Over Fifty Low Carb Flexitarian Recipes To Try!

Despite some of the rumors, eating low carb doesn’t have to mean stuffing your face with cheese cubes, steak and pork rinds. In fact, the flexitarian way of eating is a perfect complement to the low carb lifestyle. I have asked a few of my blogging friends to share some of their favorite recipes to bring you this collection of over 50 low carb flexitarian recipes that will fill your plate and nurture your belly.

Be sure to bookmark or pin this post. You’ll want to refer to it often!

What do you mean by Flexitarian?

Flexitarianism is a plant forward way of eating which puts emphasis on vegetables, beans and grains instead of meat and dairy. To control the animal intake you can either eat eggs, meat and dairy less frequently, or use them in smaller amounts in your recipes. If you make a point of having a meatless meal at least once a week, you’re a flexitarian, and these recipes are for you!

How Low is Low Carb?

Approaches to low carb eating vary from very restrictive keto plans of around 20 grams of carbs a day to more relaxed Atkins style approaches which keep the carbs around 100 grams a day by limiting grains, sugars and starchy vegetables, especially in the beginning. I’m not going to get into the merits of the different low carb plans. I’ve tried many of them with varying results and you’ll find many represented in the recipes below. The one thing they have in common is an emphasis on eating more whole foods, as opposed to processed foods.

The best low carb eating plans, in my opinion, encourage eating large amounts of non-starchy vegetables with limited amounts of meats, eggs and dairy, grains, legumes, fruits and starchy vegetables consumed on a daily or weekly basis. This will allow for plenty of variety and maximum nutrition. This type of eating style sounds a lot like flexitarianism, doesn’t it?

Let’s get started!

Cauliflower is a Low Carb Flexitarian’s Best Friend

Cauliflower is a fantastic substitute for rice and potatoes. It can be roasted and grilled, whole or in slices. It also holds its shape when cooked, making it a great choice for soups, stews and curries.

Cauliflower rice from Happy Kitchen Rocks

Cauliflower mash from Real Food RN

Cauliflower Fried Rice from Wholesome Yum

Whole Roasted Cauliflower from Strength and Sunshine

Cauliflower Curry from Savory Tooth

Lebanese Style Cauliflower from Lydia’s Flexitarian Kitchen

Beet and Cauliflower Slaw from Just Beet It

Crispy Tofu Bowl with Cauliflower Rice from The Forked Spoon

Easy Cauliflower Fritters from Tasty Galaxy

Eggplant and Broccoli Are Also Low Carb Allies

Eggplant and broccoli, like cauliflower, are versatile vegetables which can wear many food “hats”. They can be roasted, fried, added to casseroles, and make great meatballs.

Oven roasted eggplant cubes with balsamic vinaigrette by One Clever Chef

Baked eggplant parmesan casserole by Jersey Girl Cooks

Eggplant meatballs by Lydia’s Flexitarian Kitchen

Pisto (Eggplant, Peppers and Zucchini) by Lydia’s Flexitarian Kitchen

Broccoli and Dukkah Balls by Lydia’s Flexitarian Kitchen

Broccoli and Bacon Dip by Lydia’s Flexitarian Kitchen

Learn to Love Lettuce and Other Leafy Greens

I’m sure you won’t be surprised to hear not all salads are created equal. When making your choices, pay attention to your salad “accessories” like the dressing and the crunchy bits. Both of these can be loaded with carbs.

Greens like spinach, kale, collards, and others are excellent sources of fiber and minerals. Most can be enjoyed cooked or raw. So, they’re not only great candidates for salads but also can be added to soups and stews, turned into chips or used as wrappers in place of tortillas and breads.

Kale Salad from Real Food RN

Palak Paneer from Piping Pot Curry

Beet Greens Chips from Just Beet It

Cheeseburger Salad with Bacon Croutons from Lydia’s Flexitarian Kitchen

Vegan Spinach and Artichoke Dip from 5 Minutes for Mom

Brussels Sprouts That Won’t Make You Gag

All members of the cabbage family are full of detoxifying minerals like sulfur (which explains the smell) plus fiber so they will fill you up. I was traumatized by the mushy, stinky brussels sprouts my mother used to force on me as a child. Fortunately, modern cooking methods bring out the best characteristics of sprouts, so don’t be afraid to give them a try.

Air Fried Brussels Sprouts by Recipes from a Pantry

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pecans by Tasty Galaxy

Brussels Sprouts and Tofu by Lydia’s Flexitarian Kitchen

Mushroom and Nuts Also Make Flexitarian Meats

Mushrooms by themselves are excellent low carb choices. Broil them, pan fry them, slice them into salads, and add them to soups. But did you know they are also delicious meat substitutes? Sliced portabella or other large mushrooms can be freely substituted for chicken or beef in casseroles. They also can be chopped and formed into patties, especially when using nuts as a binder.

Roasted mushrooms from Savory Tooth

Easy sausage stuffed mushrooms from Lydia’s Flexitarian Kitchen

Walnut Taco Meat with Lime Cashew Cream from V Nutrition

Mushroom and Nut Burgers from Lydia’s Flexitarian Kitchen

Chorizo Mushrooms and Onions from Lydia’s Flexitarian Kitchen

Saucy Low Carb Vegetable Noodles

I like pasta, but it’s not something I eat daily, or even every week. Unless I’m low carbing. Then I want spaghetti for every meal! The good news is many vegetables can be cut into noodle shapes and they make excellent pasta substitutes. Cover them with your favorite low carb sauce and enjoy!

Courgetti with Coconut Milk and Sundried Tomatoes by Recipes from A Pantry

Spiralized Thai Salad by Strength and Sunshine

Butternut Squash Noodles with Butter Sage Sauce by Lydia’s Flexitarian Kitchen

Vegan Zucchini Pasta Alfredo by V Nutrition

Quick Cabbage Alfredo Skillet by Lydia’s Flexitarian Kitchen

Easy Alfredo Sauce by Lydia’s Flexitarian Kitchen

Comforting Flexitarian Soups

Soups are comforting and portable, making them an excellent choice for lunch on the go. The trick to making low carb soup is to avoid adding grains like rice or starchy veg like potatoes. Instead try using turnips or jicama for potatoes and shred up some cabbage to replace the noodles.

Low Carb Vegetable Soup from Low Carb Yum

Hot and Sour Soup from Lydia’s Flexitarian Kitchen

Easy Miso Soup from Happy Kitchen Rocks

Silky Vegan Cauliflower Soup from Happy Kitchen Rocks

30 Minute Low Carb Cauliflower Cheese Soup from Appetite for Energy

These Flexitarian Desserts Will Help You Stay on Track

Dessert are tricky on any type of eating plan. Low carb sweeteners will keep desserts within your carb limits but may cause digestive upset. And, let’s be honest– for some of us– certain foods will derail all our efforts to eat properly. If you want and can handle desserts give these recipes a try and satisfy your sweet tooth. Some of the desserts listed below are egg and dairy free, too. If you try them you’ll learn some valuable vegan baking skills.