Pork is a delicious meat that can be used in many different types of dishes or enjoyed by itself as a lovely roast or pork chop. That being said, sometimes you want something to help round out the meal, which is why I’ve created this list of low-carb, keto-friendly pork sides.
In this post, I’ll show you my favorite side dishes to go along with something like grilled pork chops. I’ll also share my favorite dishes that have pork in them if you need some extra dinner inspiration!
Is pork low carb?
If you have a craving for pork, you’ll be happy to know that you can enjoy it guilt-free…usually.
Pork, like all meat, is very low carb in itself. Boneless pork chops, for example, have a whopping 0 net carbs.
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However, pork is a meat that is often cooked with sugar. For example, the classic honey-baked ham has 3 carbs. And is often served with mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, or bread. All of which are high-carb side dishes that you may want to avoid on your low-carb diet or ketogenic diet.
You’ll also want to watch the sauces that pork is often cooked in or served with. For example, many people cook pork chops in brown sugar or maple syrup or serve pulled pork in sugar-laden bbq sauces.
The good news is that you can easily recreate these dishes at home while still staying on track. Just swap out the brown sugar for a sweetener replacement and ditch the sugary bbq sauce for a keto friendly version!
The best keto-friendly side dishes for pork (vegetables)
Creamed Brussels sprouts
The perfect low-carb comfort food.
Brussels sprouts
These aren’t your average brussels sprouts! This yummy side dish has so much flavour thanks to the addition of bacon and a hint of orange with garlic.
Mashed cauliflower
If your ideal side dishes for pork include potatoes, you’ll love this low-carb spin on mashed potatoes. In this post, I’ll show you how to whip up these potatoes” four different ways to give you plenty of options.
Baked asparagus
Asparagus gets a major upgrade here thanks to three types of cheese. Cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese create a delightfully creamy sauce that’s perfect for dipping. This is one of my favourite side dishes of all time! You can also cook these in your slow-cooker.
Cauliflower mac and cheese
Love a bowl of mac and cheese with pork chops? Me too! Now you can enjoy it guilt-free with this creamy cauliflower mac and cheese.
Whole roasted cauliflower
Learn how to roast a whole cauliflower with garlic butter sauce. So delicious you’ll go back for seconds.
Mexican coleslaw
Looking for dishes for pork chops that are fresh and light? This Mexican coleslaw is just the thing. The limey dressing really pairs well with sweet pork meat.
Curried cauliflower rice
This is a new version of the regular cauliflower rice. Perfect to serve with pork chops, pork loin, and a summer pork BBQ.
High-protein Caesar salad
You may want to omit the chicken and put some leftover pork chops on top or keto pulled pork.
Spaghetti squash
If you crave sides like baked sweet potato fries or sweet potatoes in general, this spaghetti squash is a great substitute. I like to serve this with pork chops or pork loin.
Or you can also use spaghetti squash in most recipes for pasta side dishes to cut the carbs down.
Eggplant couscous
Here’s a fun recipe that works well as a pork side dish. Even those who normally aren’t eggplant fans will appreciate this delicious mint yoghurt sauce. You can also make it with sour cream for extra tang.
Broccoli cauliflower salad
My entire family is obsessed with this salad. In fact, it’s one of my favorite side dishes for pork.
Keto creamed spinach
This family-friendly side dish is the perfect way to get kids to eat their greens. After all, greens taste pretty fantastic when they are cooked with bacon and cream cheese!
Cauliflower couscous
Avocado salsa
This avocado salsa is one of the all-time best side dishes for pork chops. I serve the grilled pork chop with this salsa spooned on top. It’s bright and flavourful and adds a dose of healthy, filling fat!
Cauliflower rice
Here’s a savory side that is incredibly versatile! Create a stir fry, serve with a pat of melted butter, add a drizzle of olive oil, or a squeeze of lemon juice. This classic recipe is easy and delicious.
Creamy cauliflower soup
This soup is the perfect starter or side to your pork meal. Serve it topped with cheddar cheese and/or parmesan cheese and green onions.
Devilled eggs
Deviled eggs are great side dishes that can easily be turned into an appetizer or snack. I almost always have a tray of these in the fridge.
The best keto-friendly side dishes for pork (keto bread and pasta)
Keto garlic bread
Yup, you read that right…garlic bread! This recipe will complete a delicious meal. It’s made with mozzarella cheese dough and cream cheese. Incredible!
Low-carb almond flour bread
This is the most popular low-carb bread for beginners because it is so easy. An easy 2-step method and all made in one bowl.
Keto hamburger buns
Serve leftover pulled pork in these buns, and you’re guaranteed the whole family will love them for dinner tonight.
Keto cornbread
Keto cornbread is absolutely delicious. Serve it as is, or make a cornbread stuffing to enjoy with your pork chop.
Keto dinner rolls
What would a list of sides for pork chops or pork be without dinner rolls? These cheese dough dinner rolls are incredible and work well with practically any dinner!
Low-carb pasta
If you love pasta sides, you’re in luck! Simply swap out the noodles for these low carb, keto-friendly ones.
Simple pork sides (no recipe necessary)
Sometimes you need a quick side that comes together fast. These simple side dishes for pork are so easy that there’s no recipe necessary!
Salad kit
Grab a salad kit from the grocery store and enjoy it with your pork chop dinner. My favorite is caesar salad – just make sure to toss the croutons and add some extra parmesan cheese!
Steamed vegetables
You can steam or boil fresh vegetables or convenient frozen vegetables.
Cauliflower – is the most versatile low-carb vegetable that can be boiled, steamed, fried, mashed, or baked. The easiest method is to boil or steam and serve with butter and season with salt and pepper.
Broccoli – boiled in a small amount of water to preserve as much nutrition as possible. Or steam in a double boiler or microwave. Do not overcook, no one wants soggy limp broccoli.
Roasted veggies
Whether you prefer Brussels sprouts, green beans, broccoli, or another green, making roasted veggies is so simple. Just toss your veggies in olive oil and stick them in the oven.
Veggie sir fry
Grab your favourite Asian veggie mix and sautee it with sesame oil. I like red bell pepper, green beans, broccoli, and carrots.
Serve over cauliflower rice and you’ve got a delicious dinner!
Low carb condiments for pork chop
Part of the fun of pork chops is the sauces you get to enjoy with them. If you are a condiment fan, these low-carb options are delicious and easy:
Last, but not least, part of the fun of enjoying steak is the sauce you serve it with!
Here are some of my favourite steak toppings and seasonings:
- ketchup – don’t just grab a bottle off the shelf, as it’s loaded with carbs, sugar, and artificial ingredients. Instead, whip up a batch of my sugar-free ketchup recipe in the Instant Pot.
- bbq sauce – my delicious tangy keto bbq sauce is a winner with absoutely everyone. You’d never know it was low carb, but at just 1 net carb for 2 tablespoons, it absolutely is!
- a creamy sauce always works well. I recommend this cream cheese mushroom sauce. It pairs nicely with the sweet meat!
- caramelized onions – you have to be careful with this one as carbs add up quickly, but a little really does go a long way.
- herbed butter – creamy butter enhances the taste of your pork and also adds satiating fat to your dinner. I’ll show you how to make herbed butter 4 different ways!
Get even more ideas in my ultimate guide to carbs in sauces!
Delicious keto recipes with pork
Now that we’ve talked about all the yummy keto side dishes for pork, perhaps you need some inspiration for how to enjoy this meat. Here are a few of my favourite keto-friendly recipes with pork.
Keto pork chops
Pork chops are always a good idea, but this recipe takes it above and beyond with this butter garlic sauce.
As an added bonus, it’s all made in one pan for less clean up!
Air fryer pork chops
Keto Scotch eggs (without breadcrumbs)
Delicious keto Scotch eggs wrapped in ground pork and herbs have almost ZERO carbs. Perfect for a high-protein diet with 28.2g protein and can be frozen.
Easy low-carb slaw
Appropriately named “crack slaw” (try it and you’ll see why!), this dish is excellent when cooked with ground pork.
Slow cooker pulled pork
Pulled pork is at its best when it is cooked low and slow. But, who has the time to cook it for 8 hours? Well, your slow cooker does! This brilliant recipe is so simple (and I even share my secret rub with you).
Keto pulled pork mac and cheese
Yes, you really can have it all on keto! This keto pulled pork mac and cheese recipe is proof of that. Use your leftover pulled pork from the recipe above to create a dish that the entire family will love.
How to make pork crackling (pork rinds)
Quick breaded pork schnitzel (without breadcrumbs)
More great pork recipes
Want even more ways to cook the other white meat? Here’s a post filled with the best pork recipe ideas!
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