9 Mind-Blowing Keto-Friendly Mexican Recipes. | Healthy Ambitions (2024)

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Keto-Friendly Cinco de Mayo!

With Cinco de Mayo fast approaching, I have Mexican food on the brain. I LOVE Mexican food, but most Mexican cuisine is full of carbs. That, of course, is not conducive to the low carb or ketogenic diet.

Adopting the Ketogenic way of life means you’ve put aside rice and bean and tortillas, much of what makes up a Mexican food dish. But I’m here to say, you can have your Mexican food and eat it too!

Do you miss Taco Tuesdays? Find yourself longing for Fajita Friday? Are you wanting to throw a party for Cinco de Mayo, but don’t know what food to prepare? Let me help with that!

To make keto-friendly Mexican food/keto-friendly Tex-Mex recipes, you simply need to know the best keto substitutes to make. Soon, you’ll be wowing all your friends and family with these simple, yet mind-blowing recipes.

9 Mind-Blowing Keto-Friendly Mexican Recipes. | Healthy Ambitions (1)

Appetizers

Jalapeno Poppers

This is one of those keto-friendly Cinco De Mayo recipes you’ll find yourself craving all year long!

Bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers are both fun and tasty! Creamy and loaded with cheese, you can make them more or less spicy depending on how much of the white membrane you leave. For less spicy, but still full of flavor, which is what I like, simply scrap all of the membranes out of the jalapeño.

I recently decided to add a southern flair and used pimento cheese instead of cream cheese! Click here for the southern-style Keto Jalapeño Popper recipe!

Click here for the Jalapeño Popper recipe!

Chips and Guacamole

Guacamole is a staple of any Mexican-themed gathering (and we often bring this dip even if it’s not Mexican themed!). I like to keep the recipe simple too.

Here’s how to make my delicious and easy keto-friendly guacamole – Simply mash 4 avocadoes, add 2 diced Roma tomatoes, 1 tbsp of minced garlic and mix together. Add lime juice and salt to taste! It doesn’t get any easier than that!

Chips, or as I like to call them, “delivery devices” can be made keto friendly too. This recipe holds up very well for dip chips! Have fun cutting them to your preferred shape before baking.

9 Mind-Blowing Keto-Friendly Mexican Recipes. | Healthy Ambitions (3)

Click here for my homemade guacamole and simple keto pita chips recipe!

Layered Taco Salad Dip

One simple keto substitution makes the original 7-layered taco salad dip keto-friendly. Instead of using refried beans for the bottom layer, replace it with taco meat.

9 Mind-Blowing Keto-Friendly Mexican Recipes. | Healthy Ambitions (4)
9 Mind-Blowing Keto-Friendly Mexican Recipes. | Healthy Ambitions (5)

You can easily make your own taco seasoning with this quick recipe. Double and Triple the recipe and save some for later!

Taco Seasoning
  • 1 Tbsp. Chili Powder
  • 1 tsp. Ground Cumin
  • 2 tsp. Sea Salt
  • 1 tsp. Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp. Smoked Paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp. Onion Powder
  • 1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. Dried Oregano

Meals

Green Chile Chicken Bake

This was one of the first quick and easy keto-friendly meals I made for my husband. Having lived in New Mexico for several years, he is a HUGE fan of Hatch Green Chile from The Land of Enchantment. This simple-to-make recipe will have everyone begging for more.

9 Mind-Blowing Keto-Friendly Mexican Recipes. | Healthy Ambitions (6)

Click here for the Green Chili Chicken Bake recipe!

Tacos

I thought I had given up on taco shells when I began the keto diet, but someone came up with the idea of melting the cheese and letting it harden into a taco shape. Genius! These keto-friendly taco shells made of cheese actually hold up better than the hard corn tortilla shells, because they do not crack and fall apart. Taco ‘bout a party!!

9 Mind-Blowing Keto-Friendly Mexican Recipes. | Healthy Ambitions (7)
9 Mind-Blowing Keto-Friendly Mexican Recipes. | Healthy Ambitions (8)
Taco Pie!

My family always gets excited when I make taco pie. A dish made with ground beef, eggs, spices, and cheese, this keto-friendly Mexican recipe can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, OR dinner!

9 Mind-Blowing Keto-Friendly Mexican Recipes. | Healthy Ambitions (9)

Click here for the Keto Taco Pie recipe!

Desserts

Sopapilla Cheesecake

Sopapilla Cheesecake dessert is best known in Texas and a childhood favorite of mine. It wasn’t until I moved across the country that I realized everyone didn’t know about this tasty treat. Imagine my delight when I discovered this too could be keto-fied.

9 Mind-Blowing Keto-Friendly Mexican Recipes. | Healthy Ambitions (10)

Click here for the Keto-Friendly Sopapilla Cheesecake recipe!

Mexican Chocolate Pudding

Why settle for sweet and salty when you can enjoy sweet and spicy?! This super chocolatey pudding is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. It’s chocolate, with a kick!

9 Mind-Blowing Keto-Friendly Mexican Recipes. | Healthy Ambitions (11)

Click here for the Mexican Chocolate Pudding recipe!

Tres Leches Cake

Tres Leches Cake, which translates to “three milks” is traditionally a sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk: heavy cream, condensed milk, and evaporated milk. This keto-friendly version offers all the yumminess with none of the guilt.

9 Mind-Blowing Keto-Friendly Mexican Recipes. | Healthy Ambitions (12)

Click here for the Tres Leches Cake recipe!

So there you have it, folks! 9 mind-blowing, guilt-free keto-friendly Mexican recipes to easily enjoy Cinco de Mayo on the keto diet. Choose a few or make them all! You won’t be disappointed!

Do you have a favorite Mexican dish that you enjoy for Cinco de Mayo? Tell me about it in the comments below.

9 Mind-Blowing Keto-Friendly Mexican Recipes. | Healthy Ambitions (2024)

FAQs

What Mexican food is high in protein? ›

Protein. Lean meats are a healthy source of protein commonly found in Mexican foods. Chicken, shrimp, fish, pork, and beef are great sources of protein and can help to increase your energy and help keep your muscles healthy. Skip on the carnitas as they are high in saturated fats.

Is al pastor keto? ›

These fantastic Keto Pork Chops al Pastor are the perfect addition to your summer grilling menu! Richly flavored marinated pork chops are flame grilled and topped with an “al Pastor” butter that is loaded with fresh herbs, red onion, and a smidge of chopped pineapple for authenticity!

What tortillas can I eat on keto? ›

The Maria and Ricardo's Almond Flour Keto tortillas provide 6.5 grams carbs or 4 net carbs per tortilla. Flavors include Flax & Seeds, Sea Salt and the 'Everything Seasoning' tortilla.

What Mexican food can I eat to lose weight? ›

Forget fried foods

Some popular foods to avoid are nachos, chimichangas, chalupas, taquitos and chile relleno and other dishes that are also deep-fried. Better choices are chicken fajitas, grilled chicken with peppers and onions or a soft taco. AMA offers a recipe for chipotle chicken bowls with cilantro-lime quinoa.

What is the healthiest Mexican food to eat? ›

The experts say the healthiest Mexican menu options include grilled chicken dishes, which we offer in our tacos, burritos, enchiladas, grilled chimi, la tapatia, Pollo Jalisco, and more. The shredded chicken in our Flautas comes sautéed with bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions.

What Mexican food is low in carbs? ›

Low-Carbing at Mexican Restaurants
  • Carne Asada: A big slab of moist and juicy beef is the perfect answer to low-carb. ...
  • Fajitas: These usually come in beef and chicken, but ask about the marinade. ...
  • Chiles Rellenos: A chile relleno is a cheese-stuffed hot pepper dipped in egg and fried.
Oct 11, 2020

What is the healthiest thing to get from Mexican? ›

With a few simple switches and modifications, you can find nutritious food on just about every Mexican menu without skimping on taste and flavor. In general, more nutritious options include fajitas, bean burritos, grilled chicken dishes, and soft tacos.

Are refried beans keto-friendly? ›

There are some circ*mstances where a flexible ketogenic diet can allow for occasional consumption of refried beans. The targeted ketogenic diet allows for extra carbs before or after workouts. The cyclical keto diet allows for extra carbs one to two days per week in limited amounts.

Is guacamole keto? ›

Is Guacamole Keto-Friendly? Yes, absolutely. As mentioned above, guacamole is loaded with healthy monounsaturated fats and minimal carbohydrate content. This makes it a perfect low-carb, high-fat keto snack when served with keto-friendly chips or raw veggies.

Is McDonald's Patty keto? ›

Burgers from McDonald's can be included in a ketogenic diet, as long as they are ordered without the bun and any condiments with carbs. Consuming only the patty will provide a source of protein and fat, which are both macronutrients that are emphasized in a ketogenic diet.

Can you eat tacos on a keto diet? ›

Today we're talking about one of everybody's favorite low carb meals: tacos! Whether you stuff them with beef, steak, pork, or just veggies, they're one of the easiest meals to keep keto friendly when you're eating out. Tacos, like all Mexican food, is so flavorful, you won't even miss the carbs!

Are tortillas OK on keto? ›

Going keto doesn't mean giving up tortillas—or tortilla chips! If you love Mexican food, you may wonder what you can use as a wrap for taco, fajita and burrito fillings when doing a low-carb diet.

Can I eat fajitas on keto? ›

Pro tip: if you pass on the tortillas, rice, and beans that accompany the dish, they are also low enough in carbs that you can safely include them in your keto diet. The even better news is that you don't have to eat out to enjoy keto fajitas.

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