Markook Stew (Lamb and Vegetable, No Bread)
Saudi Lamb and Vegetable Stew (Markook Style, No Bread)
Yes, with a tweak: explicitly ask for no bread. About 14g net carbs per serving, on the higher side for Saudi food, so watch the portion.
What it is
A hearty and rich lamb stew, traditionally featuring a mix of vegetables. For keto, it's prepared without the customary torn flatbread (markook) and with low-carb vegetables like zucchini and eggplant, instead of high-carb options like potatoes or carrots. The lamb is slow-cooked until fork-tender in a deeply spiced tomato-based broth.
Key ingredients
Lamb meat, tomatoes, tomato paste, zucchini, eggplant, onions, garlic, green chilies, assorted Saudi spices (cumin, coriander, turmeric, black pepper), ghee/olive oil.
How to make it keto
Explicitly ask for no bread. Request omission of high-carb vegetables like potatoes and carrots. Confirm no flour or starch is used for thickening the stew. Ask for extra low-carb vegetables like zucchini or green beans.
Say this to the waiter (Arabic)
مرقوق لحم، من فضلك قدمها بدون خبز. استبعد البطاطس والجزر. وتأكد أن المرق بدون طحين أو نشا للتكثيف. هل يمكن إضافة خضروات قليلة الكربوهيدرات مثل الكوسا أو الفاصوليا الخضراء؟
For the Markook Stew, please serve without bread. Omit potatoes and carrots. Confirm no flour or starch is used for thickening. Can I have extra low-carb vegetables like zucchini or green beans?
Watch out for
Onions, tomatoes, and tomato paste contribute to the carb count. Potential hidden sugars in the broth or any commercial spice mixes. Some restaurants might include small amounts of potatoes/carrots unless specifically requested otherwise.
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.
More on the Saudi menuAll 156 Saudi dishes ›
