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.
49 matching dishes
Hamam Mashwi
Grilled Pigeon/Dove
A traditional Iraqi delicacy, whole grilled pigeon or dove, seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and sometimes m…
2 net2 total0 fibre45 protein50 fat650 kcal
Samak Mashwi (Grilled Sea Bream/Bass)
Grilled Fish with Herbs (excluding Masgouf)
A whole grilled fish (such as Sea Bream or Bass), generously seasoned with herbs, lemon, and spices, typically…
2 net3 total1 fibre55 protein50 fat700 kcal
Tihall Mashwi
Grilled Lamb Spleen
A delicacy in Iraqi cuisine, grilled lamb spleen is simply seasoned and cooked over an open flame or pan-fried…
2 net2 total0 fibre45 protein45 fat600 kcal
A'raq 'Asabi Mashwi
Grilled Iraqi Diaphragm/Skirt Steak (Lamb or Beef)
Tender and flavorful, this dish features marinated lamb or beef diaphragm/skirt steak, expertly grilled to ach…
3 net4 total1 fibre70 protein55 fat750 kcal
Kilawi Mashwi
Grilled Lamb/Beef Kidneys
Succulent skewers of marinated lamb or beef kidneys, grilled rapidly to maintain their tender texture and deve…
3 net4 total1 fibre55 protein30 fat580 kcal
Samman Mashwi
Grilled Marinated Quail
Whole quail marinated in a vibrant blend of Iraqi spices, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil, then perfe…
3 net4 total1 fibre60 protein45 fat650 kcal
Baydh al-Kharouf Maqli
Fried Lamb Testicles
A traditional Iraqi delicacy, featuring sliced lamb testicles pan-fried with caramelized onions and a simple b…
4 net6 total2 fibre55 protein40 fat600 kcal
Grilled Lamb Kofta Patties
Spiced ground lamb patties, grilled to perfection, seasoned with finely minced onions, fresh parsley, and a bl…
4 net5 total1 fibre55 protein50 fat700 kcal
Kibda w' Qalb Mashwi
Grilled Lamb/Beef Liver and Heart Skewers
Flavorful skewers of marinated lamb or beef liver and heart, expertly grilled to achieve tender interiors and …
4 net5 total1 fibre60 protein35 fat600 kcal
Khageena
Iraqi Herb and Meat Omelette
A traditional, robust Iraqi omelette, often made with eggs, a generous amount of fresh herbs (such as parsley,…
5 net7 total2 fibre45 protein50 fat650 kcal
Lahm Ma' Noomi Basra
Lamb Stew with Dried Lime
A quintessential Iraqi lamb stew distinguished by the unique tangy and earthy flavor imparted by dried black l…
5 net7 total2 fibre70 protein55 fat780 kcal
Nargisya
Eggs with Spinach and Minced Meat
A flavorful Iraqi dish featuring eggs baked or scrambled with sautéed fresh spinach and spiced minced meat, of…
5 net8 total3 fibre48 protein52 fat680 kcal
Lamb/Beef Sajjiya (Sautéed Lamb/Beef with Vegetables)
Sautéed Lamb/Beef Platter with Onions and Peppers
Tender slices or small cubes of lamb or beef, quickly sautéed on a hot 'saj' (or pan) with onions, colorful be…
7 net10 total3 fibre60 protein45 fat700 kcal
Dajaj Bil Forn
Baked Chicken with Aromatics
Succulent chicken pieces (often thighs and drumsticks, skin-on) marinated in traditional Iraqi spices, lemon j…
9 net12 total3 fibre100 protein90 fat1330 kcal
KAsoon
Zubaidi Mashwi
Grilled Pomfret
A whole Pomfret fish, a prized fish in Iraqi cuisine, seasoned simply with salt, black pepper, and often a tou…
1 net1 total0 fibre70 protein32 fat580 kcal
KAsoon
Bayd al-Samak Mashwi
Grilled Fish Roe
Fresh fish roe, typically from carp or other large freshwater fish common in Iraqi rivers, is carefully season…
2 net2 total0 fibre30 protein28 fat380 kcal
KAsoon
Khashab
Grilled Lamb Skewers with Fat
Succulent chunks of lamb meat and lamb fat, expertly threaded onto skewers and grilled over charcoal until ten…
2 net3 total1 fibre60 protein55 fat750 kcal
KAsoon
Qalb Mashwi
Grilled Lamb Heart
Grilled lamb heart, typically marinated in simple spices like salt, pepper, and sometimes a hint of lemon or s…
2 net2 total0 fibre45 protein32 fat480 kcal
KAsoon
Qawarma bil Baydh
Dried Meat with Eggs
A hearty dish featuring Qawarma, a traditional Iraqi preserved and dried lamb or beef meat (often confit in it…
2 net2 total0 fibre50 protein70 fat850 kcal
KAsoon
Barg Ghanam Mashwi
Grilled Lamb Fillet Skewers
Premium cuts of tender lamb fillet, typically marinated in onion juice, olive oil, and spices, then skewered a…
3 net4 total1 fibre75 protein55 fat780 kcal
KAsoon
Fashit Maqli bil Thoom wal Laymoon
Fried Lamb Tripe with Garlic and Lemon
Pan-fried strips of lamb tripe, cooked until tender yet delightfully chewy, then quickly sautéed with pungent …
3 net3 total0 fibre65 protein35 fat600 kcal
KAsoon
Sheshwet Kibda
Skewered Lamb Liver
Small cubes of fresh lamb liver marinated simply with spices and olive oil, then skewered and grilled or pan-f…
3 net4 total1 fibre55 protein38 fat580 kcal
KAsoon
Basterma Platter
Iraqi Cured Beef Platter
Thinly sliced, air-dried, and spiced cured beef, often served as a cold appetizer or part of a mezze spread. B…
4 net5 total1 fibre40 protein30 fat450 kcal
KAsoon
Dajaj bil Zait wa Baharat
Pan-Roasted Chicken with Olive Oil and Spices
Chicken pieces (often bone-in, skin-on thighs or drumsticks) pan-roasted or baked until crispy and tender, gen…
4 net5 total1 fibre60 protein50 fat720 kcal
KAsoon
Kibdat Ghanam Mashwi
Grilled Lamb Liver
Tender slices of fresh lamb liver, marinated simply with salt, black pepper, and sometimes a hint of cumin or …
4 net4 total0 fibre60 protein25 fat480 kcal
KAsoon
Kilawi bil Toum wal Hamod
Lamb Kidneys with Garlic and Lemon Sauce
Sautéed lamb kidneys cooked in a pungent, tangy sauce of fresh garlic, lemon juice, and a hint of fresh herbs.…
4 net5 total1 fibre40 protein42 fat550 kcal
KAsoon
Sheshwet Kibda Dajaj
Grilled Chicken Liver Skewers
Skewers of marinated chicken liver, grilled until slightly crispy on the outside and tender within. These offe…
4 net6 total2 fibre45 protein30 fat480 kcal
KAsoon
Araq Asabi bil Feter
Lamb Intestines Sautéed with Mushrooms
Thoroughly cleaned and prepared lamb intestines (araq asabi) sautéed with fresh mushrooms, onions, and often b…
5 net8 total3 fibre45 protein45 fat600 kcal
KAsoon
Baydh bil Basterma
Eggs with Cured Beef (Basterma)
A hearty breakfast or light meal consisting of eggs fried with slices of intensely spiced and cured beef (bast…
5 net6 total1 fibre35 protein45 fat550 kcal
KAsoon
Kilawi Maqli Ma' Felfel Har
Fried Kidneys with Hot Peppers
Lamb or beef kidneys pan-fried to perfection with a generous amount of fresh hot peppers, garlic, and a hint o…
5 net8 total3 fibre50 protein45 fat620 kcal
KAsoon
Baydh bil Laham wa Sabanekh
Eggs with Sautéed Lamb and Spinach
A hearty and satisfying Iraqi breakfast or light meal, featuring scrambled or fried eggs cooked alongside tend…
6 net10 total4 fibre45 protein45 fat600 kcal
KAsoon
Dajaj bil Toum wal Hamod
Chicken with Garlic and Lemon
Chicken pieces (often bone-in, skin-on) marinated and cooked (roasted or stewed) with abundant garlic, fresh l…
6 net8 total2 fibre65 protein55 fat750 kcal
KAsoon
Kibdat Ghanam Maqli
Fried Lamb Liver
Thin slices of fresh lamb liver quickly fried in oil or ghee until perfectly cooked, often seasoned simply wit…
6 net8 total2 fibre60 protein55 fat780 kcal
KAsoon
Lahm Mafroum bil Baharat wal Baqdounis
Spiced Ground Meat with Herbs (Deconstructed Sanboot)
A rich and savory mixture of spiced ground lamb or beef, sautéed with finely diced onions, fresh garlic, and a…
6 net8 total2 fibre60 protein55 fat750 kcal
KAsoon
Lisan Ghanam bil Thoom wal Laymoon
Lamb Tongue with Garlic and Lemon
Slow-braised or boiled lamb tongue, thinly sliced and then sautéed to perfection with fresh minced garlic, a g…
6 net8 total2 fibre50 protein50 fat680 kcal
KAsoon
Samak bil Zaytoun wal Karnabeet
Baked Fish with Olives and Cauliflower
Fresh fish (e.g., sea bream, cod) baked or pan-fried with a vibrant medley of olives, cauliflower florets, gar…
6 net10 total4 fibre50 protein40 fat600 kcal
KAsoon
Araq 'Asabi Maqli
Fried Beef Tendons with Spices
A unique Iraqi specialty, 'Araq 'Asabi' refers to beef tendons (nerve roots) that are slowly cooked until tend…
7 net10 total3 fibre50 protein55 fat720 kcal
KAsoon
Hamsa Laham bil Shabat (حمسة لحم بالشبت)
Sautéed Lamb/Beef with Dill
Tender pieces of lamb or beef sautéed with abundant fresh dill, onions, garlic, and traditional Iraqi spices. …
7 net10 total3 fibre48 protein50 fat650 kcal
KAsoon
Kusa bil Laham (Dry Sauté)
Zucchini and Ground Meat Sauté
A quick and flavorful sauté of fresh zucchini cubes with seasoned ground lamb or beef, cooked with onions, gar…
7 net11 total4 fibre50 protein48 fat680 kcal
KAsoon
Dajaj bil Toum wal Joz
Chicken with Garlic and Walnuts
Succulent pieces of chicken (often thigh or breast) cooked with a rich sauce of crushed garlic and ground waln…
8 net12 total4 fibre60 protein50 fat700 kcal
KAsoon
Kama bil Laham
Iraqi Truffles with Lamb/Beef
A seasonal delicacy featuring Iraqi desert truffles (kama) sautéed with tender pieces of lamb or beef. The tru…
8 net12 total4 fibre50 protein50 fat700 kcal
KAsoon
Samak Maqli bil Toum wal Hamod
Fried Fish with Garlic and Lemon Sauce
Fresh fish (often a whole fish or thick fillet) lightly seasoned and fried until crispy, then drizzled with a …
8 net10 total2 fibre55 protein50 fat680 kcal
KAsoon
Hamsa Tihall Ghanam
Lamb Spleen Sauté
A rich and savory offal dish featuring lamb spleen. The spleen is diced and sautéed with onions, garlic, and b…
9 net12 total3 fibre55 protein45 fat620 kcal
KAsoon
Kibdat Baqar Ma' Basal wa Sumaq
Iraqi Beef Liver with Onions and Sumac
Tender pieces of beef liver quickly sautéed to perfection with thinly sliced, caramelized onions and a generou…
9 net12 total3 fibre55 protein40 fat630 kcal
KAsoon
Kilawi bil Felfel wal Basal
Lamb Kidneys Sautéed with Bell Peppers and Onions
Tender and flavorful lamb kidneys, expertly sautéed and stir-fried with vibrant bell peppers (often a mix of c…
9 net12 total3 fibre60 protein40 fat650 kcal
KAsoon
Lahm bi Ardi Shoki Hamsa
Sautéed Lamb with Artichoke Hearts
Tender pieces of lamb sautéed with succulent artichoke hearts, garlic, and fresh herbs in olive oil. This dish…
9 net15 total6 fibre55 protein55 fat750 kcal
KAsoon
Shi'aish Ghanam
Slow-Cooked Spiced Lamb Offal (Lungs, Heart, Spleen)
A robust and traditional Iraqi offal dish, 'Shi'aish' typically involves lamb lungs, heart, and spleen, slowly…
9 net12 total3 fibre65 protein65 fat850 kcal
KAsoon
Hamsa Feter bil Laham (حمسة فطر باللحم)
Sautéed Mushrooms with Lamb/Beef
A flavorful and hearty sauté of fresh mushrooms and tender pieces of lamb or beef, cooked with onions, garlic,…
10 net15 total5 fibre50 protein48 fat650 kcal
KAsoon
Samak bil Bandora wal Basal
Baked Fish with Tomatoes and Onions
A whole fish or fish fillets (e.g., seabass, tilapia) baked in the oven with a generous topping of sliced fres…
10 net15 total5 fibre60 protein45 fat700 kcal