June 23, 2018 By Leanne Vogel November 16, 2018
Summertime and the living’s easy … I’ve put together 24 keto 4th of July dishes that are perfect for any keto barbecue. Fire up that grill and get ready for a bunch of awesome keto recipes!
Nothing says keto summer like a keto barbecue, and after traveling across the US in an RV for a year, I feel like I need to celebrate in true American fashion with a keto 4th of July. Since I’m Canadian, I’ll celebrate Canada Day on July 1 as well. Fireworks all around!
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Looking for tips on how to stay keto and naturally reduce your carbs? I covered that on pages 52 through 54 of my digital program, The Keto Beginning. Trying to provide food options for keto barbecue guests with specific food aversions and allergies? Check out pages 108 through 114 of Fat Fueled for how to thrive on keto without nuts, pork, nightshades, and more, plus a ton of awesome keto recipes!
I might not have a grill … but finding one is at the top of my keto summer plans list, and I’m sure I can find one. I’m stocked up on awesome recipes ready to party. Let’s do this thing, America! Happy Keto 4th of July!
(And, for my pals outside North America: these keto recipes are a hit for any summer gathering, fireworks optional!)
Keto Lemonade
It’s going to be hot out there, so you better stay hydrated! This lemonade is slightly sweet and loaded with electrolytes + aloe, so you’ll stay cool as a cucumber which also pairs well with this recipe ;)
Dairy-free Keto Fizz
I came up with this idea last summer and I’ve been drinking it ever since. Coconut milk + a fizzy water (your favorite flavor) = Keto Fizz! It’s bubbly, creamy, refreshing, and so versatile!
Summer Crush Strawberry Basil Keto Italian Lemonade
This lemonade is awesome; basil, strawberry, fresh lemon juice, the perfect keto summer drink. I used mineral water for the base, but if you want to use a flavored water like LaCroix, you could come up with some really fun flavor combinations!
Creamy Broccoli Salad with Bacon
Cool, crunchy, bacony, and drizzled with a creamy (dairy-free!) dressing … you’re going to want to make a double batch of this because it’ll go quick! You can customize the add-ins on this, or leave a little add-in buffet on the side so guests can add their own toppings.
Bacon Deviled Eggs
Is it really a cookout without deviled eggs? The jury is still out on that one. Just to be safe, you should make these and maybe add some egg-stra bacon, just to be safe. Make enough for leftovers and enjoy as the perfect keto side!
Bahārāt Balls
These Bahārāt balls are an awesome alternative to the traditional fat bomb, made with hemp and sesame seeds, plus awesome flavor from Bahārāt seasoning, coconut, lemon, garlic …. mmmm! This is one of 125+ recipes found in my paperback, The Keto Diet!
No Bake BLT Dip
This recipe is one of my most-loved appetizers of all time — every time I post it, people rave about it! I love serving this dip with cucumber slices … it’s the perfect option to beat the heat and zap a snack craving.
Crispy Keto Wings with Creamy Garlic Sauce
Crispy baked wings — that’s a real thing! These wings are perfectly seasoned with just a bit of zing, served with a creamy dairy-free garlic sauce. Crispy, keto, and delicious!
Strawberry Turkey Burgers
If you’re looking for a lighter option that’s still barbecue-friendly and full of keto-friendly fats, this is it! I love the idea of turkey, strawberry, and fresh herbs … I’d throw this in a collard wrap and enjoy!
Beef Kebabs with Dairy-free Tzatziki
I love these kebabs because you can grill them or throw them in the oven, and they taste great cold or reheated! Plus, who doesn’t love meat on a stick? Serve it with my delicious dairy-free tzatziki and boom, instant crowd pleaser.
Crispy Salmon Steaks with Sweet Cabbage
There’s something so summery to me about salmon … it’s just so fresh, and paired with this sweet cabbage, it’s a beautifully colorful keto meal. I love this recipe because you can bake the salmon steaks in the oven or on the grill (wrapped in aluminum) AND the balsamic based dressing sweet cabbage pairs well with any protein — chicken thighs, flank steak, you name it! Get this plus 125+ other awesome keto recipes in The Keto Diet, my paperback!
Pork Carnitas with Lettuce Wraps
Cook these low and slow in the crockpot so that they can soak up all the awesome seasonings and chicken broth for carnitas that are fall apart, melt in your mouth delicious. Serve with lime wedges and an assortment of toppings — the perfect bit of fiesta for your summer barbecue!
Bombay Sloppy Joe on Low-Carb Buns
One of my most popular recipes ever, and for good reason! Not just Sloppy Joes, but BOMBAY Sloppy Joes, seasoned with paprika, minced ginger, and curry powder (or garam masala) for all the flavors of an Indian-inspired dish. Serve on low-carb buns with a healthy stack of napkins and encourage finger-licking for maximum deliciousness.
Fat Burgers
You can’t serve just any burger at a keto barbecue — you’ve gotta go with a FAT burger! These burgers are made with pork, beef, and bacon, plus a bunch of awesome seasonings, so they’re basically the star of the perfect keto meal. Serve with lettuce wraps for a nice cool crunch and top with all your favorites.
Keto Coleslaw
It can’t be a summer gathering without coleslaw, right? Typically, coleslaw is loaded with sugar, but not this one! It’s got all the creamy, zingy flavor of coleslaw — the perfect keto side!
Tempura Zucchini Fries
These zucchini fries are “breaded” in a pili nuts mixture for a nice crunch loaded with fats. I like that you can bake these on a sheet pan — think of how many zucchini fries you could load up for the masses! The fries would be great on their own, or you could dip them in the dairy-free tzatziki from my beef kebabs above!
Low Carb Fauxtato Salad
I know potato salad is an important American tradition during summer get togethers, so I wanted to find an option that would let you revel in all the barbecue nostalgia without overloading the carbs. Enter FAUXtato salad! It even looks like the real deal, and turnips make an awesome potato substitute.
Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts
These are not your grandma’s sprouts, unless your grandma is really awesome and cooks delicious keto recipes. I make these with coconut oil, but you could up the savory element by using bacon grease instead! And this recipe is not only perfect as a keto side, but you can remix it as leftovers in an omelette or a low-carb hash the next day!
Summer Zucchini and Squash Salad with Tomatoes
Fresh produce is one of the hallmarks of summer — what better way to celebrate than with a cool summer salad? This is an easy recipe to throw together last minute, and it’s great for leftovers!
Raspberry Kiwi Sorbet
You’ve got to follow up the perfect keto meal with the perfect keto dessert. As refreshing as it is beautiful, this sorbet is made with gelatin, so not only is it great for hot weather, but it’s also awesome for your gut health!
Flourless Avocado Brownies
For anyone with a chocolate craving, these fudgy avocado brownies are a real winner. No, you can’t taste the avocado — it blends in with the cacao and adds to the fudgy quality. You can top these however you’d like, I’m thinking cacao nibs would be great for a bit of crunch that amps up the chocolate.
Ultimate Fat Bomb Ice Cream
One of my favorite recipes, this fat bomb ice cream is, of course, loaded with fat, and easily customizable with a ton of flavor variations! Fat bomb ice cream sundae bar, anyone?!
Key Lime Pots de Creme
Looking for a dessert that is refreshingly tart? Here it is. A dairy-free, egg-free recipe for pots de creme, boosted with gelatin, flavored with fresh lime juice, rind, and lemongrass. Like summer in a ramekin.
Raspberry White Chocolate Fat Bombs
This recipe is so easy to customize with patriotic colors — use raspberries for Canada day, and a combination of raspberries and blueberries for the 4th of July. You could really use any berries — they’re all tasty, and they look so festive!
So there you have it: everything you need to throw a killer keto barbecue with all the fixin’s. Just add sunglasses and sparklers, and you’re ready to party!