjes met Selder en Mayonaise
Shrimp with Celery and Mayonnaise Salad
A simple yet delicious salad consisting of small grey North Sea shrimp mixed with finely chopped celery and bo…
5 net7 total2 fibre30 protein40 fat500 kcal
Gebakken Schol met Peterselieboter en Groene groenten
Fried Plaice with Parsley Butter and Green Vegetables
Pan-fried fresh plaice fillet, simply prepared with clarified butter and fresh parsley, highlighting the delic…
5 net8 total3 fibre50 protein48 fat650 kcal
Gegrilde Lamskoteletten met Groenten
Grilled Lamb Chops with Sautéed Low-Carb Vegetables
Succulent grilled lamb chops, a staple in Belgian and Ardennes cuisine, known for their rich flavor. A natural…
5 net10 total5 fibre55 protein80 fat900 kcal
Gegrilde Paling met Keto Bijgerechten
Grilled Eel with Keto Sides
Fresh eel, a delicacy often found along the Belgian coast, grilled to perfection and typically served simply w…
5 net10 total5 fibre45 protein60 fat720 kcal
Gegrilde Sint-Jacobsschelpen met Kruidenboter en Keto-Groenten
Grilled Scallops with Herb Butter and Keto Vegetables
Succulent large sea scallops, expertly grilled to perfection, then generously drizzled with a rich herb butter…
5 net8 total3 fibre55 protein45 fat650 kcal
Gegrilde Tarbot met Kruidenboter en Groene Groenten
Grilled Turbot with Herb Butter and Green Vegetables
A highly prized flatfish, turbot, grilled or pan-fried to perfection and served with a rich, aromatic herb but…
5 net8 total3 fibre50 protein45 fat600 kcal
Gestoomd/Gebakken Witloof met Garnaaltjes
Braised/Pan-Fried Endive with Grey Shrimp
A quintessential Belgian dish combining tender braised or pan-fried Belgian endive (witloof) with delicate Nor…
5 net10 total5 fibre35 protein40 fat550 kcal
Gevulde Champignons (Keto)
Stuffed Mushrooms (Keto)
Mushroom caps typically filled with a savory mixture of herbs, cheese, and sometimes minced meat, then baked. …
5 net7 total2 fibre18 protein28 fat350 kcal
Oesters
Fresh Oysters with Mignonette
Freshly shucked raw oysters, typically served on a bed of ice with lemon wedges and a red wine vinegar mignone…
5 net5 total0 fibre15 protein8 fat150 kcal
Pâté Ardennais / Gibier
Ardennes Pâté / Game Pâté
A rich, coarse-textured pâté made from pork, sometimes game meats (like wild boar or venison), liver, herbs, a…
5 net6 total1 fibre30 protein45 fat555 kcal
Potjesvlees (Terrine van Wit Vlees met Keto Groenten)
White Meat Terrine with Keto Vegetables
A traditional cold terrine from the Westhoek region, made with shredded chicken, rabbit, and veal set in a sav…
5 net7 total2 fibre50 protein35 fat550 kcal
Salade de Pissenlits aux Lardons
Dandelion Salad with Bacon Lardons
A rustic and flavorful salad featuring fresh, slightly bitter dandelion greens, typically served warm with cri…
5 net8 total3 fibre25 protein35 fat450 kcal
Steak Tartare met Keto-Bijgerechten
Steak Tartare with Side Salad and Pickles (no bread or fries)
Finely minced raw beef, typically seasoned with capers, chopped onions, parsley, mustard, and often served wit…
5 net8 total3 fibre65 protein50 fat700 kcal
Tongrolletjes met Roomsaus
Sole Rolls with Cream Sauce and Keto Vegetables
Delicate fillets of sole, often rolled and gently poached or steamed, served with a luxurious cream sauce. Mod…
5 net7 total2 fibre40 protein45 fat600 kcal
Varkensgebraad met Mosterdroomsaus
Roast Pork with Creamy Mustard Sauce and Keto Vegetables
A tender roast pork, typically served in slices, with a rich, creamy mustard sauce. Modified for keto by ensur…
5 net8 total3 fibre60 protein65 fat850 kcal
Waterkerssalade met Gerookte Eendenborst
Watercress Salad with Smoked Duck Breast
A fresh and peppery salad featuring crisp watercress leaves, often combined with slices of rich, smoky duck br…
5 net8 total3 fibre45 protein40 fat550 kcal
Confit de Canard met Keto Groenten
Duck Confit with Keto Vegetables
Duck leg slowly cooked and preserved in its own fat until incredibly tender, then crisped, resulting in a rich…
6 net10 total4 fibre50 protein75 fat900 kcal
Filet Mignon Rossini (Zonder Crouton)
Filet Mignon Rossini (without Crouton)
An indulgent dish featuring a pan-seared beef filet mignon, topped with a slice of pan-fried foie gras, often …
6 net8 total2 fibre60 protein75 fat950 kcal
Gebakken Zeetong
Pan-fried Sole (Meunière style)
A whole sole fish, typically lightly dusted with almond flour and pan-fried in butter, often served with lemon…
6 net10 total4 fibre50 protein55 fat730 kcal
Gegratineerde Mosselen (Zonder Paneermeel)
Mussels Gratin with Garlic Butter (no breadcrumbs)
Baked mussels in their shells, typically topped with a rich garlic herb butter and often breadcrumbs, then gra…
6 net8 total2 fibre35 protein40 fat500 kcal
Gegrilde Entrecôte met Champignonroomsaus
Grilled Ribeye Steak with Mushroom Cream Sauce and Keto Vegetables
A generously sized grilled ribeye steak, a staple in Belgian cuisine, served with a rich mushroom cream sauce.…
6 net9 total3 fibre75 protein75 fat1000 kcal
Gegrilde Forel met Amandelboter en Groene Bonen
Grilled Trout with Almond Butter and Green Beans
Freshly grilled whole trout or fillet, topped with a flavorful brown butter and almond sauce. Served simply wi…
6 net9 total3 fibre50 protein50 fat680 kcal
Gegrilde Kalfsniertjes met Mosterdroomsaus en Keto-Groenten
Grilled Veal Kidneys with Mustard Cream Sauce and Keto Vegetables
A traditional Belgian offal dish featuring tender veal kidneys, grilled to perfection and smothered in a rich,…
6 net10 total4 fibre60 protein60 fat800 kcal
Gegrilde Rundsgebraad met Keto-Groenten
Grilled Roast Beef with Keto Vegetables
A generous portion of succulent grilled roast beef, often sliced from a larger cut like sirloin or rump, focus…
6 net10 total4 fibre70 protein60 fat850 kcal
Gegrilde Varkenshaasje met Kruidenboter en Keto Groenten
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Herb Butter and Keto Vegetables
A tender grilled pork tenderloin, generously topped with melted herb butter infused with fresh herbs and garli…
6 net10 total4 fibre45 protein60 fat750 kcal
Gegrilde Varkensribbetjes met Kruiden en Keto Bijgerechten
Grilled Pork Ribs with Herbs and Keto Sides
Succulent pork ribs, grilled and generously seasoned with savory herbs and spices, specifically prepared witho…
6 net10 total4 fibre70 protein90 fat1100 kcal
Gegrilde Zeebaars met Citroenbotersaus en Groene Groenten
Grilled Sea Bass with Lemon Butter Sauce and Green Vegetables
A perfectly grilled sea bass fillet, often served with a vibrant and rich lemon butter sauce. Paired with a se…
6 net10 total4 fibre50 protein52 fat690 kcal
Hammetje met Mosterdsaus
Knuckle of Ham with Mustard Cream Sauce and Keto Vegetables
A hearty and rustic dish featuring a slow-cooked knuckle of ham, often served with a creamy mustard sauce. Tra…
6 net9 total3 fibre68 protein81 fat1030 kcal
Haring met Uien en Augurk
Herring with Onions and Pickles
Raw or lightly pickled herring fillets, typically served as a starter or snack with finely sliced raw onions a…
6 net8 total2 fibre25 protein30 fat400 kcal
Pintadeau aux Chicons
Guinea Fowl with Braised Endives
Succulent guinea fowl, often roasted or pan-fried, served alongside braised Belgian endives (witloof). The end…
6 net10 total4 fibre60 protein40 fat650 kcal
Reegebraad met Keto-Aangepaste Saus
Roast Venison with Keto-Adapted Sauce and Vegetables
Tender roast venison, a popular game meat during season in Belgium, often served with a rich, dark sauce. Keto…
6 net10 total4 fibre70 protein50 fat800 kcal
Spruitjes met Spek
Brussels Sprouts Sautéed with Bacon
A popular Belgian side dish featuring tender Brussels sprouts sautéed or roasted with crispy bacon pieces. It'…
6 net12 total6 fibre18 protein30 fat350 kcal
Witloofsalade met Kaas en Noten (zonder fruit)
Belgian Endive Salad with Cheese and Nuts (no fruit)
A crisp and refreshing salad featuring raw Belgian endive leaves, hearty cheese cubes (such as Comté or Gruyèr…
6 net9 total3 fibre20 protein62 fat640 kcal
Zeevruchtenschotel (Natuur) met Keto Dips
Seafood Platter (Natural) with Keto Dips
A classic Belgian seafood platter, especially popular in coastal regions, offering a luxurious assortment of f…
6 net8 total2 fibre70 protein55 fat750 kcal
Asperges op Vlaamse Wijze
Flemish-style Asparagus
A classic spring dish featuring tender white asparagus, served with a generous amount of melted butter, crumbl…
7 net13 total6 fibre18 protein51 fat580 kcal
Blinde Vink met Speksaus en Keto Groenten
Birdless Finch (Meat Roulade) with Bacon Sauce and Keto Vegetables
A traditional Belgian dish featuring a lean meat patty (often pork and veal mix) wrapped in a thin slice of be…
7 net10 total3 fibre50 protein58 fat750 kcal
Gebakken Kippenlevertjes met Spek en Champignons (Zonder Brood)
Sautéed Chicken Livers with Bacon and Mushrooms (No Bread)
A flavorful and robust starter or light meal, featuring tender chicken livers sautéed until perfectly cooked, …
7 net10 total3 fibre45 protein48 fat600 kcal
Gegrilde Kalkoenfilet met Champignonroomsaus en Keto-Groenten
Grilled Turkey Fillet with Mushroom Cream Sauce and Keto Vegetables
A lean and tender turkey fillet, grilled to perfection, served with a velvety mushroom cream sauce. The sauce …
7 net12 total5 fibre70 protein45 fat750 kcal
Gestoofde Savooikool met Spek
Braised Savoy Cabbage with Bacon
Savoy cabbage slowly braised until tender, often with onions and generous amounts of smoked bacon. This hearty…
7 net12 total5 fibre10 protein30 fat350 kcal
Jambon d'Ardenne met Augurkjes en Keto Bijgerechten
Ardennes Ham with Pickles and Keto Sides
Slices of air-dried Ardennes ham, typically served as a starter or light meal. Modified to be served with trad…
7 net10 total3 fibre40 protein45 fat600 kcal
Kalfstong, Vinaigrette
Calf's Tongue with Vinaigrette and Pickled Vegetables
A traditional cold appetizer or light meal in Belgium, consisting of thinly sliced, tender boiled calf's tongu…
7 net10 total3 fibre60 protein40 fat600 kcal
Rundsbrochette met Keto Bijgerechten
Beef Skewer with Keto Sides
Tender chunks of beef, typically marinated and grilled on a skewer, often interspersed with bell peppers and o…
7 net12 total5 fibre65 protein55 fat780 kcal
Questions people ask
What can I eat at a Belgian restaurant on keto?
Good orders that are keto as served include Gegrilde Sardienen (1g net carbs), Escargots in Lookboter (2g net carbs), Filet d'Anvers met Rucola en Parmezaan (2g net carbs), Carpaccio van Rund met Parmezaan en Rucola (4g net carbs), Gegrilde Scampi met lookboter (4g net carbs) and Kikkerbilletjes in Lookboter (4g net carbs). Of the 613 Belgian dishes in this guide, 204 are keto as served.
Is Belgian food keto-friendly?
Keto Atlas rates Belgian food "Hostile" for keto. Adapting Belgian cuisine to keto is challenging due to its heavy reliance on prominent carb-dense staples like fries, waffles, and bread.
What Belgian dishes should I avoid on keto?
Major carb traps include frites (fries), waffles, bread, beer, stoemp (mashed potatoes), sugary sauces, and roux-thickened stews like Carbonnade Flamande. Dishes to skip include Moules Marinières (18g), Stoofvlees met Keto Groenten (16g), Varkensgebraad met Chimay Bier en Champignons (26.5g) and Rosbief met Champignonroomsaus en Keto (19.5g).
How do I order Belgian food keto-style?
Many dishes become keto with one small request. For Filet Pur: say "No frites, potatoes, or bread, please. I'd like plain butter and grilled asparagus, broccoli, or spinach as a side." For Gebakken Pladijs: say "Please ensure the fish is not breaded or floured. No potatoes. Is the butter sauce simple, without thickeners or sugar?"