Sometimes you want a good dinner without all the carbs that leave you feeling like you need a nap afterward. If you’re tired of meals that revolve around bread, pasta, or rice, these low-carb dinners are exactly what you need. They’re flavor-packed, easy-to-make dishes that won’t leave you crying for a loaf of bread on the side. From quick air fryer meals to skillet favorites, these recipes prove that low-carb doesn’t mean low on taste.
Marinated Chicken Wings
These wings are salty, sticky, sweet, and savory all at once. Forget the breading and buffalo sauce; this recipe gives you all the flavor without the carbs.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Chicken Wings
Gochujang Chicken
A 30-minute dinner with spicy, sweet, and sticky gochujang sauce that pairs perfectly with rice. You get a takeout-inspired meal without feeling weighed down by carbs.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Chicken
Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Meatballs
Turkey meatballs stuffed with cheddar and Italian seasoning, cooked in marinara sauce. Perfect for a low-carb dinner that still feels hearty and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Meatballs
Burger Bowls
All the flavor of your favorite burger, but in a bowl. With a special homemade sauce, this burger bowl is a healthier option that lets you skip the bun without sacrificing flavor.
Get the Recipe: Burger Bowls
Air Fryer Ribeye
Ribeye steak cooked in the air fryer comes out tender and juicy with simple seasonings in just minutes. A classic dinner that skips the bread but still hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Ribeye
Baked Sablefish
Sablefish with a honey lime glaze, topped with jalapeno corn salsa. It’s an easy, flavorful dinner that skips the carbs but still brings bold flavors to the table.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sablefish
Maple Mustard Air Fryer Frozen Salmon
No need to defrost the salmon—just cook it straight from the freezer in the air fryer with a maple mustard sauce. A great, quick dinner that’s easy to make when you’re short on time and carbs.
Get the Recipe: Maple Mustard Air Fryer Frozen Salmon
Blackened Mahi Mahi
Mahi mahi comes together quickly with homemade seasoning and a few minutes under the broiler. This low-maintenance dinner is perfect when you want something quick that won’t leave you reaching for a dinner roll.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Mahi Mahi
Bacon Wrapped Salmon
Bacon-wrapped salmon gives you the richness of both ingredients in one easy meal. A decadent dinner that keeps things low-carb but flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Salmon
Beef Kafta
This simple Middle Eastern dish is packed with flavor and pairs well with rice, salad, or hummus. It’s a hearty and satisfying dinner that won’t leave you longing for bread.
Get the Recipe: Beef Kafta
Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner
Pork chops, red cabbage, potatoes, and apples all on one pan. It’s a no-fuss, one-pan meal that’s perfect for a busy weeknight, and you won’t miss the bread.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner
Grilled Hawaiian Chicken
Grilled chicken stuffed with ham, pineapple, and melted smoked cheese, glazed with teriyaki. You’ll love this sweet and savory combo that doesn’t need any extra bread.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hawaiian Chicken
Air Fryer Scallops
These scallops cook up fast in the air fryer, with a perfectly seared exterior and tender inside. Topped with a quick chive, garlic, and lemon butter sauce, this is a great low-carb dinner that feels fancy without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Scallops
Blackened Cod
Just a few pantry seasonings and a quick sear give this blackened cod its bold flavor. A great choice when you’re looking for a simple, no-bread-required dinner.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Cod
Air Fryer Skirt Steak
When grilling isn’t an option, the air fryer makes cooking skirt steak quick and easy. You’ll have a juicy steak on the table in no time, without missing the bread at all.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Skirt Steak
Coconut Lime Baked Chicken
A tropical spin on baked chicken, served with coconut mango sticky rice. The crispy, tender chicken makes for a satisfying dinner without loading up on carbs.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Lime Baked Chicken
Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
These chicken leg quarters roast up perfectly in under 25 minutes with crispy skin and juicy meat. It’s a low-effort dinner that doesn’t need any bread on the side.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
Grilled Stuffed Avocados
These grilled avocados are filled with marinated steak, red peppers, corn, and scallions. A great, lighter dinner that doesn’t rely on carbs to be filling.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Stuffed Avocados
Reuben Strip Steak
All the classic elements of a reuben sandwich—Swiss, Russian dressing, and sauerkraut—piled onto a strip steak. A filling, no-bread-needed dinner when you want something indulgent.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Strip Steak
Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet
This one-pan chicken skillet has fresh basil and a savory sweet sauce. Perfect for a quick, low-carb dinner that feels satisfying without the carbs.
Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet
Cream Cheese Chicken
Creamy, savory, and packed with flavor, this chicken recipe is anything but boring. Perfect for a weeknight dinner when you’re skipping the bread but still want something satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.