8 Salads You Can Still Eat on the Keto Diet

No matter what diet you follow, veggies should always be part of the equation. While plans like keto encourage you to limit carbs — and by extension, starchy plants like potatoes and corn — you can still savor a veggie-packed salad if you make smart choices.

We've gathered eight salad recipes to keep you satisfied, healthy and in line with your keto goals — all with 20 grams of carbs (or less) per serving!

‌Read more:‌ 6 Keto-Approved Desserts Everyone Will Love

This chef's salad pairs two of the most keto-friendly veggies: asparagus and romaine lettuce, with only 2.1 and 1.2 grams of net carbs per serving, respectively. Add the fact that it's chock-full of healthy fats from eggs and walnut oil and packed with protein from lean ham and turkey, and you have the world's most perfect keto salad.

‌Get the Turkey and Ham Chef's Salad recipe and nutrition info here.‌

Fitness author Mark Sisson's go-to keto salad keeps carbs to a minimum thanks to low-carb cruciferous vegetables like broccolini.

Best part? This salad delivers a double dose of buttery avocado. Not only do you get to eat a whole avocado fruit, you also get the heart-healthy, keto-approved fats from the mouth-watering avocado oil dressing.

‌Get Mark's Big-Ass Keto Salad recipe and nutrition info here.‌

Kale supplies the base for this Asian-inspired salad. Rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber, the leafy green is a great source of essential nutrients when you're on keto. Sesame seeds — rich in iron and calcium — add a nutty flavor. High-protein ingredients like choline-packed eggs and lean chicken breast round out this savory salad, which is sure to keep your belly full for hours.

‌Get the Chicken with Mushrooms, Kale and Yuzu Salad recipe and nutrition info here.‌

Add a little spice to your keto diet with this pepper-packed, Mexican-inspired salad. Native to Mexico, the low-carb nopal cactus contains less than 1 gram of net carbs per cup, making it an ideal veggie for keto dieters. Plus, prickly pear cactus packs a powerful punch of vitamins A and C.

‌Get the Nopales Salad recipe and nutrition info here.‌

‌Read more:‌ The Surprising Health Benefits of Prickly Pear Cactus — and How to Eat It

Meat lovers, this salad is for you. Sizzling steak paired with low-carb mesclun and pop-in-your-mouth cherry tomatoes make for a hearty lunch or dinner. Heart-healthy fats from a drizzle of olive oil and gorgonzola cheese complete this low-carb salad.

‌Get the Sizzling Steakhouse Salad recipe and nutrition info here.‌

Crunchy low-carb celery stalks and romaine lettuce pack the plate in this simple yet satisfying mix. With a whopping 39 grams of protein from feta cheese and omega-3-rich tuna, this is the perfect post-workout meal to help build lean, healthy muscles.

‌Get the Tuna and Feta Cheese Salad recipe and nutrition info here.‌

This eggplant twist on the traditional Caprese salad has just a little more than 20 calories and 2 grams of net carbs per cup. Eggplant is a keto superstar, surprising, considering its hearty, meaty texture. Extra virgin olive and mozzarella cheese ground this salad with healthy fats and add its signature Italian flavor.

‌Get the Grilled Italian Eggplant Caprese Salad recipe and nutrition info here.‌

Need a quick, keto-approved side salad? This low-carb spinach salad makes the perfect accompaniment to any meal. A nutritional powerhouse, spinach is overflowing with vitamins and minerals. Plus, it also delivers nearly a gram of plant-based protein per cup, according to the USDA.

‌Get the Simple Spinach and Carrot Salad recipe and nutrition info here.‌

‌Read more:‌ Do You Have to Count Calories on a Keto Diet?