Keto Saudi Arabian foods

Saudi Arabia, located in the heart of the Middle East, boasts a rich culinary heritage influenced by Arab and Bedouin traditions. While many traditional Saudi dishes are rich in carbohydrates due to the extensive use of rice and grains, there are several that can be adjusted or are inherently suitable for the keto lifestyle. Let's explore these dishes and learn how to prepare them in a keto-friendly way.

Shawarma (use keto bread)

Main Dishes

Keto Kabsa

Kabsa, a spiced chicken and rice dish, can be made keto-friendly by replacing rice with cauliflower rice. The chicken is seasoned with traditional spices like coriander, black lime, and bay leaves.

Keto Shawarma

While shawarma is typically served in a bread wrap, you can enjoy this spiced meat dish without the wrap or use lettuce as a low-carb alternative.

Keto Mutabbaq

A popular stuffed pastry, Mutabbaq can be made keto by using almond or coconut flour for the dough and filling it with minced meat and spices.

Side Dishes

Keto Hummus

Traditional hummus is made from chickpeas. For a keto version, you can prepare a similar dip using cauliflower or almond butter, flavored with tahini, garlic, and lemon juice.

Keto Tabouleh

Replace the bulgur wheat in this refreshing parsley and mint salad with hemp seeds or finely chopped cauliflower. Add cucumbers, tomatoes, and a lemony olive oil dressing to complete.

Desserts

Keto Halwa

While traditional halwa is carb-heavy, a keto version can be made using almond flour, ghee, saffron, cardamom, and a keto-friendly sweetener like erythritol or stevia.

Beverages

Keto Qahwa (Arabic Coffee)

Qahwa, or Arabic coffee, is inherently keto-friendly. It's a lightly flavored drink with cardamom and can be enjoyed without sugar or with a keto sweetener.

Using Local Ingredients for the Keto Diet

Saudi Arabia has an abundance of nuts, seeds, and herbs, which are keto-friendly:

Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, and pistachios are frequently used in Saudi cuisine and are excellent for the keto diet. Herbs: Mint, parsley, and coriander can be generously added to dishes for flavor without any significant carb addition. Meats: Lamb, chicken, and beef are staples in Saudi cuisine and are keto-compliant.

Keto Middle Eastern Recipes

Category Southwest asia (middle east) keto recipes not found