Iraqi keto guide
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262 dishes145 keto as served105 with a photo
Keto friendliness
Adapting Iraqi cuisine to keto requires constant vigilance against pervasive carb staples, making an authentic full meal challenging without significant modifications.
Top ingredients
Excellent options include grilled lamb, beef, chicken, and fish (like Masgouf), along with full-fat yogurt, olive oil, and non-starchy vegetables such as eggplant, okra, and tomatoes.
Danger zones
The biggest carb traps are ubiquitous rice (biryani, timman), bulgur (kibbeh, tabouleh), all forms of bread (khubz, pita), and hidden sugars in sauces or desserts.
Best for
This cuisine works best for strict keto dieters who are confident requesting modifications, comfortable focusing solely on grilled meats and select vegetables, and willing to forgo traditional starchy accompaniments.
39 matching dishes
Liyat Ghanam Mashwi
Grilled Lamb Fat/Tail
Grilled pieces of pure lamb fat, specifically from the tail (fat-tail sheep), often seasoned simply with salt …
1 net1 total0 fibre15 protein110 fat1050 kcal
Bayd al-Samak Maqli
Pan-Fried Fish Roe
A delicate and rich Iraqi delicacy featuring fish roe, commonly from carp or other freshwater fish, lightly se…
2 net2 total0 fibre40 protein60 fat700 kcal
Mandaar Matbukh
Boiled Lamb's Head
A traditional and rich dish featuring a boiled lamb's head, cooked until very tender. Often seasoned with mini…
2 net3 total1 fibre70 protein70 fat900 kcal
Mokh Maqli
Pan-Fried Lamb Brain
A delicate and rich dish of lamb brain, carefully cleaned and pan-fried with garlic, lemon juice, and aromatic…
3 net4 total1 fibre45 protein68 fat780 kcal
Qawarma
Iraqi Sautéed Preserved Lamb/Beef
A traditional Iraqi dish of sautéed lamb or beef, often made from meat previously preserved in its own fat (re…
3 net4 total1 fibre58 protein85 fat950 kcal
Ra's Ghanam Matbukh
Boiled Lamb Head
Tender lamb head, slow-boiled for hours with aromatic spices until the meat is incredibly soft and falling off…
3 net3 total0 fibre75 protein65 fat850 kcal
Rakabet Ghanam Matbukh
Boiled Lamb Neck
Tender lamb neck, slow-boiled or gently stewed in water with simple spices until falling off the bone. Rich in…
3 net4 total1 fibre60 protein80 fat950 kcal
Bat Mashwi
Grilled Marinated Duck
Succulent whole duck, generously marinated in a rich blend of Middle Eastern spices, citrus, and garlic, then …
4 net5 total1 fibre70 protein65 fat900 kcal
Mokh Bil Baydh
Sautéed Lamb Brain with Scrambled Eggs
A distinct and highly prized Iraqi delicacy, featuring tender lamb brain meticulously sautéed with onions and …
4 net5 total1 fibre40 protein65 fat800 kcal
Pacha
Lamb's Head, Trotters & Tripe Soup
A very traditional and hearty Iraqi soup made from slow-cooked lamb's head, trotters (feet), and tripe, simmer…
4 net5 total1 fibre85 protein70 fat950 kcal
Wazz Mashwi
Grilled Marinated Goose
A whole goose, seasoned with a robust blend of aromatic Iraqi spices, fresh lemon, and olive oil, then grilled…
4 net5 total1 fibre80 protein85 fat1100 kcal
Halloumi Mashwi
Grilled Halloumi Cheese
Thick slices of salty halloumi cheese grilled until golden brown with a slightly crispy exterior and a soft, c…
5 net5 total0 fibre35 protein45 fat520 kcal
Kilawi Maqli
Pan-fried Lamb Kidneys
Lamb kidneys, typically pan-fried with onions, garlic, and traditional Iraqi spices until tender and slightly …
5 net7 total2 fibre45 protein42 fat580 kcal
Kura' Maqli
Pan-fried Lamb Testicles
Lamb testicles, a delicacy in Iraqi cuisine, are typically pan-fried with onions, garlic, and a blend of savor…
5 net7 total2 fibre45 protein45 fat600 kcal
Lahm Bil Dehen
Lamb/Beef Slow-Cooked in Fat
Tender chunks of lamb or beef, typically from the shoulder or shank, slow-cooked in its own rendered fat and a…
5 net7 total2 fibre70 protein75 fat950 kcal
Dajaj Bil Dehen
Chicken Slow-Cooked in Fat
A traditional Iraqi dish of chicken pieces (often bone-in, skin-on) slow-cooked until exceptionally tender in …
6 net8 total2 fibre65 protein65 fat850 kcal
Baydh Wa Tamata (Eggs with Tomatoes)
Eggs with Tomatoes
A simple yet satisfying Iraqi breakfast or light meal of eggs cooked with fresh diced tomatoes, often with sau…
7 net10 total3 fibre20 protein38 fat450 kcal
Fried Eggs with Iraqi Sujuk
Fried Eggs with Iraqi Sausage
A popular Iraqi breakfast or light meal consisting of eggs fried to your preference, served alongside pan-frie…
7 net8 total1 fibre40 protein50 fat650 kcal
Kaliya Laham
Simple Sautéed Lamb/Beef with Onions
A straightforward and hearty Iraqi dish featuring tender pieces of lamb or beef, simply sautéed in a generous …
7 net8 total1 fibre75 protein96 fat1240 kcal
KAsoon
Baydh bil Samn (بيض بالدهن الحر)
Fried Eggs Cooked in Ghee
A classic Iraqi breakfast or light meal consisting of eggs fried generously in authentic Iraqi ghee (clarified…
2 net2 total0 fibre18 protein40 fat450 kcal
KAsoon
Jubna Maqli
Fried White Cheese
A straightforward and delightful Iraqi dish consisting of slices of firm, often salty, white cheese (such as N…
3 net3 total0 fibre25 protein40 fat480 kcal
KAsoon
Mokh Maqli bil Baydh wal Thoom
Lamb Brain Sautéed with Eggs and Garlic
A unique and rich Iraqi delicacy featuring tender lamb brain, delicately pan-fried and quickly sautéed with sc…
3 net4 total1 fibre45 protein70 fat800 kcal
KAsoon
Salat Mokh
Iraqi Brain Salad
A distinctive and rich cold salad made from tender, cooked lamb or beef brains, typically seasoned with lemon …
3 net5 total2 fibre30 protein70 fat750 kcal
KAsoon
Baydh bil Dihin wal Thoom
Eggs with Ghee and Garlic
A simple yet profoundly flavorful Iraqi breakfast or light meal consisting of eggs (fried or scrambled) cooked…
4 net4 total0 fibre22 protein45 fat500 kcal
KAsoon
Mokh Matbukh ma' Baharat
Braised Lamb Brains with Spices
Delicately braised lamb brains, simmered until tender and then seasoned with a robust blend of Iraqi spices su…
4 net5 total1 fibre35 protein50 fat600 kcal
KAsoon
Qawarma bil Joz
Preserved Lamb with Walnuts
A rich and indulgent dish featuring Qawarma, which is slow-cooked, rendered, and preserved lamb meat, sautéed …
4 net6 total2 fibre50 protein58 fat700 kcal
KAsoon
Shankalish
Iraqi Aged Spiced Cheese (Mezze)
A distinct aged and spiced cheese, often made from labneh (strained yogurt) or fresh cheese, then coated in va…
4 net6 total2 fibre15 protein35 fat400 kcal
KAsoon
Shorbat Nukh'a
Bone Marrow Soup
A deeply nourishing and flavorful soup made from slowly simmered beef or lamb bones, specifically rich in bone…
4 net5 total1 fibre25 protein45 fat550 kcal
KAsoon
Ghaimaq
Iraqi Clotted Cream
A rich, thick, and luxurious clotted cream, traditionally served for breakfast. Made from buffalo or cow milk,…
5 net5 total0 fibre3 protein48 fat450 kcal
KAsoon
Shish Mokh
Grilled Brain Skewers
Tender pieces of lamb or beef brain, seasoned and grilled on skewers. A delicacy in Iraqi cuisine, offering a …
5 net5 total0 fibre30 protein50 fat600 kcal
KAsoon
Lahm Bil Tahini
Baked Lamb with Tahini
Tender pieces of lamb (or beef) slow-baked in a rich, creamy, and tangy tahini sauce with lemon, garlic, and s…
6 net10 total4 fibre60 protein60 fat800 kcal
KAsoon
Dukhos Laham Matbukh
Slow-Cooked Shredded Lamb with Spices
A traditional Iraqi dish, particularly from the south, featuring lamb or goat meat cooked until extremely tend…
7 net8 total1 fibre70 protein88 fat1150 kcal
KAsoon
Helba bi Laham
Fenugreek Stew with Lamb/Beef
A unique and aromatic Iraqi stew featuring tender lamb or beef cooked with fresh or dried fenugreek leaves, of…
7 net12 total5 fibre48 protein55 fat700 kcal
KAsoon
Lahm Ma' Fawaregh Matbukha
Stewed Lamb Tripe
A very authentic and robust Iraqi stew featuring well-cleaned and tender lamb tripe (stomach lining), slow-coo…
8 net10 total2 fibre45 protein60 fat750 kcal
KAsoon
Ma'ajin Kibda
Iraqi Spiced Liver Paste/Spread
A rich and savory spread made from cooked lamb or beef liver, often blended with onions, garlic, and a blend o…
8 net10 total2 fibre40 protein45 fat600 kcal
KAsoon
Mokh Bil Baydh wa Baharat
Lamb Brain Scramble with Eggs and Spices
A unique and rich Iraqi specialty featuring tender lamb brain, carefully cleaned and prepared, then sautéed wi…
8 net10 total2 fibre35 protein55 fat650 kcal
KAsoon
Kibda Qawarma
Sautéed Liver with Preserved Meat
A rich, savory Iraqi dish featuring pan-fried lamb or beef liver sautéed with qawarma (rendered, spiced preser…
9 net12 total3 fibre55 protein55 fat750 kcal
KAsoon
Mokh Maqli bil Joz wal Karfas
Fried Brain Scramble with Walnuts and Celery
A unique Iraqi delicacy featuring lamb or beef brain, lightly pan-fried or scrambled with crunchy chopped waln…
10 net15 total5 fibre35 protein75 fat850 kcal
KAsoon
Ras Samak Matbukh
Fish Head Stew
A rich and savory stew made from fish heads, simmered with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and a blend of Iraqi spic…
10 net15 total5 fibre45 protein45 fat620 kcal