17 Low Carb Hacks That Don’t Require Expensive Ingredients

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17 Low Carb Hacks That Don’t Require Expensive Ingredients

Getting into low-carb eating doesn’t mean breaking the bank with fancy ingredients. With these 17 low-carb hacks, you can keep your meals tasty and budget-friendly. These simple tricks help you cut down on carbs without sacrificing flavor or going overboard on your grocery bill. Enjoy pleasing meals that are light on carbs and easy on your wallet!

Chicken breast with herbs, cheese and tomatoes.
Mediterranean Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Air Fryer chicken cordon bleu on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

If you thought gourmet couldn’t be fast, Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu begs to differ. It swaps the fancy restaurant for your kitchen, delivering sophistication without the stuffiness. Crispy, cheesy, and wrapped in ham, it’s the dish that’s dressed to impress, ready quicker than you can pick a Netflix show.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Mediterranean Cod

Mediterranean cod on a rectangular platter.
Mediterranean Cod. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Call off the search for the treasure, because Mediterranean Cod is the true gem of the sea. It’s light, it’s flavorful, and it’s got more zing than a lemon orchard in summer. This is the fish dish that even the most dedicated meat lovers will queue up for. Simple yet elegant, this fish dish is a net-full of flavor! Fresh, light, and ready to please.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cod

Italian Chicken

Creamy Italian Chicken on a plate.
Italian Chicken. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Just when you thought chicken night couldn’t get any better, Italian Chicken struts in. It’s like sending your mouth on a romantic getaway to Italy, minus the airfare. Juicy, herby, and downright divine, it’ll have you singing “That’s amore” with every bite. Rich, aromatic, and just the right amount of zing—it’s amore at first bite! Mangia, and feel the love tonight!
Get the Recipe: Italian Chicken

Shirazi Salad

Shirazi Salad in a white serving bowl.
Shirazi Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Light, refreshing, and effortlessly charming – that’s Shirazi Salad for you. It’s as if sunshine and happiness decided to take a dip in your plate. Cucumbers, tomatoes, and a punch of citrus dressing—your plate is now a canvas of colors and flavor! This Persian treat is the perfect antidote to those heavy meal blues, promising to leave you feeling sprightly and satisfied.
Get the Recipe: Shirazi Salad

Chicken Tinga

Chicken tinga in a blue bowl.
Chicken Tinga. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

When your palate is screaming for a flavor fiesta, Chicken Tinga responds with a resounding “Yes!” It’s bold, it’s brazen, and it’s so deliciously pleasing, you might just start speaking Spanish to express your excitement. Perfect for piling high on tacos, tostadas, or even just a fork.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tinga

Old Fashioned Ham Salad

Ham Salad with dill pickle on a plate.
Old Fashioned Ham Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Remember the days when grandma used to mix up something magical in the kitchen? Well, Old Fashioned Ham Salad is your ticket back in time. It’s the comfort food hug you didn’t know you needed, turning leftovers into a cause for celebration. Slap it on some crackers or bread, and watch it disappear faster than your latest binge-watch series.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Ham Salad

Chicken Paprikash

Three pieces of chicken smothered in a creamy, orange-hued sauce topped with chopped herbs, served on a white rectangular plate.
Chicken Paprikash. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Who needs a travel agent when you have Chicken Paprikash to teleport you straight to Hungary? This dish is a warm hug in a bowl, with tender chicken that practically whispers sweet nothings to your palate. Perfect for when you want to impress someone without pretending you spent all day in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash

Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs in a bowl.
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

If you thought your air fryer was just for fries, let these Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs prove you wonderfully wrong. They’re like little globes of joy that don’t need a passport to bring you flavors from around the globe. Healthy, hearty, and faster than saying “What should we have for dinner?” – they’re set to become your midweek meal MVP.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts

Chicken Salad with Walnuts and Cranberries in a bowl.
Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts is like that friend who always shows up fashionably late to the party but then instantly becomes the life of it. Sweet, crunchy, and a tad tangy – it’s the go-to dish for when you want to prove that salads are far from boring. Perfect for picnics, lunches, or anytime you need a little bowl of cheer.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts

Grilled Steak Skewers with Mojo Rojo

Grilled Steak skewers on a white plate with chilis nearby.
Grilled Steak Skewers with Mojo Rojo. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Bid adieu to the same ol’ steak dinner and say hola to Grilled Steak Skewers with Mojo Rojo. This dish has more flair than a Spanish telenovela, packed with flavor that’ll have your senses doing the flamenco. It’s the kind of meal that doesn’t just feed you; it transports you – no passport required.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak Skewers with Mojo Rojo

Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup

Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup in two white bowls with garnishes nearby.
Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup is like that cool friend who knows exactly how to turn a dull evening into an adventure. It’s smoky, it’s hearty, and it’s got enough spice to make your palates dance the salsa. Plus, who doesn’t love the fun of customizing their bowl with heaps of toppings?
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup

Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon

Sauerkraut in a serving dish with a spoon.
Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Forget what you think you know about Sauerkraut; throw in some Apples & Bacon, and you’ve got a dish that kicks tradition up a notch. It’s tangy, it’s sweet, and it’s making sauerkraut cool again. This Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon dish might just steal the show, so maybe make a little extra.
Get the Recipe: Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon

Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins

Curried chicken salad in a blue bowl.
Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Spice up your lunch game with Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins, because who said salads have to be dull? It’s a riot of colors and flavors that makes your plain old sandwich look like it’s from the last century. Sweet, spicy, and everything nice – it’s the salad that doesn’t just sit in your fridge forgotten.
Get the Recipe: Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins

Mexican Cauliflower Rice

A closeup of Vegan Mexican Rice with tomatoes in the background.
Mexican Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Who knew cauliflower could dress up so exotically as Mexican Cauliflower Rice? It’s the low-carb hero you didn’t expect, coming in hot with flavors that say, “Who needs rice when you’ve got me?” A side dish destined to become the main star, so watch out, enchiladas!
Get the Recipe: Mexican Cauliflower Rice

Chicken Marsala Meatballs

Chicken Marsala Meatballs in a black dish.
Chicken Marsala Meatballs. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Hey, why not give your spaghetti a break tonight and team it up with Chicken Marsala Meatballs? They’re your favorite Italian-American classic condensed into bite-sized bliss. With each meatball, you’ll find yourself floating on a cloud of tangy goodness, wondering why you haven’t met them sooner. Consider this dish your new dinner date!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Marsala Meatballs

German Pork Loin

German Pork Loin on a platter with a gravy boat nearby.
German Pork Loin. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

German Pork Loin is here to show you that pork doesn’t play second fiddle to beef. It’s the main event, a show-stopping centerpiece that begs you to forget about your knife because this cut is as tender as a love song. Serve it up and watch everyone turn into instant pork aficionados.
Get the Recipe: German Pork Loin

Mediterranean Chicken Bake

Chicken breast with herbs, cheese and tomatoes.
Mediterranean Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Who said chicken had to be boring? Not us, especially when we’re talking about whipping up a Mediterranean Chicken Bake. This dish is like a mini holiday on a plate, transporting you to a sunny coast with every bite. It’s the gourmet equivalent of sunbathing – but better because you can actually eat it.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken Bake

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