This post is about the best keto cinco de mayo recipes.
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Happy Cinco de Mayo, friends!! Okay, real talk… if you don’t like Mexican food, we can’t be friends anymore. Lol kidding. 😉 But seriously, Tex-Mex has become such a popular food choice in America these days. And no shame when I say this. I think my boyfriend and I ate it three weeks in a row a few months ago. Haha.
You can’t go wrong with chips and queso, plus a margarita! 😋
But for Cinco de Mayo, we’re kicking it up a notch by preparing all of these yummy low-carb recipes for your fiesta!
Before we jump into the recipes, I want to give a super basic and quick explanation as to what keto recipes are for those who don’t know. Low carb diets have been around for decades now. So most of you will know what a low-carb diet is. But if not, you’ve landed in the right spot – because back in the day, I used to be a master at nailing minimal carbohydrate intake.
All of the different “low carb terms” can start to get confusing so here’s the spark notes run down…
First things first… low carb diet, keto diet, ketogenic diet and paleo diet are all essentially talking about the same thing. Yes there are different specifications to each word but they all preface a low carbohydrate intake.
- Low carb is often known as a “keto diet”, because of the stage of ketosis your body goes into with a lack of carbohydrates.
- Carbohydrates are a macronutrient found within the food you eat.
- “Carbs”, for short, are broken down by your body and turned into glucose – aka sugar – for energy.
Here’s where it gets tricky.
Because talking about carbs can be a controversial topic.
A popular belief is that carbs are terrible for your body. Many will claim that glucose is broken down and stored as fat in your body. While that is partially true… Your body is actually breaking down these carbs for glucose to replenish the glycogen stores in your muscles that get depleted throughout the day.
Your body doesn’t “choose” what it’s going to do with the carbs.
I digress. Because not everybody enjoys eating a higher carb intake. And that’s perfectly okay! I truly see the benefit of both perspectives.
As long as your body is getting SOME sort of carbohydrate intake.
Not only do people have carb intake preferences, but many foods that contain gluten are carbs. So it makes sense, if you have a gluten allergy like celiac disease, to follow Paleo recipes (Paleo, like I mentioned before, is just another word for keto and low carb).
Now, all of that may sound like mumbo jumbo and I can get into all of that in a different blog post if you’d like, but we’re gonna jump back on track.
If you’ve tried following a keto diet, you’re aware that sometimes it can be hard. I know this from experience. When I am watching my carb intake, attempting to find easy recipes – that follow the low carbohydrate protocol – can tend to be frustrating.
This is why I definitely chase after Mexican food recipes.
What is the healthiest Mexican food to eat?
Carbs come from all different varieties of food. But when it comes to Mexican food, you’ll find them mostly in tortillas and chips.
By slightly eliminating those, most simple ingredients can compile into a perfect keto-friendly dish. All you need is an extra protein like taco meat, chicken breasts, steak, or shrimp. And then throw in some of my favorite toppings like cheddar cheese, bell peppers, onions, and sour cream. And don’t forget the refried beans!!
So friends, today, I’m gonna give you an all-out keto Mexican food guide!! In order to show you how you can eat delicious keto recipes using some of my favorite Mexican recipes all in celebration of Mexican culture and independence from winning the Battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862! Or another good excuse to eat Mexican flavors!! 😉
This post is all about finding the best keto cinco de mayo recipes for your keto cinco de mayo celebrations or your next taco Tuesday!
Keto Cinco de Mayo Recipes:
Keto Cinco de Mayo Main Dishes
From taco salads, enchiladas, fajitas, casseroles, and quesadillas.. this keto main dish section covers all of the options in keto cinco de mayo recipes!
Keto Taco Salad
Taco salad is one of the most well-known dishes for keto dieters. It’s low-carb, gluten-free, and easy to make. Paired with cheese, sour cream, and avocado, it sticks true to the keto theme based on its lack of carbs and healthy fats.
Chicken Enchilada Cauliflower Casserole
Enchiladas are such a yummy staple in Mexican cuisine. Pairing them with cauliflower it makes such a filling dish while keeping your carbs low. Ready in less than an hour, you have a perfect swap for an enchilada rice casserole.
Salsa Verde Baked Fish
This one is for all of my seafood lovers!! Fish tacos are one of my favorite Tex-Mex foods, but baking or grilling fish is one of the leanest ways you can prepare it. Try this Salmon Salsa Verde!
Instant Pot Queso Chicken
It’s seriously as if everybody is on an instant pot kick these days but who can blame them? Lol with the convenience and ease of having an instant pot, making this slow cooker queso chicken is such a breeze.
Salpicon Shredded Beef
This shredded beef dish is best served at room temperature or cold! Just thinking of this brisket makes my mouth water.
Cheese Taco Shells
Pairing Colby jack cheese and sour cream, these cute little keto cheese taco shells are perfect for bite-size or full-size tacos!
Chicken Fajita Casserole
Chicken, onions, peppers, and a fajita sauce make for such a tasty meal!
Chicken and Cheese Quesadilla
The best part about these keto chicken and cheese quesadillas is that they’re made in under 30 minutes!!
CopyCat Chipotle Barbacoa
This Chipotle Barbacoa dupe has five-star ratings. Not bad for a take-out food recipe!! The homemade sauce it cooks within, makes it tender and full of flavor!
taco stuffed zucchini boats
Healthy and an extra serving of veggies? Yes, please!! These taco stuffed zucchini boats are full of taco meat, Colby Jack cheese, and chili powder for a kick!
low carb tamale pie
This keto taco pie has a cornbread casserole-like base and is full of ground beef, black olives and cheese. Topped with sour cream!
keto green chile chicken enchiladas
Full of green chili flavor these keto enchiladas are creamy, and cheesy and serve eight! They’re perfect for the whole family.
Sheet pan chicken fajitas
You can’t go wrong with fajitas!! This is suchhhh a tasty recipe. Make these yummy chicken fajitas all in one pan, in under 30 minutes! Easy and healthy is the best combo.
chicken quesadilla chaffle
If you’ve never heard of a Chaffle, you’re missing out! These chicken and cheese chaffles taste just like a chicken and cheese quesadilla that has no flour.
jalapeno popper chicken skillet
A skillet chicken dinner full of flavor and cheesy jalapeño sauce! And it’s gluten-free!! 🙂
sheet pan baked lemon garlic shrimp
Single-sheet pan meals are the absolute best! This baked shrimp with olive oil, spices, lemon, and garlic is so good.
keto chaffle taco shells recipe
Easy to make! Just add chicken or beef and top with your favorite toppings!
crockpot beef barbacoa Recipe
Barbacoa is a Mexican dish made of beef, lamb, or goat. This recipe calls for a juicy and tender beef brisket!
grilled chili lime chicken
Such an amazing recipe! Full of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy – this grilled chili cilantro lime chicken is great on salads, burritos, wraps, or with rice.
keto tacos with cheese shells
Crispy low-carb cheese taco shells are a flavorful swap for tortillas.
instant pot carnitas
This crispy instant pot carnitas recipe has five stars and is crispy, juicy, and tender pork made in under an hour. Pair it with rice or tacos.
mexican ropa vieja
Made in a pressure cooker, aka instant pot – this Mexican dish is effortless, low-carb and it’s a perfect combo of meat and veggies!
air fried carne asada
If your mouth isn’t watering just looking at this image, you’re crazy!! This is the recipe for juicy Carne Asada steak made in the air fryer… and it only takes 15 minutes!
creamy jalapeno popper chicken thighs
A delicious idea!! Protein with a spicy kick, these creamy jalapeño popper chicken thighs are great as a main dish! Draped with bacon and cheese.
quick mexican garlic butter shrimp
OMG, for real.. garlic butter shrimp is so good and this recipe is so easy coming in under 15 minutes cooked in one skillet! Topped with parmesan cheese. Yum!
steak and shrimp fajitas
Alright y’all – I think it’s time for me to take a break because my mouth is watering!!! Lol. These steak and shrimp sheet pan fajitas serve six and it’s a restaurant-quality dinner that’s easy to serve. Steak and shrimp fajitas are my all-time favorite things!
southwest skillet with chipotle cream
Taco meat combined with veggies, avocado and chipotle cream makes for a zesty meal!!
almond flour tortillas
I love this dupe so much! These almond flour tortillas give you a real feel of flour tortillas without the carbs.
keto chicken tinga
Made in an instant pot, Chicken Tinga is made with tender shredded chicken, spicy chipotle chilies, sautéed onions, and more!
chicken chile verde
A low-carb green chicken chili recipe that is gluten-free grain free and dairy free. Top it with cilantro, avocado, and sour cream!!
mexican shredded chicken
All you need is a slow cooker and four simple ingredients. Add this shredded Mexican chicken onto a salad, on tacos, wraps, or into soups! The best thing since sliced bread.
low carb enchiladas with shrimp
Jumbo wild-caught shrimp wrapped in soft low-carb tortillas, covered in a creamy cheese sauce, and baked until bubbly!
low carb mexican lasagna
Made with cauliflower, this easy layered Mexican lasagna is a filling comfort food that is gluten free, grain free, and low-carb!!
easy low carb enchiladas with ground beef
Ground beef rolled inside of crispy melted cheese and covered in sauce. This is a perfect meal that is just as tasty when it’s reheated.
ground chicken tacos
A light and lean version of ground beef tacos with the option of swapping the meat for ground turkey! Saving on fats and calories.
low carb beef tacos with homemade taco seasoning
A tasty homemade version of taco meat that is full of spices, onions, garlic, and tomato paste.
keto taco cheeseburgers
This is such a fun spin on tacos AND cheeseburgers!!
instant pot keto adobo chicken
A recipe from the Philippines that has a caramelized sauce full of savory and sweet flavors. This recipe uses chicken thighs or wings!
keto crockpot chicken tacos
Crockpot chicken tacos with jalapeños and…. beer?!? Yes, the beer adds a unique flavor to this easy crockpot meal!
adobo chicken chili
Spicy white adobo chicken chili made with grilled chicken, Great Northern beans, onion, adobo sauce, and fresh cilantro!
stuffed poblano peppers with cilantro lime cauliflower rice
Stuffed Poblano Peppers filled with seasoned ground beef, green onions, and cilantro then topped with cheddar cheese!!
keto breakfast burrito quiche
With ground beef and pork sausage, this breakfast burrito quiche comes in at 2 carbs per serving! And it’s meal prep and freezer friendly for your cinco de mayo festivities!!
keto fajita casserole
A fajita chicken casserole that is perfect served immediately over cauliflower rice, steamed vegetables, or zucchini noodles!
keto sheet pan fajitas
One of my favorite keto cinco de mayo recipes!! An all-in-one sheet pan recipe made in only 30 minutes! Paired with a homemade fajita spice blend and a Tex-Mex-inspired marinade.
Keto Cinco de Mayo Appetizers
keto nachos
Who doesn’t love nachos?! For this recipe you’ll need to make their 15-minute legit tortilla chips! But that’s what helps make this such an awesome recipe!!
mexican shrimp cocktail
More than just a delicious appetizer, this meaty shrimp, avocado, vegetables, and tomato sauce could be enjoyed as a meal!
marinated chicken fajita skewers
Skewers are such a tasty and fun-to-eat appetizer! These chicken fajita kebabs are marinated citrusy chicken with fresh grilled onions and peppers!
easy jalapeno cheese chips
Crunchy and airy with a jalapeño kick! These jalapeño cheddar chips are a perfect keto appetizer or side dish.
bacon wrapped stuffed jalapenos poppers
With a minimalistic ingredient list and a quick back time, these bacon-wrapped jalapeños poppers are a definite go-to!
chicken tacos lettuce wraps
This could very easily be a frequent flyer on my repeat recipes list! The fresh avocado on top is the perfect addition to the grilled chicken!
Keto Cinco de Mayo Dips
Roasted jalapeno guacamole
There’s nothing better than fresh and creamy guacamole… adding in a smoky jalapeño flavor takes it to the next level!
spicy avocado dip
It’s not Mexican food without a kick of spice! This yummy spicy avocado dip recipe uses Tabasco sauce amongst other seasonings and fresh tomatoes!
homemade guacamole
I’m truly salivating thinking about this best homemade guacamole recipe! Fresh and ready to eat in 15 minutes.
easy white queso recipe
Ooh, my favorite Mexican appetizer … white queso dip 😋 fresh cut Velveeta block cheese and diced peppers make up this delicious dip!
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Keto Cinco de Mayo Side Dishes
Cilantro lime cauliflower rice
Such a fresh and flavorful side dish to pair with baked chicken or grilled carne asada!
mexican cauliflower rice
I crave Mexican rice all of the time!! This spin on keto Mexican rice uses shredded cauliflower and only takes 10 minutes.
coconut lime cauliflower rice
Cauliflower rice with coconut milk, fresh lime juice, and lime zest!
keto mexican style cauliflower rice
A one-pan easy skillet Mexican cauliflower rice with 8 simple ingredients and only 25 minutes to make!
low carb chipotle lime mexican coleslaw
As a quick swap for chips and salsa, or to add on top of your keto tacos.. this recipe is easy to throw together and has minimal ingredients!
Keto Desserts
keto fresas con crema (strawberries and cream)
A classic Mexican keto dessert using strawberries and cream for a slightly sweetened layered treat!
keto sopapilla cheesecake bars
A thick and creamy cream cheese center topped with cinnamon and a flakey crust… I’m drooling!
keto mexican hot chocolate cookies
5-star ratings out of 70+ reviews… that make an instant yes in my book! These sweet and savory Mexican hot chocolate cookies only take 17 minutes to make!
keto churros recipe
Churros are so. freaking. good. The fact that they can be made into a keto version makes me love this recipe even more!
keto tres leches cake
One of the most popular desserts in Latin America, this keto tres leches cake is moist and topped with creamy whipped cream!
keto mexican chocolate pudding
This keto Mexican chocolate pudding not only has cayenne pepper but espresso, too!! A simple six-ingredient recipe!
Keto Drinks
classic keto margaritas
Break out your favorite tequila because margaritas are a staple to any Americanized Mexican meal. Feel good about drinking more than one of these fresh margaritas with this keto margarita recipe!
Keto mexican mule
Grab your copper mug, cocktail shaker, and diet ginger beer cause we’re making yummy keto Mexican mules!
low carb paloma
Sugar-free and low-calorie, this easy keto paloma recipe is a top choice for healthy Mexican cocktails!
keto bloody maria
Are there any Bloody Mary fans out there? I am, for sure! This bloody Maria recipe is full of flavor and punch.
keto tequila mojito
Kick the sugar for these keto mojitos. this recipe uses rum but you can easily swap it for tequila!
keto tequila sunrise
Last but not least, the “healthier” version of the tequila sunrise! A sweet and fruity low-carb cocktail!
With 73 delicious Mexican-style keto cinco de mayo recipes, I hope you were able to find at least one to make for your cinco de mayo celebration!! So get ready to fill up some plates, grab some glasses, and pack your home with lots of guests. Enjoy your Cinco de Mayo friends!!! 🙂
This post was all about the best keto cinco de mayo recipes!!
xoxo,
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