It’s that holiday time of year again, and that can mean headaches for those on keto. Turkey is actually more keto-friendly than the alternative of chicken as it contains more fat. But, Christmas dinner is traditionally built around the turkey with sugary sweets and starchy vegetables. Stuffing and cranberry sauce are staples of the meal. These are all things that are shunned by keto. So, how do you make a keto Christmas dinner that everyone can enjoy?
Appetizers for a Keto Christmas Dinner
There are so many options for appetizers that are keto-friendly. My favourite is deviled eggs. I’ve always loved these little goodies for a pre-meal treat. We simply mix mayonnaise with the yolks and sprinkle some paprika on top. You can’t get any more keto than that!
Nuts are also a traditional snack and appetizer over the holidays. We used to have them on the table before dinner, so people could pop a few in their mouths before the turkey was done.
Another typical appetizer that you can still have with keto is a cheese plate. You can make it as fancy or as basic as you like. If you’re really upping the ante, add some pepperoni to the mix. I prefer mild, but you can have some hot too for those who can take the heat.
Salads for a Keto Christmas Dinner
Some people have salads for an appetizer. We aren’t that fancy in my house, so we just have it with the dinner. When we started keto, we wanted to ensure we were getting some good, nutritious vegetables so we started experimenting with salads. There is the traditional Caesar salad without croutons which is always a good option. We like a Greek walnut salad. I like Greek salad, and the walnuts just give it that nice, crunchy texture. But, my favourite salad of all is a broccoli salad. So delicious, and so keto-friendly. I could have just that for the side.
Main Sides to Go with the Turkey
Speaking of sides…I absolutely love parmesan green beans. Simply coat the beans with olive oil and sprinkle salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese. Stick them in a steamer or an air fryer and your dinner will be a hit. You can do the same to asparagus and have the same success. Another really great idea is cauliflower with cheese sauce.
We have not found a recipe we like for keto gravy, so the cheese sauce can be a really good addition to the plate. Why stop at the cauliflower? Pour that sauce all over the plate. Dip your turkey in it. You can’t go wrong with cheese sauce.
Desserts for a Keto Christmas Dinner
There are all kinds of options, and we have an entire book of dessert options you can buy. My favourite for Christmas is blueberry tarts with whipped cream on top. I can’t wait to have some of these! I don’t care if you’re keto or not, these things are delicious!
Traditionally, I have made sugar cookies and frosted them. I have a recipe for “Just like Sugar” cookies. Pair that with cream cheese frosting, and you have a cookie that is just as good as the original – but has no sugar in sight.
Last but not least is cheesecake. You can make your own, or you can buy one from a local keto-friendly bakery. We’ll be ordering one from Antoinette’s Cheesecake. It’s expensive, because they use such quality ingredients. It’s well worth the price.
Final Thoughts about Christmas Dinner
Food is a huge part of the holidays. That doesn’t have to change just because you’re keto. You may have to plan a little more, but the food is still delicious and full of flavour. We’ll take pictures of our Christmas dinner, and I hope you will share yours as well.
Wendy
