16 Recipes for a Keto Christmas Dinner

No Carbs Here

By
Laurel Randolph
Photo of Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
A fervid lover of the culinary arts and all things Instant Pot, Laurel has been writing about food for 10 years. One of her cookbooks was the #2 cookbook of 2017.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 06/25/20
Prime Rib Roast

The Spruce 

Christmas dinners are often carb-laden with various kinds of potatoes and bread on the menu. If you're following a ketogenic (keto) diet or just trying to eat low carb, the holidays can prove a real challenge. If you can look beyond the starches and wheat, there are still plenty of delicious dishes worthy of a holiday feast. Build a Christmas menu from these appetizers, entree, side dish, and cocktail recipes, and no one will be asking you to pass the potatoes.

Featured Video
  • 01 of 16

    Fennel Avocado Salad

    Fennel Avocado Salad

    The Spruce

    Give your hearty holiday meal a bit of brightness by serving a cool and refreshing salad. Crunchy fennel, creamy avocado, and spicy red onion are tossed with fresh lemon juice and olive oil for a super simple salad. The flavors of fresh fennel go nicely with rich roasted meats like goose and pork.

  • 02 of 16

    Garlic and Herb Crusted Pork Loin Roast

    Garlic and Herb Crusted Pork Loin Roast

    The Spruce

    A simple coating of chopped garlic and fresh herbs gives this pork loin roast tons of flavor. Start this recipe several hours before the meal and let rest for a few minutes before slicing to keep the meat moist. For the herbs, a combination of rosemary, sage, and thyme would be holiday-appropriate.

  • 03 of 16

    Grilled Stuffed Turkey Breast With Goat Cheese, Bacon, and Mushrooms

    Grilled Stuffed Turkey Breast With Goat Cheese, Bacon, and Mushrooms

    Diana Miller / Getty Images

    Stuffed with sliced mushrooms, spinach, goat cheese, and sunflower seeds, then grilled, this is not your average turkey dinner. The large stuffed breast will feed a small crowd and there's no wheat or starch in sight. If desired, add chopped rosemary and thyme to the stuffing for more holiday flavor.

  • 04 of 16

    Luxurious, Buttery Creamed Spinach

    Luxurious, Buttery Creamed Spinach

    magnez2 / Getty Images

    The ideal side dish for meaty mains like beef, chicken, lamb, or duck, creamed spinach is quick and easy to make. This recipe doesn't use any flour, making it low-carb, but still creamy. A handful of freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a punch of flavor.

    Continue to 5 of 16 below.
  • 05 of 16

    Guacamole Deviled Eggs

    Guacamole Deviled Eggs

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    High-protein and full of good fat, these deviled eggs swap the typical mayonnaise for avocado. A little cilantro, garlic, and lime juice add the flavors of guacamole, combining two snacks into one. Make this appetizer ahead of time, stick it in the fridge, and pull it out before the Christmas meal to whet everyone's appetite.

  • 06 of 16

    Easy Skillet Green Beans and Bacon

    Easy Skillet Green Beans and Bacon

    The Spruce 

    For a simple side dish that will have guests going back for seconds, sauté fresh greens beans and crispy bacon. It's much lighter than green bean casserole and it's keto- and low-carb friendly. Add shallots and garlic if you like or swap them for the bacon for a vegetarian dish.

  • 07 of 16

    Roasted Cauliflower Soup

    Roasted Cauliflower Soup

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    This creamy cauliflower soup is a lovely way to start a Christmas meal. Roasting the florets first gives it something extra and curry powder adds layers of flavor. You can make this soup ahead of time and reheat it when it's time to serve. Top with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or parsley leaves.

  • 08 of 16

    Roast Goose

    Roast goose recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Anfisa Strizh

    For a classic Dickensian-style Christmas dinner, prepare a roast goose. The bird is brined overnight (leave out the sugar if you like) for maximum juiciness and roasted slowly. It makes an impressive centerpiece for a festive holiday meal.

    Continue to 9 of 16 below.
  • 09 of 16

    Keto Stuffing

    Keto Stuffing

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney 

    This low-carb version of stuffing uses keto cornbread as its base with sautéed celery, onion, fresh herbs, stock, and eggs. You can assemble this keto stuffing the day before and bake it about an hour before you are ready to eat.

  • 10 of 16

    Keto Gravy

    Keto Gravy

    Leah Maroney 

    A luxurious gravy is delicious served with any roast meat, not just turkey. If you're making a beef main dish, simply swap the turkey broth for beef broth. The key to this keto gravy is the addition of eggs and gelatin, replacing the standard flour for a thick mixture.

  • 11 of 16

    Leek Gratin With Cream and Fontina Cheese

    Leek Gratin With Cream and Fontina Cheese

     The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Who says you need potatoes to have a gooey, savory gratin? In this keto-friendly side dish, there are no carbs in sight. Tender simmered leeks are baked with cream and cheese until bubbly and browned. Swap out the cheeses with your favorites to make this leek gratin your own.

  • 12 of 16

    White Christmas Dream

    White Christmas Dream

    The Spruce 

    You can't have a holiday feast without a good cocktail. Creamy and lightly sweet, the White Christmas Dream goes down easy. Top with a dusting of freshly-grated nutmeg just before serving. If you're avoiding processed sugar in liqueurs like amaretto, try a honey-sweetened kogel mogel.

    Continue to 13 of 16 below.
  • 13 of 16

    Fontina, Spinach, and Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms

    Fontina, Spinach, and Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Stuffed with a savory filling and baked, these mushroom caps are a tasty way to start a meal or serve as a side dish. This recipe doesn't contain breadcrumbs like most classic recipes, making it low carb. The mixture of spinach, fontina cheese, bacon, and mushrooms is savory and satisfying.

  • 14 of 16

    Simple Sautéed Brussels Sprouts and Onions

    Simple Sautéed Brussels Sprouts and Onions

    The Spruce / Katie Workman

    Brussels sprouts are always a nice addition to a holiday table and this version is quick and easy. The sprouts are sliced thin and sautéed with onion until tender and browned. Add garlic or a sprinkle of pepper flakes if you like.

  • 15 of 16

    Prime Rib Roast

    Closed oven prime rib recipe

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    Wow your guests this Christmas by making this prime rib roast your centerpiece. The closed oven method makes preparing your own prime rib easy, you'll just need to calculate enough time so that the meat can sit in the oven for a couple of hours after roasting. This method slowly brings the meat up to temperature without drying it out.

  • 16 of 16

    Easy Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

    Easy Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

     The Spruce

    Bacon-wrapped scallops make a simple, but elegant appetizer. After wrapping each piece with bacon and securing them with toothpicks, you simply slide them under the broiler and they're ready to serve.

  • Perfect roast turkey with bacon recipe
    Keto Thanksgiving: Plan Your Feast
  • keto green bean casserole
    Keto Green Bean Casserole
    50 mins
  • Bacon roasted brussel sprouts
    16 Best Keto Side Dishes
  • Vegan Stuffing
    Vegan Thanksgiving: Plan Your Feast
  • Prime Rib Roast
    52 Classic Dishes to Add to Your Christmas Dinner Menu
  • Cheddar Cheese Scalloped Potatoes
    29 Cozy Sides to Serve With Meatloaf
  • Keto Stuffing
    Keto Stuffing
    2 hrs
    Ratings
  • Asian spiced turkey salad with pomegranate
    31 Fall Recipes
  • Thanksgiving sides
    96 Easy Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
  • Classic holiday green bean casserole
    20 Easy Thanksgiving Potluck Ideas
  • Spatchcock Turkey
    Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Menu and Recipes
  • pecan-pie-cheesecake-4767663-16
    30 Recipes to Make for the Ultimate Friendsgiving
  • Almond Flour Blueberry Muffins
    16 Keto Snack Recipes
  • Spanish Garlic Shrimp (Gambas al Ajillo)
    14 Classic Spanish Christmas Recipes
  • Roast Turkey Breast
    21 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes
  • Keto Gravy
    Keto Gravy
    20 mins
    Ratings