55 Cheap Keto Meals

You've been wanting to start a low carb or keto health plan but you're concerned that higher protein eating will cause your grocery budget to go through the roof.

We're sharing over 50 of our favorite cheap keto meals that'll make it easier for you to do low carb or keto on a budget. They're a Whole Lotta Yum!

You'll love these budget low carb ideas!

Are whole foods more expensive than processed packaged artificial foods? Often! But if you're serious about feeling great and losing extra pounds, eating low-cost food with real ingredients is the best way to accomplish that.

Making easy cheap low carb meals is totally possible and it'll make it easier to keep that grocery bill down. Regardless of what you read elsewhere, keto does NOT have to be an expensive diet.

Whether you're looking for cheap chicken meals, ground beef, turkey, and more, you'll love our variety of these budget low carb recipes for dinner.

Cheap Keto Dinner Recipes

Whether you're craving tacos, burgers, casseroles, a hearty soup, lasagne, "macaroni", and more, we have tons of budget low carb, and keto meals for your family!

These cheap keto dinner recipes are mostly from our website but we include some other recipe websites too.

1

Weight Watchers Egg Roll in a Bowl

If you haven't yet tried our keto egg roll in a bowl, also known as keto crack slaw, you've just found one of your new favorite recipes!

This cheap keto meal has a few ingredients and only takes 15 minutes to cook and is basically considered a deconstructed egg roll. You can easily swap out the ground pork for beef, chicken, or turkey depending on what's on sale.

Cooking with ground meats is one of the best ways to keep your dinner costs down, we eat multiple meals per week with ground turkey, ground beef, chicken, or pork.

Check out this recipe

2

Cottage Cheese Flatbread Recipe

Make our viral cottage cheese flatbread, which is a great source of protein without the meat.

29 grams of protein for the whole pan, plus it's less than 4 net carbs.

Check out this recipe

3

Italian Turkey Zucchini Skillet

Italian ground turkey skillet is one of our personal favorite low carb meals loaded with keto friendly vegetables when we want to eat dairy free. It can also be made with ground beef.

Instead of fresh veggies you can also use cheaper frozen vegetables like swapping zucchini for defrosted green beans and defrost them before adding to the skillet.

Check out this recipe

4

Cottage Cheese Green Chili Chicken Casserole (Keto, Low Carb)

This easy keto green chili casserole is not only inexpensive, it uses simple ingredients and bakes in only 20 minutes. Our most popular keto casserole!

One of my favorite keto cost saving tips is to cook with frozen chicken like we did with this easy cheap keto recipe. You'll save big on chicken by purchasing frozen, you can also swap frozen chicken thighs or frozen chicken tenders if they cost less.

Check out this recipe

5

Chicken Parm Casserole

An easy keto chicken parmesan casserole with riced cauliflower is an easy 30 minute dinner everyone will love. Made without pasta, this healthy chicken parm casserole recipe is low carb and gluten free too.

Check out this recipe

6

Keto Chicken Enchilada Casserole

A creamy one pan chicken enchilada casserole made without tortillas that cooks in less than 30 mins, Low carb, keto friendly, and gluten free.

Check out this recipe

7

Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole (Low Carb & Easy)

Ground beef zucchini casserole is a quick and easy skillet meal that's also low carb, gluten free, and a keto ground beef casserole too.

Check out this recipe

8

Keto Taco Casserole (with Cottage Cheese | High Protein)

An easy low carb and keto taco casserole that only has 5 ingredients and takes 30-35 minutes to put together and cook. 55g of protein and 5 net carbs.

Check out this recipe

9

Crustless Taco Pie (Keto Taco Pie + Low Carb, Gluten Free)

Keto crustless taco pie combines ground beef and eggs to make a family favorite low carb dinner. Eating eggs for breakfast, lunch, or dinner are a great way to get cheap keto protein!

Check out this recipe

10

Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Chicken bacon Ranch is always a family favorite combo, we're using an inexpensive Ranch seasoning packet without sugar for our chicken bacon Ranch casserole with broccoli.

Check out this recipe

11

Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies

One pan dinners like our 15 minute sheet pan chicken and veggies is always a winner! You can use either chicken breasts, thighs, or tenderloins.

Sheet pan meals are a great way to keep the costs down since they're a one pan meal and no other sides are needed, plus they're great for doing a fridge clean out and using up random leftover fresh veggies you have on hand to prevent food waste.

Check out this recipe

12

Keto Stuffed Peppers Without Rice

These simple keto stuffed bell peppers are a low carb take on the traditional rice-filled classic. Buying the peppers in bulk or on sale will keep the cost down, or grow them in your garden like we did this year!

Ground meats like ground beef are also one of the least expensive cuts of meat, which also makes it easy to do cheap keto.

Check out this recipe

13

Stuffed Peppers with Tuna

Tuna melt stuffed peppers take the classic sandwich up a notch and make them a hearty and easy recipe for dinner. The recipe is also keto, low carb, and gluten-free.

Check out this recipe

14

Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken

Keto Tuscan chicken is one of our more recent keto chicken thighs recipes and it's quickly become a reader favorite. Chicken thighs often cost less than chicken breasts, plus they're juicier.

Check out this recipe

15

Marry Me Chicken (TikTok Viral Recipe)

An easy marry me chicken recipe that simplifies the viral recipe by using chicken thighs instead of slicing chicken breast into cutlets, plus we skip the breading on the chicken. The pan seared chicken gets married in a sun dried tomato parmesan cream sauce. The TikTok rumor is that it'll make your special person want to marry you!

Check out this recipe

16

Crockpot Butter Chicken

Make our easy crock pot butter chicken just as good or even better than your favorite Indian restaurant! With a rich buttery curry sauce, this is perfect served over rice or cauliflower rice for a low carb option.

Learn how to make this a butter chicken recipe without whipping cream too if you want to make it dairy free.

Check out this recipe

17

Bone In Skin On Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer

Cook simple and juicy chicken thighs in the air fryer that are bone-in with skin on and seasoned with dry rub. Perfect with rice and broccoli for an easy dinner. Use our homemade rub or your favorite store bought brand.

Check out this recipe

18

Cast Iron Chicken Thighs

Thanks to the cast iron skillet, these chicken thighs come out perfectly crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside.

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19

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajita Meal Prep

Meal prepping dinners and other meals like our chicken fajita sheet pan meal prep for the week is a great way to do keto on a budget.

Meal prep or batch cooking means you're buying less ingredients overall and it just simplifies the dinner process.

Check out this recipe

20

Instant Pot Country Pork Ribs

By chance you have a pressure cooker, our ribs recipe is super popular on our site. So moist and juicy, everyone will think these were slow cooked all day long!

We LOVE eating country style ribs, not only is a super affordable cut of meat, they're always a crowd-pleaser. Pork is one of the least expensive meat cuts since it matures quickly and doesn't need as much space as other animals.

Check out this recipe

21

Low Carb Baked Pork Chops

Ready in just 30 minutes, these baked pork chops are a quick weeknight dinner that you can enjoy with the family. They're low carb, gluten free and keto.

Check out this recipe

22

Smothered Pork Shoulder Blade Steak

Smothered in a creamy mushroom sauce, this is an unforgettable dinner idea that'll have the family headed back for seconds.

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23

Juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops (Bone-In)

The air fryer can help you whip up a quick and easy dinner. These pork chops get perfectly crispy on the outside.

Check out this recipe

24

Cheesy Baked Salsa Chicken

Things don't get much easier than 3 ingredient salsa chicken! You can even use chicken thighs instead of breasts and just cook for less time to 165 F.

Check out this recipe

25

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

Cooking an inexpensive protein and serving it with sides like frozen veggies or a simple salad makes for a quick and easy cheap low carb dinner.

Check out this recipe

26

No Breading Chicken Tenders (Air Fryer Recipe)

Seasoned with a delicious combination of flavors, this is an easily customizable dish that you can turn into a filling meal. You'll find a few different seasoning mixes to help you create the perfect seasoned chicken.

Check out this recipe

27

Easy Air Fryer Bratwurst

Easy to make in the air fryer, just add some brats and sliced peppers to create a colorful meal that's packed with flavor.

Check out this recipe

28

Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

A quick and easy rosemary pork tenderloin cooked in an air fryer in less than 30 minutes! Serve with roast potatoes and a green salad for the perfect weeknight meal.

Check out this recipe

29

Air Fryer Whole Wings

Easy and crispy air fryer whole wings cook up super fast and are easier than cutting up whole wings yourself at home! Coated in seasoning and a buttery buffalo wings sauce, you'll love air frying whole chicken wings as an appetizer or for a simple dinner.

Check out this recipe

30

Air Fryer Ham

Use the monk fruit sweetener option if you make the glaze, terrific with no glaze too!

Check out this recipe

31

Easy Low Carb Taco Soup

Low carb soups like our popular slow cooker taco soup is a great way to make protein stretch. This is a family dinner favorite!

Many of our inexpensive low carb soup recipes use ground meat or start with frozen protein like chicken, which often costs less than fresh.

Check out this recipe

32

Creamy Pizza Soup

Make an easy creamy pizza soup that tastes like a loaded Supreme pizza with pepperoni and Italian sausage. Make it in your Crock Pot or Instant Pot. Low carb, gluten free, and keto.

Check out this recipe

33

Homemade Egg Drop Soup (Keto & Gluten Free)

No guilt needed! With just 52 calories per cup, it's a filling meal idea that's bursting with flavor.

Check out this recipe

34

Best Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Soup

Chicken, bacon, and ranch turns into a soup that's delicious. It's also easy to make!

Check out this recipe

35

Stuffed Pepper Soup (Instant Pot)

Enjoy the flavors of stuffed peppers in a cozy soup form. It's perfect for the cold weather months or when you want a soothing dinner.

Check out this recipe

36

Low Carb Fried Rice with Cauliflower

Fried rice with cauliflower is a family-friendly inexpensive meal that's easy to adapt. We used chicken breast in here but ground meats would be a good cheap variation.

Cutting your cauliflower head and making cauliflower rice is cheaper than buying a bag of cauliflower rice.

Check out this recipe

37

Big Mac Bowl Recipe (Keto, High Protein)

Big Mac salad is another reader fave that is a great alternative to eating out. You get the taste of takeout but without the artificial ingredients. Keep the cost down by making your own Big Mac sauce.

Check out this recipe

38

Keto Cheeseburger Casserole

Big Mac Casserole is an easy and yummy low carb and keto cheeseburger casserole that your family will adore! You definitely won't miss fast food after making this. It cooks up in only 20 minutes and you can garnish with your favorite fast food burger toppings.

Check out this recipe

39

Broccoli Ham Quiche (Crustless)

An easy ham and broccoli quiche (crustless) recipe with ham, broccoli and cheddar you can serve hot or cold. The perfect meal that's great for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or on your holiday table. Low carb, keto, and gluten free.

Check out this recipe

40

Keto Sausage and Egg Casserole

Who said egg casserole is just for breakfast? Enjoy breakfast for dinner with this hearty sausage and egg casserole.

Check out this recipe

41

Loaded Egg Salad with Pickles

Enjoy this loaded egg salad on lettuce wraps for a light but filling meal idea.

Check out this recipe

42

Italian Chicken Stuffed Zucchini (Healthy | Low Carb)

Stuffed zucchini with chicken is a great comfort meal at any time of year, it's especially delicious when you use garden fresh zucchini.

If you have space for container gardening or a small garden, growing your own veggies and fresh herbs is a great way to save money. Our $3 of zucchini plants yielded 100 zucchini last year!

Check out this recipe

43

Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce wraps using last night's dinner leftovers is always a cheap and simple meal idea. Whether it's our pulled pork lettuce wraps using Instant Pot pulled pork, taco leftovers, shredded Mexican chicken, or even leftover casserole.

Check out this recipe

44

Air Fryer Sausage and Veggies

Sausage and veggies is always a dinner favorite and makes for the perfect cheap keto dinner recipes. We recommend stocking up on all types of sausages when they go on sale or buying them in bulk at Costco.

Air fryer sausage and vegetables is a quick meal for two, to serve a family or to meal prep this for the week we recommend cooking it on a sheet pan in the oven for a little longer than the air fryer cooking time.

Check out this recipe

45

Low Carb Broccoli Cheddar Soup (with Heavy Whipping Cream)

A vegetarian dinner is always a great way to cut costs with some of your meals. A hearty low carb soup like our keto broccoli cheese soup is always a must when you're craving comfort food.

Check out this recipe

46

Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe (Low Carb, GF)

Another meat free option! Eating vegetarian meals is another way to do keto on a budget, and when you're craving pasta, comforting keto mac and cheese is a great idea.

Check out this recipe

47

Cheese Stuffed Italian Sausage

Cheesy stuffed Italian sausage is a great dinner idea that's filling and flavorful.

Check out this recipe

48

Creamy Keto Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

A classic combination of flavors, you won't believe how easy this creamy keto kielbasa and sauerkraut is to make.

Check out this recipe

49

Roasted Italian Sausage in the Oven

Italian sausage and veggies come together to give you an oven friendly dinner that's delicious.

Check out this recipe

50

Easy Italian Sausage Bake (No Pasta)

Soon to become a weeknight favorite, this easy Italian sausage bake skips the pasta.

Check out this recipe

51

Keto Carbonara with Zucchini Noodles

Carbonara goes keto and uses zucchini noodles to make a delicious and filling dinner idea for the family.

Check out this recipe

52

One Pot Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Mushrooms

Chicken thighs and mushrooms are fried in a garlic butter sauce to give you a one pan dinner idea that'll be a hit with the whole family!

Check out this recipe

53

Keto Big Mac Bites

These Keto Big Mac Bites are a low carb recipe for mini bunless burgers that make a great appetizer or game day food that everyone will love!

Check out this recipe

54

Keto Zucchini Lasagna

Enjoy the flavors of lasagna keto style with this layered zucchini pasta.

Check out this recipe

55

Broccoli Chicken Casserole with Cream Cheese and Mozzarella

This comforting chicken casserole is a dinner the whole family will love! The cheesy casserole has mozzarella and cream cheese added in for extra cheesy creaminess.

Check out this recipe

Cheap keto foods: protein

Here are some ideas for cheap keto foods for proteins that'll help to keep your Keto Diet meal costs down. Just pair them with low carb veggies for making cheap keto meals in a snap.

• ground meats - beef, chicken, turkey, or pork
• bone-in poultry - chicken thighs, breasts, drumsticks, wings. Buying meat with the bone still in and even the skin still on will always cost less than cuts with the bone removed.
• frozen chicken- breasts, thighs, or chicken tenderloins
• sausages - We stock up on these when they're on sale and Costco sells them in large packs.
• canned tuna
• pork cuts- pork almost always costs less than other cuts (unless it's something pricy like baby back pork ribs). We're talking pork shoulder roast to make pulled pork, pork ribs (regular not the baby back), pork tenderloin or pork chops that often go on sale, and of course, bacon!
• casseroles and soups - mixing in other ingredients and sauces really makes the meal stretch
• vegetarian dishes - the protein is often the most expensive part of the dish
• frozen fish like tilapia 
• protein powder- you might be surprised to see this on the list, but a meal made with 30 grams of protein will almost always cost less than meat protein.
• Eggs - one of the least expensive protein options per serving!
• tofu - the least expensive low carb high protein plant based option

Cheapest keto meals on a budget tips

1. Eat Inexpensive Cuts of Meat and Protein Sources

Don't think you need to splurge on premium cuts to enjoy delicious keto meals. Tons of less expensive cuts of meat like chicken thighs instead of breasts, pork shoulder, or beef chuck instead of ribeye steaks.

2. Stay Away from Expensive Processed Keto Snacks

While it's tempting to fill your pantry with convenient ready-to-eat keto snacks on the keto diet, these can quickly eat into your budget. Instead, opt for whole food snacks like cheese slices, nuts, or a simple hard-boiled egg. They're not only cheaper but healthier too.

3. Shop Grocery Store Sales and Use Coupons

Become a savvy shopper by keeping an eye on weekly grocery store sales and clipping coupons (or use a coupon app). This can significantly reduce your grocery bill, especially on keto staples like meats and dairy. Planning your meals around what's on sale can lead to lead to huge savings for the month.

4. Buy Foods in Bulk to Save on Large Quantity Pricing

Buying in bulk can lead to huge savings, especially for non-perishable items like nuts, veggies, proteins, and healthy fats like avocado or olive oils. Wholesale stores or bulk sections in supermarkets are your low carb friends. Just make sure you have enough storage space and consider sharing with a friend or family if it's too much.

5. Meal Planning for the Week

Meal planning for the week is a game-changer. It not only prevents food waste but also makes sure you don't buy things you don't need. You'll be amazed at how much you save and how little food goes to waste.

6. Cheap Keto Recipes with Simple Ingredients

Keto doesn't have to be complicated. Easy and delish meals can easily be a low cost meat cut paired with simple low carb veggies. Think grilled chicken with a side of roasted broccoli or a beef stir-fry with mixed peppers. Simple, effective, and easy on the wallet, you can't find an easier cheap keto recipes than that.

7. Make Use of Frozen Veggies and Meats

Frozen vegetables and meats are a cost saving keto eater's best friend. Not only are they often cheaper than fresh options, but they also last longer and can be just as heathy.

We love to roast vegetables from frozen and add them to other recipes or use them in sheet pan dinners. Individually quick frozen chicken is usually cheaper than fresh as well.

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More Low Carb Dinner Ideas

• 30 Keto Casserole Recipes
• 30 Days of 30 Minute Keto Meals
• 21 Easy Keto Meals for Beginners
• 10 Best Low Carb Crockpot Recipes
• 25 Keto Chicken Dinner Recipes

On Keto? Grab our FREE keto foods list here OR  Snag our Keto  Binder HERE!