Low-Carb Grill: 5 Keto-Friendly Barbecue Recipes

Grilling is one of the best ways to cook for people following the keto diet. Getting rid of bread and other carbs when grilling up a traditional barbecue meal is super easy.

However, just because barbecue is mostly protein doesn't mean you can go ham and cook and eat anything you want. You still have to be careful since many recipes call for sauces that are packed with sugar.

That said, here are five keto-friendly barbecue recipes you can try for a healthy and delicious cookout!

Low-Carb Barbecue Sauce

Before we jump into the recipes, a quick word about barbecue sauce!

If you're buying barbecue sauce in the supermarket, you need to check how much sugar it has.

Too many manufacturers add a boatload of sugar to their barbecue sauce. So even though the food you're cooking looks keto-friendly, it's actually loaded with sugar due to the sauce.

It's always best to make your own barbecue sauce when you can. But if this is not possible, be sure to double-check the nutrition facts label on the sauce you buy.

With that out of the way, let's get to the recipes!

Keto-Friendly Barbecue Recipes

From classic favorites to new exciting dishes, here are five keto-friendly barbecue recipes!

1. Barbecue Ribs

When it comes to grilling, barbecue ribs are always one of the first foods that come to mind. These are the bread and butter of grilling.

Now, there are dozens of ways to grill barbecue ribs, but most consist of three parts: prepping, grilling, and saucing.

To prep the ribs, you'll want to rub them in oil. This not only helps them when cooking, but also allows the dry rub to stick.

The dry rub is what gives your barbecue ribs flavor. You can choose whatever spices you want to throw in there. But the most common rubs consist of salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.

Many dry rubs also include sugar, but you'll want to avoid this to stay keto-friendly! Also, if you're buying a commercial dry rub, make sure to check the nutrition label.

Then, it's grill time. Put your ribs bone-curve down on a tray, and add some chicken stock and apple cider vinegar (this keeps the meat moist).

When it's almost done, baste the ribs occasionally with your sugar-free barbecue sauce. Then, remove the ribs and enjoy your delicious, keto-friendly meal!

2. Chicken Breast

When it comes to chicken breasts, the most important thing you need to keep in mind is preventing them from drying out.

Yes, chicken breasts are one of the most healthy proteins you can eat. But, how can you eat them if they're dry and tasteless?

Again, there are dozens of ways to get tasty, juicy chicken. But one of the best ways is to pound your chicken breast to about half an inch thick. Pounding chicken breast thins out the meat and tenderizes it.

Then, you'll want to marinate your chicken. You can use olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, spices like thyme and oregano, and some lemon zest. Again, it's great to make a homemade marinade so you can make sure it's sugar-free.

Massage your chicken with this marinade in a plastic bag, and leave it for a minimum of four hours. Then take it out, grill it over high heat, and enjoy your delicious, moist, and keto-friendly chicken breasts!

3. Vegetable Kebabs

Vegetable kebabs are an excellent dish to grill because there are very few rules. All you have to do is take some veggies, slice them up, put them on a skewer, and grill away.

But for the keto-minded, this means choosing a few vegetables over others. For starters, you'll have to do away with starchy vegetables like potatoes, as they're packed with carbs.

However, you can still make beautiful kebabs using tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, and other non-starchy vegetables. You can even throw in some grilled protein like chicken to add more flavor if you want.

Once you've sliced your veggies, drizzle them with oil, and sprinkle some salt, pepper, and other spices. Then prepare your grill, get your gas grill accessories in line, throw the kebabs in, wait a few minutes, and enjoy your lovely keto-friendly veggie kebabs!

4. Tuna Steak

Tuna is one of the healthiest proteins you can sink your teeth into. With high protein, low fat, and zero carbohydrates, tuna is a keto person's best friend. Not to mention that it tastes amazing, too!

As always, there are many ways to prepare tuna steak. The best ones include marinating the steak first before grilling, and constant basting while it's cooking.

A simple marinade for tuna includes soy sauce, pepper, oil, garlic, parsley, oregano, and a squeeze of lemon. Many people also include orange juice in their marinade, but that contains plenty of sugar, so hold the orange.

You'll want to marinate the tuna for at least 30 minutes in the fridge, then take it out and begin grilling! As you grill, brush the tuna with the marinade every so often to keep it moist.

Also, make sure you avoid overcooking your tuna. Like steak, tuna is best served medium rare. Overcooking will turn it dry and flaky, something you don't want!

5. Halloumi Cheese

Halloumi cheese is a superb choice for a keto-friendly barbecue. This unique cheese grills beautifully, maintaining its shape while gaining a crispy exterior.

To grill halloumi cheese, slice it, brush it with olive oil, and grill until golden. Include cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and red bell peppers for added flavor and color. You can also sprinkle herbs like oregano or mint for an aromatic touch.

Halloumi's high-fat, low-carb profile makes it ideal for keto diets, offering a deliciously different barbecue experience.