Egyptian keto guide
Navigable
100 dishes50 keto as served100 with a photo
Keto friendliness
Adapting Egyptian cuisine to keto requires strict avoidance of staple starches and careful selection of protein-focused dishes.
Top ingredients
Grilled meats (kofta, kebab, shish taouk), fish, eggs, some cheeses, tahini, and non-starchy vegetables are excellent traditional keto choices.
Danger zones
The ubiquitous aish baladi (bread), rice, koshary, ful medames (fava beans), ta'ameya (falafel), and mahshi (stuffed vegetables with rice) are major carb traps.
Best for
This cuisine is best for disciplined keto dieters comfortable with custom orders and who prioritize grilled meats, simple salads, and plain protein over traditional carb-heavy staples.
25 matching dishes
نخاع مشوي / محمر
Roasted/Pan-fried Bone Marrow
Luxurious bone marrow, typically roasted in the bone or pan-fried, seasoned simply with salt and pepper. A hig…
1 net1 total0 fibre15 protein80 fat800 kcal
بطارخ
Salted Fish Roe
A highly prized delicacy of cured and salted fish roe (most commonly from mullet), typically served thinly sli…
1 net1 total0 fibre25 protein30 fat400 kcal
لسان محمر
Fried Beef Tongue
Beef tongue is first boiled until very tender, then peeled and sliced. The slices are then pan-fried in butter…
2 net2 total0 fibre55 protein65 fat800 kcal
كوارع محمرة
Fried Cow's Trotters
Tender, slow-cooked cow's trotters, then pan-fried or deep-fried until golden and crispy, often seasoned with …
2 net3 total1 fibre50 protein65 fat800 kcal
أرنب محمر
Fried Rabbit
Tender rabbit pieces, often pre-boiled for tenderness, then pan-fried or deep-fried until golden and crispy. T…
2 net3 total1 fibre60 protein55 fat750 kcal
مخ مشوي
Grilled Beef Brain
Beef brain is carefully cleaned, pre-boiled, and then grilled or pan-seared, often with lemon and garlic. It o…
2 net2 total0 fibre35 protein55 fat650 kcal
بيض مدحرج
Hard-boiled Eggs Fried in Butter/Ghee
Hard-boiled eggs peeled and then fried in abundant butter or ghee until golden brown and crispy on the outside…
2 net2 total0 fibre24 protein42 fat480 kcal
بط محمر
Roasted Duck (Plain)
Whole roasted duck, usually seasoned simply with salt and pepper, cooked until the skin is crispy and the meat…
2 net2 total0 fibre65 protein75 fat950 kcal
أوز محمر
Roasted Goose
Whole roasted goose, known for its rich, succulent, and fatty meat with crispy skin, often seasoned simply wit…
2 net2 total0 fibre70 protein80 fat1000 kcal
شوربة كوارع
Cow's Trotters Soup
A deeply traditional, comforting, and highly gelatinous soup made from cow's trotters slow-cooked with aromati…
3 net3 total0 fibre40 protein45 fat600 kcal
ريش ضاني مشوية
Grilled Lamb Chops
Succulent lamb chops, typically marinated in a simple blend of onions, spices, and sometimes a touch of vinega…
3 net4 total1 fibre65 protein65 fat850 kcal
بط مطبوخ
Braised/Stewed Duck
Tender pieces of duck, slow-braised until exceptionally tender in a savory broth with aromatics like onions, c…
4 net6 total2 fibre65 protein60 fat780 kcal
مخاصي
Fried Lamb Testicles (Makhasy)
Lamb testicles, typically sautéed or pan-fried with garlic, bell peppers, and spices, served as a rich and fla…
4 net5 total1 fibre40 protein50 fat650 kcal
عكاوي محمرة
Roasted Oxtail
Oxtail pieces are slow-cooked until very tender, then often finished by roasting or pan-frying to create a cri…
4 net5 total1 fibre70 protein68 fat900 kcal
مخ مقلي
Fried Brain (Beef/Lamb)
Beef or lamb brain, typically boiled, sliced, then pan-fried with garlic, chili, and spices until crispy. A de…
5 net6 total1 fibre45 protein80 fat950 kcal
سقطة مقلية
Pan-fried Sweetbreads
Delicately pan-fried calf or lamb sweetbreads (thymus gland), prepared simply with onions, garlic, and a blend…
6 net9 total3 fibre50 protein58 fat720 kcal
طرب
Tarb (Grilled Kofta Wrapped in Lamb Fat)
An authentic Egyptian delicacy consisting of seasoned minced lamb or beef, mixed with onions and parsley, then…
6 net8 total2 fibre55 protein58 fat750 kcal
جبنة بالطماطم
White Cheese with Tomato and Olive Oil
A simple, popular Egyptian breakfast or side dish featuring fresh white cheese (often similar to feta or a sof…
6 net8 total2 fibre20 protein32 fat380 kcal
جبنة قديمة مع طماطم وفلفل
Aged Egyptian Cheese (Mesh) with Tomatoes and Peppers
A traditional Egyptian aged, fermented white cheese (mesh) known for its sharp, salty flavor. It's typically s…
7 net9 total2 fibre22 protein35 fat400 kcal
بابا غنوج
Baba Ghanoush (Smoked Eggplant Dip)
A classic Middle Eastern dip made from fire-roasted and mashed eggplant, blended with tahini (sesame paste), f…
7 net15 total8 fibre5 protein32 fat350 kcal
شوربة فنجار
Creamy Mushroom Soup
A rich and comforting Egyptian-style creamy mushroom soup, typically made with a generous amount of fresh mush…
7 net10 total3 fibre10 protein40 fat450 kcal
قشطة بلدي
Local Clotted Cream
A thick, rich, and creamy clotted cream made from full-fat buffalo or cow's milk, similar to Devonshire cream.…
7 net7 total0 fibre5 protein45 fat450 kcal
غيمة
Braised Brain with Eggs & Tomato
A rich and unique Egyptian dish, featuring tender braised lamb or beef brain, often cooked in a savory tomato-…
8 net12 total4 fibre30 protein50 fat600 kcal
طحينة سائلة
Creamy Tahini Dip
A rich, creamy, and nutty dip made from ground sesame paste (tahini), typically emulsified with lemon juice, g…
10 net15 total5 fibre12 protein35 fat380 kcal
زبادي بلدي كامل الدسم
Full-Fat Plain Egyptian Yogurt
Traditional homemade-style full-fat plain yogurt (Laban Zabad), typically thick, creamy, and tangy. It's often…
10 net10 total0 fibre15 protein20 fat250 kcal