If you’re in the mood for BBQ this Fourth of July but would still want to stick to your low carb diet, these 4th July BBQ Food Ideas can help you create that perfect menu. From the juiciest baby back ribs to the tastiest lamb riblets, these recipes have something to offer for everyone.
As for the sides, the grilled veggies and mac & cheese would be perfect! Don’t worry, these recipes are guaranteed keto-friendly. Yet, they taste so good that you may not end up with any leftovers!
If you are not going to be barbequing then you can get some inspiration from these Healthy 4th July Recipes for Keto and these low carb 4th July Dessert Recipes.
4th July BBQ Food Ideas
1. Keto Baby Back Ribs
There’s nothing else that can bring families together this Fourth of July like a serving of well-seasoned baby back ribs just off the flame. This Keto Baby Back Ribs recipe from Kori of Seeking Good Eats is the perfect recipe to follow for your Fourth of July menu.
The ribs are seasoned and marinated for a minimum of two hours. They are then baked in the oven or cooked in an instant pot and finished off on the grill to give them a nice char-grilled smoky taste. You can follow the author’s barbecue sauce recipe or any sugar-free barbecue sauce of your choice.
2. Low Carb Keto Beef Kabobs
If you want to put a Middle Eastern twist on your Fourth of July barbecue menu, check out these beef kabobs from Sheena of Nosh Tastic. This recipe uses sirloin steak, although you can use any cut of beef that you want, so long as it won’t get tough when cooked.
In order for the meat to fully absorb the marinade, it should be marinated for at least six hours. This recipe uses bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions. But feel free to use any low-carb veggies of your choice.
3. Korean BBQ Grilled Pork Belly
This Korean-style grilled pork belly recipe from Jo and Mark of Low Carbing Asian is quick and easy to prepare. Unlike the other 4th July BBQ food ideas, there’s virtually no preparation work or marinating needed for the meat since this dish is all about the sauce.
You can pan-fry the pork belly, but it’s tastier when cooked on the grill since the meat will have that extra smokey flavor.
The special ingredient of this dish is the sesame oil and sesame seeds. Make sure you choose an oil that’s made from 100% sesame oil and avoid the blended varieties since they are usually heavily diluted.
4. Keto BBQ Chicken
This Keto BBQ Chicken from Wendy of Kicking Carbs is a surefire hit with guests. When making this chicken dish, it’s all about the seasoning mixture, which you will rub to the meat.
To make it, simply combine the salt, brown sugar substitute, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Then rub this seasoning off the chicken meat. If possible, leave the seasoning overnight to infuse the meat with the delicious flavor. While grilling, brush it off with the Keto BBQ sauce.
5. Lamb Riblets with Sugar-free BBQ Sauce
Lamb riblets are usually smaller than pork spareribs, which makes them great finger foods. They are perfect for your Fourth of July party since you can cook them in the oven ahead and run them on the grill at the last minute to get an even more caramelized flavor and crisp edges.
Made by Gerri of My Keto Kitchen, these BBQ Lamb Riblets are made even more delicious with the Chermoula spice rub and the sugar-free BBQ sauce. With only 4 g of carbs per serving, these lamb riblets bbq are perfect for any low-carb diet.
6. Keto Grilled Lime Cilantro Shrimp Skewers
Marinated with zesty lime-cilantro and grilled to perfection, these tender shrimp skewers from Julianne of Keto Cooking Christian will leave your guests smiling from ear to ear. The best part is that they are super quick and easy to prepare, that you can get it done in mere five minutes!
So, if you’re looking for 4th July BBQ Food Ideas that won’t take up a lot of your time, then this is the recipe that you need. To prepare, mix the marinade ingredients and marinate the shrimps for 20 to 30 minutes. Grill for a few minutes, and they are ready to serve. Serve the shrimp skewers over a low-carb salad or with this delicious Avocado Lime Cilantro Ranch Dressing.
7. Keto Coleslaw & Salad Dressing
BBQ meats may be the star of your Fourth of July gathering, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pair them with keto-friendly sides. Thankfully, you will have plenty of choices for delicious low-carb sides that go well with your grilled meats.
For instance, this Keto Coleslaw & Salad Dressing from Gerri of My Keto Kitchen is made from low-carb mayonnaise instead of the regular mayo that’s often carb-heavy. With only 4 grams of carbs per serving, this delicious coleslaw is the perfect side to go with your Fourth of July meat barbecues.
8. Keto Mac & Cheese
Satisfy your mac & cheese cravings with this Keto Mac & Cheese from Lena Abraham on Delish. Made with cauliflower, this is the perfect low-carb side to pair your favorite grilled meats.
Cauliflower is a great substitute for macaroni as it’s highly nutritious and contains only 5 grams of carbs in every cup. To make this keto mac & cheese even tastier, this recipe comes with a delicious topping of crushed pork rinds, grated Parmesan, olive oil, and parsley.
Image by Karen & Brad Emerson
9. Keto Grilled Veggies
These keto grilled veggies are probably the easiest side dishes you can prepare for your Fourth of July barbecue party. All it takes is to slice your favorite veggies, give them a bit of flavor, and toss them on the grill.
But, if you’re not sure which vegetables to grill, you can follow this Keto Grilled Veggies recipe from jenn, a retired chef and recipe creator at Keto Cooking Wins. This recipe uses zucchinis, mushrooms, and bell peppers, seasoned with spices, salt, and pepper. Customize this recipe and choose from any of these low-carb veggies.
10. Patriotic Keto Flag Cake
End your Fourth July barbecue dinner with a bang by serving this delicious Keto Cake in the form of a flag. Just like with the other 4th July BBQ Food Ideas, this cake is so easy to prepare.
Made by Angela Roberts of the Spinach Tiger, this dessert consists of a vanilla cake that’s topped with whipped cream and fresh berries. This cake might look sinful, but it’s totally low in carbs. It’s made with Swerve sweetener and other low-carb ingredients, so everyone can dig in without feeling guilty in the end.
