The links in this post may be affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission if you buy through these links, at no additional cost to you, which helps me run this blog. Read my disclosure here.
Summer is in full swing here in the Northern Hemisphere, and that means all sorts of outdoor picnics and barbecues and celebrations! And just because you’ve adopted a low carb lifestyle doesn’t mean you can’t fully enjoy all that summer has to offer. These keto summer bbq recipes will take you from mains to sides to drinks to desserts all while keeping your carbs low!
Keto Summer BBQ Recipes
You do NOT have to miss out on your favorite summer foods just because you’ve adopted a ketogenic diet. If you know anything about me, you’ll know I am not about a deprivation lifestyle, but one where you can enjoy yourself while also nourishing and healing your body.
Let’s get to the recipes, shall we?
Main Dishes
BBQ Sauce
Ok, so this is a sauce, not a main dish. But a good keto barbecue sauce is key for many cookout meals! My favorite is my Bourbon Maple BBQ Sauce— it’s sweet and tangy with just a little heat (add more to your taste!) and my family loves it.
Ribs
I recently shared these Instant Pot Pork Ribs and they’re the absolute perfect summer cookout meal. They cook in the Instant Pot
and can be finished on the grill for the best flavor.
And if you don’t have an Instant Pot yet, get one! It’s perfect for summer because it won’t heat up your kitchen!
Burgers
I love burgers. I often eat bunless burgers, but sometimes I want a proper bun. My favorite buns are these Hamburger Buns by Low Carb Maven– they’re made with a mozzarella dough and come out really nicely.
I also love smothering my burgers with my creamy mushroom sauce and onions! And while conventional ketchup can have 5 carbs per tablespoon (whoa!) I love this unsweetened ketchup from Westbrae
on my burgers and dogs. It only has 1 carb per tablespoon.
Or check out these Brie & Caramelized Onion Stuffed Burgers by All Day I Dream About Food. I’m drooling just looking at them!
Chicken Burgers
If you’re looking for something a little different, these Cilantro Chicken Burgers by Remake My Plate are a fun twist on traditional burgers and are a great option for those who don’t like red meat.
BBQ Chicken
If you’re looking for a main dish to bring somewhere where you won’t have access to a grill but still want bbq flavor, make up this Instant Pot Shredded Chicken and stir in a batch of keto BBQ sauce!
Chipotle Lime Shrimp
Seafood deserves some love on this list, too! Grilled shrimp is so easy and quick to make, and this Chipotle Lime Shrimp from A Full Living is packed with flavor perfect for your next BBQ!
We can’t talk grilling without talking about steak! A while back, Tim from BBQ Smarts did a guest post here and shared with us how to make a perfect Grilled Skirt Steak with Chimichurri. Check it out!
Sides
Cauliflower Salad
Potato salad is a staple of summer BBQs, but potatoes are not low carb. Luckily for us, Carolyn of All Day I Dream About Food has us covered with a Cauliflower Salad that hits all those potato salad notes without all the carbs!
Grilled Caesar Salad
The grill isn’t just for meat! How amazing does this Grilled Caesar Salad by Remake My Plate look? Grilled lettuce is topped with parmesan cheese, Caesar dressing, and garlic parmesan keto croutons! Yum!
Broccoli Salad
I’ll be honest– the traditional broccoli salad has always been one of my favorites but until recently I’d never tried a low carb version. This Keto Broccoli Salad by Whole Lotta Yum is a great one and gives you all the same feeling as the traditional one, without all the sugar!
Strawberry Avocado Caprese Salad
If you’re looking for something a little more out of the ordinary but still bursting with summer flavors, check out this Strawberry Avocado Caprese Salad by All Day I Dream About Food. I have never met a caprese salad I didn’t like, and I can’t wait to try this one!
Coleslaw
There’s just something about BBQ that calls for coleslaw, in my opinion. It’s perfect for layering with BBQ shredded chicken or pork on a low carb sandwich. But traditional coleslaw has loads of sugar in it. Check out this Low Carb Coleslaw by Remake My Plate for a much healthier version!
Drinks
Let’s not forget that parties include drinks! But most cocktails have more sugar than we’d like to admit. Check out these sugar-free beauties that will leave you just as satisfied.
Blackberry Basil Lemonade
My latest cocktail is this Blackberry Basil Lemonade that can be spiked with vodka, or left as a family-friendly lemonade for your whole gathering.
Raspberry Mint Julep
This super summery Raspberry Mint Julep by A Full Living is full of fresh flavors that are perfect for a hot day outside!
Bourbon Peach Tea
Last summer, this Bourbon Peach Tea Cocktail was my go-to drink. It’s easy to make a big ol’ pitcher for a group (or, you know, for having in the fridge to sip on all weekend.) I love the combination of bourbon and peach, and kept this low carb by using peach tea
.
Blackberry Ginger Gin Smash
This drink is one of my absolute favorites of all time, and honestly it’s perfect year round but I’m definitely including it in my summer plans. You definitely need to try this Blackberry Ginger Gin Smash by A Full Living.
Paloma
I’ve recently become totally obsessed with these Keto Palomas by Boozy Ketones. Tequila and grapefruit go together so well I may never choose lime again! I love making mine with grapefruit Bai Bubbles
— it already contains a little grapefruit juice so it makes it even easier to make!
Desserts
Yeah, you didn’t think I’d leave you without desserts, did you? I would never do that to you.
Ice Cream Bars
I think these Low Carb Snickers Ice Cream Bars are my all-time favorite keto dessert. They’re everything I want, and you can make them up to a week ahead and store them in the freezer (just know they might not last that long! They’re very hard to resist.)
Blondies
A great option for bringing to a potluck, these Keto Blondies by Whole Lotta Yum are sure to please! And you know I’d be adding my favorite Pascha dark chocolate chips
to these.
Keto Cherry Pudding Pops
I am a total sucker for all things cherry, so I’m totally stoked for these Cherry Pudding Pops from All Day I Dream About Food. And guess what! They’re dairy-free, so if that’s a concern for you, you’re all set!
Ice Cream Sandwiches
Last year for the 4th of July I made these Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwiches by Joy Filled Eats and boy were they a hit. I used my own ice cream recipe, and they were absolute perfection.
Chocolate Raspberry Tart
And if you’re looking for a recipe that’s fresh and delicious without any sweetness whatsoever, try out my Chocolate Raspberry Tart, sweetened only by raspberries and very dark chocolate in the crust. Perfect for serving to people who may not be keen on low carb sweeteners.
