Espetada (Grilled Beef Skewers with Keto Sides)
Madeiran Grilled Beef Skewers with Green Salad
Yes, with a tweak: request no 'milho frito' (fried cornmeal) or potatoes. About 5g net carbs per serving, lower than 6 in 10 Portuguese dishes.
What it is
A specialty from Madeira, featuring large, tender chunks of beef (often sirloin or tenderloin) rubbed simply with garlic and salt, then skewered (traditionally on a laurel stick) and grilled to perfection over an open flame. Served with a crisp mixed green salad, omitting traditional high-carb potato or cornmeal sides.
Key ingredients
Beef (sirloin/tenderloin), garlic, coarse salt, olive oil, mixed greens (lettuce, spinach), cucumber, small amount of tomato, olive oil and vinegar for dressing.
How to make it keto
Request no 'milho frito' (fried cornmeal) or potatoes. Ask for a simple green salad with olive oil and vinegar dressing only.
Say this to the waiter (Portuguese)
A Espetada, por favor, sem milho frito, batatas fritas ou arroz. Pode substituir por legumes grelhados de baixo carboidrato? E sem marinada açucarada, por favor.
No milho frito, fries, or rice with the Espetada, please. Can I have grilled low-carb vegetables instead? Please confirm no sugary marinade.
Watch out for
Hidden sugars in pre-made salad dressings. Quantity of tomatoes or other higher-carb vegetables in the salad.
Macros are estimates for a typical serving and vary by restaurant. Confirm ingredients with staff, especially if you have allergies. Our ingredient lists are generated automatically and describe how a dish is typically made.
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