Updated December 2019. On the hunt for low carb vegetarian recipes? These 30 carb-friendly vegetarian meals are just what you need!
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On a low carb diet and vegetarian? Sometimes it seems like vegetarian meals can lean towards the carb-heavy side. But there are still plenty of options for you in the low carb range!
These low carb vegetarian recipes are tasty, carb friendly and meat-free. Whether you’re a vegetarian or simply looking to still eat low carb while cutting down on meat, these 30 delicious recipes will give you tons of inspiration for your next few meals!
Eating vegetarian isn’t hard at all because there are so many great foods out there that you can add to recipes. Just as anything though, it’s important to make certain that you’re adding foods that are giving your body what it needs as well.
What vegetarian foods are high in protein and low in carbs?
There is a log of vegetarian foods that are high in protein while still being low in carbs. While this isn’t an exclusive list, here are some to consider incorporating into your daily eating habits:
- Tofu
- Chickpeas
- Greek Yogurt (nonfat)
- Cottage Cheese
Those are just a few. You can even add in more berries and fruits such as that to kick up your protein level a notch or two.
Know that you know the “powerful protein” vegetarian foods to add into your eating regimen, let’s dive in and get to these delicious vegetarian recipes!
Low Carb Lunch Ideas
If you’re looking for some simple and easy low carb vegetarian meals for lunch, check out these great options!
Avocado and Tomato Salad
What you’ll notice from this delicious recipe is that it’s super simple to make and tastes fresh. It’s light enough for a quick meal but hearty enough to give you the energy to get through the day.
This salad is so yummy and healthy for you! The avocados practically make the dressing as they gently break apart when you stir this salad together. All natural goodness!
Avocado Tomato Salad by Savor & Savvy
Cauliflower Fried Rice
You won’t even miss the rice with this delicious dish! This is a fail-proof recipe that packs an amazing amount of taste and flavor. This recipe allows you to get all the flavor that we love of fried rice while leaving the carbs out! Cauliflower rice is so tricky to the taste buds!
Trust me, they will be fooled on this one and you won’t be missing Friday night Chinese anymore.
Cauliflower Fried Rice by Savor & Savvy
Broccoli Stir Fry
What we love most about this dish is that it’s simple but plentiful. You get that crunch from the broccoli perfectly with every single bite. This is the perfect 20 minute weeknight meal! It comes together in just a few minutes. If you happen to take a couple minutes on Sunday to prep a couple of the ingredients, you can cut down the time even more. This is one to have in your back pocket for those crazy, busy nights we all have.
Broccoli Stir Fry by Savor & Savvy
Tomato, Cucumber and Onion Salad
I call this the “powerful trio” because it’s just that good. I find that during the summer months when the veggies are fresh from the garden is when I really crave this the most. This is a family favorite that we serve all the time. It comes together in minutes and travels well.
Think of this not only as a side dish but it travels well so can be taken to a potluck buffet, office potluck or even a summer bbq! You only have about 10 minutes to prep this one and you can walk out the door.
Tomato Cucumber and Onion Salad by Savor & Savvy
Caprese Roasted Tomato Melts
Gosh darn I wish these photos told the whole story of how delicious these are! The basil is such a great addition and adds the punch of flavor that would be missing otherwise.
TIP: Add basil after it comes out and it won’t turn black on you! I can promise you one thing…once you get a bite of this delicious dish, you’re never going to forget how it tastes.
Caprese Roasted Tomato Melts by Savor & Savvy
Grilled Eggplant Salad with Halloumi
The added eggplant to this dish gives it such a fun texture and flavor. Every single bite is so good! I love a great eggplant dish!
Eggplant is so hearty that it leaves you feeling so full and satisfied! This is an excellent way to try eggplant other than parmesan.
Grilled Eggplant Salad with Halloumi by A Clean Bake
Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad
This is another one of those salads that is so much more than just a “salad”. It’s so refreshing and has such a great crisp to it! Partner this salad with Broccoli Stir Fry or the Cauliflower Fried Rice from above and you have a complete Asian inspired meal! Another dish that simply takes a couple of moments to prepare.
Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad by Savory Tooth
Quick Low Carb Dinners
What I love about these recipes below is that they’re all super simple to make!
Vegan Instant Pot Chile Jackfruit
Not gonna lie…anytime I can use the Instant Pot to create anything, I’m down to make it happen! And if you’ve never tried jackfruit before, this is the perfect recipe to make it happen. Have you ever tried Jackfruit? Do you have an Instant Pot? How great is it to gather the two of them together and try this out! The citrus flavors orange and lime make me want to use my Instant Pot!
Vegan Instant Pot Orange Lime Chile Jackfruit by Plant Based Instant Pot
Oven Roasted Balsamic Eggplant Cubes
This dish is so good. Before making it, I’d never really thought about cutting the eggplants into cubes. But I just love that texture now! Do you love roasting vegetables? What a huge timesaver!
Toss them in and you have yourself 15-20 minutes to get other things done. Laundry, pay a few bills, pick up the stacks laying around. Prep tomorrow’s breakfast! You get the picture! Let’s roast everything!
Oven Roasted Eggplant Cubes with Balsamic Vinaigrette by One Clever Chef
Asparagus with Garlic and Parmesan
It’s simple yet flavorful and takes just a short amount of time to create this dish. Hands down, our family’s favorite way to roast asparagus! My son will stand and eat it from the jelly roll pan when it comes out. There is not a bit leftover!
Asparagus with Garlic, Butter and Parmesan by The Rising Spoon
Curry Cauliflower Rice
Cauliflower rice does an awesome job at soaking up the flavors and spices so the taste of curry really does stand out well in this simple vegetarian dish. Curry is not everyone’s favorite but it is a spice that can add a lot of flavor to dishes that otherwise can be bland, like cauliflower! Don’t be afraid to try this one out. You can always start with a little curry and add a bit more later into the recipe.
Curry Cauliflower Rice by Evolving Table
Creamy Cucumber and Dill Salad
This is a great starter to any meal as it really gets your taste buds awakened and ready to eat. Cucumbers are almost like potato chips for me. Do you ever feel like that?
I especially love a cucumber salad. This one feels beautifully old fashioned with the hint of dill will make all of us remember our Grandmas!!
Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad with Onion via Evolving Table
Roasted Red Pepper Tahini with Cauliflower
The roasted red pepper tahini takes an old ordinary cauliflower to a whole new level! This recipe is great to make when you are bored with the same old, same old recipes! Not anymore! Plus it won’t take long to whip it up!
Roasted Red Pepper Tahini with Cauliflower by Savor and Savvy
Quick Healthy Low Carb Dinner Ideas
Some of these recipes might be great for meals or just side dish options, too. It’s totally up to you!
Keto Mashed Cauliflower
I firmly believe that this tastes no different than mashed potatoes. (you should test out this theory on some of your friends and see if they agree!)
This mashed Cauliflower is amazing and you will barely notice the difference in the taste! Why not save the calories and carbs??
Keto Mashed Cauliflower by Savor and Savvy
Cheesy Cheddar Broccoli Rice
This recipe is so good and is a great choice for holidays as well. The cheese is really the star here! Do you remember putting cheese on your broccoli as a kid so you would eat it? It is like that only better! We like broccoli now and all the nutrients it has to offer!
Cheesy Cheddar Broccoli Rice by Wholesome Yum
Vegan Cauliflower Ceviche
I like to serve this up as a simple dip for guests and I always get complimented on the flavor and freshness. Cauliflower, red onions and jalapeno are the shining stars of this recipe! You have seen ceviche before on menus but I assure it, it is not like this one. I love the spin with the use of the cauliflower!
Vegan Cauliflower Ceviche by Veggies Save the Day
Instant Pot Cauliflower Potato Salad
So good, no one will ever believe you when you tell them what the main ingredient is! Cauliflower is substituted for your traditional potato salad here which brings down the carb count that we all want! I love the variety and spin on this one!
Instant Pot Cauliflower Potato Salad by In the Kids Kitchen
Roasted Delicata Squash with Balsamic Maple
This simple dish just screams Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. It’s sweet and compliments anything else that it’s paired up with. This is so versatile that you could use the Balsamic Maple Vinaigrette on other squashes as well so if you don’t know if you like Delicata Squash or can’t locate it, that won’t stop you from making this one. Plus anytime that I find a recipe that I can prep beforehand AND roast in the oven, it is a keeper for me!!
Roasted Delicata Squash with Balsamic Maple Vinaigrette by The Baking Fairy
Low Carb Sautéed Zucchini and Squash
Just a few ingredients and you’ve got an awesome dish that takes no time at all. We make this a couple times a week. I love the simplicity and the mindlessness of the dish! Plus it just tastes delish!
Sauteed Zucchini and Squash by Evolving Table
Eggplant Gratin with Feta Cheese
This is the dish that made me fall in love with Feta Cheese! One bite and I think you’re going to agree. This eggplant dish was inspired by a Ukrainian!
She grew up eating lots of eggplants and created a delicious cheesy sauce to go on top! If you have never tried Creme Fraiche, this is your chance!
Eggplant Gratin with Feta Cheese by Lavender and Macarons
Vegetarian Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Who says that meat really has to be added to anything? This hearty vegetarian casserole will prove that veggies can taste amazing all on their own. If you have a creamy lasagna craving, this dish is going to take care of that! You won’t even miss the lasagna noodles! Seriously, look at how creamy and dreamy this photo is! She uses a lot of the same components as a lasagna but incorporates spaghetti squash instead. It only receives 5 stars!!!
Vegetarian Spaghetti Squash Casserole by Peas and Crayons
Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
Wait till you whip up this shepherd’s pie. It’s going to be unlike anything that you’ve ever tried before. (but in a very good way!) This is a great way to get your fill of a comfort food. The inside is chock full of meaty mushrooms while the topping is mashed cauliflower!
Vegan Shepherd’s Pie by Delicious Everyday
Meal Ideas for a Low Carb Vegetarian Diet
All of these meals can be enjoyed knowing that they’re vegetarian and low carb!
Low Carb Pizza Crust
You can totally have your pizza and eat it too and this crust makes it simple to do. The thing that I like most about this recipe is that it is creative! She uses almond flour as her base. Something that you don’t see in a standard low carb dish! She rocks! She does not go for low fat here with the cream cheese and alfredo sauce but this is about low carb, not low calorie!
Low Carb Pizza Crust by Jennifer Banz
Parmesan Pesto Cauliflower Rice
The combination of pesto and parmesan is one that I’d never used before but now it’s always on my radar.
Don’t you think pesto makes everything taste better? You can throw that on/in about anything and it just takes the flavor up a few notches! I love that she incorporates it into cauliflower rice, which can be boring if left alone!
Parmesan Pesto Cauliflower Rice by My Sequined Life
Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup
Another great soup recipe where the Instant Pot gets to do all the hard work! She took a soup that could be considered average and made it amazing by using mexican inspired spices along with sauteed peppers and onions.
The prep is less than 10 minutes, so this one is a keeper for me!
Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup by Recipes from a Pantry
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Mushrooms
When I make this dish, I literally cannot stop eating them. Who knew that roasted mushrooms could be this good?! We can add garlic and parmesan to just about anything and make an amazing meal! The combination of the two mix so well together and that is probably why you see it on vegetables, pasta and meats. It works everywhere!
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Mushrooms by Peas and Crayons
Georgian Salad with Peppers and Zucchini
If you’ve never cooked using baby sweet peppers before, you have to start! Don’t let the name fool you on this one! Georgian meaning the country, not the state, for this recipe! The recipe was made by the author’s mom who was visiting from Ukraine and threw it together but it so simple yet delicious!
Georgian Salad with Baby Sweet Peppers and Zucchini by Lavender and Macarons
Zucchini Tomato Eggplant Bake
I’ve made this delicious dish for family and friends and it’s always been a big hit. The recipe is not only gorgeous but it also is so easy to make that you will most likely add it to your rotation!
It’s filling by adding the cheese on top. Pack this up for a scrumptious lunch or a weekend dinner.
Zucchini Tomato Eggplant Bake by Everyday Eileen
Roasted Brussel Sprout Stalk
This is a fan favorite to serve for weekend dinners at home or when you are entertaining friends on a holiday! The presentation is beautiful enough to make it a centerpiece of any dinner and it tastes out of this world!
Sheet Pan Roasted Brussel Sprout Stalk by Savor and Savvy
Cucumber Salad
This is my go-to salad during the summer months when I have cucumbers from the garden coming out of my ears! This salad is made in under 10 minutes and only has a few ingredients. It pulls the flavor from the natural ingredients rather than drippy sauces and additives.
Add some tomatoes, if desired, and head off to a potluck or bbq.
Cucumber Salad by Know your Produce
Roasted Beets and Carrots
Such a phenomenal side dish or as a great dish to take to work each day! This recipe is low in carbs and high in nutrients! The best of every world!
Roasted Beets and Carrots by Savor and Savvy
Vegetarian Thai Peanut Zucchini Noodles
The peanut flavor in this dish really does taste like authentic Thai. Love the use of the spiralizer on this one!
The recipe is flexible to what you have on hand and is a great alternative to salad on a night when you want something a bit lighter.
Vegetarian Thai Peanut Zucchini Noodles by Flavor the Moments
Cauliflower Rice and Black Beans with Kale
Fun and simple, and tastes delicious as well. I love the added black beans. This is so hearty that you won’t need much else to go with it! Toss it in a container the night before and take it into work for lunch. Easily portable and stores great in the fridge.
Cauliflower Rice and Black Beans with Kale by Healthy Slow Cooking
Low Carb Mashed Rutabaga
This is an incredible tasty recipe to replace the mashed potatoes in your diet! The sweet taste from the rutabaga is set off perfectly with the taste of chives in each bite. Very little is really needed to bring out the delicious flavor!
Mashed Rutabaga with Chives by Savor and Savvy
Roasted Rutabaga Fries
Absolutely delicious way to substitute those amazing french fries that we all love with our meals! These are sweet and have a hint of sea salt to give them a great flavor. Eat alone or pair them with your favorite sauce.
Roasted Rutabaga Fries by Savor and Savvy
More Vegetarian Recipe Inspiration
It’s exactly what I was looking for. I am very much fond of Low-Carb Vegetarian Recipes. I always prefer to have some Low-Carb Vegetarian Recipes in my diet list. Thanks Jazmin for these nice sharing.
Seems very delicious Low-Carb Vegetarian Recipes. Thanks for sharing with some awesome pictures.