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.