Guatemalan keto guide
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1,210 dishes196 keto as served86 with a photo
Keto friendliness
Adapting Guatemalan cuisine to keto is challenging due to the heavy reliance on corn, rice, and beans, requiring significant meal modification.
Top ingredients
Grilled meats (pollo, res, cerdo), avocado, eggs, and specific vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and chayote are good keto foundations.
Danger zones
Explicitly avoid tortillas, tamales, rice, beans, plantains, fruit-based drinks, and be wary of stews potentially thickened with masa or sugar.
Best for
This cuisine works best for experienced, disciplined keto dieters comfortable with custom orders and who prioritize protein and healthy fats over traditional carb-heavy sides.
1,210 dishes · page 1 of 21
Chicharrón
Fried Pork Belly with Lime
Crispy, deep-fried pork belly or pork rinds, seasoned simply with salt. This dish is naturally high in fat and…
0 net0 total0 fibre50 protein75 fat900 kcal
Chicharrónes
Fried Pork Belly (Guatemalan Style)
Crispy, savory pieces of seasoned fried pork belly, a popular and naturally keto-friendly snack or accompanime…
2 net2 total0 fibre60 protein75 fat900 kcal
Chicharrón con Aguacate
Guatemalan Fried Pork Belly with Avocado
Crispy, deep-fried pork belly, often served with a side of fresh avocado. A classic Guatemalan snack or appeti…
3 net8 total5 fibre60 protein75 fat900 kcal
Ensalada de Nopalitos
Cactus Salad
A refreshing salad made from tender cooked nopales (cactus paddles), typically mixed with onions, tomatoes, ci…
4 net10 total6 fibre4 protein18 fat200 kcal
Guacamole con Chicharrones
Guacamole with Pork Rind Dippers
Freshly made guacamole, rich and creamy, traditionally served with tortilla chips. This keto adaptation substi…
4 net12 total8 fibre15 protein55 fat600 kcal
Carne Asada con Ensalada de Aguacate y Vegetales Asados
Grilled Steak with Avocado Salad and Roasted Vegetables
A generous cut of grilled steak, typically sirloin or flank, seasoned with local spices and cooked to perfecti…
5 net12 total7 fibre90 protein75 fat900 kcal
Huevos con Loroco (Keto Modified)
Scrambled Eggs with Loroco Flower (No Tortillas/Beans)
Fluffy scrambled eggs generously mixed with loroco flower, a fragrant edible vine flower with a unique savory …
5 net8 total3 fibre30 protein50 fat600 kcal
Huevos Revueltos con Queso
Scrambled Eggs with Cheese and Keto Sides
Simple and satisfying scrambled eggs cooked with generous portions of cheese, often queso fresco or a mild whi…
5 net6 total1 fibre30 protein50 fat600 kcal
Longaniza
Guatemalan Pork Sausage with Keto Vegetables
Traditional Guatemalan pork sausage, typically flavored with achiote, vinegar, and various herbs and spices. G…
5 net8 total3 fibre45 protein65 fat780 kcal
Pescado a la Plancha
Grilled Fish with Keto Sides
A whole or fillet of fish (often tilapia or snapper), seasoned and grilled on a griddle or direct flame until …
5 net6 total1 fibre70 protein40 fat650 kcal
Pescado Frito (Unbattered)
Pan-Fried Fish with Keto Salad
A whole pan-fried or deep-fried fish (commonly tilapia or snapper), seasoned simply and cooked until the skin …
5 net8 total3 fibre60 protein48 fat700 kcal
Carne Asada
Grilled Steak with Keto Sides
Traditionally grilled, marinated skirt or flank steak, known for its rich savory flavor. This keto-modified ve…
6 net10 total4 fibre60 protein55 fat750 kcal
Carne Asada (Keto Modified)
Grilled Marinated Beef with Guacamole and Keto Sides
Generous portion of thin, marinated grilled beef steak, known for its smoky flavor. Modified to be served with…
6 net12 total6 fibre80 protein65 fat900 kcal
Chirmol
Grilled Tomato Salsa
A fresh and vibrant salsa made from grilled or roasted tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and chiles. It's a versatil…
6 net8 total2 fibre2 protein5 fat80 kcal
Ensalada de Aguacate
Avocado Salad with Olive Oil
A simple, refreshing, and naturally keto-friendly salad. Consisting primarily of sliced or diced ripe avocado,…
6 net18 total12 fibre6 protein45 fat480 kcal
Guacamole con Vegetales
Guacamole with Keto Dippers
Freshly made avocado dip seasoned with diced onion, tomato, cilantro, and lime juice, served with raw low-carb…
6 net18 total12 fibre8 protein45 fat500 kcal
Longanizas con Tomate y Cebolla Asada
Guatemalan Sausages with Grilled Tomato and Onion
Flavorful Guatemalan sausages (often pork, seasoned with herbs like hierbabuena/mint, garlic, and spices), pan…
6 net10 total4 fibre40 protein65 fat750 kcal
Mojarra Frita (Keto Modified)
Whole Fried Tilapia with Keto Salad
A whole fried tilapia, seasoned simply and cooked until crispy. While delicious, it is traditionally served wi…
6 net8 total2 fibre55 protein68 fat850 kcal
Mojarra Frita (Pescado Entero Frito) con Ensalada Verde
Pan-Fried Whole Tilapia with Green Salad
A whole tilapia fish, generously seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic, then pan-fried or deep-fried until th…
6 net10 total4 fibre70 protein65 fat820 kcal
Pescado Frito (Keto Modified)
Fried Whole Fish (No Carbs)
A whole fresh fish (often mojarra or tilapia) seasoned and deep-fried until crispy. Keto-modified by ensuring …
6 net10 total4 fibre75 protein70 fat950 kcal
Pescado Frito (Unbreaded)
Pan-Fried Whole Fish with Keto Sides
A whole pan-fried or grilled fish (often Tilapia or Mojarra) prepared simply with salt and lime, without bread…
6 net10 total4 fibre70 protein60 fat850 kcal
Caldo de Pescado (Keto sin Arroz)
Guatemalan Fish Soup (no rice)
A flavorful and comforting fish broth, often made with whole fish pieces or fish fillets, seasoned with herbs …
7 net10 total3 fibre45 protein25 fat450 kcal
Caldo de Res
Beef Soup with Keto Vegetables
A hearty, deeply flavored beef soup featuring tender chunks of beef (such as short ribs or shank) in a rich, a…
7 net12 total5 fibre50 protein35 fat550 kcal
Longaniza Asada
Grilled Guatemalan Sausage with Keto Sides
Traditional Guatemalan pork sausage, seasoned with herbs and spices, grilled until nicely browned and juicy. T…
7 net8 total1 fibre60 protein60 fat800 kcal
Longanizas a la Parrilla
Grilled Guatemalan Sausages with Keto Sides
Flavorful Guatemalan pork sausages, seasoned with herbs and spices, grilled to perfection and served with keto…
7 net10 total3 fibre50 protein70 fat800 kcal
Longanizas (Keto Modified)
Guatemalan Sausages with Keto Sides
Guatemalan longanizas are fresh pork sausages, typically seasoned with hierbabuena (mint), spices, and sometim…
7 net8 total1 fibre45 protein65 fat780 kcal
Pollo Asado
Grilled Chicken with Keto Sides
Flavorful grilled chicken, typically marinated in a citrusy blend with spices, cooked until tender and juicy. …
7 net12 total5 fibre65 protein45 fat680 kcal
Pollo Asado con Guacamol y Ensalada Verde
Grilled Chicken with Guacamole and Green Salad
Marinated and grilled chicken (often a half chicken or large portions of breast/thigh), prepared with simple h…
7 net15 total8 fibre75 protein65 fat800 kcal
Salpicón de Res (Keto sin Tortillas)
Guatemalan Diced Beef Salad (no tortillas)
A refreshing salad of finely diced cooked beef, mixed with crunchy radishes, fresh mint, cilantro, and red oni…
7 net10 total3 fibre60 protein40 fat650 kcal
Caldo de Res (Keto Modified)
Beef Broth Soup with Keto Vegetables
A hearty and flavorful beef soup, popular for its rich broth and tender chunks of beef. Traditionally, it incl…
8 net14 total6 fibre65 protein38 fat650 kcal
Caldo de Res o Gallina (Keto Modified)
Guatemalan Beef or Chicken Soup (No Starchy Vegetables/Rice)
A hearty and flavorful clear broth soup, rich with tender pieces of beef or chicken and low-carb vegetables. M…
8 net14 total6 fibre70 protein40 fat700 kcal
Churrasco (Keto Modified)
Mixed Grilled Meats with Guacamole and Keto Sides
A platter featuring a variety of grilled meats, typically including beef, chicken, and sometimes chorizo. Keto…
8 net15 total7 fibre100 protein75 fat1100 kcal
Guacamol
Guacamole (no chips)
Freshly made guacamole, a rich and creamy dip featuring ripe avocados mashed with onion, cilantro, tomato, and…
8 net18 total10 fibre5 protein38 fat400 kcal
Kak'ik (Keto Modified)
Traditional Mayan Turkey Soup (No Carbs)
A ceremonial and deeply flavorful Mayan turkey soup or stew, characterized by its vibrant red color from achio…
8 net12 total4 fibre70 protein45 fat750 kcal
Mojarra Frita
Whole Fried Tilapia (with Keto Sides)
A whole fried tilapia, seasoned and cooked until crispy. A popular and flavorful seafood option, served with k…
8 net12 total4 fibre85 protein85 fat1100 kcal
Pechuga a la Plancha
Grilled Chicken Breast with Keto Sides
Plain grilled chicken breast, often lightly seasoned. When modified for keto, it's served with healthy fats li…
8 net12 total4 fibre65 protein60 fat800 kcal
Pescado Entero Asado (Keto, No Carb Sides)
Grilled Whole Fish with Keto Sides
A whole fish, typically tilapia or snapper, seasoned simply and grilled to perfection. The keto version ensure…
8 net14 total6 fibre75 protein45 fat750 kcal
Pescado Frito (Keto con Ensalada)
Fried Whole Fish with Keto Sides
A whole fried fish (commonly Tilapia or a similar white fish), typically served crispy. Modified to be keto-fr…
8 net12 total4 fibre80 protein45 fat750 kcal
Bistec Encebollado
Sautéed Steak and Onions with Keto Sides
Thinly sliced beef steak sautéed with generous amounts of sliced onions until tender and caramelized. A simple…
9 net12 total3 fibre75 protein50 fat750 kcal
Keto Jocón de Pollo
Green Chicken Stew (No Thickener)
A vibrant green chicken stew, where chicken is simmered in a sauce made from tomatillos, cilantro, roasted see…
9 net16 total7 fibre55 protein40 fat650 kcal
Keto Revolcado
Pork Offal Stew (No Thickener)
A rich and robust stew featuring various pork offal (such as liver, heart, kidneys, ear) simmered in a savory,…
9 net15 total6 fibre55 protein40 fat620 kcal
Caldo de Res (Sin Papas, Zanahorias o Maíz)
Beef Broth Soup with Meat and Non-Starchy Vegetables
A hearty and flavorful beef soup, traditionally made with cuts of beef and various vegetables. For a keto diet…
10 net15 total5 fibre60 protein35 fat600 kcal
Chile Relleno (Keto Modified)
Stuffed Poblano Pepper (Keto Style)
Roasted poblano peppers generously stuffed with a savory mixture of ground meat (beef or pork), sometimes vege…
10 net15 total5 fibre50 protein50 fat700 kcal
Churrasco Chapín (Keto, No Carb Sides)
Guatemalan Grilled Meat Platter (Keto Sides)
A classic Guatemalan grilled meat platter featuring various cuts of beef, chicken, or pork, seasoned and cooke…
10 net20 total10 fibre90 protein60 fat900 kcal
Churrasco (Grilled Meats)
Grilled Meat Platter with Avocado and Green Salad
An assortment of perfectly grilled meats (beef, chicken, chorizo) seasoned simply. The focus is on the quality…
10 net18 total8 fibre95 protein95 fat1300 kcal
Churrasco Guatemalteco (Keto Plate)
Guatemalan Mixed Grill with Keto Sides
A generous platter of various grilled meats (e.g., beef steak, chicken, pork sausage) served with selected low…
10 net15 total5 fibre90 protein85 fat1050 kcal
Hilachas (Keto Modified)
Shredded Beef in Tomato Sauce with Keto Sides
A comforting Guatemalan dish of shredded beef simmered in a rich, mild, and savory tomato-based sauce, often w…
10 net15 total5 fibre58 protein50 fat720 kcal
Kak'ik (Keto, No Tamalitos)
Traditional Mayan Turkey Stew (Keto, No Tamalitos)
A vibrant red, traditional Mayan turkey stew known for its complex flavor from roasted chiles, spices, and a c…
10 net18 total8 fibre75 protein40 fat700 kcal
Longanizas y Chorizos Asados (Keto, No Carb Sides)
Grilled Guatemalan Sausages (Keto Sides)
Flavorful Guatemalan sausages (longanizas, typically white pork sausage, or chorizos, red spiced sausage) gril…
10 net15 total5 fibre58 protein68 fat820 kcal
Pacayas Envueltas en Huevo (Flores de Palma en Capa de Huevo)
Pacayas (Palm Flowers) in Egg Batter
Young pacaya palm flowers, which have a distinct, slightly bitter flavor, are blanched and then coated purely …
10 net15 total5 fibre20 protein40 fat500 kcal
Pepián de Pollo o Res (Keto Modified)
Guatemalan Chicken or Beef Stew (Keto Version)
A rich, flavorful stew traditionally made with roasted spices, tomatoes, tomatillos, and chiles. Modified by o…
10 net15 total5 fibre65 protein55 fat800 kcal
Pollo a la Plancha (Keto con Vegetales Asados)
Grilled Chicken with Keto Grilled Vegetables
Simple grilled chicken breast or thigh, often marinated in citrus and spices for flavor. For a keto-friendly m…
10 net15 total5 fibre70 protein45 fat700 kcal
Ceviche de Camarón (Keto sin Galletas)
Guatemalan Shrimp Ceviche (no crackers)
Fresh shrimp 'cooked' in vibrant lime juice, mixed with finely diced tomato, red onion, cilantro, and sometime…
11 net15 total4 fibre50 protein30 fat500 kcal
Fajitas de Pollo o Res (Sin Tortillas)
Chicken or Beef Fajitas (No Tortillas)
Sizzling strips of grilled chicken or beef with bell peppers and onions, served on a hot skillet. While tradit…
11 net15 total4 fibre80 protein50 fat800 kcal
Kaq'ik (Keto Modified)
Spicy Turkey Stew with Keto Vegetables
A flavorful and aromatic turkey stew, traditional to the Maya Q'eqchi' people, known for its deep red color fr…
11 net16 total5 fibre65 protein48 fat700 kcal
Keto Hilachas (Estofado de Res Desmenuzada con Güisquil)
Shredded Beef Stew with Chayote
A keto-friendly adaptation of the beloved Hilachas. Tender shredded beef is simmered in a rich and savory toma…
11 net18 total7 fibre65 protein50 fat700 kcal
Longanizas Asadas (Keto con Cebolla Asada)
Grilled Guatemalan Sausages with Grilled Onions
Savory Guatemalan pork sausages, seasoned with herbs and spices, typically grilled or pan-fried. Served keto-s…
11 net15 total4 fibre55 protein65 fat800 kcal
Adobado de Cerdo (Keto sin Arroz ni Tortillas)
Guatemalan Adobo Pork (no rice/tortillas)
Tender pieces of pork cooked slowly in a rich, savory adobo sauce made from dried chiles, spices, and vinegar.…
12 net18 total6 fibre65 protein55 fat750 kcal
Hilachas
Shredded Beef Stew (without Potatoes)
Tender shredded beef simmered in a rich, slightly tangy tomato and tomatillo-based sauce, often with bell pepp…
12 net18 total6 fibre50 protein40 fat600 kcal
Jocón de Pollo (Keto Version)
Keto Green Chicken Stew
Chicken in a vibrant, tangy green sauce made from miltomates, tomatillos, cilantro, and chiles, modified to ex…
12 net18 total6 fibre55 protein55 fat750 kcal
Questions people ask
What can I eat at a Guatemalan restaurant on keto?
Good orders that are keto as served include Chicharrón (0g net carbs), Chicharrónes (2g net carbs), Chicharrón con Aguacate (3g net carbs), Ensalada de Nopalitos (4g net carbs), Guacamole con Chicharrones (4g net carbs) and Chirmol (6g net carbs). Of the 1,210 Guatemalan dishes in this guide, 196 are keto as served.
Is Guatemalan food keto-friendly?
Keto Atlas rates Guatemalan food "Navigable" for keto. Adapting Guatemalan cuisine to keto is challenging due to the heavy reliance on corn, rice, and beans, requiring significant meal modification.
What Guatemalan dishes should I avoid on keto?
Explicitly avoid tortillas, tamales, rice, beans, plantains, fruit-based drinks, and be wary of stews potentially thickened with masa or sugar. Dishes to skip include Keto Subanik (21g), Keto Pepián (20g), Keto Hilachas (19g) and Keto Jocón (19g).
How do I order Guatemalan food keto-style?
Many dishes become keto with one small request. For Carne Asada con Ensalada de Aguacate y: omit rice, beans, tortillas, and any sugary marinades. Ensure only non-starchy vegetables are served (e.g., no potatoes, corn, plantains). For Huevos con Loroco: explicitly request no tortillas, beans, or plantains. Can ask for extra avocado slices or a side of cheese if available to boost fat.