Saudi keto guide
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156 dishes68 keto as served106 with a photo
Keto friendliness
Saudi cuisine presents a moderate challenge for keto dieters, requiring careful selection and modification due to its reliance on carb-heavy staples.
Top ingredients
Excellent traditional keto ingredients include lamb, goat, chicken, beef, eggs, olive oil, ghee, and a wide array of aromatic spices.
Danger zones
The biggest carb traps are ubiquitous rice (Kabsa, Mandi), various breads (khubz), legumes (foul, hummus), and sugary dates or desserts.
Best for
This cuisine works best for adaptable keto dieters who are comfortable requesting modifications, focusing heavily on grilled meats, and skipping traditional starchy sides.
156 dishes · page 1 of 3
Nikhāʿ al-`Aẓm Mashwi
Roasted Bone Marrow
A rich and decadent dish featuring beef or lamb bone marrow, typically roasted until soft and gelatinous, seas…
0 net0 total0 fibre15 protein90 fat850 kcal
Lisan Ghanam Maslouq
Slow-Cooked Lamb Tongue with Herbs and Lemon
Succulent lamb tongue slow-boiled until exceedingly tender, then typically sliced and dressed with a simple ye…
1 net2 total1 fibre65 protein25 fat500 kcal
Qawarma
Slow-Cooked Preserved Lamb in its Fat
A traditional dish of lamb pieces that have been slow-cooked and preserved in their own rendered fat (ghee or …
1 net1 total0 fibre60 protein60 fat800 kcal
Batarekh
Fish Roe (Sautéed with Olive Oil)
A delicacy of fish roe, typically from mullet or tuna, lightly sautéed with high-quality olive oil, lemon juic…
2 net2 total0 fibre30 protein35 fat450 kcal
Hashi Salg
Boiled Camel Meat with Keto Sides
Tender pieces of camel meat slow-boiled with aromatic spices like bay leaves, cardamom, and cinnamon until exc…
2 net3 total1 fibre90 protein40 fat700 kcal
Mokh Maslouq
Boiled Brain with Spices
A traditional dish of boiled brain (typically lamb or calf) seasoned with simple spices. Naturally high in fat…
2 net3 total1 fibre25 protein55 fat600 kcal
Salata Jarjeer
Rocket Salad
A simple, fresh, and peppery salad made primarily from wild rocket leaves (jarjeer), dressed lightly with good…
2 net4 total2 fibre3 protein15 fat150 kcal
Dajaj Maqli (Keto-Style)
Fried Spiced Chicken (without breading/flour)
Crispy and flavorful chicken pieces marinated in traditional spices and pan-fried or deep-fried without any br…
3 net4 total1 fibre80 protein75 fat950 kcal
Haneeth Lahm
Slow-Roasted Lamb with Keto Sides
Tender, succulent lamb slow-cooked in a traditional pit oven (or modern oven) until it falls off the bone. Sea…
3 net5 total2 fibre80 protein65 fat900 kcal
Langosta Mashwi
Grilled Lobster with Spices and Ghee
Fresh lobster, split and grilled to perfection, seasoned with local spices, and often basted with ghee or clar…
3 net3 total0 fibre70 protein28 fat550 kcal
Maqlooba Lahm
Pan-Fried Spiced Lamb Chunks
Tender lamb chunks that are pan-fried in ghee or olive oil with a fragrant mix of spices, garlic, and minimal …
3 net5 total2 fibre70 protein50 fat750 kcal
Marag Lahm (Keto Style)
Spiced Lamb Broth (Keto Style, No Noodles/Rice)
A rich, aromatic broth made from slow-cooked lamb, often flavored with onions, garlic, and traditional Saudi w…
3 net5 total2 fibre25 protein25 fat350 kcal
Mokh Maqli
Sautéed Lamb Brains with Lemon and Garlic
A delicacy featuring tender lamb brains, often lightly seasoned and pan-fried or sautéed. It's typically dress…
3 net4 total1 fibre30 protein55 fat650 kcal
Rubyan Maqli (Keto Style)
Pan-Fried Spiced Shrimp (with Keto Sides, No Rice)
Fresh shrimp seasoned with garlic, lemon, and Middle Eastern spices, pan-fried quickly until tender and flavor…
3 net4 total1 fibre45 protein35 fat550 kcal
Sahawik (Spicy Saudi Condiment)
Spicy Saudi Chili Condiment
A vibrant and fiery Saudi condiment, typically made from fresh green or red chilies, tomatoes, garlic, and fre…
3 net5 total2 fibre2 protein10 fat100 kcal
Samak Maqli (Keto Style)
Pan-Fried Spiced Fish Fillet (with Keto Sides, No Rice)
Fresh fish fillet (e.g., Hamour, Najil) lightly seasoned with Middle Eastern spices (cumin, coriander, turmeri…
3 net5 total2 fibre60 protein50 fat700 kcal
Samak Mashwi
Grilled Fish
A whole fish (e.g., hammour, snapper, seabream) or large fillets, marinated simply with lemon, garlic, olive o…
3 net5 total2 fibre60 protein40 fat600 kcal
Dajaj Mashwi (Keto Style)
Whole Grilled Chicken or Grilled Chicken Pieces (with Keto Sides, No Rice)
Whole chicken or chicken pieces marinated in Middle Eastern spices, grilled to perfection, resulting in tender…
4 net6 total2 fibre70 protein55 fat800 kcal
Hamam Mashwi
Grilled Pigeon
Whole pigeon, seasoned with traditional Saudi spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, and black pepper, often with …
4 net5 total1 fibre70 protein35 fat650 kcal
Kalamari Bil Baharat
Spiced Sautéed Calamari
Squid rings or pieces quickly sautéed in olive oil or ghee with a vibrant mix of Saudi spices, garlic, and a h…
4 net5 total1 fibre45 protein25 fat420 kcal
Kebda Ma'az Mashwi
Grilled Goat Liver Skewers
Tender pieces of goat liver, marinated in a simple blend of spices, lemon juice, and olive oil, then skewered …
4 net5 total1 fibre50 protein28 fat480 kcal
Lahm Mashwi
Grilled Lamb Skewers
Tender cubes of lamb meat, often from the leg or shoulder, marinated simply with onion juice, olive oil, and s…
4 net5 total1 fibre65 protein48 fat700 kcal
Lahm Nashif
Pan-Fried Spiced Lamb/Beef
Tender pieces of lamb or beef, seasoned with Saudi spices, pan-fried until slightly crispy and intensely flavo…
4 net7 total3 fibre70 protein50 fat750 kcal
Rubyan Mashwi
Grilled Prawns/Shrimp
Fresh prawns or shrimp marinated with lemon, garlic, olive oil, and Middle Eastern spices, then grilled on ske…
4 net5 total1 fibre60 protein30 fat550 kcal
Salatit Khudra
Mixed Green Salad
A simple yet fresh salad made with mixed greens, cucumber, and bell peppers, typically dressed with olive oil …
4 net8 total4 fibre3 protein25 fat250 kcal
Samak Salg
Boiled Fish with Spices
Whole or filleted fish gently boiled in a flavorful broth with traditional Saudi spices, onions, and sometimes…
4 net6 total2 fibre60 protein15 fat400 kcal
Aja Bil Khudar
Saudi Omelette with Vegetables
A fluffy, savory omelette or frittata-style dish, generously mixed with finely chopped fresh herbs like parsle…
5 net8 total3 fibre25 protein35 fat450 kcal
Halloumi Mashwi
Grilled Halloumi Cheese
Thick slices of firm, salty halloumi cheese grilled to perfection until golden brown with a slightly crispy ex…
5 net5 total0 fibre25 protein32 fat400 kcal
Kebda Ghanam/Baquar
Sautéed Lamb/Beef Liver
Tender pieces of lamb or beef liver, quickly sautéed with onions, bell peppers, and a blend of aromatic spices…
5 net7 total2 fibre65 protein45 fat700 kcal
Mandi Lahm (Keto Style)
Slow-Cooked Spiced Lamb (with Keto Vegetable Sides, No Rice)
Exceptionally tender, slow-cooked lamb, deeply infused with aromatic Yemeni/Saudi spices, typically prepared i…
5 net8 total3 fibre85 protein85 fat1100 kcal
Molokhia bil Dajaj (Keto Style)
Molokhia with Chicken (Keto Style, No Rice)
A rich, green stew made from finely chopped jute mallow leaves, often cooked with garlic, coriander, and chick…
5 net12 total7 fibre65 protein65 fat850 kcal
Salata Baladi
Arabic Vegetable Salad
A refreshing traditional salad made with finely diced cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions, dressed simply with oli…
5 net10 total5 fibre4 protein30 fat300 kcal
Samak Sayadiyah
Spiced Fish (Sayadiyah Style, without Rice)
A traditional fish dish where a whole fish or fillets are marinated in a rich blend of spices and then pan-fri…
5 net8 total3 fibre70 protein50 fat750 kcal
Dajaj Salg
Boiled Chicken with Spices
Tender chicken pieces (often bone-in and skin-on for flavor) boiled in a rich, spiced broth with onions, garli…
6 net8 total2 fibre70 protein38 fat650 kcal
Fattoush Salad (No Fried Bread)
Keto Fattoush Salad (without Bread)
A vibrant mixed salad of chopped lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, radish, and fresh herbs, dressed in a zesty oli…
6 net12 total6 fibre5 protein35 fat350 kcal
Haneeth Dajaj
Slow-Cooked Spiced Chicken (without rice)
Succulent chicken slow-cooked with aromatic spices until incredibly tender. Typically served with rice, but ea…
6 net8 total2 fibre75 protein60 fat850 kcal
Harees Lahm
Keto-style Cauliflower and Lamb Mash
A keto adaptation of the traditional Harees, replacing the wheat with a creamy cauliflower mash, blended with …
6 net12 total6 fibre55 protein45 fat680 kcal
Kalamari Mashwi (Grilled Calamari)
Grilled Calamari with Lemon and Herbs
Tender calamari (squid) rings or tubes, often marinated lightly and then grilled to perfection, seasoned with …
6 net8 total2 fibre50 protein40 fat550 kcal
Khudar Mashwi
Grilled Mixed Vegetables (Keto Style)
A colorful assortment of seasonal low-carb vegetables, such as zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and mushrooms…
6 net12 total6 fibre5 protein20 fat250 kcal
Khusyan Mashwi
Grilled Lamb Testicles
A delicacy in Saudi cuisine, lamb testicles are marinated in a tangy blend of lemon juice, garlic, and aromati…
6 net7 total1 fibre58 protein52 fat710 kcal
Kofta Mishwiya
Grilled Ground Meat Skewers (Kofta Kebab)
Ground lamb or beef (or a mix) mixed with finely chopped onions, parsley, and spices, then shaped onto skewers…
6 net8 total2 fibre70 protein55 fat750 kcal
Maraq Dajaj
Saudi Chicken & Vegetable Stew
A comforting chicken stew simmered with a blend of regional spices and non-starchy vegetables like zucchini an…
6 net10 total4 fibre65 protein55 fat750 kcal
Maslouqa Dajaj bil Khudar
Boiled Spiced Chicken with Keto Vegetables
Tender chicken pieces slowly boiled in a spiced broth with a selection of keto-friendly vegetables, resulting …
6 net10 total4 fibre70 protein58 fat800 kcal
Mfarakeh Kousa bil Lahm
Sautéed Zucchini and Minced Lamb
A comforting and hearty dish where diced zucchini is sautéed with spiced minced lamb, onions, garlic, and a bl…
6 net10 total4 fibre45 protein38 fat550 kcal
Shish Tawook
Grilled Chicken Skewers
Succulent cubes of chicken breast or thigh, marinated in a flavorful blend of yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and…
6 net8 total2 fibre70 protein40 fat650 kcal
Beidh bil Tamatim wal Basal
Eggs with Tomatoes and Onions (Scrambled/Fried)
A simple and hearty Saudi breakfast or light dinner dish of eggs scrambled or fried with fresh diced tomatoes …
7 net10 total3 fibre25 protein35 fat450 kcal
Hashi Mashwi bil Khudar (Grilled Camel Meat with Keto Vegetables)
Grilled Camel Meat with Keto Vegetables
Lean yet flavorful grilled camel meat, often marinated in local spices and cooked to tender perfection. Served…
7 net12 total5 fibre80 protein60 fat850 kcal
Kibda Dajaj (Sautéed Chicken Liver)
Sautéed Chicken Liver with Onions and Bell Peppers
A flavorful and rich dish of pan-fried chicken liver, typically sautéed with onions, bell peppers, garlic, and…
7 net12 total5 fibre50 protein50 fat680 kcal
Kila Maqli
Fried Lamb/Beef Kidneys
A traditional dish of lamb or beef kidneys, typically pan-fried with generous amounts of olive oil or ghee, al…
7 net9 total2 fibre48 protein65 fat780 kcal
Mandi Dajaj (Meat Only)
Chicken Mandi (Meat Only)
Traditionally slow-cooked in a tandoor-like oven, this dish features incredibly tender, smoky chicken infused …
7 net10 total3 fibre80 protein50 fat800 kcal
Muqalqal Dajaj
Spiced Chicken Stir-fry
Diced chicken pieces quickly stir-fried with onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and a blend of traditional Saudi …
7 net10 total3 fibre55 protein38 fat600 kcal
Riyash Ghanam Mashwi bil Khudar (Grilled Lamb Chops with Keto Vegetables)
Grilled Lamb Chops with Keto Vegetables
Perfectly grilled, tender lamb chops (ribs), typically marinated in spices and served sizzling. Modified to be…
7 net12 total5 fibre75 protein80 fat1000 kcal
Samman Mashwi (Keto-style)
Grilled Spiced Quail with Keto Vegetables
Whole quails marinated in a blend of savory spices and grilled to perfection. Served with a selection of grill…
7 net10 total3 fibre70 protein60 fat800 kcal
Shakshuka
Eggs in Spicy Tomato Sauce
A popular breakfast or light meal featuring eggs poached in a rich, savory tomato sauce spiced with cumin, pap…
7 net12 total5 fibre25 protein50 fat600 kcal
Shawarma Lahm/Dajaj Plate (Meat Only)
Shawarma Meat Plate (Lamb/Chicken Only)
Thinly sliced, slow-roasted marinated meat (lamb or chicken) from a vertical spit, served as a plate with acco…
7 net10 total3 fibre70 protein45 fat700 kcal
Shorbat Rubyan bil Khudar (Keto-style)
Keto Shrimp and Vegetable Soup
A light yet satisfying soup featuring succulent shrimp and a medley of low-carb vegetables, simmered in a rich…
7 net10 total3 fibre40 protein40 fat550 kcal
Zurbian Lahm (Meat Only with Keto Sides)
Spiced Lamb (Zurbian Style) with Keto Sides
Lamb meat slow-cooked in a distinctive, aromatic Zurbian spice blend, often featuring yogurt, saffron, cardamo…
7 net10 total3 fibre75 protein50 fat780 kcal
Baba Ghanoush
Roasted Eggplant Dip
A smoky and creamy dip made from roasted eggplant, mashed and mixed with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and oliv…
8 net15 total7 fibre8 protein35 fat400 kcal
Fasolia bil Zayt
Braised Green Beans in Olive Oil with Tomatoes and Garlic
A flavorful cold mezze or side dish featuring fresh green beans slowly braised in rich olive oil with ripe tom…
8 net15 total7 fibre5 protein25 fat300 kcal
Kabsa Lahm (Meat Only)
Lamb Kabsa (Meat Only)
A classic Saudi dish featuring tender lamb slow-cooked with aromatic spices. For keto, it's served as a genero…
8 net12 total4 fibre75 protein75 fat950 kcal
Questions people ask
What can I eat at a Saudi restaurant on keto?
Good orders that are keto as served include Nikhāʿ al-`Aẓm Mashwi (0g net carbs), Lisan Ghanam Maslouq (1g net carbs), Qawarma (1g net carbs), Batarekh (2g net carbs), Mokh Maslouq (2g net carbs) and Salata Jarjeer (2g net carbs). Of the 156 Saudi dishes in this guide, 68 are keto as served.
Is Saudi food keto-friendly?
Keto Atlas rates Saudi food "Navigable" for keto. Saudi cuisine presents a moderate challenge for keto dieters, requiring careful selection and modification due to its reliance on carb-heavy staples.
What Saudi dishes should I avoid on keto?
The biggest carb traps are ubiquitous rice (Kabsa, Mandi), various breads (khubz), legumes (foul, hummus), and sugary dates or desserts. Dishes to skip include Muragga' Lahm bil Khudar (17g).
How do I order Saudi food keto-style?
Many dishes become keto with one small request. For Hashi Salg: say "For Hashi Salg, no rice or starchy sides. Extra broth, please, and a side of plain grilled or steamed low-carb vegetables." For Dajaj Maqli: say "For the Dajaj Maqli, please fry the chicken without any breading, flour, or cornstarch. No sugary marinades."