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.
250 matching dishes · page 1 of 5
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Rajas de Poblano con Huevo
Poblano Strips with Scrambled Eggs
A comforting and simple dish featuring strips of roasted poblano peppers sautéed with onions and then mixed wi…
7 net12 total5 fibre28 protein45 fat550 kcal
Riñones al Jerez (con Guarnición Keto)
Kidneys in Sherry Sauce (with Keto Sides)
Beef kidneys sautéed and simmered in a rich sauce made with dry sherry, beef broth, garlic, onions, and often …
7 net10 total3 fibre55 protein45 fat650 kcal
Sopa de Albóndigas (Sin Arroz)
Mexican Meatball Soup (without Rice in Meatballs)
A hearty and comforting Mexican soup featuring savory beef meatballs (albóndigas) simmered in a light, flavorf…
7 net10 total3 fibre60 protein35 fat600 kcal
Sopa de Nopales (Keto-Modified)
Cactus Soup (Keto, without Starchy Vegetables)
A light and flavorful broth-based soup featuring tender nopales (cactus paddles), often with tomatoes, onions,…
7 net12 total5 fibre8 protein15 fat200 kcal
Aguachile de Camarón
Shrimp in Lime & Chili Water
A refreshing and spicy dish from coastal Mexico, featuring raw shrimp 'cooked' in a vibrant liquid of lime jui…
8 net12 total4 fibre60 protein20 fat500 kcal
Caldo de Camarón (Keto Modificado)
Keto Shrimp Broth Soup
A light yet flavorful shrimp broth soup, rich with the essence of fresh shrimp, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, an…
8 net10 total2 fibre30 protein15 fat300 kcal
Carne Asada
Grilled Steak
Marinated grilled skirt steak, typically served with traditional high-carb sides. The steak itself is a great …
8 net12 total4 fibre80 protein60 fat800 kcal
Ceviche de Pescado (o Mixto) (Keto)
Citrus Marinated Fish & Seafood (No Tostadas/Chips)
Fresh raw fish (or mixed seafood) 'cooked' by marinating in the acidity of lime juice, mixed with diced red on…
8 net12 total4 fibre55 protein25 fat500 kcal
Chicharrón Prensado en Salsa (Keto, Sin Tortilla)
Pressed Pork Rind in Sauce (Keto, No Tortilla)
Pressed pork rinds (often from the skin and fatty meat parts, compacted) simmered in a rich, flavorful sauce, …
8 net12 total4 fibre40 protein65 fat750 kcal
Chile Verde con Puerco (Keto, Sin Papa)
Pork in Green Chile Sauce (Keto, No Potatoes)
Tender chunks of pork simmered in a rich and tangy green chile sauce made from roasted tomatillos, green chile…
8 net12 total4 fibre50 protein40 fat600 kcal
Chorizo con Nopales (Keto, sin Tortillas)
Chorizo with Cactus Paddles (Keto, without Tortillas)
Spicy Mexican chorizo sausage cooked with tender, diced nopales (cactus paddles), onions, and often a touch of…
8 net12 total4 fibre35 protein68 fat780 kcal
Lengua en Salsa Verde
Beef Tongue in Green Sauce
Tender, slow-cooked beef tongue, typically served sliced and simmered in a vibrant and tangy green tomatillo s…
8 net11 total3 fibre60 protein70 fat850 kcal
Picadillo de Res (Keto, Sin Papa ni Arroz)
Ground Beef Hash (Keto, No Potato or Rice)
A savory dish of seasoned ground beef simmered with finely diced low-carb vegetables like tomatoes, onions, be…
8 net12 total4 fibre50 protein40 fat600 kcal
Pollo Pibil
Yucatecan Achiote Chicken (Keto, without Rice or Tortillas)
Slow-cooked chicken marinated in a vibrant achiote paste with citrus juices, garlic, and spices, wrapped in ba…
8 net12 total4 fibre60 protein70 fat900 kcal
Puntas de Filete a la Mexicana
Mexican Style Beef Tips (No Rice/Beans)
Tender beef sirloin tips cooked with fresh jalapeños, tomatoes, and onions in a savory, slightly spicy sauce. …
8 net12 total4 fibre70 protein65 fat900 kcal
Sopa de Hongos (Keto)
Creamy Keto Mushroom Soup
A rich and flavorful soup made with various types of mushrooms (e.g., cremini, oyster, shiitake), simmered in …
8 net12 total4 fibre15 protein38 fat450 kcal
Carnitas
Slow-Cooked Crispy Pork
Pork shoulder slow-cooked in its own fat (or lard) until tender, then shredded and often crisped up for a rich…
9 net12 total3 fibre80 protein75 fat950 kcal
Costillas en Salsa Roja (Keto)
Pork Ribs in Red Chile Sauce (Keto)
Tender pork ribs slow-cooked in a rich, savory red chile sauce made from dried chiles, garlic, and spices. Usu…
9 net12 total3 fibre60 protein55 fat750 kcal
Higaditos de Pollo Encebollados (Sin Guarnición Rica en Carbos)
Sautéed Chicken Livers with Onions (Keto)
Chicken livers quickly sautéed with a generous amount of sliced onions until tender. This is a humble but flav…
9 net12 total3 fibre55 protein45 fat650 kcal
Pescado Zarandeado
Butterflied Grilled Fish
A whole butterflied fish (often red snapper or similar) marinated in a savory sauce and grilled over coals, gi…
9 net10 total1 fibre80 protein55 fat850 kcal
Pollo en Crema de Chipotle (Keto)
Chicken in Chipotle Cream Sauce (Keto)
Succulent chicken breast or thighs simmered in a rich, smoky, and slightly spicy cream sauce infused with chip…
9 net12 total3 fibre40 protein45 fat600 kcal
Pollo en Salsa Verde (Keto, sin Arroz ni Tortillas)
Chicken in Green Tomatillo Sauce (Keto, without Rice or Tortillas)
Tender chicken pieces simmered in a vibrant, tangy green tomatillo sauce with serrano peppers, cilantro, and o…
9 net12 total3 fibre45 protein50 fat650 kcal
Puerco con Salsa Keto Pipian Rojo
Pork in Keto Red Pipian Sauce
Hearty pork chunks braised in a flavorful red pipian sauce, typically made from roasted tomatoes, red chiles, …
9 net14 total5 fibre48 protein39 fat580 kcal