- Recipes
Sheela Prakash
Sheela PrakashSenior Contributing Food Editor
Sheela is the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and the author of Mediterranean Every Day: Simple, Inspired Recipes for Feel-Good Food. She received her master's degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy and is also a Registered Dietitian.
updated Apr 2, 2020
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When you’re following a keto diet, stocking up looks a bit different. Low-carb, high-fat foods like meat and poultry; eggs, cheese, and dairy; and plant-based fats like oil, nuts, seeds, and avocados aren’t exactly the foods you think of when you think “shelf-stable.” You may be finding it harder than ever to stay on top of your diet, and that’s more than okay. But if you have been trying to figure out a way to get back on track while you’re at home, we’re here to help.
These 10 smart recipes call for pantry staples you may have stocked up on already, and, in case you didn’t, they’re flexible enough to adapt to what you do have on hand.
But, First: A Few Notes About Grocery Shopping for the Keto Pantry
For meat, poultry, and seafood: If the big three meats — pork, chicken, and beef — are still difficult to get, see if your grocer has lamb, turkey, or even bison (often sold ground) in stock. Seafood can also be a great source of both protein and fat. Make your first stop the freezer case and look for filets there. Smoked salmon spread with cream cheese is a great option for breakfast or lunch and don’t forget about canned tuna, salmon, and chicken that can be flaked and seasoned in any number of ways.
For dairy: When it comes to the dairy case, look for full-fat dairy when you can. Canned milks, including evaporated milk (just make sure it isn’t nonfat) and full-fat coconut milk, can often be substituted for half-and-half or heavy cream. Cream cheese or farmer’s cheese, butter, and sour cream are other essential that will add richness to dinner recipes.
For produce: In addition to avocados, stock up on low-carb vegetables like cauliflower or frozen cauliflower rice, cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, zucchini, kale, spinach or other salad greens, celery and asparagus.
1. 30-Minute Kielbasa and Cabbage Skillet
Cabbage is one of the most long-lasting fresh vegetables there is. So it’s a great thing to keep in your fridge right now and use to make this quick-and-satisfying sausage skillet.
Get the recipe: 30-Minute Kielbasa and Cabbage Skillet
2. Easy Keto Egg Muffins
Any type of shredded cheese you might have on hand will work for these bacon-stuffed egg muffins. If whole or 2% milk is what’s in your fridge instead of half-and-half, use that.
Get the recipe: Easy Keto Egg Muffins
3. Cheesy Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash
While spaghetti squash does still contain carbs, it contains less carbs than pasta and therefore is a more keto-friendly choice. It also is a long-lasting choice for your pantry.
Get the recipe: Cheesy Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash
4. Easy, Cheesy Keto Meatloaf
While the gooey, melty fresh mozzarella center of this meatloaf really puts it over the top, if you don’t have the cheese in your fridge, you can skip it. The end result will still be totally comforting.
Get the recipe: Easy, Cheesy Keto Meatloaf
5. 90-Second Keto Bread
This bread is practically magic as it comes together in a mug in the microwave. It’s a quick and fun cooking project to do with homebound kids, too.
Get the recipe: 90-Second Keto Bread
6. Easy Keto Chili
While the ingredient list for this chili might seem long, remember it’s flexible. Don’t worry about the optional ingredients if you don’t have them and feel free to skip the red wine and replace it with additional broth if you don’t have an open bottle.
Get the recipe: Easy Keto Chili
7. Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken
Here’s a great opportunity to use one of the many jars of hot sauce lined up in your fridge. Serve this spicy, saucy chicken over cauliflower rice or greens to make it a meal.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken
8. Crisp Tuna-Cabbage Salad
Shredded cabbage adds crunch to an otherwise ho-hum tuna salad. Make a big batch of this recipe and you have lunch squared away for the week.
Get the recipe: Crisp Tuna-Cabbage Salad
9. How to Make a Frittata with Whatever You Have on Hand
You don’t need much more than a handful of eggs and whatever odds and ends you have in your fridge to make a killer frittata. Serve it warm for dinner, cold for breakfast, or room temp for lunch.
Get the recipe: How to Make a Frittata with Whatever You Have on Hand
10. How to Make the Absolute Easiest Salmon Patties
Canned salmon deserves as much praise as canned tuna and this recipe is proof. Don’t worry about the fresh dill — instead, swap it with dried dill, another fresh herb you have on hand, or just skip it.
Get the recipe: How to Make the Absolute Easiest Salmon Patties
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