Colombian keto guide
Hostile
164 dishes43 keto as served126 with a photo
Keto friendliness
Colombian cuisine is highly challenging for keto dieters due to its foundational reliance on high-carb staples.
Top ingredients
Excellent traditional keto ingredients include various meats (beef, chicken, pork belly/chicharrón), eggs, avocado, and limited cheeses.
Danger zones
Arepas, empanadas, rice, potatoes (papas), plantains (plátanos), yuca, and most traditional soups or stews are unavoidable carb traps in authentic meals.
Best for
This cuisine works best for highly disciplined keto dieters who are comfortable with extreme customization, deconstructing dishes, and primarily ordering plain meats or salads.
164 dishes · page 1 of 3
Chicharrón
Fried Pork Belly
Crispy, deep-fried pork belly, a popular and naturally keto-friendly Colombian delicacy. It's often served as …
0 net0 total0 fibre50 protein134 fat1406 kcal
Sopa de Costilla (Modificada)
Beef Rib Soup (Modified)
A comforting Colombian soup featuring tender beef ribs in a clear, savory broth, traditionally served as a hea…
2 net2 total0 fibre55 protein60 fat768 kcal
Carne Asada / Bistec a Caballo (Modificada)
Grilled Steak / Steak with Fried Egg (Modified)
A simple grilled beef steak, often accompanied by a fried egg ('a caballo' meaning 'on horseback' due to the e…
3 net3 total0 fibre66 protein44 fat672 kcal
Carne en Polvo con Aguacate
Crispy Shredded Beef with Avocado
Finely shredded beef, fried until very crispy and almost powdered in texture. Traditionally served with rice a…
3 net10 total7 fibre65 protein75 fat900 kcal
Cerdo Frito (Trozos de Cerdo Fritos con Guarnición Keto)
Fried Pork Chunks with Keto Side
Crispy and juicy fried chunks of pork, a beloved classic often found in 'picadas' or as a standalone dish. Pre…
3 net10 total7 fibre65 protein100 fat1200 kcal
Chicharrón de Pescado con Aguacate y Limón (Sin Harina)
Crispy Fried Fish Bites with Avocado and Lime (No Breading)
Bite-sized pieces of white fish (like tilapia, mero, or pargo) seasoned and fried until crispy, mimicking the …
3 net6 total3 fibre60 protein40 fat600 kcal
Consomé de Pollo (Keto)
Keto Chicken Consommé
A traditional Colombian clear, rich chicken broth, slow-cooked to extract maximum flavor and nutrients. Served…
3 net4 total1 fibre12 protein15 fat200 kcal
Huevos Estrellados con Tocino y Aguacate
Fried Eggs with Bacon and Avocado
A hearty breakfast or light meal featuring perfectly fried eggs ('estrellados') served alongside crispy bacon …
3 net10 total7 fibre35 protein75 fat850 kcal
Lechona (Piel y Carne)
Roasted Stuffed Pig (Skin and Meat Only)
Crispy roasted pig skin and tender pork meat, traditionally slow-roasted and usually stuffed with rice and pea…
3 net3 total0 fibre65 protein65 fat850 kcal
Sobrebarriga a la Plancha / al Vapor (Modificada)
Grilled / Steamed Flank Steak or Brisket (Modified)
Tender, slow-cooked flank steak or brisket, often finished on the grill ('a la plancha') or simply steamed ('a…
3 net3 total0 fibre55 protein63 fat799 kcal
Aguacate Relleno con Camarones (Keto)
Avocado Stuffed with Shrimp Salad (Keto)
Creamy avocado halves generously filled with a zesty shrimp salad, typically made with mayonnaise, lime juice,…
4 net12 total8 fibre25 protein50 fat600 kcal
Calamares al Ajillo con Aguacate
Garlic Squid with Avocado
Tender squid rings sautéed generously in olive oil, garlic, and sometimes a touch of white wine or lemon juice…
4 net10 total6 fibre45 protein70 fat800 kcal
Camarones al Ajillo
Garlic Shrimp
Plump shrimp sautéed in abundant olive oil or butter with generous amounts of minced garlic and a touch of chi…
4 net5 total1 fibre45 protein40 fat550 kcal
Carne a la Llanera con Ensalada Verde
Roasted Veal (Llanero Style) with Green Salad
Authentic slow-roasted veal, prepared in the distinctive style of the Colombian plains (Llanos), known for its…
4 net7 total3 fibre70 protein35 fat650 kcal
Criadillas Fritas / Asadas
Fried / Grilled Bull Testicles
Bull testicles, typically sliced and either pan-fried to a golden crisp or grilled until tender. A delicacy in…
4 net5 total1 fibre60 protein50 fat700 kcal
Gallina Asada con Ensalada Verde (Piel y Carne)
Roasted Hen with Green Salad (Skin and Meat)
A whole roasted hen, featuring crispy skin and juicy, tender meat, seasoned with traditional Colombian spices.…
4 net8 total4 fibre78 protein85 fat1000 kcal
Huevos con Carne Desmechada
Scrambled Eggs with Shredded Beef
A hearty and popular Colombian breakfast or brunch dish featuring fluffy scrambled eggs combined with tender, …
4 net5 total1 fibre45 protein40 fat550 kcal
Longaniza o Chorizo a la Plancha (Keto)
Colombian Grilled Pork Sausage (Keto)
Traditional Colombian pork sausage, grilled or pan-fried, known for its distinct seasoning. While naturally hi…
4 net5 total1 fibre35 protein55 fat650 kcal
Morcilla (Sin Arroz)
Colombian Blood Sausage (No Rice Filler)
A traditional Colombian blood sausage, typically made with pig's blood, pork fat, and sometimes rice, onions, …
4 net5 total1 fibre30 protein65 fat750 kcal
Parrillada de Mariscos (Keto)
Mixed Grilled Seafood Platter (Keto)
A generous and flavorful platter of various fresh seafood items, such as shrimp, calamari, mussels, and fish f…
4 net5 total1 fibre55 protein38 fat600 kcal
Buñuelos de Queso Keto (sin harina de trigo ni azúcar)
Keto Colombian Cheese Fritters (without Wheat Flour or Sugar)
Savory, fluffy, and golden cheese fritters, a keto adaptation of the popular Colombian snack. Made with a blen…
5 net8 total3 fibre30 protein45 fat550 kcal
Caldo de Pescado con Trozos de Pescado y Vegetales Keto
Fish Broth with Fish Chunks and Keto Vegetables
A clear, comforting, and deeply flavored fish broth, served with tender chunks of white fish and a selection o…
5 net8 total3 fibre40 protein18 fat350 kcal
Carne de Res al Trapo con Espárragos Asados
Grilled Beef in Cloth with Roasted Asparagus
A unique preparation where a cut of beef (e.g., punta de anca, posta) is seasoned, wrapped in a cloth (trapo),…
5 net8 total3 fibre80 protein45 fat750 kcal
Chunchullo a la Plancha (Intestino de Res a la Parrilla con Aguacate)
Grilled Beef Intestines with Avocado
Crispy and flavorful grilled beef intestines, a popular street food and appetizer. Naturally rich in fats and …
5 net15 total10 fibre50 protein113 fat1300 kcal
Corazones de Res a la Plancha
Grilled Beef Hearts with Keto Vegetables
Skewers or slices of marinated beef hearts, grilled to perfection and simply seasoned. Served with a side of s…
5 net8 total3 fibre60 protein40 fat650 kcal
Ensalada de Aguacate con Pollo a la Plancha
Avocado Salad with Grilled Chicken
A refreshing salad featuring generous chunks of ripe avocado, often mixed with onion, tomato, and cilantro, to…
5 net12 total7 fibre45 protein45 fat620 kcal
Ensalada de Champiñones con Tocino y Aguacate
Mushroom, Bacon, and Avocado Salad
A satisfying and flavorful salad featuring earthy sautéed mushrooms, crispy bacon bits, and creamy avocado sli…
5 net10 total5 fibre15 protein40 fat480 kcal
Lengua en Salsa (Modificada)
Tongue in Sauce (Modified)
Tender beef tongue, slow-cooked and served in a rich, savory creole sauce known as hogao.…
5 net8 total3 fibre50 protein68 fat844 kcal
Pulpo a la Parrilla con Ensalada Verde
Grilled Octopus with Green Salad
Tender octopus tentacles, grilled to perfection, often marinated simply with olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Ser…
5 net10 total5 fibre45 protein45 fat600 kcal
Arroz con Coco Keto (con Arroz de Coliflor)
Keto Coconut Cauliflower Rice
A flavorful and aromatic keto version of the traditional Colombian coconut rice, where finely riced cauliflowe…
6 net10 total4 fibre5 protein30 fat350 kcal
Atún Sellado Encebollado con Ensalada Verde
Seared Tuna Steak with Sautéed Onions and Green Salad
A perfectly seared tuna steak, typically cooked medium-rare to medium, topped with rich, savory sautéed onions…
6 net10 total4 fibre58 protein52 fat720 kcal
Caldo de Gallina con Pollo Desmenuzado y Aguacate
Chicken Broth with Shredded Chicken and Avocado
A comforting and restorative clear chicken broth, rich in flavor, served with generous portions of shredded ch…
6 net10 total4 fibre55 protein40 fat600 kcal
Caldo de Menudencias
Offal Broth
A traditional clear broth made from boiling various beef offal (like tripe, liver, heart) with herbs and spice…
6 net8 total2 fibre40 protein30 fat450 kcal
Camarones Encebollados con Aguacate
Shrimp with Sautéed Onions and Avocado
Succulent shrimp sautéed with plenty of thinly sliced onions, garlic, and a touch of tomato, creating a flavor…
6 net12 total6 fibre60 protein45 fat700 kcal
Ceviche de Camarones con Aguacate
Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado
Fresh shrimp cured in tangy lime juice, mixed with finely diced red onion, cilantro, bell peppers, and a hint …
6 net12 total6 fibre38 protein38 fat520 kcal
Ceviche de Pescado Blanco con Aguacate (Sin Galletas o Arepas)
White Fish Ceviche with Avocado (No Crackers or Arepas)
Fresh white fish cured in lime juice, mixed with finely diced red onion, cilantro, and chili (optional), often…
6 net10 total4 fibre40 protein28 fat450 kcal
Champiñones Salteados
Sautéed Mushrooms
Fresh mushrooms, typically cremini or button, sautéed in butter or olive oil with garlic and herbs until tende…
6 net8 total2 fibre6 protein23 fat250 kcal
Chuletón de Cerdo a la Plancha
Grilled Pork Chop (with Keto Sides)
A thick, usually bone-in, pork chop grilled to perfection, often seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and garlic…
6 net8 total2 fibre60 protein55 fat750 kcal
Cordero Asado con Vegetales Keto
Roasted Lamb with Keto Vegetables
Succulent roasted lamb, seasoned simply with herbs and spices, typically served with a side of mixed low-carb …
6 net12 total6 fibre75 protein70 fat950 kcal
Empanadas de Carne Keto (con masa de queso y almendra)
Keto Colombian Beef Empanadas (Cheese and Almond Dough)
Savory ground beef filling seasoned with traditional Colombian spices (hogao style), encased in a crispy, gold…
6 net10 total4 fibre40 protein55 fat700 kcal
Ensalada de Aguacate
Avocado Salad with Fresh Vegetables
A simple, refreshing salad featuring ripe avocado slices or chunks, mixed with fresh low-carb vegetables like …
6 net15 total9 fibre4 protein38 fat400 kcal
Ensalada de Atún con Vegetales Frescos
Tuna Salad Platter with Fresh Mixed Greens
A generous scoop of creamy tuna salad (made with tuna, mayonnaise, celery, onion) served on a crisp bed of fre…
6 net10 total4 fibre40 protein45 fat600 kcal
Ensalada de Camarones con Aguacate y Pimentones Asados
Shrimp, Avocado, and Roasted Bell Pepper Salad
A vibrant and satisfying salad featuring plump, cooked shrimp, creamy avocado slices, and tender roasted bell …
6 net12 total6 fibre35 protein40 fat550 kcal
Ensalada de Pollo Desmechado, Aguacate y Tocineta
Shredded Chicken, Avocado, and Bacon Salad
A hearty and satisfying salad featuring tender shredded chicken breast, creamy avocado, crispy bacon bits, mix…
6 net12 total6 fibre48 protein55 fat700 kcal
Ensalada de Repollo con Tocineta y Aguacate
Cabbage Salad with Bacon and Avocado
A refreshing and hearty salad featuring finely shredded cabbage, crispy bacon bits, and creamy diced avocado, …
6 net12 total6 fibre15 protein40 fat450 kcal
Ensalada Fresca de Mariscos con Aderezo Cítrico (Sin Fruta)
Fresh Seafood Salad with Citrus Dressing (No Fruit)
A refreshing salad featuring a variety of cooked seafood (shrimp, calamari, mussels, octopus) mixed with crisp…
6 net10 total4 fibre40 protein38 fat550 kcal
Filete de Pescado a la Plancha con Vegetales Keto
Grilled Fish Fillet with Keto Vegetables
A simple and healthy dish featuring a grilled white fish fillet (such as tilapia, basa, or pargo blanco), seas…
6 net12 total6 fibre60 protein45 fat700 kcal
Fritada de Menudencias Variadas (Keto)
Mixed Fried Offal Platter (Keto)
A traditional platter of various fried offal, typically including beef liver, beef kidney, and chunchullo (sma…
6 net8 total2 fibre70 protein55 fat800 kcal
Fritanga (Modificada)
Mixed Fried Platter (Modified)
A platter of various fried meats, typically served for sharing, modified to exclude all high-carb items.…
6 net6 total0 fibre103 protein212 fat2344 kcal
Hígado a la Plancha con Vegetales Keto
Grilled Liver with Keto Vegetables
Beef liver, thinly sliced and grilled or pan-fried, seasoned simply with salt and pepper. Served with a genero…
6 net10 total4 fibre60 protein35 fat600 kcal
Huevo Perico con Aguacate
Colombian Scrambled Eggs (Perico Style) with Avocado
Fluffy scrambled eggs mixed with a sautéed sofrito of fresh tomatoes and onions, served with sliced avocado. A…
6 net12 total6 fibre25 protein45 fat550 kcal
Mojarra al Horno con Vegetales Salteados Keto
Baked Tilapia with Sautéed Keto Vegetables
Whole baked tilapia (mojarra), seasoned with herbs and spices, cooked until flaky and tender. Accompanied by a…
6 net12 total6 fibre62 protein42 fat680 kcal
Mollejas al Ajillo
Chicken Gizzards Sautéed in Garlic Sauce with Keto Sides
Tender chicken gizzards sautéed in a rich garlic, butter, and olive oil sauce, seasoned with herbs. Served as …
6 net7 total1 fibre60 protein50 fat700 kcal
Pargo Rojo al Vapor con Vegetales
Steamed Red Snapper with Keto Vegetables
A whole red snapper, gently steamed with a blend of herbs, garlic, and lime, served alongside a generous porti…
6 net10 total4 fibre70 protein40 fat700 kcal
Parrillada de Carnes (Keto sin Carbos)
Mixed Grilled Meats (Keto without Carbs)
A generous platter of various grilled meats, typically including different cuts of beef (e.g., flank steak, si…
6 net8 total2 fibre115 protein95 fat1350 kcal
Pechuga Gratinada con Ensalada
Cheesy Grilled Chicken Breast with Salad (Keto Modified)
Grilled chicken breast topped with a rich, creamy cheese sauce, served alongside a fresh green salad. The sauc…
6 net8 total2 fibre70 protein50 fat750 kcal
Pescado Relleno Keto (con Relleno de Camarones y Vegetales)
Keto Stuffed Fish (with Shrimp and Vegetable Filling)
A whole fish (e.g., mojarra, pargo, or mero) generously stuffed with a savory, low-carb filling of seasoned sh…
6 net10 total4 fibre60 protein50 fat750 kcal
Punta de Anca a la Parrilla con Ensalada Verde
Grilled Sirloin Cap with Green Salad
A generous cut of grilled sirloin cap (picanha) cooked to perfection, featuring its distinctive fat cap for fl…
6 net10 total4 fibre75 protein80 fat950 kcal
Sobrebarriga Rellena con Relleno Keto
Stuffed Flank Steak with Keto Filling
Tender flank steak slow-cooked and generously stuffed with a savory, keto-friendly mixture, typically includin…
6 net8 total2 fibre60 protein45 fat700 kcal
Tortilla de Huevo con Relleno (Keto)
Keto Omelette with Meat and Cheese Filling
A fluffy omelette made with several eggs, filled with keto-friendly ingredients like cheese, ham, bacon, or sa…
6 net8 total2 fibre30 protein45 fat550 kcal
Questions people ask
What can I eat at a Colombian restaurant on keto?
Good orders that are keto as served include Chicharrón (0g net carbs), Consomé de Pollo (3g net carbs), Huevos Estrellados con Tocino y Aguacate (3g net carbs), Aguacate Relleno con Camarones (4g net carbs), Calamares al Ajillo con Aguacate (4g net carbs) and Camarones al Ajillo (4g net carbs). Of the 164 Colombian dishes in this guide, 43 are keto as served.
Is Colombian food keto-friendly?
Keto Atlas rates Colombian food "Hostile" for keto. Colombian cuisine is highly challenging for keto dieters due to its foundational reliance on high-carb staples.
What Colombian dishes should I avoid on keto?
Arepas, empanadas, rice, potatoes (papas), plantains (plátanos), yuca, and most traditional soups or stews are unavoidable carb traps in authentic meals. Dishes to skip include Mondongo (20g), Riñones Salteados (17g) and Sopa de Verduras con Hueso (17g).
How do I order Colombian food keto-style?
Many dishes become keto with one small request. For Sopa de Costilla: say "Sopa de Costilla, please bring only the beef ribs and clear broth. Omit all potatoes, yucca, corn, and other starchy vegetables." For Carne Asada / Bistec a Caballo: say "Carne Asada, grilled plain with salt and pepper. No rice, potatoes, arepa, or plantains. If hogao is served, please put it on the side, and confirm no added sugar."