Indian keto guide
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286 dishes87 keto as served133 with a photo
Keto friendliness
Indian cuisine offers many keto-friendly protein and fat bases, but requires careful navigation to avoid ubiquitous carb traps.
Top ingredients
Excellent traditional keto ingredients include various meats (chicken, lamb, goat, fish), paneer, eggs, ghee, coconut milk, and low-carb vegetables like spinach, cauliflower, and eggplant.
Danger zones
Beware of all breads (naan, roti), rice, lentils (dal), chickpeas, potatoes, sugary marinades, starchy curry thickeners, and fried snacks like pakoras or samosas.
Best for
This cuisine is best for high-protein, high-fat keto dieters who enjoy rich flavors and are adept at modifying restaurant orders.
What to drink
Drinks you will see at Indian restaurants, cafés and stalls, rated the same way as the food.
Order these
- KetoSpiced Buttermilk chaas (छाछ) · 4g net carbs as usually served
- KetoKokum Coconut Drink sol kadhi · 5g net carbs as usually served
- Ask firstKashmiri Kahwa kahwa · 8g net carbs as usually servedAsk for no sugar or honey.
- Ask firstSalted Lassi namkeen lassi (नमकीन लस्सी) · 8g net carbs as usually servedSay 'namkeen' (salted). Plain 'lassi' often means sweet.
- Ask firstCumin Water jaljeera (जलजीरा) · 10g net carbs as usually servedAsk whether it's made without sugar. Fresh-made beats packet mix.
- Ask firstSouth Indian Filter Coffee filter kaapi · 12g net carbs as usually servedAsk for it 'without sugar' when you order. It's usually pre-sweetened.
- Ask firstMasala Chai masala chai (मसाला चाय) · 14g net carbs as usually servedAsk for it 'bina cheeni' (without sugar) before it's made. The milk still adds about 4g.
- Ask firstLime Water nimbu pani (नींबू पानी) · 20g net carbs as usually servedAsk for it 'sirf namak' (salt only).
- Ask firstFresh Lime Soda · 22g net carbs as usually servedOrder it 'salted'. You'll be asked: sweet, salted or mixed.
Skip these
- SkipAlmond Milk Drink badam milk · 28g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order chaas instead.
- SkipSpiced Milk with Nuts thandai (ठंडाई) · 30g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order chaas instead.
- SkipRaw Mango Drink aam panna · 30g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order nimbu pani, salt only instead.
- SkipSweet Lassi meethi lassi · 40g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order salted lassi or chaas instead.
- SkipMango Lassi aam lassi · 45g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order salted lassi or chaas instead.
- SkipFalooda · 60g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order chaas instead.
18 matching dishes
Mooli Bhurji
Spiced Radish Scramble
Grated daikon radish (mooli) stir-fried with minimal onions, green chilies, ginger, and a light seasoning of t…
5 net10 total5 fibre5 protein23 fat280 kcal
Kachumber Salad
Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad
A refreshing Indian side salad made with finely diced cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions, often seasoned with sal…
6 net10 total4 fibre3 protein10 fat120 kcal
Karela Fry (Dry)
Dry Stir-fried Bitter Gourd
Thinly sliced bitter gourd (karela) stir-fried until tender-crisp with minimal onions, green chilies, and a bl…
6 net12 total6 fibre6 protein30 fat350 kcal
Mushroom Tikka
Grilled Marinated Mushrooms
Fresh button mushrooms marinated in a spiced yogurt blend with ginger, garlic, and red chili, then grilled in …
7 net10 total3 fibre8 protein20 fat250 kcal
Tinda Masala (Dry)
Dry Spiced Indian Round Gourd
Tender Indian round gourds (tinda) cooked dry with a medley of aromatic spices, a small amount of onions and t…
7 net13 total6 fibre7 protein28 fat320 kcal
Cabbage Thoran
South Indian Dry Cabbage Stir-fry
A simple and nutritious South Indian dry side dish where finely shredded cabbage is stir-fried with mustard se…
8 net15 total7 fibre8 protein35 fat400 kcal
Drumstick Podi / Muringakkai Thoran
South Indian Drumstick Stir-fry with Coconut
A nutrient-dense South Indian dry stir-fry made with drumsticks (moringa pods), grated coconut, mustard seeds,…
9 net15 total6 fibre8 protein30 fat330 kcal
Methi Sabzi (Dry)
Dry Fenugreek Leaves Stir-fry
A healthy North Indian dry preparation of fresh fenugreek leaves (methi) stir-fried with minimal onions, ginge…
9 net15 total6 fibre10 protein30 fat330 kcal
Raita (Cucumber and Mint Yogurt Dip)
Cucumber and Mint Yogurt Dip
A cooling yogurt-based accompaniment, this version features grated cucumber and fresh mint, blended into cream…
9 net10 total1 fibre10 protein13 fat180 kcal
Bhindi Fry (Dry)
Dry Okra Stir-fry (no carb sides)
Sliced okra (bhindi) sautéed or stir-fried with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and a mix of Indian spices u…
10 net18 total8 fibre10 protein40 fat480 kcal
Green Bean Poriyal / Beans Thoran
South Indian Green Bean Stir-fry with Coconut
A simple and delicious South Indian dry stir-fry made with fresh green beans, grated coconut, mustard seeds, c…
10 net17 total7 fibre10 protein30 fat350 kcal
KAsoon
Lahsooni Palak
Garlic Spinach Stir-fry
Fresh spinach leaves sautéed with generous amounts of garlic, green chilies, and basic spices like cumin and t…
4 net8 total4 fibre5 protein22 fat250 kcal
KAsoon
Malai Broccoli
Creamy Tandoori Broccoli
Fresh broccoli florets generously coated in a rich, creamy marinade made with yogurt, fresh cream, grated pane…
6 net12 total6 fibre18 protein45 fat500 kcal
KAsoon
Olan
Kerala White Gourd and Coconut Milk Stew
A very mild, light, and subtly flavored stew from Kerala. It typically features white gourd (ash gourd) and so…
6 net10 total4 fibre5 protein32 fat350 kcal
KAsoon
Shimla Mirch Sabzi (Dry)
Dry Bell Pepper Stir-fry
A simple and flavorful dry stir-fry of bell peppers (capsicum) with minimal onions (optional), tomatoes (optio…
7 net12 total5 fibre4 protein24 fat280 kcal
KAsoon
Parwal Sabzi (Dry)
Pointed Gourd Dry Fry
A simple, flavorful dry stir-fry of pointed gourd (parwal) with onions, tomatoes, and aromatic Indian spices. …
8 net12 total4 fibre5 protein28 fat300 kcal
KAsoon
Tendli Fry / Tindora Fry
Dry Ivy Gourd Stir-Fry
A simple yet delicious dry stir-fry made with tendli (ivy gourd or little gourd), cut into thin rounds and sau…
8 net15 total7 fibre6 protein32 fat380 kcal
KAsoon
Karela Bhurji
Bitter Gourd Scramble with Onions
A simple and rustic dry preparation of bitter gourd (karela), stir-fried or scrambled with onions and basic In…
10 net20 total10 fibre10 protein38 fat425 kcal