55 Delicious and Cheap Keto Meals to Help You Stay on Budget and Stay on Track

Eating Keto Without Breaking the Bank

If you’ve been dreaming of starting a low-carb or keto lifestyle but hesitated because you think it’ll cost a fortune, you’re not alone. Many people believe that high-protein, low-carb meals will quickly drain their wallet.

The good news? That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Over the years, I’ve explored countless ways to make keto meals both affordable and satisfying. In this post, I’m excited to share 55 of my favorite cheap keto meals — dishes I’ve relied on when I needed to stretch every dollar but still wanted to eat clean and feel great.

Why Keto Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive

It’s easy to look at keto cookbooks filled with fancy ingredients and feel overwhelmed. But keto can absolutely be budget-friendly.

In fact, when you rely on simple, whole ingredients and get a little creative in the kitchen, you might actually spend less on groceries than you did before going low carb.

Processed snacks and frozen convenience meals often come at a high cost — not just financially, but in your health too. By shifting your mindset and focusing on whole food meals, you’ll be surprised at how far your money can go.

How to Make Cheap Keto Meals Work for You

The key to budget keto is simple: smart shopping and strategic cooking.

You don’t need grass-fed ribeye steaks every night to be successful. In fact, you’ll be amazed at how satisfying ground meats, frozen veggies, and one-pan meals can be.

Whether you’re feeding yourself, a partner, or an entire family, the meals below are proof that delicious keto eating doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag.

Cheap Keto Dinner Recipes

Dinner is the easiest meal to make keto — and it’s also where you can save the most money. Let’s dive into some satisfying, budget-conscious recipes that keep carbs low and flavor high.

Keto Crack Slaw (Egg Roll in a Bowl)

Egg roll in a bowl — or “crack slaw” — is a must-have in any keto meal plan.

Using just a handful of ingredients like ground pork, cabbage, and soy sauce, this dish comes together in under 15 minutes.

You can switch out the pork for ground chicken, turkey, or beef depending on what’s on sale. It’s packed with flavor, costs very little, and keeps you full for hours.

Viral Cottage Cheese Flatbread

Cottage cheese flatbread is not only trendy but shockingly high in protein.

The entire batch has just 4 net carbs and 29 grams of protein. Pair it with your favorite toppings, wrap it around grilled chicken, or enjoy it plain — it’s cheap, simple, and satisfying.

Italian Ground Turkey Skillet

This dish has become a weeknight staple in my home.

Ground turkey (or beef) and keto-friendly vegetables are sautéed with Italian seasoning for a dairy-free, savory skillet meal.

To save even more, use frozen veggies — I often swap out zucchini for thawed green beans or cauliflower florets.

Green Chili Chicken Casserole

This casserole is comfort food at its finest. It uses frozen chicken to keep costs low and comes together in 20 minutes.

With a base of shredded chicken, green chilies, and cheese, it’s warm, creamy, and incredibly easy to prepare.

Frozen chicken thighs or tenders work great here and are often cheaper than fresh.

Other Budget Casseroles to Try

• Chicken Parmesan Casserole
• Keto Chicken Enchilada Casserole
• Ground Beef Zucchini Bake
• Keto Taco Casserole
• Crustless Taco Pie
• Broccoli Chicken Casserole

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Using a sugar-free ranch seasoning packet, chicken, bacon, and broccoli, this crowd-pleaser skips the pasta but keeps all the comfort.

It’s a go-to meal when you want something hearty that won’t hurt your grocery bill.

15-Minute Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies

One-pan meals are always a hit in our house. I love tossing leftover fresh vegetables with chicken tenderloins or thighs and baking everything on one sheet.

This meal is easy, fast, and makes fridge clean-out day feel like gourmet night.

Keto Stuffed Peppers

Classic stuffed peppers get a keto makeover — no rice, just meat, cheese, and veggies.

Buying bell peppers in bulk or using home-grown ones makes this meal incredibly cheap. I often stuff them with ground turkey and leftover salsa for extra flavor.

Tuna Stuffed Peppers

Need a cheaper protein? Try canned tuna! Mixed with mayo, mustard, and chopped celery, it makes a tasty filling for peppers.

Crockpot Tuscan Chicken

Frozen chicken thighs slow-cooked in cream, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes create a deeply flavorful meal that tastes fancy but costs very little.

Using chicken thighs keeps this dish juicy and affordable.

Chicken Thigh Favorites

• Marry Me Chicken
• Crockpot Butter Chicken
• Air Fryer Bone-in Thighs
• Stove-Top Garlic Mushroom Chicken

Chicken Fajita Meal Prep Bowls

Meal prepping fajitas on a sheet pan is a genius way to save money.

Using chicken breasts or thighs with sliced peppers and onions, you can pack up several lunches for the week without spending a fortune.

Country Style Ribs

I always stock up on country-style ribs when they go on sale. Pork is cheaper than beef and just as satisfying.

Cooked in the Instant Pot or slow cooker, these ribs become fall-apart tender without hours of work.

More Pork Recipes

• Baked Pork Chops
• Pork Shoulder with Mushroom Cream Sauce
• Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

Salsa Chicken (3 Ingredients!)

One of the simplest, cheapest keto dinners out there. Combine chicken with salsa and bake until done.

Switch out breasts for thighs to cut costs further.

Air Fryer Drumsticks

Drumsticks are among the most economical cuts of meat, and when cooked in the air fryer, they’re perfectly crispy without needing breading.

Serve with frozen green beans or a simple side salad.

More Air Fryer Meals

• Chicken Tenderloins (No Breading)
• Bratwurst and Peppers
• Pork Tenderloin with Rosemary
• Whole Chicken Wings
• Glazed Ham (Optional Sweetener)

Low Carb Taco Soup

Soups are perfect for stretching protein. This taco soup uses ground beef and broth to create a flavorful, filling dinner.

It’s ideal for busy nights and can be made ahead.

More Keto Soups

• Pizza Soup
• Egg Drop Soup
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Soup
• Stuffed Pepper Soup

Low Carb Fried Rice

Cauliflower fried rice is a staple in our house. I usually make my own cauliflower rice to save money and toss it with scrambled eggs and leftover meat.

Big Mac in a Bowl

All the flavors of a fast-food classic without the carbs.

Homemade Big Mac sauce, seasoned ground beef, and lettuce — a winning combination that’s also super budget-friendly.

Cheeseburger Casserole and Big Mac Bites

Turn that flavor combo into a baked dish or party appetizer for even more variety.

Crustless Taco Pie

Eggs and ground beef baked into a pie dish — this meal is inexpensive, protein-packed, and feels like comfort food.

More Keto Egg Dishes

• Ham and Broccoli Crustless Quiche
• Sausage Egg Casserole
• Loaded Egg Salad

Italian Chicken Stuffed Zucchini

Use garden-fresh or bulk-buy zucchini as boats for chicken, herbs, and cheese.

This recipe is fresh, filling, and a perfect summer dinner.

Zucchini Lasagna

Skip the noodles but keep the comfort with thinly sliced zucchini layers in your lasagna.

Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps

Leftover pork gets a second life inside crisp lettuce leaves.

Add salsa, shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream — a quick and tasty lunch or dinner.

Air Fryer Sausage and Veggies

A great way to use sausage bought in bulk.

Toss with frozen or fresh vegetables and cook in the air fryer or oven. Cheap, easy, and meal-prep friendly.

More Sausage Dishes

• Stuffed Sausage with Cheese
• Kielbasa and Sauerkraut
• Baked Sausage Casserole

Broccoli Cheese Soup

A vegetarian meal that’s warm, cheesy, and satisfying. Make it in the Instant Pot or stovetop.

Serve with a side of low-carb flatbread.

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Ditch the noodles and fall in love with creamy, cheesy cauliflower.

This is one of the most affordable keto sides that doubles as a main course.

Budget Keto Protein Options

Here are some of the best cheap proteins to keep your grocery bill in check:

• Ground meats (chicken, turkey, beef, pork)
• Bone-in chicken (drumsticks, thighs, wings)
• Frozen chicken cuts
• Sausages (bulk packs)
• Canned tuna
• Pork shoulder, chops, tenderloin
• Eggs
• Protein powder (great for smoothies or baked goods)
• Tofu
• Frozen fish like tilapia

Tips for Saving Even More on Keto Meals

1. Choose Inexpensive Cuts

Skip the ribeye. Reach for cuts like beef chuck, pork shoulder, or chicken thighs — all flavorful and budget-friendly.

2. Avoid Processed Keto Snacks

Prepackaged snacks are pricey and often unnecessary. Instead, snack on boiled eggs, string cheese, nuts, or veggie sticks.

3. Use Coupons and Watch for Sales

Plan meals based on what’s on sale. Apps and store flyers make this easy — and it can dramatically lower your grocery spending.

4. Buy in Bulk

Wholesale stores are perfect for keto staples like cheese, meats, oils, and frozen veggies. Just be sure to store extras properly.

5. Meal Plan Religiously

Mapping out your meals for the week helps you use up everything you buy and prevents impulse purchases.

6. Keep Meals Simple

Basic meals like roasted chicken with broccoli or skillet ground beef with veggies are satisfying and cheap.

7. Embrace Frozen Options

Frozen meats and veggies are just as nutritious and often much cheaper than fresh.

Final Thoughts: Keto Made Affordable

Eating low-carb on a budget isn’t just possible — it’s totally doable and incredibly rewarding.

With these 55 cheap keto meals, you’ll never feel deprived or overwhelmed. Instead, you’ll enjoy nourishing, delicious dishes that fuel your body and protect your wallet.

Stick with whole ingredients, plan your meals, and stay creative. Keto doesn’t have to be gourmet to be great — and your bank account will thank you.

Happy budget-friendly cooking!