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.
37 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
Rosto
Iraqi Style Roast Beef/Lamb (without gravy or potatoes)
A classic Iraqi roast, typically beef or lamb, slow-roasted until tender and flavorful, often seasoned simply …
4 net5 total1 fibre60 protein60 fat800 kcal
Samak Maqli
Pan-Fried Fish (unbreaded, with keto sides)
Fresh white fish fillets, seasoned with Iraqi spices and pan-fried to a golden crisp. Modified by ensuring no …
4 net5 total1 fibre60 protein50 fat700 kcal
Shorbat Laham (Clear Lamb Soup)
Clear Lamb Soup
A comforting and nourishing broth-based soup featuring tender chunks of slow-cooked lamb, lightly spiced with …
4 net5 total1 fibre70 protein35 fat600 kcal
Dajaj Mashwi
Iraqi Roasted Chicken with Keto Sides
A whole roasted chicken, marinated with Middle Eastern spices and herbs, cooked until golden brown and tender.…
5 net7 total2 fibre90 protein60 fat950 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
Shish Tawook
Grilled Chicken Skewers
Tender cubes of chicken breast or thigh marinated in yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and Middle Eastern spices, t…
5 net7 total2 fibre60 protein40 fat650 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
Kibbeh Nayyeh (Keto Modified, no bulgur)
Spiced Raw Lamb Tartare
A keto adaptation of the classic Levantine dish, featuring very finely minced fresh lean lamb (or beef), seaso…
3 net5 total2 fibre50 protein38 fat550 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
Haneeth Ghanam (bidoun Timman)
Slow-Cooked Spiced Lamb (Haneeth-style, without rice)
Exquisitely tender lamb, slow-cooked for hours to achieve a fall-off-the-bone texture. Seasoned generously wit…
4 net6 total2 fibre75 protein65 fat900 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
Barg Dajaj Mashwi
Grilled Chicken Fillet/Breast with Keto Sides
Tender, marinated boneless chicken fillet or breast, expertly grilled to perfection. Known for its succulent t…
5 net7 total2 fibre60 protein28 fat520 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
Shorbat Makhlouta (Keto Modified)
Clear Mixed Offal Broth
A hearty, clear broth soup made with various types of lean mixed offal (e.g., small pieces of liver, kidney, h…
5 net7 total2 fibre45 protein28 fat450 kcal