23 Aromatic Low Carb Keto Indian Recipes To Tempt Your Tastebuds
Indian food is so flavorful. But it’s often too tempting to order garlic naan or rice when you eat out. Plus, you don’t really know if they added sugar or MSG to your curry or whether they cooked your chicken in canola oil.
Cooking your own ketogenic Indian food is much healthier and can be just as delicious. Many curry recipes use tomatoes, which can increase the net carb count of the dish. So if you’re looking to limit your carb intake more strictly, then consider decreasing the number of tomatoes the recipe asks for.
Lots of these recipes contain turmeric, which is renowned for its health benefits. Dr. Carolyn Anderson, M.D. believes strongly in the benefits of this spice. “Its anti-inflammatory properties are incredibly powerful. In fact, no other food ingredient is more effective at decreasing inflammation in the body.”
In fact, we love the health benefits of turmeric so much we created Turmeric Soothe – a supplement to maximize the beneficial effects of this spice.
We’ve put together this list of keto Indian recipes to help you pick healthy and delicious dishes to make for dinner. This list has a lot of different recipes – some are more authentically or traditionally Indian than others.
We generally suggest you stay dairy-free when you go keto as many people don’t react well to dairy even if they’ve been eating it for their whole life. However, traditionally, Indian recipes have a lot of dairy in them. If a recipe does contain dairy ingredients, we’ve labeled it as such and included non-dairy substitutions.
Here are just a few of the Keto Indian Recipes we’ve included:
- Coconut Chicken Curry
- Chicken Tikka Masala (Contains Dairy)
- Keto Cauliflower Chicken Curry
- Tandoori Style Chicken Thighs (Contains Dairy)
- Indian Spiced Whole Roast Chicken
- Paleo Indian Spiced Roasted Chicken
- Keto Chicken Korma
- Coconut Masala Chai Tea (Paleo, Dairy-Free)
If you click or tap any of the links above, it will instantly take you to the recipe below. Or download the entire list by clicking on the green button below.
Keto Indian Recipes: Keto Curries
Curry is a bit of a generic term when it comes to Indian cuisine. In the broadest sense, curries are often stew-like dishes that are cooked using Indian spices, such as curry powder, garam masala, and turmeric. And if you’ve never had an Indian curry before, you are in for a taste sensation. These recipes are so filling and flavorful that you’ll never miss the carbs!
Coconut Chicken Curry
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: chicken breasts, coconut oil, coconut cream, chicken broth, carrot, tomato, curry powder, fresh ginger, garlic, cilantro, salt, pepper.
Chicken curry… one of the most popular (if not very specific) Indian dishes. This one uses coconut cream to create a super delicious sauce that does not need to be sweetened, as you get the aromatic flavorings of garlic, ginger and curry powder.
Baingan ka Bharta (Indian Eggplant)
– My Heart Beets
Photo Credit: Ashley from My Heart Beets
Ingredients: eggplants, avocado oil, cumin seeds, white onion, garlic cloves, ginger, Serrano pepper, coriander powder, salt, turmeric powder, garam masala, ground black pepper, paprika, tomatoes, cilantro.
This is a popular Indian dish with lots of different variations. Bharta means mashed vegetables and this dish contains lots of smoked eggplants mixed with tomatoes and tons of spices and seasoning. If you don’t know how to smoke eggplants, don’t worry, Ashley teaches you how to do it using your oven. Serve with spaghetti squash or a large helping of cauliflower rice for a vegetarian (and vegan) ketogenic recipe.
Cashew Vegetable Korma
– Seasonal and Savory
Photo Credit: Angela from Seasonal & Savory
Ingredients: salted cashews, coconut milk, garlic, ginger paste, fresh jalapeno, curry powder, ground turmeric, olive oil, white onion, vegetables of your choice, water, salt.
This delicious and easy-to-make korma is also completely vegetarian/vegan (as well as low carb) and can be changed up with whatever vegetables you like. It only takes about 30 minutes to make. Give it a try to add in more vegetables into your keto diet.
Scrummy Coconut Lamb Curry
– Irena Macri Food Fit For Life
Ingredients: coconut oil, lamb, brown onion, long red chili, celery sticks, garlic, garam masala powder, turmeric powder, fennel seeds, ghee, coconut milk, tomato paste, water, sea salt, carrots, lime or lemon juice, fresh coriander (cilantro) or parsley.
While chicken curries are typically the most popular in the UK and the US, lamb curry is actually highly popular in India. This coconut lamb curry is easy to make and can be thrown in the crockpot. It is super tasty and leftovers can be frozen (if there are any).
Easy Slow Cooker Curry – 2 Ways
– Rubies and Radishes
Ingredients: (Chicken) – skinless chicken thighs, coconut milk, green curry paste. (Beef) – beef stew meat, coconut milk, red curry paste.
Everything is easier with a slow cooker and this keto Indian recipe is no exception. You literally throw all the delicious food in and serve in a few hours. And it tastes great with beef or chicken.
Chicken Tikka Masala (Contains Dairy)
– Swiss Paleo
Ingredients: chicken breasts, garlic, ginger, red Thai chili peppers, garam masala, ground coriander, ground cumin, whole fat plain Greek yogurt, onion, ghee, tomatoes, salt, cashews, fresh coriander, lime wedges.
We couldn’t put together a list of keto Indian recipes without including chicken tikka masala. Even though this famous recipe is not traditionally Indian! Its exact origins are disputed, but most agree that it originates from the UK… If you’re not familiar with chicken tikka masala, it’s tandoori roasted pieces of chicken in a creamy tomato sauce. To stay dairy-free, use coconut yogurt or coconut cream in this recipe instead.
Keto Cauliflower Chicken Curry
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: chicken breasts, coconut oil, cumin powder, salt, cauliflower, bone broth or chicken broth, coconut cream, curry powder, garlic powder, pepper.
Spice up your mealtime with this yummy Keto cauliflower chicken curry. Warm, filling, and satisfying, this curry should check of your boxes and it makes for a hearty family meal.
Pressure Cooker Keto Beef Curry
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: beef stew chunks, broccoli, zucchinis, beef broth, curry powder, garlic powder, coconut cream, salt, pepper.
This low-carb beef curry is such an easy make that it’ll be your go-to dinnertime recipe when you need something simple and warming – perfect for winter evenings. Get the pressure cooker going with all of your ingredients inside and in just an hour, you’ll be sat enjoying this comforting dish.
Keto Eggplant Coconut Curry
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: avocado oil, eggplants, white button mushrooms, onion, garlic, fresh ginger, coconut cream, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric, chili powder, salt, ground black pepper, cilantro.
Here’s the perfect recipe for any vegetarians (or for those who are looking to go veggie) – this eggplant coconut curry is full of flavor with a little bit of heat and of course, it’s low-carb. Just make sure to pick a nice firm eggplant for the best results.
Keto Indian Recipes: Keto Chicken Dishes
Chicken doesn’t have to be boring. If you have a freezer full of chicken but don’t know what to do with it, then I suggest making any of these Indian chicken recipes. They are full in flavor but low in carbs, which makes any of them perfect for your Keto diet.
Tandoori Style Chicken Thighs (Contains Dairy)
– I Breathe I’m Hungry
Photo Credit: Mellissa from I Breathe I’m Hungry
Ingredients: yogurt, hot curry paste, fish sauce, lime juice, stevia or Splenda, chicken thighs.
These keto chicken thighs are so easy to make they could be considered cheating. They have an amazing taste that cannot be beaten and with this easy recipe, you can have them in no time. If you’re avoiding dairy, then just use coconut yogurt in this recipe instead.
Baked Curry Chicken
– Savory Lotus
Photo Credit: Katja from Savory Lotus
Ingredients: chicken drumsticks, coconut oil, onion, cumin seeds, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric, garam masala, cinnamon powder, cardamom powder, homemade bone broth (or water), tomato, full fat coconut milk, garlic, ginger, Celtic sea salt, fresh cilantro, cayenne (optional).
This keto Indian recipe is very easy if you plan ahead. Allowing the chicken to marinate in the sweet and savory sauce will add more flavor and make it more tender and juicy.
Indian Spiced Whole Roast Chicken
– That Paleo Couple
Ingredients: chicken, garlic, ginger, garam masala, ground hot chili, salt, lemon juice, tarragon, onion, ghee, cloves, black peppercorns, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, chicken broth, fresh cilantro.
This spiced whole roasted chicken takes a bit longer to cook, but it makes a super tender and delicious dish that is well worth the wait. Many Indian recipes call for a lot of spices that you might not have readily available in your pantry. But they are a worthwhile investment as those spices will help to make your keto dishes so much more flavorful.
Paleo Indian Spiced Roasted Chicken
– Plaid and Paleo
Ingredients: chicken, grass-fed butter, garlic powder, ground ginger, ground cumin, turmeric, chili powder, pepper, sea salt, sweet onion, small lemon.
This Indian inspired whole chicken is so juicy and tender that it mostly falls apart when it’s done. This Keto chicken recipe is easy to make and only takes a couple of hours to cook.
Crispy Indian Chicken Drumsticks
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: chicken drumsticks, salt, garam masala, coconut oil.
While not traditionally Indian, this recipe gives you a ton of Indian flavor. It’s one of the easiest recipes to make and the only spice you’ll need is garam masala. If you don’t have garam masala handy, then use regular curry powder instead. These chicken drumsticks will have delicious crispy skin without needing any flour coating.
Keto Chicken Korma
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: cauliflower, coconut oil, sea salt, cardamom pods or ground cardamom, sliced almonds, chicken breasts, onion, garlic, curry powder, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, water, coconut cream, Stevia, fresh cilantro or parsley.
If the hot spices in Indian food aren’t quite your thing, then you’ll love this chicken korma recipe. Keep things mild but still full to the brim with flavor and try out this creamy, low-carb dish for your dinner tomorrow night (or the next night… just make sure to try it)!
Keto Indian Recipes: Keto Seafood Dishes
Honestly, fish can be a bit boring to eat. And it can be intimidating to cook as well! Have no fear because these Indian fish recipes are full of delicious flavor but are incredibly easy to make. Trust me, you’ll change your mind about fish when you try any of these incredible recipes.
Paleo Fish Curry
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: tilapia or other fish, coconut cream, fish broth, carrots, celery, tomatoes, curry powder or garam masala, turmeric, ginger, cilantro, garlic, salt.
Fish curries are highly popular in India, especially in the south where fish is readily available. If you’re not typically a fan of seafood, then give this fish curry a try as you might find yourself changing your mind.
Keto Salmon Curry Recipe [Paleo, Low-Carb]
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: onion, green beans, curry powder, garlic powder, cream from coconut milk, bone broth, salmon, coconut oil, salt, pepper, basil.
This keto Indian recipe is really easy to make, very tasty and loaded with flavors. Salmon is, of course, a keto favorite as it’s packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, so it makes sense to add this delicious curry to your recipe repertoire.
Shrimp, Tilapia, and Cabbage Curry
– The Paleo Mom
Photo Credit: Sarah from The Paleo Mom
Ingredients: shrimp, tilapia fillets, cabbage, carrots, fresh spinach, chicken broth, extra virgin coconut oil, fresh ginger, curry powder, salt, coconut cream concentrate.
This curry is a delicious one-pan meal, with shrimp, tilapia, cabbage, and spinach. It’s easy to whip up in no time and is a very creamy and filling recipe.
Coconut Curry Mussels
– Ditch The Wheat
Photo Credit: Carol from Ditch The Wheat
Ingredients: coconut oil, cayenne pepper, chili spice, full fat coconut milk, white wine, salt, pepper, fresh ginger, garlic, onion, fresh mussels.
Don’t know what to do with fresh mussels? Give this keto recipe a try. Your mussels will be super delicious with this creamy Indian-inspired sauce.
Sri Lankan Fish Curry
– The Nourished Caveman
Photo Credit: Vivica from The Nourished Caveman
Ingredients: silver hake or other sustainable white fish, coconut oil, mustard seeds, long green chiles, ginger, ground cumin, curry powder, fresh turmeric root, ground turmeric powder, red onion, garlic, full-fat coconut cream, sea salt, cilantro, water.
Serve this creamy fish curry recipe with some cauliflower rice for a fantastic and filling keto meal.
Keto Indian Recipes: Other Indian Recipes
While not traditionally Indian, these Keto Indian-inspired recipes give you a ton of Indian flavor but none of the carbs. And if you are new to Keto Indian recipes, you should try one of these recipes that are similar to your favorite Keto recipes but with just a touch of Indian spices.
Coconut Masala Chai Tea (Paleo, Dairy-Free)
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: coconut cream, water, honey (optional), black tea leaves, masala tea spice blend.
If you’ve ever visited India, then you’ll find masala chia a popular drink in many places. However, it’s typically made with regular milk (or goats milk), so if you’re going dairy-free but still want a delicious Indian drink to warm your day, then give this coconut masala chai recipe a try. Use stevia instead of honey to help you stay more keto.
Punjabi Style Chicken Soup with Cabbage {Paleo, Whole30}
– Everyday Maven
Ingredients: ghee or coconut oil (for dairy-free, cumin seeds, yellow onion, fresh ginger root, garlic, serrano or jalapeno chile, ground chicken thighs, kosher salt, garam masala, ground turmeric, green cabbage, chicken broth or stock, coconut milk, cilantro.
This easy-to-make soup is another delicious way to get more vegetables into your ketogenic diet. It is a very easy recipe to make and can be changed from a mild flavor to a spicy one with little effort.
Indian Spiced Grilled Lamb Chops
– Carb Manager
Ingredients: tomato puree, olive oil, lamb chops, cumin, curry powder, coriander, garlic, ginger root, lemon peel or zest, turmeric, sea salt, black pepper.
Even though these Indian spiced lamb chops need to marinade for a few hours, they are well worth the wait. They are tender, juicy and so full of flavor. Serve with cauliflower rice or your favorite greens.
Keto Chicken Mulligatawny Soup Recipe
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: ghee, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, fresh ginger, chicken thighs, chicken broth, coconut milk, turmeric, mild curry powder, cauliflower, fresh parsley.
This recipe can best be described as chicken soup with Indian spices and is the perfect recipe to try if you are new to Keto Indian food. It’s mildly spiced but still absolutely delicious. Plus, it tastes even better the day after it’s cooked, which makes it ideal for leftovers.
5-Minute Keto Curried Tuna Salad Recipe
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: Tuna, mayo, curry powder, dried parsley.
Give your everyday tuna salad a delicious twist with a bit of curry powder. And if you have never used curry powder before, you add just a bit at first and then add a bit more until it tastes perfect to you.
Ketogenic Curried Chicken Salad Recipe
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: Chicken breast, onion, bell pepper, zucchini or cucumber, pumpkin seeds, blueberries, coconut cream, curry powder, coconut oil, fresh cilantro, lettuce leaves.
And if you want a twist to your chicken salad, add some curry powder to it and take it to the next level of flavor. You can use this recipe or add curry powder to your favorite chicken salad recipe for a boost of Indian flavor.
Keto Turmeric “Rice” Recipe
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: Cauliflower, coconut oil, turmeric.
And if you want to give your plain cauliflower “rice” just a hint of Indian flavor, then adding a bit of turmeric is the way to go. Plus, this tastes delicious as a side to many of the Keto Indian recipes listed, especially the saucy Indian curry recipes.
Keto Indian Recipes: Keto Vegetarian Recipes
Traditional Indian cuisine has long been a favorite for vegetarians for quite some time. And these Keto Indian vegetarian recipes will show you why. So, if you are vegetarian and want to try Keto, or if you are Keto and want to add a few more plant-based Keto recipes into your diet, then any of these recipes are a must to try.
Instant Pot Royal Egg Korma
– My Heart Beets
Photo Credit: Ashley from My Heart Beets
Ingredients: Onion, garlic, ginger, tomato, coriander, garam masala, paprika, turmeric, cayenne, ground cardamom, eggs, coconut milk, cashews, fresh cilantro, fresh mint.
Dinner will be ready in minutes with this Keto egg korma recipe that is creamy as well as dairy-free, which makes it the perfect Keto Indian vegetarian dish.
Keto Cauliflower Upma
– Subbi Cooks
Ingredients: oil. curry leaves, ginger, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, green chili, onion, tomato, cauliflower, salt, black pepper, lime, juice, cilantro.
This cauliflower upma is a great option for breakfast because it’s super easy and fast to make. Instead of cauliflower, an alternative that you can use is broccoli.
Keto Paneer Steak
– Something is Cooking
Photo Credit: Shalini from Something is Cooking
Ingredients: Paneer slices, ground pepper, salt, chili flakes, chili powder, garam masala, ginger-garlic paste, hung curd, butter.
This Indian-inspired snack gives you all of the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric as well as the health benefits of coconut butter in delicious bite-size portions.
Low-Carb Indian Vegetable Samosas
– Simply So Healthy
Ingredients: butter, cauliflower, onion, salt, ginger root, coriander, garam masala, cumin, cumin seeds, red chili flakes, cilantro, almond flour, salt, mozzarella cheese.
A favorite of many, this Indian vegetable samosas recipe has a base of minced cauliflower and onions making it low-carb and keto-friendly. Samosas are typically known as appetizers but they’re also perfect for lunch or dinner.
Indian Red Lentil Stew
– Healthy Pursuit
Photo Credit: Leanne from Healthy Pursuit
Ingredients: extra-virgin coconut oil, red onion, celery, garlic, ginger root, tomatoes, red lentils, vegetable bouillon cubes, sea salt, cumin seeds, cinnamon bark, dried chilies, turmeric, saffron, cilantro, lime juice.
Not only is this recipe good for you, it’s also really, really healthy. Can you believe that it has 18 grams of fiber per serving? It’s super convenient as well as it can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze in individual containers for quick lunches.
Keto Indian Recipes: Keto Snack Recipes
If you are in the mood for a flavorful snack, then I suggest any of these Keto Indian-inspired snack recipes that will satisfy your hunger as well as your tastebuds.
Keto Turmeric Coconut Snack Balls Recipe
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: Unsweetened shredded coconut, coconut butter, turmeric, stevia or erythritol.
This Indian-inspired snack gives you all of the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric as well as the health benefits of coconut butter in delicious bite-size portions.
Keto Curried Eggs Recipe
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: Hard boiled eggs, coconut oil, curry powder, hot sauce (optional).
And if you want a super simple snack recipe that just takes minutes to prepare but has plenty of Indian flavor and is filling enough to get you to your next meal, then this is the perfect recipe for you.
Keto Turmeric Cauliflower Pancakes
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: Cauliflower, eggs, almond flour, turmeric, garlic, coconut oil.
This savory pancake recipe will give you a bit of an Indian flavor while not overwhelming you with any unfamiliar ingredients. This recipe is perfect for a snack or even a side dish to any of the flavorful Indian recipes on this list.
Keto Golden Fat Bombs Recipe
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: Turmeric powder, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, coconut butter, coconut oil, erythritol.
This recipe has all of the taste of the traditional Indian drink, golden milk, but in the form of a filling fat bomb instead.
Keto Golden Milk Ice Cream Recipe
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: Coconut milk, turmeric, vanilla extract, erythritol.
We took traditional golden milk and gave it a frozen twist by turning it into ice cream! Now, you can enjoy all of the benefits of golden milk as a cool treat that is delicious on warm days (or anytime of year).
Frequently Asked Questions About Keto Indian Recipes
After looking at all of these delicious Keto Indian recipes, you still might have questions about what you can eat.
Well, don’t worry because I have answers to the questions that I hear the most about Keto Indian food.
1. Is curry keto?
Yes, curry can be keto as long as all of the ingredients are keto-friendly.
Just be sure to steer clear of any curries that have ingredients like potatoes, peas, or other high-carb vegetables.
2. Is Indian food keto?
Yes, many Indian dishes are considered keto. However, just like with curries, you need to watch the ingredients and stay away from dishes that have peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and other high-carb foods.
It’s also best to stay away from chutneys, rice, naan, lassis (yogurt drink), as well as anything fried, such as samosas.
3. What Indian food can I eat on keto?
There is a variety of options available when selecting keto Indian dishes, but here are some of my favorites:
Tandoori is large cuts of proteins that are marinated and then cooked in a clay oven at extremely high temperatures.
The marinade is usually savory Indian spices (ginger, garlic, coriander powder, cayenne pepper, and garam masala) mixed with yogurt.
Chicken, lamb, shrimp/seafood, or paneer tikka are great choices. Just be sure to ask for sauce on the side.
Tikka is similar to tandoori except that the protein is cut into bite-size pieces before cooking.
Just like tandoori dishes, chicken, lamb, shrimp/seafood, or paneer tikka are great choices, but ask for sauces to be served on the side, if possible.
Kabobs are also delicious keto choices. But just like tandorri and tikka dishes, be sure to ask for sauces on the side and stay away from rice and naan side dishes.
Paneer tandoori and paneer tikka are good vegetarian options if you are not sensitive to dairy.
Paneer is an Indian fresh cheese, but be sure to ask your server if any flour is used as a thickening agent.
Raita, which is cucumbers mixed with yogurt and traditional Indian spices, is a good keto side dish.
Be sure to ask your server if the yogurt is full-fat. If you are sensitive to dairy, be sure to ask if coconut yogurt or another dairy-free yogurt is used to make the side dish.
4. Is curry low carb?
There are many great low carb indian options available. Your best bet is to select any of the dishes listed above, but you can be a bit more generous with the sauces if you are low carb and not strict keto.
Saag is leafy greens (typically spinach) that are slow cooked with cream. If you are dairy-free, but sure to ask if the saag is cooked in coconut milk.
Chicken saag is usually a good choice, but any protein can be selected. Paneer saag is also a great option if you are not sensitive to cheese.
However, remember to ask your server if flour is used to thicken the saag.
Any tomato-based sauce, such as tikka masala, is a good low carb choice, but be sure to order one without potatoes or other high carb vegetables.
Just like saag, don’t forget to ask your server if flour was used to thicken the sauce.
