Low-carb Mexican Side Dishes for the Ultimate Mexican Fiesta

Who says you can’t enjoy a good old Mexican fiesta on keto? These low carb Mexican side dishes will prove you wrong.

We can vividly remember the first time we decided to throw a Mexican-themed dinner on keto.  The first thing we did was to Google the phrase Mexican side dishes, and about 226,000 articles came up.

Exciting, right? Wrong.

The results revealed that almost all recipes contain high-carb ingredients like corn, tortilla, sugar-packed dips and sauces, rice, and beans.

One thing became clear to us:  Most Mexican sides are not keto-friendly.

You may have realized this too, and that’s why you stumbled upon our page because you’re hoping to find a way to enjoy a Mexican feast even on keto.

Well, you’ve come to the right place!

Since that day, we made it our mission to find the best low-carb Mexican side dishes, and that’s what we did.

So congratulations,  you’ll reap the fruits of our labor because we’ll share some of our most delicious discoveries in this article.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get this party started!

Learn more: 16 Best Keto Mexican Food Recipes (Tacos and Tamales Included!)

12 Party-ready Low carb Mexican Side Dishes

If you’re ready to party, here are some of the best low-carb side dishes that you can serve with just about any Mexican dish:

Table of Featured Low-Carb Mexican Side Dishes

Dish Name	Description	Nutrition (Per Serving)
Loaded Mexican Cauliflower Rice	Packed with flavors and nutrients, a keto twist on traditional Mexican rice.	373 cal, 26g fat, 22g protein, 11g net carbs
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice	Lighter alternative with zesty flavors and lower calories.	48 cal, 1g protein, 4g net carbs
Low-Carb Tortillas	Simple, quick, and low-carb tortilla recipe.	195 cal, 15g fat, 6g protein, 2g net carbs
Mexican Corn Salad	Keto version of Elote with cauliflower and baby corn.	107 cal, 8g fat, 3g protein, 5g net carbs
Keto Guacamole	Creamy, tangy, and healthy guacamole recipe.	141 cal, 12g fat, 2g protein, 3g net carbs
Keto Queso	Cheesy and spicy dip with minimal carbs.	140 cal, 12g fat, 7g protein, 2g net carbs
7-Layer Dip	Modified classic dip with ground meat.	345 cal, 26g fat, 20g protein, 4g net carbs
Mexican Coleslaw	Colorful coleslaw with keto-friendly ingredients.	137 cal, 2g fat, 10g protein, 6g net carbs
Mexican Roasted Zucchini	Spicy and smoky zucchini dish.	164 cal, 14g fat, 6g protein, 4g net carbs
Bacon-wrapped Shrimp Jalapeño Poppers	Crispy appetizer with shrimp and bacon.	81 cal, 5g fat, 7g protein, 1g net carbs
Shrimp Ceviche	Light and tangy shrimp salad.	143 cal, 5g fat, 29g protein, 4g net carbs
Chile Relleno Soup	Creamy and cheesy soup with a twist.	465 cal, 24g fat, 46g protein, 7g net carbs

1. Loaded Mexican Cauliflower Rice– Not Your Ordinary Mexican Rice

The first recipe on our list is a crowd favorite—the loaded Mexican cauliflower rice.

It’s a blockbuster at our parties; even our non-keto friends have asked us for the recipe. They love it because it’s packed with nutrients, flavors, and textures you can’t find in an ordinary Mexican cauliflower rice.

In addition to swapping regular rice with cauliflower rice, the dish contains ground beef and shredded cheese that boost the meal’s flavor and increase its fat content and satiety.

With its filling ingredients and satisfying texture and flavors, it’s already a complete meal on its own.

Per serving: 373 calories, 26g fats, 22g protein, and 11g net carbs.

Pro Tip: Add lettuce to make the meal more filling.

Learn more: https://www.allthingsmamma.com/mexican-cauliflower-rice/

2. Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice– Healthy and Filling

If the loaded Mexican cauliflower rice seems too heavy, this Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice is a lighter and more refreshing alternative.

And since the recipe calls for cauliflower florets and a few seasonings, this side dish also has lower calorie and carbohydrate content.

But while it’s light in calories and carbohydrates, it’s still high in flavors. The cauliflower is seasoned with garlic, jalapeño, and lime juice, offering the perfect balance of zest and spice that would go well with your smoky meats. 

Per serving: 48 calories, 1g protein, and 4g net carbs.

Editor’s Tip: Add crushed red pepper flakes or cumin powder to give it a spicy kick.

Learn more: https://www.asaucykitchen.com/cilantro-lime-cauliflower-rice/

3. Low-carb Tortillas– A 5-Ingredient Keto Wonder

We can’t talk about a Mexican feast without talking about tortillas, right? Unfortunately, the low-carb tortilla recipes you’ll find online either need too many ingredients or are challenging to make.

Well, this low-carb tortilla recipe is the exception because it:

• contains only 5 ingredients,
• takes only 15 minutes to make,
• and has only 2 grams of net carbs per serving.

Need we say more?

Per serving: 195 calories, 15g fats, 6g protein, and 2g net carbs.

Pro Tip: Make more tortillas than you need and freeze them in Ziplock bags to enjoy them on demand for up to 2 months.

Learn more: https://thebigmansworld.com/keto-tortillas-recipe/

4. Mexican Corn Salad – A Keto Version of Elote 

Just because you’re on keto doesn’t mean you’d have to pass on enjoying Elote (a.k.a. the best corn dish that ever existed).

We consider this one of the best low-carb Mexican side dishes because it uses baby corn, giving the same sweet crunch but with much lower carbs. (*)

Along with the baby corn, you’ll also find chopped-up cauliflower, which resembles the texture of crushed corn kernels.

The cauliflower and baby corn mix is seasoned with garlic, chili powder, salt, mayo, sour cream, and cotija cheese to achieve those mouthwatering Elote flavors. 

With all these ingredients combined, you get a side dish that’s refreshing, spicy, creamy, zesty, and highly irresistible.

Per serving: 107 calories, 8g fats, 3g protein, and 5g net carbs.

Pro Tip: This recipe is only recommended for dirty keto dieters since it still contains corn. You’d have to skip this recipe if you’re on strict keto.

Editor’s Tip: Make this in the oven or air fryer for a hassle-free cooking experience. If you’re cooking for a crowd, go for the oven, while the air fryer is the best option for prepping small batches.

Learn more: https://thatlowcarblife.com/low-carb-mexican-street-corn-salad/

5. Keto Guacamole– Chunky, Creamy, and Healthy

With avocado as its main ingredient, guacamole is one of the low-carb Mexican side dishes that doesn’t require any tweaks. That’s why we never have a Mexican night without it, and this is the best recipe we’ve ever had among all the recipes we’ve tried.

The fresh avocadoes don’t just deliver healthy fats for stable energy levels, but they also build a creamy foundation for the dip. (*) The addition of sour cream makes it extra rich.

Lastly, tomatoes, cumin, jalapeño, and lime give the dip a tangy, spicy, and zesty twist.

Per serving: 141 calories, 12g fats, 2g protein, and 3g net carbs.

Pro Tip: Place the in a Guac-Lock, then refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving. (*) This will allow the flavors to come together and intensify.

Editor’s Tip: Make your guacamole the center of everyone’s attention by making an interactive DIY guacamole bar. Serve it alongside toppings like hot sauce, roasted garlic, corn, and more.

Learn more: https://thatlowcarblife.com/keto-guacamole/

6. Keto Queso– A Cheesy Twist

The queso makes every Mexican cuisine taste much better, but most recipes come with high-carb thickeners, so you must choose your recipe well. Well, you’ll never go wrong with this recipe. 

It contains only 7 ingredients, and 5 of them are spices, so you know you’re on the right track.

The dip’s base is a mixture of half and half and cheddar cheese seasoned with cumin, onion, garlic powder, turmeric, and chilies, so you’re in for a spicy and cheesy treat.

Per serving: 140 calories, 12g fats, 7g protein, and 2g net carbs.

Pro Tip: Check the label if you’ll use pre-shredded cheddar, as they sometimes contain fillers.

Editor’s Tip: Since the recipe is free of thickeners, the dip is on the thinner side. You can switch the half-and-half to a heavy whipping cream if you want it to be a bit thicker.

Learn more: https://www.fourscoreliving.com/keto-queso/

7. 7-Layer Dip– Satisfying Meal in One Dip

Due to its wide range of flavors and textures, the 7-layer dip is a classic party side dish. Unfortunately, it’s one dip you can’t have on keto because it contains refried beans.

Well, you can transform this into one of the best low-carb Mexican side dishes with just one tweak—swapping the beans for ground meat.

In addition to ground meat, the dip features the typical 7-layer dip ingredients: keto guacamole, sour cream, low-carb salsa, cheese, olives, and tomatoes.

With all these unique ingredients, every single bite will be a party in your mouth.

Per serving: 345 calories, 26g fat, 20g protein, and 4g net carbs.

Pro Tip: Use leaner ground beef to minimize the excess fats that form when it’s refrigerated.

Learn more: https://www.noshtastic.com/keto-7-layer-dip/

8. Mexican Coleslaw– A Healthy and Colorful Addition

Since it contains mostly veggies, it’s safe to assume that coleslaw is a low-carb Mexican side dish, right? Well, it still depends on the ingredients.

It will only be keto if the recipe doesn’t contain high-carb vegetables and uses store-bought dressings. Luckily, this recipe fits all the requirements.

The recipe uses red and white cabbage, which are both keto-friendly. (*) It’s served with lime dressing made with lime juice and olive oil and seasoned with cumin and cilantro. Since it’s a cream- and thickener-free dressing, it’s low in calories and carbohydrates.

Per serving: 137 calories, 2g fats, 10g protein, and 6g net carbs.

Pro Tip: Serve this with barbecued meats for a refreshing and healthy twist.

Editor’s Tip: You can skip the carrots for a lower carbohydrate count.

Learn more: https://www.ditchthecarbs.com/low-carb-mexican-coleslaw/

9. Mexican Roasted Zucchini– Spicy and Slightly Smoky

If you’re more than ready to ditch the carbs and heavy meats, then you should go for veggie-based low-carb Mexican dishes, and this recipe is an excellent choice.

At the heart of the recipe is zucchini, one of the best low-carb vegetables you can eat on keto. (*)

Aside from its nutritional content, this vegetable tastes fantastic and is even made more flavorful by adding different seasonings like chili powder, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. 

It also includes a mixture of cotija cheese, lime juice, and cilantro, giving it a spicy, smoky, zesty, and cheesy taste– exactly like that of the famous Mexican street corn.

Per serving: 164 calories, 14g fats, 6g protein, and 4g net carbs.

Learn more: https://www.bowlofdelicious.com/mexican-roasted-zucchini/

10.  Bacon-wrapped Shrimp Jalapeño Poppers– The Perfect Appetizer

If you’re looking for low-carb appetizers, these bacon-wrapped shrimp jalapeño poppers will make your party pop!

The recipe features sliced and seeded jalapeños stuffed with shrimp, tabasco sauce, and breadcrumbs and wrapped with bacon. The result is an appetizer that’s crisp and crunchy on the outside and succulent on the inside.

It also contains two types of protein sources, so you’re sure that your guests will feel full and satisfied until your main dish is served.

Per serving: 81 calories, 5g fats, 7g protein, and 1g net carbs.

Pro Tip: Wear plastic gloves to protect your hands from the peppers’ oil and juices.

Editor’s Tip: Cook the poppers on the grill to give them a nice smoky flavor.

Learn more: https://www.munchkintime.com/shrimp-jalapeno-poppers-wrapped-in-bacon-dairy-free/

11.  Shrimp Ceviche– Light, Fresh, and Tasty

This shrimp ceviche is the perfect non-vegetable salad to serve with your barbecued meats. This is our go-to summer party appetizer because it delivers a citrusy flavor and a colorful touch.

The dish contains a combination of shrimp, diced cucumber, avocado slices, and tomatoes, so you’re in for a refreshing treat. It also uses a mix of lime and lemon juice, giving the dish the acidity it needs.

With its light taste and satisfying textures, it’s the perfect side dish that can brighten up your meal and balance off the heaviness of your meaty dishes.

Per serving: 143 calories, 5g fat, 29g protein, and 4g net carbs.

Learn more: https://perfectketo.com/shrimp-ceviche/

12.  Chile Relleno Soup– Savory and Comforting

There’s no better way to start a Mexican party than serving a good old soup. Our go-to is this Chile Relleno soup for plenty of good reasons.

It has a creamy and cheesy broth (made with cream cheese, chicken broth, and cheddar cheese), a breath of fresh air from the usual tomato-based soups.

Despite its unique broth, it still packs in many flavors and heat (like most Mexican soups), thanks to poblano peppers, green chiles, and a wide range of spices.

Additionally, it contains chicken, which delivers that meaty bite, boosts the soup’s protein content, and makes it highly satisfying and filling.

Lastly, you can throw all the ingredients in a slow cooker, so it’s easy to make. 

Per serving: 465 calories, 24g fats, 46g protein, and 7g net carbs.

Learn more: https://ketocookingchristian.com/slow-cooker-chile-relleno-soup/

Final Words

You don’t have to miss out on a good fiesta just because you’re on keto. With these low-carb Mexican side dishes, you can quickly whip up a delicious Mexican spread without getting kicked out of ketosis.

So what are you waiting for? Go and throw the ultimate Mexican fiesta so you can share these delicious side dishes with your family and friends.