Healthy

April 8, 2021 Asian

Beef Pad Thai

This quick and easy take on beef pad Thai gives you juicy beef sirloin, slippery pad Thai noodles, and an incredibly flavor sauce tied together in a delicious, complete meal in less than 30 minutes.

What Makes This Beef Pad Thai So Good

First things first, this easy beef pad Thai is based on westernized, Americanized pad Thai, so it’s not what you’d find if you were to eat authentic pad Thai in Thailand. For a truly authentic pad Thai recipe, I recommend checking out Hot Thai Kitchen or RecipeTin Eats.
My favorite thing about cooking at home, from scratch, is that you are in 100% control over what goes into your meal and how strong (or mild) your flavors are. This beef pad Thai is no different! Feel free to play with the ingredients and quantities to perfect your pad Thai.
It’s super easy to make, and comes together quick. All you need is 30 minutes to create a full meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Skip the drive-through and opt for this instead!

Key Ingredients for Beef Pad Thai

Pad Thai Noodles – These medium-ish flat noodles are an important component to pad Thai. If you’ve never had them before, don’t expect an Italian style pasta. Since these are rice flour noodles, they’re cooked differently than wheat flour noodles. They have a different texture once they’re cooked, too. On their own, their flavor is pretty neutral, but they absorb the sauce in the dish so every bite of noodles contains the perfect amount of pad Thai sauce.

Sirloin – Sirloin steak is a juicy, flavorful, lean cut of meat that’s perfect for recipes like this one where you’ll be pan-frying your meat. The cook time will vary a little depending on how thick you slice your sirloin, but only by a minute or two. When you’re slicing it, be sure to slice across the grain.

Beef Pad Thai

Chef’s Tips

No coconut sugar on hand? You can use 3 packed tablespoons of light brown sugar instead.
Obviously this recipe is for beef pad Thai, but you can use any protein you’d like if you’re not into beef. Chicken, shrimp, tofu, and pork would all be fantastic options!
Traditional pad Thai sauce uses tamarind pulp or paste to give it its tang, but we weren’t able to find any tamarind paste locally. Instead, we substituted lime juice and rice vinegar. It’s not quite the same flavor, admittedly, but it’s delicious.

What Do We Mean By Healthy?

Our recipes focus on real ingredients and homemade elements. We try to avoid processed flour and sugar, like white flour or white sugar. Our recipes often swap less healthy options (like a commercial, deep-fried tostada) for an easy homemade version.

Our recipes are not necessarily low fat or low calorie, and we aren’t afraid of fat or carbs! Some of our recipes will be “skinny,” low carb, keto, paleo, dairy free, grain free, gluten free, Whole30, or vegan, and they will be labeled when they qualify for any of these diets. All our recipes are easy and family friendly!

Overhead photo of beef pad thai on a plate

Other Asian-Inspired Recipes You’ll Love

We hope you loved this recipe as much as we did! We’d love for you to give us a star ★ rating below, and follow us on Instagram! For more delicious, healthy recipes, be sure to check out 40 Aprons.

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5 from 1 vote

Beef Pad Thai

This quick and easy take on beef pad Thai gives you juicy beef sirloin, slippery pad Thai noodles, and an incredibly flavor sauce tied together in a delicious, complete meal in less than 30 minutes.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time30 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Asian, Thai

Keyword: noodles, stir fry, takeout

Servings: servings

Calories: 545kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Small bowls (2)
Large skillet

Ingredients

For the Pad Thai Sauce

2 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
3 tablespoons coconut sugar

For the Pad Thai

8 ounces pad thai noodles
2 tablespoons avocado oil
3 cloves garlic minced
1 red chili sliced
1 1-inch piece ginger grated
4 scallions sliced, white & green parts divided
1 pound sirloin thinly sliced
1 egg
2 cups bean sprouts
salt & pepper to taste
peanuts without shells, for garnish

Instructions

In small bowl, mix together ingredients for sauce. Set aside.
Cook noodles according to instructions on package. Drain and set aside.
Heat avocado oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, red chili, ginger, and white parts of scallions to pan. Sauté one minute, or until fragrant.
Add sirloin to pan. Season with salt and pepper. Cook 1 to 2 minutes on each side, depending on thickness.
Once sirloin is cooked, push everything to edges of pan to create well in center. Break egg into well and scramble, then mix everything together.
Add noodles to pan, followed by pad Thai sauce. Cook until noodles absorb sauce, approximately 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently.
Once noodles absorb majority of pad Thai sauce, stir in bean sprouts. Cook another 2 to 3 minutes.
Portion beef pad Thai onto plates. Garnish with peanuts and green parts of scallions. Serve hot.

Notes

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Nutritional values shown reflect the information for 1 serving out of 4. Macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands of ingredients used.

To determine the size of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed, then weigh the entire finished recipe. Divide the total weight of the recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by 4. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Nutrition

April 1, 2021 Dairy-Free

Steamed Cauliflower

Steamed cauliflower is an easy way to get perfectly tender cauliflower florets in no time at all. A drizzle of olive oil and a little herbs and lemon zest take it to another level. Low calorie, low carb, and full of fiber and antioxidants.

What Makes This Steamed Cauliflower So Good

A drizzle of olive oil and a little salt, fresh herbs, and lemon zest take this cauliflower from bland to delectable in no time at all.
Cauliflower is naturally low calorie, low in carbs, and high in fiber, which is great if you’re following a specifically low carb or ketogenic way of eating, or if you’re just watching what you eat in general!
It’s super easy to make, which is great for busy nights when you don’t really feel like cooking, or busy meal prep days when you have a lot on your plate (literally!)
Speaking of meal prep, you can refrigerate steamed cauliflower in an airtight container up to 5 days, so it’s a great make-ahead option!

Steamed Cauliflower

Key Ingredients for Steamed Cauliflower

Cauliflower – This not-too-distant cousin of cabbage and broccoli is full of fiber and antioxidants that your body will love. It’s blown up in popularity in the last few years because it’s a great, carb-friendly alternative to starchy foods like potatoes and rice. You’ve probably heard of cauliflower rice, mashed cauliflower, or even cauliflower pizza crust. Does cauliflower taste like rice or potatoes? Not really, no. But for a lot of people, it’s a workable alternative!

Olive Oil – Olive oil compliments the natural flavor of the cauliflower, herbs, and lemon zest without detracting or overpowering. Plus it’s a great source of healthy fats, and it’s got a solid amount of antioxidants, too.

Chef’s Tips

Fresh cauliflower will you give you the best flavor and texture! I definitely recommend it here over frozen!
You can use a metal or silicone steaming basket for this recipe.
What’s the best way to cut a head of cauliflower into florets? Easy! Remove the leaves from the head, then cut around the large stem to remove it. The cauliflower will break apart, and from there you can keep breaking or cutting it into smaller florets. Cut off any large stems from the florets
For a twist, stop after step 4 of this recipe and use your steamed cauliflower to make our Cauliflower Chips.
Looking for a hands-off way to steam cauliflower? Check out our post on Instant Pot Cauliflower.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

Olive oil poured onto a bowl of steamed cauliflower

More Basics You’ll Be Glad You Know

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Steamed Cauliflower

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Basics, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dairy-free, gluten-free, low carb

Servings:

Calories: 198kcal

Equipment

Saucepan
Steamer basket
Fork
Large bowl

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower
½ cup water
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon kosher salt
3-4 tablespoons fresh herbs chopped, optional
1 teaspoon lemon zest optional

Instructions

Chop cauliflower into florets.
Add water to saucepan, then place steamer basket in saucepan and bring water to boil over high heat. Note: The surface of the water should be just under the bottom of your steamer basket.
Once water starts boiling, add cauliflower to steamer basket. Reduce heat to medium.
Steam 10 minutes or until tender and can be easily pierced with fork.
Remove cauliflower from steamer basket and transfer to large bowl. Drizzle olive oil onto cauliflower, then add salt, herbs, and lemon zest. Toss to coat, then serve.

Notes

We used fresh parsley for the herbs this time around, but you can use any herbs you like, or skip them altogether!
Cook times will vary slightly based on the size and thickness of your florets, and how fresh your cauliflower is. The fork method is the best test of tenderness.

Recipe yields approximately 2 servings. Nutritional values shown reflect information for one serving of chicken cordon bleu casserole. Macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands of ingredients used.

To determine the size of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed, then weigh the entire recipe when finished. Divide the total weight (not including the weight of the container the sauce is in) by 6. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Nutrition

March 11, 2021 Air Fryer

Air Fryer Corn Dogs

Cooking frozen corn dogs in the air fryer is the easiest way to get crispy corn dog batter outside and perfectly cooked, juicy hot dogs inside. Once you try this method, you’ll never want to cook corn dogs any other way again!

What Makes Air Fryer Corn Dogs So Good

The corn dogs come out perfectly hot and crispy in just 10 minutes! If you’ve ever tried microwaving corn dogs, you know the soft-batter struggle, and sometimes the hot dogs inside aren’t heated evenly. The oven takes care of the cooking issues, but you need to preheat it for 10 minutes and then wait 15-20 minutes for your corn dogs to cook. The air fryer gives you the best of both worlds – perfectly cooked corn dogs in minimal time.
No thawing needed! Take the corn dogs out of the freezer and pop them straight into your preheated air fryer. Great for last-minute meals!
Over-anticipate your hunger and cook too many corn dogs or corn dog nuggets for one sitting? No problem! Refrigerate them and use this same method to reheat them later! They’ll crisp right up again. Start out by reheating them for just 3 to 5 minutes, then add more time if needed.

Key Ingredients for Air Fryer Corn Dogs

Frozen Corn Dogs – This method works for any kind of frozen corn dogs, even mini corn dogs! You can cook as many or as few as you want, too. You might need to work in multiple batches if you’re cooking a lot, especially if your air fryer is small, so keep that in mind!

Chef’s Tips

As with any appliance, cook times will vary from one air fryer to another. Keep an eye on your food, especially the first time or two, and adjust your cook times as needed.
You can totally eat corn dogs on their own, but I love mine with mustard. Ketchup is another tried-and-true topping, but really, when it comes to corn dog condiments, anything goes. I even like my mini corn dogs with honey mustard or a little nacho cheese!
A light spritz of air-fryer-safe spray oil on the basket will help keep the corn dogs from sticking, but depending on your air fryer, it may not be necessary. Be sure not to use any aerosol cooking sprays in your air fryer, because they can damage the coating on your basket!

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

Air fryer corn dogs on a tray next to a bowl of mustard

More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love

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Air Fryer Corn Dogs

Cooking frozen corn dogs in the air fryer is the easiest way to get crispy corn dog batter outside and perfectly cooked, juicy hot dogs inside. Once you try this method, you'll never want to cook corn dogs any other way again!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time15 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: frozen food, kid friendly, summer

Servings: corn dogs

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

4 frozen corn dogs
spray oil optional
mustard optional, for serving

Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 380° Fahrenheit. Place corn dogs in air fryer basket in one even layer. Cook in air fryer for 10 minutes, turning over once after 7 minutes. Remove from air fryer and serve plain or with mustard (or condiment of choice).

Notes

Cooking mini corn dogs? Cook them at 380° Fahrenheit for 7 to 8 minutes, turning once halfway through cook time.
Depending on the number of corn dogs you’re cooking and the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in multiple batches. Be sure the corn dogs are always in one flat layer, not touching or overlapping.

This method will work for any brand of frozen corn dogs. Nutritional information will depend on the specific brand of corn dogs you use.

March 9, 2021 Air Fryer

Frozen Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer

Cooking frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer is the easiest way to get perfectly crispy mozzarella sticks full of hot, gooey cheese in just 10 minutes.

Frozen mozzarella sticks cooked in the air fryer then placed a on a white plate with a small bowl of marinara

What Makes Frozen Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer So Good

This method gives you perfectly crispy mozzarella sticks without the mess (and calories) of deep frying. They come out way crispier than baking them in the oven, too!
It’s so quick! 7 minutes in the air fryer is all you need to put together a tasty snack even the kids will love. Definitely keep this one in your back pocket!
If your air fryer is large enough, you can cook a ton of mozzarella sticks all at once! That means you can easily feed a big group without any extra effort.

Key Ingredients for Frozen Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer

Frozen Mozzarella Sticks – You can use any brand of frozen cheese sticks you like for this method! The cook times may vary slightly with larger or thicker cheese sticks, so keep an eye on them and adjust as needed.

Chef’s Tips

Marinara sauce is the traditional dipping-sauce-of-choice when it comes to mozzarella sticks, but I personally like to dip mine in ranch dressing. You could really use anything, though – ketchup, BBQ sauce, blue cheese dressing, the sky’s the limit!
Don’t overlap the frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer. To cook evenly, the air has to be able to circulate freely. If the mozzarella sticks touch anywhere, that’ll be a spot where the air can’t reach!
If the cheese starts to ooze out of the mozzarella sticks, that means they’re overcooked. You can try lowering the temperature on your air fryer, or shortening the cook time. You’ll know the mozzarella sticks are ready when they’re crispy but a little squishy when you squeeze them. If they’re still firm, they’re not done yet.
It’s not necessary, but you can spray a little air-fryer-safe oil in the basket first, to keep your mozzarella sticks from sticking. Another spritz of oil on the sticks themselves will give them an even crispier coating!

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

Frozen mozzarella sticks cooked in the air fryer then placed on a white plate with a small cup of marinara sauce

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

Frozen mozzarella sticks cooked in the air fryer then placed on a white plate with a small bowl of marinara

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Frozen Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer

Cooking frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer is the easiest way to get perfectly crispy mozzarella sticks full of hot, gooey cheese in just 10 minutes.

Prep Time3 mins

Cook Time7 mins

Total Time10 mins

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy to make, kid friendly, less than 10 minutes

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

air-fryer-safe spray oil optional
frozen mozzarella sticks
marinara sauce optional, for serving

Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 380° Fahrenheit. Lightly spray basket with spray oil (optional).
Arrange frozen mozzarella sticks in air fryer basket in one even layer.
Cook mozzarella sticks for 7 minutes. Flip sticks over halfway through cook time.

Notes

This method will work for any brand and quantity of frozen mozzarella sticks. If you’re cooking a lot of them, you may need to work in multiple batches.

Cook times will vary from one air fryer to another. The thickness of your mozzarella sticks and your preferred crispiness will also affect the cook time. Keep an eye on them as they’re cooking and watch for signs of oozing!

February 23, 2021 Appetizer

Amish Broccoli Salad

This easy Amish broccoli salad recipe (complete with a creamy dressing) is a simple and delicious side dish that’s perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, and summer cookouts. Crisp broccoli, cauliflower, and red onion, tangy mayo and sour cream, a little bacon, and shredded cheese create an incredibly flavorful salad everyone will love!

What Makes This Amish Broccoli Salad Recipe So Good

It’s great for reunions, holidays, potlucks, summer cookouts, or any time you just need to feed a lot of people. You can easily double or triple the recipe without much extra effort.
This recipe uses raw vegetables, so there’s absolutely no cooking involved! Just a little chopping, then some mixing, followed by some chilling – and that last step’s optional.
Any leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 4 days, which makes this a terrific make-ahead or meal prep option!

Key Ingredients for Amish Broccoli Salad

Bacon – A lot of people are in the “bacon doesn’t need to be in everything” camp, and I hear you! BUT, I promise, it really adds an extra layer of flavor in this salad! The savory bacon is especially delicious with the tangy and slightly sweet dressing.

Shredded Cheese – We’re using cheddar cheese in this recipe, but you can use any kind of shredded cheese you like! Cheddar jack and parmesan are both solid options that go well with the other flavors in this Amish broccoli salad. Feta and goat cheese would also be great!

Amish Broccoli Salad

Chef’s Tips

This recipe is fully customizable. If you like really creamy vegetables, feel free to add more mayo and sour cream. Likewise, you can cut back on the dressing ingredients and the raw veggies will shine through. Use any kind of cheese you like. Add nuts, seeds, raisins, bell pepper, or cranberries.
If you’re making this more than a few hours in advance, store the bacon separately from the rest of the salad and fold it in just before serving.
Not big on sour cream? Try the same amount of full-fat Greek yogurt instead. The flavor will be a little different but still great!
Use fresh broccoli and cauliflower – not frozen – to get the brightest flavors and the crispest textures. Frozen vegetables just won’t work the same.
As amazing as it is right away, Amish broccoli salad gets even better after a little time in the refrigerator. If you can, factor in 2 hours of chill time before serving, to let the veggies really soak up the dressing.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

Overhead photo of a white bowl of Amish broccoli salad, with wooden serving utensils

Other Salad Recipes We Love

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Amish Broccoli Salad

This easy Amish broccoli salad recipe (complete with a creamy dressing) is a simple and delicious side dish that's perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, and summer cookouts.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time15 mins

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy to make, no cooking, veggies

Servings: servings

Calories: 476kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Skillet
Small bowl
Large bowl
Silicone spatula

Ingredients

½ pound bacon
1 cup mayonnaise
¾ cup sour cream
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt plus more as needed
1 head broccoli chopped
1 head cauliflower chopped
½ cup red onion chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Dice bacon into small pieces. Fry until crispy, then drain and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, and salt. Taste and add more salt if needed.
In a large bowl, combine broccoli and cauliflower. Add mayonnaise mixture and stir all until veggies are well coated.
Fold in red onion, cheese, and bacon.
Serve immediately, or chill until cold.

Notes

Make it Keto: Instead of sugar, use your favorite granulated sugar substitute, like Swerve. You can also leave out the red onion to shave off an additional 1-2 carbs per serving.
Make it Vegetarian: Leave out the bacon completely, or use a vegan bacon.
Make it Vegan: Use vegan versions of bacon, mayo, sour cream, and cheddar cheese.

Recipe yields approximately 8 servings. Nutritional values shown reflect the information for 1 serving out of 8. Macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands of ingredients.

To determine the size of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed, then weigh the entire finished recipe. Divide the total weight of the recipe (not including the weight of the bowl, pot, or plate the food is in) by 8. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Nutrition

December 22, 2020 Healthy

Smoked Turkey and White Bean Soup

This recipe for smoked turkey soup with white beans and veggies is a hearty, nutritious, and delicious way to use leftover smoked turkey.

White soup bowl with smoked turkey soup, carrots, celery, and Great Northern beans

What Makes This Recipe So Good

It’s so easy to make! Most of the cooking time is actually just the soup simmering to really bring out the flavors.
This is a great recipe for leftover smoked turkey from Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. It’s warm and hearty, and way better than another boring turkey sandwich.
It’s a perfect freezer meal. Prepare the soup as instructed, and let it cool completely. Store it in an airtight container (or in a zippered freezer bag laid flat on a shelf) and freeze for up to six months.

Smoked Turkey Soup Ingredients

Smoked Turkey Meat – Specifically the meat from smoked turkey legs. It’s tender, juicy, and tastes a little like ham. Smoked turkey has a deeper, richer flavor than roasted turkey thanks to the use of smoke and the long cooking time. Turkey legs are generally available at most grocery stores, or you can check with a local butcher.

Great Northern Beans – A white bean similar to cannellini, Great Northern beans are high fiber, low fat, and have no cholesterol. They taste a little nutty and they’re super versatile. If you can’t find Great Northern beans, you can use Navy beans or cannellini beans for this recipe, though the flavor will be slightly different.

How to Make Smoked Turkey Soup

The full recipe & ingredients list are below, but here you’ll find a quick overview for making this recipe perfectly, along with useful tips and info!

Whipping up this incredible smoked turkey soup could not be easier! Basically you just sauté all the ingredients in a large pot over medium heat, then bring it all to a boil with the chicken broth. Let everything simmer for at least 45 minutes and serve hot over a cup of cooked rice!

Chef’s Tips

Before cooking, separate the turkey meat from the bones and skin, and cut or shred the meat into bite sized pieces. Sometimes meat that was exposed during the smoking process will be tough and leathery – cut that away, too.
This recipe uses canned beans to keep things easy, but you can absolutely use fresh beans instead. You’ll need to soak dry beans in water for at least 8 hours to ensure they cook properly.
Smoked turkey meat adds a beautiful flavor to this soup, but whatever turkey meat you have on hand will work!
For more fiber and protein, use wild rice in your smoked turkey soup. It’s also a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
45 minutes is the minimum amount of time needed for this recipe to simmer on the stove. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it will be!

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

Bowl of smoked turkey soup with carrots, celery, and beans on a white table

More Amazing Soup Recipes

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Smoked Turkey Soup

Our recipe for smoked turkey soup with white beans, veggies, and plenty of seasoning is a hearty and nutritious way to use leftover smoked turkey.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Simmer Time45 mins

Total Time1 hr 10 mins

Course: Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: freezer meal, leftovers, winter meals

Servings: servings

Calories: 564kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Ingredients

1 tablespoon oil
2 cloves garlic minced
1 onion roughly chopped
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
salt to taste
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 celery stalks
1 cup carrots thinly sliced
2 smoked turkey legs
1 can Great Northern beans drained
4 ½ cups chicken broth
1 cup cooked rice see Note

Instructions

Sauté garlic and onion in oil over medium heat until translucent.
Add thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, carrots, and celery. Cook 2 minutes or until fragrant.
Add meat from smoked turkey legs and cook 3-5 minutes.
Mix in beans. Add chicken broth and bring to boil.
Boil 10 minutes. Cover with lid and simmer 45 minutes or longer. Serve with one cup of cooked rice.

Notes

If you don’t eat rice, you can use sweet potato rice or cauliflower rice, or just omit this entirely. Skipping the rice makes this recipe very low carb!
Nutritional information shown below does not include rice.

Nutrition

November 30, 2020 Fall

Keto Meat Pie

Savory meat pie is a classic crowd pleaser, but traditional versions can be hard to fit into a keto or low-carb lifestyle. This Keto Meat Pie recipe has all the flavor and texture of classic meat pie with a fraction of the macros.

What Makes This Keto Meat Pie Recipe So Good

The dough can be made in advance and refrigerated for up to 3 days before you bake the full pie, which is super convenient for holiday dinners and regular meal prepping.
The ground beef in this recipe is a great low-carb source of protein and fat. If you don’t eat beef, you can also use ground turkey or ground pork, though your flavor profiles will be slightly different at the end.

Xanthan Gum – This gluten-free thickener is perfect for keto recipes because it has 0g net carbs and won’t spike your blood sugar. It’s becoming easier to find xanthan gum in most local grocery stores, too!

Apple Cider Vinegar – There are a lot of myths surrounding apple cider vinegar, but there is really no negative nutritional impact from consuming it on a ketogenic diet. It won’t knock you out of ketosis – in fact, the acetic acid in ACV is thought to help accelerate fat loss and to lower blood sugar levels.

Mushrooms – These veggies are extremely low-carb, and low in calories, too! They’re a great addition to a keto-friendly recipe.

How to Make Keto Meat Pie

Start with the crust! This recipe uses the exact same keto pie crust that is used in the Easy Keto Pumpkin Pie Recipe from 40 Aprons, and it is amazing.

Pulse your powders in a food processor bowl until they’re combined evenly. Add in the butter and cream cheese and pulse until crumbly, then add the egg and vinegar. After all of that is pulsed into crumbs, form it into a flattened ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour up to 3 days.

Here’s the fun part – roll the dough out into a 12″ circle on wax or parchment paper. Use whichever you prefer and have handy, but I prefer wax paper. The dough might crack a little, but that’s fine. Just press it all back together and keep on rolling!

Carefully lift the paper with the 12″ dough circle above your pie pan and flip it over so the dough lays in the pan. Gently peel away the paper and press the dough into the pan, then trim away the excess dough around the edges. Use a fork to poke holes all over the dough and then freeze everything for at least 10 minutes.

Step-by-step instructional photo for making keto meat pie crust

For the filling, sauté garlic and onion in butter and add in everything but the tomato paste, mushrooms, and cheese. Cook it all together until the meat is brown, then add in the remaining ingredients and cook until the mushrooms are soft. Pour the filling into the pie crust, top with mozzarella, and bake it all for 25-30 minutes!

Uncooked whole keto meat pie in a keto pie crust

Chef’s Tips

If your dough becomes hard to work with, just pop it back in the freezer or fridge for 10 minutes. Chilled dough is easier to work with than warm dough!
Store leftover pie in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 2-3 days. Let the pie cool for no more than 2 hours before refrigerating.
Because you’ll be baking the meat in the oven, don’t overcook it on the stove top or it will be dry by the time you eat the finished meat pie. Cook it on the stove just until it’s browned, then cook with the mushrooms just until they’re softened.
Reheat leftover pie pieces in the oven to keep the crust crisp.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy?”

Whole ground beef, mozzarella, and mushroom keto meat pie in a keto pie crust

More Amazing Keto Recipes

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Keto Meat Pie

This Keto Meat Pie recipe has all the flavor and texture of classic meat pie with a fraction of the macros.

Prep Time1 hr

Cook Time45 mins

Total Time1 hr 45 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, English

Keyword: apple cider vinegar, high fat, xanthan gum

Servings: servings

Calories: 710kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Cost: $4

Equipment

Food processor
Plastic Wrap
Wax or Parchment Paper

Ingredients

For the Pie Crust

125 grams almond flour scant ½ cup
50 grams coconut flour 1 cup + 4 teaspoons
3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
130 grams unsalted grass-fed butter cold, about 1 stick + 1 ½ tablespoons
70 grams cream cheese cold, about 2 ⅓ ounces
1 egg lightly beaten
2 ½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar

For the Meat Filling

½ onion finely chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons butter or oil
8 ounces mushrooms sliced
1 pound ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 cups mozzarella divided

Instructions

For the Pie Crust

Add almond flour, coconut flour, xanthan gum, and salt to food processor bowl. Pulse until evenly combined.
Add butter and cream cheese. Pulse until crumbly, just a few seconds.
Add in egg and vinegar. Pulse until dough just starts to come together and resembles moist crumbs, not smooth dough.
Pour dough onto plastic wrap. Form a ball, then press to flatten. Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour up to 3 days.
Roll out cold dough between wax or parchment paper. If crust cracks or falls apart, press pieces back together and continue. Roll out to a 12" circle. Carefully lift paper over pie plate and flip over, gently removing paper and laying dough into pie pan.
Gently press dough into pan and cut away excess edges. Prick all over with fork. Freeze for 10 minutes.
Preheat oven to 325º Fahrenheit. After crust has chilled, pre-bake crust 8-12 minutes or until lightly golden.Remove crust and increase heat to 350º.

For the Meat Filling

While the crust is pre-baking, sauté garlic and onion in butter until tender, 1-2 minutes.
Add in ground beef, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned.
Add tomato paste and mushrooms. Cook all together until evenly combined and mushrooms are softened, 6-8 minutes. Stir in one cup of mozzarella.
Pour filling into crust and spread evenly. Top with remaining mozzarella and black pepper. Bake for 25-30 minutes until browned and cooked evenly.

Nutrition

November 19, 2020 Air Fryer

Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer

These delicious frozen sweet potato fries are a little sweet and a little salty. They crisp to perfection in the air fryer, making them a perfect snack or side when you want something quick, easy, and healthy.

Why Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer Are So Good

Because air fryers use air instead of oil to fry food, you save calories but still get that great deep-fried flavor and crunch.
Oven-baked fries can be soggy (or worse, burnt), especially if you’re reheating leftovers. Air fryer fries are perfectly crisp every time – plus you can cook them from frozen, no need to thaw!
Sweet potato fries specifically are best in the air fryer. Because of their lower starch content, it’s almost impossible to get the perfect fry texture when you cook sweet potatoes in the oven.
Air fryers generally cook faster than a conventional oven, and the clean up is usually easier, too!

New to air fryers and trying to decide which one to get? Visit our sister site, 40 Aprons, to read about the 5 Air Fryers We Love.

Frozen Sweet Potato Fries Ingredients

Sweet Potatoes – This root veggie is a traditional Thanksgiving staple, but I love them all year long! When it comes to macros, they’re comparable to white potatoes, but they’re a much better source of antioxidants and vitamins A, B, C, and D.

Cinnamon – Everyone knows cinnamon is a little spicy and a little sweet – but did you know cinnamon is believed to have some wonderful health properties? It has essentially no protein or fat, but it does have small amounts of beta carotene and Vitamin A, which are both great for eye health!

How to Make Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer

The full recipe & ingredients list are below, but here you’ll find a quick overview for making this recipe perfectly, along with useful tips and info!

This recipe honestly could not be any easier! Toss your frozen sweet potatoes in oil, then coat them evenly in salt and cinnamon. Pop them in the air fryer for 7 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, flip them, and fry for another 7 minutes. If you like your fries a little crispier, add another 2-3 minutes in the air fryer.

Serve these hot with your favorite dipping sauce – they’re great with ketchup, honey mustard, spicy sriracha-mayo, or comeback sauce! If you’re Whole30, be sure your condiments are compliant!

Chef’s Tips

Bags of frozen sweet potato fries are super quick and easy, but I recommend making your own fries from scratch! Start with a sweet potato and cut it into fries by hand or with a french fry cutter. Plan ahead – you want all of your fries to be roughly the same size so that they cook consistently. Spread the unseasoned fries evenly on a parchment-paper-lined sheet pan and stick them in the freezer. Freeze them for a couple of hours or until they’re hard. Toss them in a baggie or airtight container and keep them in your freezer until you’re ready for them. They’ll keep like this for a few months!
Be sure to spread the fries in a flat layer in the air fryer basket, and don’t let them touch or overlap. If the air can’t flow around them easily, they won’t cook evenly!
If you have any leftovers, you can totally reheat them in the air fryer! A few minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit will make them nice and crispy again.

What Do We Mean By “Healthy”?

Close up of sweet potato fries in a white bowl

More Air Fryer Recipes

Sweet potato fries with salt in a white bowl

Print Recipe

Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time25 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: comfort food, family friendly, healthy snack

Servings: servings

Calories: 218kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Cost: $4

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

1 15-ounce bag frozen sweet potato fries
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil
big pinch cinnamon
Kosher salt

Instructions

In a large bowl, toss frozen sweet potato fries with oil and season evenly with kosher salt and cinnamon.
Working in small batches, spread an even layer of sweet potato fries in the fryer basket. Cook at 375° for 7 minutes. Flip fries, then cook 7 minutes more, adding 2-3 minutes if necessary. Fries are done when crispy and golden brown.

Nutrition

November 5, 2020 Condiment

Keto Cranberry Sauce

This ridiculously easy keto cranberry sauce is the perfect holiday side. Made with fresh tart and sweet cranberries and no added sugar, it’s perfect if you’re trying to stay in ketosis this holiday season.

What Makes This Recipe So Good

One cup of cranberries has about 7 grams of net carbs, so you can easily add this dish into your keto Thanksgiving plan!
This keto cranberry sauce only takes about 10 minutes to cook, so it’s a great easy side that doesn’t take a lot of work or ingredients.

Fresh cranberries – Use fresh cranberries for a lightly tart, sweet burst of flavor
Orange zest – A little zest from an orange is optional, but it gives your cranberry sauce a bit of citrus of flavor and scent
Swerve – A great sugar substitute that fits in great with the keto diet, or if you’re watching your blood sugar. It also doesn’t have the artificial, chemical taste some other sugar subs have.

How To Make Keto Cranberry Sauce

The full recipe & ingredients list are below, but here you’ll find a quick overview for making this recipe perfectly, along with useful tips and info!

Whisk the Swerve into a saucepan of water on the stove. Add the cranberries and let them cook until they start to pop and form a sauce.

Place the sauce in a bowl and pop in the fridge for a couple hours prior to serving.

Top Tips For Making

You can also use powdered or granulated erythritol instead of Swerve. If you’re not on a keto diet, you can use regular granulated sugar or maple syrup.
If you’d like to make this recipe ahead of time or you have leftovers, you can keep it in the freezer in an airtight container up to 3 months.

More Keto Holiday Recipes

Print Recipe

Keto Cranberry Sauce

This easy cranberry sauce is the perfect holiday side

Cook Time10 mins

Chilling Time2 hrs

Total Time2 hrs 10 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy side dish, fewer than 5 ingredients, thanksgiving

Servings: servings

Calories: 16kcal

Cost: $2

Ingredients

1 cup water
1 cup Swerve granulated
12 ounces fresh cranberries whole
1 teaspoon orange zest optional

Instructions

In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, whisk swerve into water. Stir in the orange zest and cranberries and cook until they start to pop, about 10-12 minutes. You can smash the cranberries a bit if you like.
Remove from heat and place in a bowl, then chill for at least 2 hours.

Notes

Swerve substitutes: Can also use powdered or granulated erythritol to taste. If not on a keto diet, you can use regular granulated sugar or maple syrup to taste.
Freezing: Keep in freezer in an airtight container up to 3 months.

Nutrition

November 3, 2020 Dairy-Free

Keto Green Beans

These easy keto green beans are the perfect low carb dinner veggie, whether you eat them alone or add them to other dishes. Simply, yet perfectly seasoned, they are bright, crisp, and full of green flavor.

What Makes This Recipe So Good

This recipe only takes about 12 minutes to make, so it’s great for whipping up for a quick side dish.
Made with only 5 ingredients, these keto green beans are perfect for when you want to bulk up your meal without spending a lot of money!
Each serving of these green beans is about 6g net carbs, so it’s easy to fit into your low carb or keto diet.

Ingredients for keto green beans in bowls

How To Make Keto Green Beans

The full recipe & ingredients list are below, but here you’ll find a quick overview for making this recipe perfectly, along with useful tips and info!

Add the green beans to a large skillet and cook until they are bright and shiny.

Add the seasonings and cook while stirring constantly until the garlic is fragrant.

Keto green beans in a skillet being stirred with a wooden spoon

Top Tips For Making

You can fancy up this dish by adding a squeeze of lemon juice or some lemon zest, a little butter (great if you need some more of your daily fat while on keto), fresh parmesan cheese, bacon, or slivered almonds.

More Veggie Recipes

Print Recipe

Keto Green Beans

These bright and fresh green beans are the perfect low carb side

Prep Time2 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time12 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: low carb, under 30 minutes, vegetables

Servings: servings

Calories: 101kcal

Cost: $2

Ingredients

16 ounces fresh green beans
2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
3 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Add oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add trimmed green beans and cook, stirring often, until beans are shiny, about 7 minutes. Add garlic and seasoned with salt and pepper. Cook while stirring constantly about 3 minutes until garlic is fragrant and beans are bright and tender.

Notes

Variations: Try adding a squeeze of lemon juice or some lemon zest, a little butter (great if you need some more of your daily fat while on keto), fresh parmesan cheese, bacon, or slivered almonds.

Nutrition