Mexican keto guide
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435 dishes132 keto as served129 with a photo
Keto friendliness
Mexican cuisine is highly adaptable for keto by focusing on grilled meats and fresh toppings while avoiding core starches.
Top ingredients
Grilled meats (carne asada, pollo asado), cheese, avocado, crema, salsa verde, onions, cilantro, and radishes are excellent keto staples.
Danger zones
Explicitly avoid corn tortillas, flour tortillas, rice, all beans, sugary marinades (e.g., some al pastor), and sweet beverages like horchata.
Best for
This cuisine works best for keto dieters prioritizing high protein and can easily be modified for higher fat intake with added cheese, avocado, and sour cream.
What to drink
Drinks you will see at Mexican restaurants, cafés and stalls, rated the same way as the food.
Order these
- KetoMineral Water with Lime agua mineral con limón · 1g net carbs as usually served
- Ask firstCucumber Lime Water agua de pepino con limón · 20g net carbs as usually servedAsk for it 'sin azúcar' (no sugar). Places that blend to order can usually do it.
- Ask firstChia Lime Water agua de chía con limón · 20g net carbs as usually servedAsk for it 'sin azúcar'.
- Ask firstGreen Juice jugo verde · 20g net carbs as usually servedAsk for it 'sin piña, sin naranja' (no pineapple, no orange) so it's mostly cactus, celery, cucumber and parsley.
- Ask firstSparkling Limeade limonada mineral · 25g net carbs as usually servedAsk for it 'sin azúcar' and add extra lime.
Skip these
- SkipPot Coffee café de olla · 18g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order café americano instead.
- SkipTepache · 25g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order agua mineral con limón instead.
- SkipFruit Agua Fresca agua fresca de fruta · 28g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order agua mineral con limón instead.
- SkipHibiscus Water agua de jamaica · 30g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order agua mineral con limón instead.
- SkipMexican Hot Chocolate chocolate caliente · 30g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order café americano with cream instead.
- SkipAtole · 30g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order café americano instead.
- SkipTamarind Water agua de tamarindo · 35g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order agua mineral con limón instead.
- SkipMexican Fruit Soda refresco de sabor · 37g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order agua mineral con limón instead.
- SkipChampurrado · 40g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order café americano with cream instead.
- SkipFruit Milk Smoothie licuado · 45g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order café americano with a splash of milk instead.
- SkipHorchata · 50g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order agua mineral con limón instead.
- SkipTejuino · 50g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order agua mineral con limón instead.
380 matching dishes · page 1 of 7
Pescado Frito Entero (Keto, Sin Acompañamientos)
Whole Fried Fish (Keto, No Sides)
A whole fish (e.g., Red Snapper, Tilapia) deep-fried until crispy golden brown, seasoned simply with salt and …
1 net2 total1 fibre80 protein65 fat900 kcal
Tripas Fritas
Crispy Fried Beef Intestines (served as a plate)
Beef intestines meticulously cleaned, boiled until tender, then fried until crispy and golden. A texture and f…
1 net1 total0 fibre50 protein65 fat800 kcal
Cabrito al Pastor
Roasted Goat Meat (Keto, No Sides)
Young goat slow-roasted on a spit (al pastor style), often marinated simply with lime, salt, and spices, resul…
2 net2 total0 fibre70 protein50 fat750 kcal
Mollejas de Res Salteadas (Keto)
Sautéed Beef Sweetbreads (Keto)
Pan-fried or sautéed beef sweetbreads (thymus gland) seasoned simply with salt and pepper, often served with l…
2 net2 total0 fibre45 protein65 fat780 kcal
Suadero
Rose Meat/Brisket served in Lettuce Wraps or Cheese Shells (served as a plate)
A unique cut of beef, often from the lower brisket or flank, characterized by its tender texture and rich flav…
2 net3 total1 fibre60 protein50 fat700 kcal
Chapulines con Ajo y Chile (Keto)
Garlic and Chili Grasshoppers (Keto)
Toasted or fried grasshoppers seasoned with garlic, lime, and chile (often chile de árbol or ancho). They offe…
3 net5 total2 fibre45 protein25 fat400 kcal
Machitos de Chivo Asados
Grilled Goat Intestines (Keto)
A flavorful and rich dish of grilled goat intestines, often wrapped around specific glands or organs. They are…
3 net5 total2 fibre55 protein70 fat850 kcal
Tuétano Asado (con Guarnición Keto)
Roasted Bone Marrow (with Keto Sides)
Beef bone marrow roasted until tender and spoonable, often seasoned simply with salt and pepper. It's an incre…
3 net5 total2 fibre20 protein70 fat700 kcal
Chamorro de Cerdo (Keto)
Braised Pork Shank (Keto)
Slow-braised pork shank, cooked until incredibly tender and falling off the bone, often seasoned simply with h…
4 net5 total1 fibre75 protein55 fat800 kcal
Chicharrón Platter con Salsa Fresca y Aguacate
Pork Rind Platter with Fresh Salsa and Avocado
A generous platter of crispy, seasoned pork rinds (chicharrón) served with fresh pico de gallo or salsa verde …
4 net8 total4 fibre35 protein55 fat650 kcal
Costillas de Puerco Ahumadas (Dry Rubbed)
Smoked Pork Ribs (with Keto Sides)
Slow-smoked pork ribs, typically seasoned with a savory dry rub and cooked until fall-off-the-bone tender. A r…
4 net6 total2 fibre70 protein75 fat900 kcal
Sesos a la Mantequilla
Butter-Fried Beef Brains (with Keto Sides)
Tender beef brains, lightly seasoned and pan-fried or sautéed generously in butter and garlic, often served wi…
4 net5 total1 fibre25 protein65 fat700 kcal
Sopa de Médula
Bone Marrow Soup (Keto)
A rich and savory broth made from beef bones, deeply flavored, with generous portions of luscious, gelatinous …
4 net5 total1 fibre25 protein50 fat600 kcal
Cabrito Asado (Keto)
Roasted Kid Goat (with Keto Sides)
Young goat (kid) slow-roasted until exceptionally tender, often simply seasoned with salt and spices to highli…
5 net8 total3 fibre100 protein75 fat1100 kcal
Camarones al Mojo de Ajo
Garlic Shrimp
Succulent shrimp sautéed in a generous amount of butter and garlic, often with a hint of lime and cilantro. Th…
5 net6 total1 fibre55 protein65 fat800 kcal
Chiles Toreados
Fried Chilies with Onion
Whole serrano or jalapeño peppers blistered and fried in oil, often with sliced onions, seasoned with salt. A …
5 net8 total3 fibre2 protein25 fat250 kcal
Codorniz al Mojo de Ajo
Quail in Garlic Butter Sauce (Keto, with Low-Carb Sides)
Whole quail pan-fried or gently braised in a flavorful sauce rich with garlic, butter, and a hint of lime. The…
5 net8 total3 fibre45 protein65 fat800 kcal
Codorniz Asada (Keto)
Grilled Quail (with Keto Sides)
Whole or half quail marinated in simple spices (often citrus, garlic, herbs) and grilled until tender and slig…
5 net7 total2 fibre65 protein50 fat700 kcal
Escamoles a la Mantequilla (Keto)
Mexican Caviar (Ant Larvae) in Butter (Keto)
A pre-Hispanic delicacy, ant larvae sautéed in butter with epazote, onion, and serrano chile. They have a deli…
5 net7 total2 fibre30 protein45 fat550 kcal
Huazontles con Queso (Sin Capear)
Sautéed Huazontles with Cheese (No Breading)
A traditional Mexican plant (Chenopodium nuttalliae), similar to broccoli florets, sautéed with onions and gar…
5 net10 total5 fibre20 protein25 fat350 kcal
Sesos Guisados (Keto, sin Tortilla)
Braised Beef Brains (Keto, served with a lettuce wrap option)
Tender beef brains braised in a savory, aromatic sauce, typically made with tomatoes, onions, and chiles. A ri…
5 net7 total2 fibre40 protein65 fat780 kcal
Almejas al Ajillo (Keto, sin Arroz ni Pan)
Clams with Garlic and Guajillo (Keto, without Rice or Bread)
Fresh clams sautéed in olive oil with thinly sliced garlic and dried guajillo chilies, often finished with a s…
6 net7 total1 fibre35 protein30 fat450 kcal
Birria de Res
Spiced Beef Stew
A savory and slightly spicy beef stew, slow-cooked until incredibly tender in a rich broth made from dried chi…
6 net9 total3 fibre70 protein50 fat750 kcal
Borrego Tatemado
Roasted Lamb Tatemado (Keto, with Low-Carb Sides)
Tender, slow-roasted lamb, traditionally cooked in a pit (tatemado refers to the roasting process, often smoky…
6 net10 total4 fibre65 protein80 fat1000 kcal
Calamares al Ajillo (Keto)
Garlic Squid (Keto)
Tender squid rings and tentacles quickly sautéed in olive oil with generous amounts of sliced garlic, dried ch…
6 net8 total2 fibre60 protein40 fat600 kcal
Caldo Tlalpeño (Sin Garbanzos ni Arroz)
Keto Tlalpeño Soup (Chicken and Avocado)
A flavorful chicken broth-based soup with shredded chicken, diced avocado, Oaxaca cheese, and a hint of chipot…
6 net10 total4 fibre40 protein28 fat450 kcal
Chilorio de Puerco (Sin Tortilla)
Shredded Pork in Chile Sauce (Keto)
A traditional dish from Sinaloa, featuring richly seasoned, shredded pork cooked in a red chile sauce with gar…
6 net8 total2 fibre65 protein50 fat720 kcal
Chuletas de Puerco Asadas (Keto-Modified)
Grilled Pork Chops (with Keto Sides)
Flavorful pork chops, simply seasoned and grilled or pan-seared to perfection. Served with a choice of low-car…
6 net8 total2 fibre60 protein40 fat650 kcal
Flor de Calabaza Rellena (Sin Capear)
Stuffed Squash Blossoms with Cheese (Unbattered)
Delicate squash blossoms (flor de calabaza) stuffed with melted cheese (typically Oaxaca or Manchego), often s…
6 net10 total4 fibre30 protein40 fat500 kcal
Huevos con Salsa Roja y Aguacate (Estilo Ranchero)
Ranch-Style Eggs with Spicy Salsa and Avocado
Two fried or scrambled eggs smothered in a vibrant, mildly spicy ranchero-style red salsa, served alongside fr…
6 net12 total6 fibre18 protein38 fat450 kcal
Moronga Platter (Keto)
Blood Sausage Plate with Keto Sides
Moronga, a traditional Mexican blood sausage (similar to boudin noir or black pudding), often seasoned with he…
6 net8 total2 fibre40 protein70 fat800 kcal
Ostiones Frescos
Fresh Oysters (Raw on the Half Shell)
Raw oysters served on the half shell, typically with lime and hot sauce. A pure, naturally keto seafood option…
6 net6 total0 fibre15 protein6 fat180 kcal
Pescado al Mojo de Ajo (Keto)
Pan-Seared Fish in Garlic Butter (with Keto Sides)
A white fish fillet (e.g., Tilapia, Red Snapper, Mahi-Mahi) pan-seared in copious amounts of garlic, butter, a…
6 net8 total2 fibre70 protein65 fat850 kcal
Pescado Empapelado (Keto)
Fish in Parchment Paper (Keto)
White fish fillet (e.g., tilapia, snapper) baked in parchment paper with fresh vegetables like bell peppers, o…
6 net10 total4 fibre40 protein25 fat400 kcal
Pulpo a las Brasas (Keto)
Grilled Octopus (Keto)
Tender octopus, often pre-cooked and then grilled over an open flame until slightly charred and smoky. Typical…
6 net8 total2 fibre70 protein40 fat650 kcal
Pulpo al Ajillo (Keto, sin Arroz ni Papa)
Octopus with Garlic and Guajillo (Keto, without Rice or Potatoes)
Tender octopus pieces sautéed in olive oil with abundant garlic, dried guajillo chilies, and sometimes a touch…
6 net8 total2 fibre40 protein45 fat580 kcal
Sopa de Flor de Calabaza (Keto)
Keto Squash Blossom Soup
A delicate and creamy soup featuring fresh squash blossoms, often combined with sautéed onion, garlic, and epa…
6 net8 total2 fibre8 protein22 fat250 kcal
Tacos Gobernador (Sin Tortilla)
Governor's Shrimp (Lettuce Wrapped)
A flavorful shrimp dish originating from Sinaloa, featuring sautéed shrimp with bell peppers, onions, and melt…
6 net8 total2 fibre50 protein45 fat650 kcal
Almejas a la Mantequilla
Clams in Garlic Butter
Fresh clams steamed or sautéed in a rich garlic butter sauce, often with a touch of white wine and fresh herbs…
7 net8 total1 fibre30 protein35 fat450 kcal
Barbacoa
Slow-Cooked Shredded Beef or Lamb
Traditionally, meat (often beef cheek or lamb) cooked slowly, often in a pit, until extremely tender and easil…
7 net10 total3 fibre80 protein45 fat700 kcal
Caldo de Pescado (Keto, Sin Papa ni Maíz)
Fish Soup (Keto, No Potato or Corn)
A light, flavorful broth-based soup with chunks of white fish and low-carb vegetables such as zucchini, tomato…
7 net10 total3 fibre45 protein25 fat450 kcal
Caldo de Res
Beef Soup
A hearty and flavorful beef soup, rich with tender chunks of beef and a clear, well-seasoned broth. Typically …
7 net10 total3 fibre60 protein40 fat650 kcal
Champiñones al Ajillo
Garlic Mushrooms
Sautéed mushrooms in olive oil or butter with generous amounts of garlic and often a hint of chili (guajillo f…
7 net10 total3 fibre5 protein28 fat300 kcal
Champiñones con Epazote
Sautéed Mushrooms with Epazote
A simple yet flavorful dish of mushrooms sautéed with garlic, onion, and fresh epazote, a pungent herb common …
7 net12 total5 fibre10 protein30 fat350 kcal
Chile Colorado (Keto)
Red Chile Beef (Keto)
A hearty stew of tender beef chunks slow-cooked in a vibrant, mild red chile sauce, typically served with rice…
7 net10 total3 fibre70 protein40 fat680 kcal
Costillas de Res Asadas (Keto-Modified)
Grilled Beef Ribs (with Keto Vegetables)
Tender beef ribs (short ribs or flank ribs), simply seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic, then grilled until…
7 net10 total3 fibre70 protein60 fat850 kcal
Ensalada de Aguacate con Chicharrón
Avocado Salad with Crispy Pork Rinds
A refreshing and satisfying salad featuring creamy avocado chunks, crispy chicharrón (pork rinds), diced tomat…
7 net15 total8 fibre25 protein55 fat600 kcal
Ensalada de Camarones (Keto)
Keto Shrimp Salad
A refreshing salad made with cooked shrimp, diced avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro, and serrano pepper, dresse…
7 net12 total5 fibre35 protein40 fat550 kcal
Ensalada de Nopales (Keto con Queso y Aguacate)
Keto Cactus Salad (with Cheese and Avocado)
A refreshing and unique salad made from tender cooked nopales (cactus paddles), typically mixed with diced tom…
7 net15 total8 fibre15 protein35 fat450 kcal
Huevos Ahogados (Keto, sin Tortillas ni Frijoles)
Poached Eggs in Spicy Tomato Sauce (Keto, without Tortillas or Beans)
Eggs gently poached directly in a simmering, spicy red tomato and chile sauce (often with árbol or serrano pep…
7 net10 total3 fibre25 protein38 fat480 kcal
Huevos con Chorizo
Eggs with Mexican Sausage
A popular breakfast or brunch dish featuring scrambled eggs mixed with spicy, flavorful Mexican chorizo sausag…
7 net10 total3 fibre50 protein55 fat700 kcal
Machaca con Huevo (Sin Tortilla)
Dried Shredded Beef with Eggs (No Tortilla)
A traditional Northern Mexican breakfast or brunch dish featuring savory, rehydrated shredded dried beef (mach…
7 net10 total3 fibre60 protein50 fat700 kcal
Manitas de Puerco en Vinagreta
Pickled Pig's Feet in Vinaigrette
Tender, boiled pig's feet (trotters) marinated and served cold in a tangy vinaigrette with onions, carrots, an…
7 net10 total3 fibre45 protein45 fat600 kcal
Menudo (Sin Maíz)
Beef Tripe Soup (without Hominy)
A traditional Mexican soup made with slow-cooked beef tripe in a rich, spicy red chili broth. It's often serve…
7 net10 total3 fibre60 protein50 fat750 kcal
Parrillada de Verduras (Keto)
Keto Grilled Vegetable Platter
A vibrant assortment of seasonal low-carb vegetables (such as bell peppers, zucchini, onions, nopales, mushroo…
7 net15 total8 fibre5 protein25 fat300 kcal
Pescado a la Plancha (Keto-Modified)
Grilled Fish Fillet (with Sautéed Keto Vegetables)
A simple, healthy preparation of a fresh fish fillet (e.g., snapper, mahi-mahi), seasoned and grilled or pan-s…
7 net10 total3 fibre55 protein28 fat500 kcal
Pescado Tikin Xic (con Guarnición Keto)
Yucatán Style Baked Fish (Banana Leaf Wrapped, with Keto Sides)
A traditional dish from the Yucatán Peninsula, featuring a whole fish or fillet marinated in achiote paste, so…
7 net10 total3 fibre55 protein35 fat550 kcal
Pollo Asado
Grilled Chicken
Marinated chicken, typically a whole or half chicken, grilled to perfection over charcoal, resulting in juicy …
7 net8 total1 fibre75 protein40 fat700 kcal
Puerco en Adobo (Sin Tortillas)
Braised Pork in Adobo Sauce (with Keto Sides)
Tender pork shoulder or loin braised in a rich, spicy, and tangy adobo sauce made from dried chiles (like guaj…
7 net12 total5 fibre60 protein65 fat780 kcal
Queso Fundido con Chorizo
Melted Cheese with Chorizo
A classic appetizer of bubbling melted cheese, typically Oaxaca or Monterey Jack, mixed with savory Mexican ch…
7 net8 total1 fibre85 protein90 fat1300 kcal