Low-carb vegetarian recipes can be tricky to find so it becomes difficult to become a low-carb vegetarian.
While many low-carb meals rely on meat, vegetarian meals tend to rely on pasta, bread, pulses, and grains which are high carb.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to enjoy low carb living without meat.
Vegetarians wishing to go low-carb can use eggs, non-sweetened yoghurt, cheeses, nuts, lower carb vegetables, healthy oils, avocados, seeds and berries.
These are all low carb, moderate protein, and have plenty of healthy fats.
Jump to:
What is a vegetarian?
The definition of a vegetarian can be incredibly controversial to many people.
Are you a pescatarian? A flexitarian? Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarian? Vegan? Raw vegan?
For most people when they think of vegetarians, they think of lacto-ovo-vegetarians - those who don't eat meat/flesh, fish, shellfish of any kind but still eat dairy products and eggs.
For the purpose of this recipe roundup for low-carb vegetarian meals, I have included eggs and dairy. I will create a vegan roundup in the future which will exclude these.
Learn more about the top 10 sources of low-carb protein for vegetarians.
What is a high-protein low-carb vegetarian?
If you are following a vegetarian diet but want to increase your protein and lower your carbs, you will need to find high-protein vegetarian foods such as dairy, vegetables, and high-protein nuts.
A high-protein low-carb diet is satisfying and can give you incredible health improvements, but only if you formulate it well on whole food with as little processing as possible.
These delicious low-carb vegetarian recipes will help you create your own vegetarian meal plan, and most of the recipes can be frozen.
Low-Carb Pasta, Rice, and Bread Replacements
What Are Zoodles? by Ditch the Carbs - No low-carb vegetarian meal can be complete without some zoodles. Still, don't know what they are? Take a look and learn how to make them.
This eggplant and cauliflower couscous is the perfect flavourful gluten-free dish. The amazing texture and taste of eggplant creates a delicious balance between the fluffy couscous filling.
How To Cook Spaghetti Squash (Video) by Ditch the Carbs - Just add butter or some homemade tomato sauce to spaghetti squash and you have a wonderfully easy meal. Watch the video to see how easy these are to cook.
Cauliflower Rice by Ditch the Carbs - A vegetarian staple, add flavours and herbs to make it pack a punch.
Low-Carb Vegetarian Recipes: Main Dish
This 3 ingredient EGG-FREE easy keto pasta recipe is about to blow your mind! It tastes even better than regular pasta and only has 1 gram of carbs per serving!
Keto Spinach And Feta Pie by Ditch the Carbs - This is my absolute favourite go-to low-carb vegetarian meal. It is perfect for dinner, lunch, and especially sturdy to take on a picnic. Ideal for school lunch boxes too.
Courgette Mint Feta Fritters by Ditch the Carbs - Serve these courgette and mint fritters with a colourful salad and minty yoghurt sauce, and they'll be coming back for more.
Spaghetti squash egg nests by KetoDietApp - This meal is the perfect start to your day on a Sunday morning. It's a great way to use leftover spaghetti squash from last night's dinner!
Caprese Crustless Quiche by Wholesome Yum - This low-carb crustless quiche is everything you love about a Caprese salad, transformed into a satisfying and protein-packed vegetarian meal.
Zucchini Ricotta Tart by All Day I Dream About Food - Not only is this cheesy tart vegetarian, but it's great for any meal of the day. Throw a green salad on the side to make it lunch or dinner!
Low Carb Eggplant Parmesan Bites by Ditch the Carbs - These cute little bites can be made into a meal by serving with warm steamed vegetables or a huge side salad.
The next time you're craving salty potato chips, these low carb easy zucchini chips are a delicious keto snack for only 1.8 grams of carbs.
Spicy Cauliflower Quesadillas by Wholesome Yum - These spicy, low-carb, and gluten-free quesadillas are made with sharp cheddar cheese, a creamy homemade jalapeno sauce, and tortillas made from cauliflower.
Twice Baked Spaghetti Squash by Kalyn's Kitchen - Spaghetti squash is delicious with pesto and Parmesan and this Twice-Baked Spaghetti Squash with Pesto and Parmesan is low-carb and gluten-free. It makes a nice winter side dish if you're avoiding higher-carb vegetables.
Green Fat Head Pizza by Ditch the Carbs - Such a fresh and light alternative to heavy stodgy pizza. Green Fathead pizza makes such a wonderful low-carb vegetarian meal, lunch, or dinner.
Spiralized Zucchini Asian Salad by Low-Carb Yum - You'll enjoy this refreshing spiralized zucchini Asian salad on lazy days. No cooking involved. Just mix and chill.
Roasted Cauliflower Slices by Kalyn's Kitchen - Roasted Cauliflower Slices with Red Pepper, Capers, Lemon, and Olives is a delicious low-carb meatless meal!
Crustless Mushroom Spinach Pie by Sugar-Free Mom - The only vegetarian meal my meat-loving family will eat without complaint. It's a hearty pie!
Spinach Artichoke Breakfast Casserole by All Day I Dream About Food - All the flavours of the classic spinach artichoke dip in a delicious meatless low-carb breakfast casserole. And it's all baked in your crockpot! Can also be made dairy-free.
Spinach Mushroom Cheese Quiche by Low-Carb Yum - This low-carb spinach mushroom cheese quiche is quick and easy to prepare when you don’t have a lot of time for dinner. Can be made with or without a crust.
LOW-CARB VEGETARIAN RECIPES: SIDE DISHES
Greek Briam With Feta by KetoDietApp - This Greek Briam is one of the best vegetable dishes you can have on a low-carb diet. It's easy to make and full of flavour!
Low-Carb Egg Salad by Ditch the Carbs - Low-carb egg salad can be transformed into a full low-carb vegetarian meal by adding diced vegetables such as celery, peppers, mushrooms, chili, curry powder, mustard seeds, alfalfa sprouts, or even grated carrots. The possibilities are endless.
Your whole family will love their veggies with keto cheesy baked asparagus. The quick cooking video will show you how to make my easy cheese sauce that your whole family will love.
Creamed Leeks by Ditch the Carbs - This can even be pureed into a soup with a little vegetable stock. Perfect for winter.
Avocado Salsa by Ditch the Carbs - When avocados are in season, this is a great way to serve them. Why not make a whole bowl for yourself?
Stuffed Baby Peppers by Ditch the Carbs - The perfect snack or appetiser.
Low Carb Focaccia Bread by Ditch the Carbs - Add some garlic butter and this is perfect to share.
Low-Carb FatHead Crackers by Ditch the Carbs - Perfect for when you want a crunchy low carb cracker.
Sweet Tooth? Find Low-Carb Dessert Recipes & Low-Carb Cake Recipes
Low-Carb Vegetarian Beverage Recipes
Chocolate Green Smoothie by Ditch the Carbs - Are you after a liquid lunch or breakfast on the go? If so, you've got to try this fantastic smoothie!
Chia are incredibly powerful seeds that are high in protein and fibre. This sugar-free chia fresca is the perfect summer drink! It is fresh, vibrant and filling with plenty of protein
Vanessa
I love vegan alfredo with zoodles. You can actually make this and put it in a jar as well for a quick easy meal prep. Thanks for sharing these great recipes!
Abdul
Wow amazing, would try some out. Thanks for sharing!
Amanda
Couldn't look at the recipes because of all the ads. This actually physically slowed down my phone.
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
I apologise it keeps this website free. I do have a membership site which is advert-free, but there is a monthly fee. Take a look, it may interest you for further support and courses.
Erin I.
Wow, I was strictly keto for a year (my fiance lost 60lbs, I have nothing bad to day about keto but I didn't lose nearly as much because I work for a brewery... a blessing and a curse lol) but ultimately it became too restrictive for me. So I searched " low carb vegetarian recipes" and I was NOT disappointed. I rarely comment but I've saved almost every recipe on this page. Great compilation of easy, healthy, low carb and delicious. THANK YOU!!
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Thank you, Erin, I am trying to develop more low-carb recipes for vegetarians as there seems to be such interest amongst the vegetarian community.
Sharon Finch
Parmesan is not vegetarian.
Sheile
Why? If you don't mind me asking. Are you thinking vegan or is there something I don't know about parmesan?
Thanks
Lesley Taylor
Parmesan is usually made with animal rennet. It’s not usually classed as vegetarian unfortunately. Check the packaging though as some are.
Tamika
Parmesan is vegetarian because it contains no meat. Parmesan is not vegan because it contains milk. There is a difference.
Hayley
Most hard cheeses are made from rennet that is derived from the stomach of a calf, lamb or goat while their diets are still limited to milk, this is typically 90% pure chymosin. You will want to check each cheese you purchase to find out of it is made using animal or vegetable rennet.
Dikkie dik
Parmesan is not vegetarian... please do your research before you comment.
Libby Jenkinson
Parmesan is vegetarian (it does not contain meat) but it is not vegan (cheese contains an animal product).
Eileen
First and foremost, Thank you for taking the time out of your life to put together these recipes in one spot so that those of us that are searching for these or similar recipes have a starting point. I don't mind the ads that you have because I know that this is how you pay for your website and design. Don't worry about what other people say about the ads because they aren't going to pay for your website costs.
To those of you that just want something to whine about I suggest that you make one of the cheesy recipes before you sit down at your computer and have a serving to go with what ever it is you are whining about that day.
Albert Talcott
Yes! Wonderful comment, thank you.
Desiree
I had no issue with ad placement either, and I am sooo excited to utilize your recipes. They look delish! Thanks!
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Thank you 🙂
Crystal
This site has way too many ads. I'm getting terrible lag even typing this message. You should be ashamed.
Danasaur
You know, no one was forcing you to stay on and type this message, you could have opted out of the 'terrible lag'. Instead you decided to leave nasty comments on a website for no other reason than to antagonize the person who had created it for free. You should be ashamed.
Dil
First off, thank you for collating these recipes.
"You should be ashamed." is a bit far.
Although...I agree with the point about "too many ads" to some extent.
I don't mind ads at all, but the ads on the page are placed in between content (specifically between a recipe title and image) so make it difficult to see the the recipe looks like.
If your goal is increase ad sense revenue, then ignore what I just said and don't worry about...
But if your goal is to create a community/tribe/audience then you might want to think about the customers experience... because all i'm doing (as the potential customer) is scanning the page for good looking dishes, then find the link and open in new browser tab.
After that i'm done this site and closing the tab.
That my journey anyway.
Thanks again for the veggie recipes.
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Apologies for the adverts, I am working on other ways to cover costs. I use adverts so all my content will remain free here on my website. I am working o another website with no adverts, but that will have to be a membership site to cover costs. I try to cut them back to the minimum. I also refuse sponsored posts so you can trust what I say and recommend, rather than what I am paid for, this alone costs me tens of thousands each year but I feel it is worth it for my reputation. I'm rambling now aren't I? Anyway, apologies and I'll try to cut then back even further 🙂
Joan
Great recipes. I have tried a few & on here again to try a few more. Be greater than the haters. Too many options today to complain.
Marty
One of the worst sites I ever visited. Every picture of the food has an ad scrolling over it. Thanks for nothing. Wish there was some way I could know how many ads there are on a page so I don't click it and get the website owner paid.
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Hey awesome and thanks for the offer to help! If you would like, I could remove all the adverts then you could reimburse me and my staff for our time, website hosting, email programme, design, video production, book production, hours it takes to run my support groups, give talks to community groups, make donations to those who need it.... YAY. My adverts always allowed my website to be completely free of charge to everyone, but with your kind offer, I don't need them any more 😉
Anna Sanders
What a mean reply.
nicerperson
this makes you look bad. i know you were annoyed, just delete the original comment and your response. the majority of people understand why there are ads on sites.
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
It depends on which tone you read it. I just made a fun light hearted comment. Truly, don't take anything by it.
Lee Ellen
Your reply was fun and true. And, it was measured in the way your response was worded - always difficult to be kind to someone who says you should be ashamed and that this is the worst site.
Your recipes are great and when I don't have time to figure out how to make things vegetarian or gluten free or Fodmap, this site helps me greatly.
Thanks for all your hard work - I also suggest that, in the interests of your blood pressure, you delete the nasty notes. This is your site, after all.
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Thank you Lee Ellen 🙂 ❤️
Danasaur
I actually had no issues with ad placement, perhaps it has something to do with your browser setup? Either way, not sure why you felt it necessary to leave such a nasty post. I really enjoyed some of the recipe ideas here 🙂
Rajesh Garg
xcellent. ! Would like to keep receiving GOOD LCHP VEG RECEIPIES. Thanks
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
I am working on more, I am getting such amazing feedback from this article, so watch out - more low-carb vegetarian recipes are on the horizon!
Pat Stanley
Wow. I spent 6 weeks on "Eat fat get thin" and gave up after only losing a few pounds. Far too difficult as a vegetarian (been one for 28 years), far too much time spent making meals. I just discovered your site - thank-you!! Maybe I'll try again!
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
You also might enjoy my post 10 top sources of low-carb protein for vegetarians and even Busting the vegan myth has some excellent tips in there for you. Good luck 🙂
Chrissy
Hi. I'm looking for low carb high protein recipes. Is this something you guys have looked into? Keep up the good work, most of us are very grateful!
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
This is my favourite high protein snack, easy egg salad with homemade mayonnaise.
Dikkie dik
Please do some research on what makes dishes and ingredients vegetarian before you do. Not all of the dishes above are vegetarian.
Libby Jenkinson
Hi Dikkie, as mentioned in the article above, there are many variations of vegetarian diets. For example lacto ovo vegetarian and pescatarian.
list of vegan foods
Right here is the perfect blog for anyone who wishes to find out about this
topic. You know so much its almost tough to argue with you (not
that I really will need to…HaHa). You definitely put
a fresh spin on a subject which has been discussed for
a long time. Great stuff, just great!
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Thanks, I try not to be controversial (there enough of that out there already) just helpful with some practical tips. Vegetarian low-carb can be done and it can be done with some forethought and great planning. I'm glad you enjoyed it and found the article helpful.
Diane Forrester
I just found your site this morning and I subscribed so I'll receive your emails now. I'm getting the hang of low carb cooking, I just need fresh ideas. I'm not a full vegetarian but I am cutting out most meats. Also, I limit my gluten intake. Gluten makes me so bloated. My biggest challenge is getting enough protein at every meal. I'm looking forward to trying your recipes.
Heather
These all look delicious! I combine these with the recipes from this book (https://amzn.to/2vDaV8g) to prep all my low carb meals and I feel so much better!
michelly
I´m a vegetarian and so happy to see these recipes! Thank you 🙂
Lisa @ Low Carb Yum
Fantastic round-up! I get asked for low carb vegetarian recipes all the time so I will share. Thanks for including my quiche recipe!
Nicole
Please share the vegan recipes!
Erianne Farias
Thanks for sharing, I'm gonna try the zoodles for the 1st time. I'm waiting your post with vegan low-carb recipes to have some ideas. I'm trying to control uric acid and carbs at the same time and it's very hard. to find a diet with these both restriction
Karen
Lots of great ideas here for our next 'meat free Monday'.
While I was scrolling through I came across an ad for Kellogg's corn flakes! I have complained to Amazon whose ad it was.
Think they need to update their 'algorithms'!
KP
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Thanks, as soon as I see adverts like that or junk food, I report them. The odd one still slips through however. If we all report them maybe the message will get through.
Reisa
I took a photo snap of it if you want it
Ella Simonds
So many wonderful recipes at just 1 place! Thanks
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Thank you 🙂
KalynsKitchen
So many good ideas here; thanks for sharing a few of my recipes!
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
My pleasure Kalyn, they are amazing.