Indian cuisine is rich in flavour but traditionally high in carbohydrates — rice, roti, naan, lentils and potatoes are staples. The good news is that with a few clever swaps, you can enjoy keto Indian food that is just as satisfying.
Chicken tikka, lamb kebabs, seekh kebabs, tandoori chicken, kofta and paneer are all naturally low in carbs and perfect for keto. These protein-rich dishes form the heart of keto Indian cooking.
Most curry bases (onion, garlic, ginger, tomatoes and spices) are perfectly fine on keto in moderate amounts. Reduce the tomato quantity slightly and avoid adding sugar. Creamy curries made with coconut milk or double cream are naturally keto-friendly.
Replace basmati rice with cauliflower rice — it takes just five minutes to prepare and absorbs curry sauces beautifully. For roti, almond flour flatbreads or psyllium husk wraps are excellent alternatives that are widely available in UK Asian grocery stores.
Traditional dal is high in carbs due to lentils. Instead, try spinach and paneer curry, a cauliflower and keema dish, or a rich lamb saag.
Get inspired by our keto main dish recipes and adapt your favourites using our keto lunch ideas.