54 Low-Carb Lunch Ideas You Can Eat Guilt-Free

From the Recipe Creator: This slow-cooker dump meal is one of my go-to’s. The lighter chicken is a nice alternative to pulled pork. —Kim Ciepluch, Kenosha, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: These air-fryer pork chops get their rich flavor from Creole seasoning and Parmesan cheese. Bonus: They’re low in carbs, too! —Dawn Parker, Surrey, British Columbia

From the Recipe Creator: My zesty chicken with peppers and onions is so versatile, it works when you serve it over rice, potatoes, noodles, even a hoagie bun. —Kim Johnson, Sibley, Iowa

From the Recipe Creator: Featuring all the fun fixings for a BLT chicken sandwich, this salad is so lovable. I can prep the ingredients ahead of time and just throw it together at the last minute. Barbecue sauce in the dressing gives it unexpected flavor. Even picky eaters love my chicken salads. —Cindy Moore, Mooresville, North Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: I was looking for a way to amp up the flavor of regular chicken strips so I crushed up some leftover corn chips to create a crispy, flavorful coating. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: If you’re tired of the same old taco routine, give these a try. I tweaked a friend’s recipe to suit our tastes and my family’s loved it since. It’s so tasty and low maintenance. —Ally Billhorn, Wilton, Iowa

From the Recipe Creator: I had all the ingredients for fajitas, but instead of heating up my big oven I decided to try out the air fryer. Since mine is a small one, I wanted to get as much filling as I could in each stuffed chicken breast. This worked nicely by cutting slits in the breasts and then filling them. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

From the Recipe Creator: We use this super-duper chicken across several meals, including it in tacos, sandwiches, omelets and enchiladas. My little guys love helping to measure the seasonings. —Karie Houghton, Lynnwood, Washington

From the Recipe Creator: My Sicilian Aunt Paulina inspired this fluffy frittata. I remember visiting her garden, picking fresh veggies and watching her cook. Her wild asparagus frittata was my favorite. —Cindy Esposito, Bloomfield, New Jersey

From the Recipe Creator: I love a Caprese salad of tomatoes, basil and cheese, so why not try a chicken caprese? You can grill this dish, but my family agrees it’s juicier straight from the oven. —Dana Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona

From the Recipe Creator: The heart of a Greek salad recipe is in the olives, feta, cucumbers and tomatoes. Dress it with olive oil and vinegar, then add more olives and cheese. —Arge Salvatori, Little Ferry, New Jersey

From the Recipe Creator: This lemony tart is loaded with fontina cheese and fresh asparagus. It’s a snap to make but looks really impressive. Be advised…your guests will be vying for the last tasty slice. —Heidi Meek, Grand Rapids, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: My mother used to prepare this chicken salad with grapes and almonds for an evening meal during the hot summer months. It’s my favorite of my mother’s chicken salad recipes. —Kathy Kittell, Lenexa, Kansas

From the Recipe Creator: Low-carb doesn’t have to be skimpy with this lighter take on steak and eggs. I love cooking with squash, but feel free to toss in any vegetable combination you like. —Robert Deskin, Plantation, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: My Italian mother-in-law taught me to make this omelet years ago—she would make it for breakfast, lunch or dinner and eat it on Italian bread. This is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover broccoli. —Mary Licata, Pembroke Pines, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: While broccoli florets and chunks of red pepper give these stir-fry vegetables plenty of color, it’s the fresh gingerroot, garlic, soy sauce and sesame oil that round out the flavor. —Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York

From the Recipe Creator: I love to serve this family-favorite tenderloin—maybe because of the compliments that come with it! When the weather warms up, we grill it instead. —Megan Riofski, Frankfort, Illinois

From the Recipe Creator: Plump heirloom tomatoes highlight this garden-fresh showpiece, drizzled with a sweet-tart dressing and sprinkled with cheese. It’s perfect for an outdoor party and so easy to make! —Kathleen Merkley, Layton, Utah

From the Recipe Creator: Moist and tender chops make a speedy and comforting weekday meal. They’re dressed with a smooth, creamy sauce seasoned with Parmesan, onion and a hint of nutmeg, parsley and thyme. Here’s a new family favorite! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

From the Recipe Creator: We have a large asparagus patch and are able to freeze a lot for the year. My recipe highlights the flavor of the vegetable and is very easy to make. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: I first made this ham salad recipe for a shower, and everyone raved about it. Now when I go to a potluck, I take it—along with copies of the recipe. —Patricia Reed, Pine Bluff, Arkansas

From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a refreshing take on the classic chilled tomato soup. Our twist features shrimp, lime and plenty of avocado. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

From the Recipe Creator: I substituted sausage for the bacon to make a lettuce roll-up your family and friends will adore. It’s flavorful, crunchy and pretty on the plate. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut

From the Recipe Creator: This moist and tender chicken comes complete with its own creamy spinach side dish! It makes a pretty presentation and comes together in no time flat for a nutritious meal. —Genna Johannes, Wrightstown, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: Easy, quick and family-friendly, this chili lime shrimp recipe comes together in just 30 minutes. The secret is the flavor-packed sauce and crunchy tortilla chips. — Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

From the Recipe Creator: A fun and surprisingly hearty dish packed with flavor and richness. —Sara Morris, Laguna Beach, California

From the Recipe Creator: This knockout shredded pork makes a healthy, delicious and hearty salad with black beans, corn, cotija cheese and plenty of fresh greens. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma

From the Recipe Creator: My family loves this grilled chicken, and I love having a healthy and tasty recipe that keeps my kitchen cool. —Linda Coss, Lake Forest, California

From the Recipe Creator: My Italian-style grilled veggies have a wonderful sweet and sour dressing. Best of all, I pick the fresh veggies and herbs from my garden. —Laura Mast, Defiance, Ohio

From the Recipe Creator: This salad can be served as a cool and satisfying dinner or lunch. The delicious taste and smooth texture of avocados mixed with the crisp shrimp salad is heavenly. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: Slices of this pretty sandwich make any casual get-together more special. Add or change ingredients to your taste. —Peggy Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: This tasty soup comes together in minutes, and it’s a crowd-pleaser. The ingredients are available in my little Maine grocery store, too. —Jessie Grearson-Sapat, Falmouth, Maine

From the Recipe Creator: Expect a crowd to gather around the grill when these flavorful kabobs are cooking. The zesty honey-mustard glaze gives a lovely sheen to the sausage and veggies. —Lisa Malynn Kent, North Richland Hills, Texas.

From the Recipe Creator: When we travel by car, I make the frittata the night before, stuff it into pita bread in the morning and microwave for a minute or two. I wrap them in a towel so down the road we can enjoy a still-warm breakfast! —Carol Blumenberg, Lehigh Acres, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: I love the flavor profile of everything bagels, so I re-created it with traditional breaded chicken fingers. Serve them with your favorite chicken finger dip. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: This soup delivers a big bowl of fresh comfort—just ask my husband. Toppings like avocado, sour cream and tortilla strips are a must. —Heather Sewell, Harrisonville, Missouri

From the Recipe Creator: I like to make these golden chicken nuggets because they’re so quick and easy. My whole family loves them. You can also use the seasoning to cook chicken breast halves. Stack them on rustic bread with mayo, lettuce and tomato for delicious sandwiches. —Annette Ellyson, Carolina, West Virginia. Learn how to make keto chicken nuggets.

From the Recipe Creator: My grandparents grew pomegranates, pecans and walnuts and would send us some each year. Some of my best memories are the days I used to spend with my grandmother learning how to cook with her. Whenever I make this, it’s like having lunch with my grandmother again. —Wendy Ball, Battle Creek, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: Packed with meat, cheese and olives, these roll-ups are always a hit at parties. —Linda Searl, Pampa, Texas

From the Recipe Creator: With a light sweet-tangy dressing, the spinach doesn’t wilt and the apples retain their crunch. We serve this salad with homemade bread. —Denise Albers, Freeburg, Illinois

From the Recipe Creator: My daughter-in-law, a gourmet cook, served this cream of mushroom soup recipe as the first course for a holiday dinner. She received the recipe from her mom and graciously shared it with me. Now I’m happy to share it with my own friends and family. —Anne Kulick, Phillipsburg, New Jersey

From the Recipe Creator: I love the way these fresh flavors blend together. It’s a snap to throw this together using leftover burgers for a quick, healthy lunch. The burgers can also be served on buns. —Rachelle McCalla, Batesville, Arkansas

From the Recipe Creator: Shakshuka is a dish of poached eggs with tomatoes, onion and cumin. I learned about it while traveling through Southeast Asia, and it's been my favorite way to eat eggs since. —Ezra Weeks, Calgary, Alberta

From the Recipe Creator: This mildly cheesy cauliflower soup is a favorite of mine. I make it often in summer, although it’s good anytime. —Karen Brown, West Lafayette, Ohio

From the Recipe Creator: Blueberries are a fun surprise in this salad. I received the recipe from a co-worker’s wife, and it’s become one of my favorites. —Heidi Gilleland, Lees Summit, Missouri

From the Recipe Creator: These zippy shrimp bring a lot of pizazz to the table. Use as much or as little cayenne pepper as you'd like, depending on your family's tastes. We love ours served alongside rice pilaf. —Donna Thomason, El Paso, Texas

From the Recipe Creator: Cauliflower in potato salad? You bet, along with carrots, olives and other yummy surprises. —Mike Schulz, Tawas City, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: Tomato, bread crumbs and crunchy walnuts dress up pan tilapia fillets in this favorite recipe. I serve it with cooked julienne carrots and green beans. —Phyl Broich-Wessling, Garner, Iowa

From the Recipe Creator: Every salad should be colorful and crunchy like this one with its bright tomatoes, carrots, peppers and sassy spring mix. Toss with your best dressing. —Liz Bellville, Jacksonville, North Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: This rich and creamy frittata begins in the skillet and ends in the oven. We like this melty, cheesy dish with salad on the side. —Gilda Lester, Millsboro, Delaware

From the Recipe Creator: Fresh mushrooms star in this tender turkey entree that comes together in 15 minutes. Served with a side of brown rice, it makes a light but satisfying meal. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey

From the Recipe Creator: When I cook, the goal is to have enough leftovers for lunch the next day. This Caesar with pork has fantastic flavor even when the meat is chilled. —Penny Hedges, Dewdney, British Columbia

From the Recipe Creator: A short list of ingredients packs full flavor in this easy-to-assemble casserole. Serve it as the star of your next southwestern meal. —Phyllis Bidwell, Las Vegas, Nevada