💸 Budget Keto: How to Eat Low-Carb on a Tight Budget

 

Eating keto doesn’t have to break the bank. While some keto recipes include pricey ingredients like grass-fed beef and almond flour, there are plenty of delicious, affordable meals that keep your carbs low and your wallet happy.

In this post, you'll find 3 budget-friendly keto meals you can prep in bulk — perfect for students, families, and anyone trying to survive rising grocery prices in 2025.

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🥚 1. Egg & Cabbage Stir-Fry

Ingredients (Serves 2):

• 4 large eggs

• 2 cups shredded green cabbage

• 1 tbsp butter or avocado oil

• 1 clove garlic (minced)

• 1 tsp soy sauce or coconut aminos

• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat butter in a pan and sauté garlic and cabbage until soft.

2. Push cabbage to one side and scramble the eggs on the other.

3. Mix everything together, add soy sauce, and cook for 1 more minute.

Nutrition per serving:

Calories	Net Carbs	Protein	Fat
285 kcal	6g	14g	21g

✅ Why it's cheap: Eggs and cabbage are among the lowest-cost high-nutrition ingredients.

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🥫 2. Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients (Serves 2):

• 1 can of tuna in water (drained)

• 2 tbsp mayonnaise

• 1 tsp mustard

• 1/2 stalk celery (chopped)

• 1 tbsp onion (minced)

• 4 large romaine or iceberg lettuce leaves

Instructions:

1. Mix tuna, mayo, mustard, celery, and onion.

2. Spoon into lettuce leaves like a wrap.

3. Eat fresh or pack for lunch.

Nutrition per serving:

Calories	Net Carbs	Protein	Fat
260 kcal	2g	20g	19g

✅ Why it's cheap: Canned tuna and lettuce are affordable and widely available.

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🍗 3. Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Frozen Veggies

Ingredients (Serves 3):

• 6 chicken drumsticks

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tsp paprika

• Salt & pepper

• 2 cups mixed frozen vegetables (like broccoli, cauliflower, green beans)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Toss drumsticks with oil and seasoning.

3. Place on a baking tray with frozen veggies.

4. Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden and fully cooked.

Nutrition per serving:

Calories	Net Carbs	Protein	Fat
390 kcal	6g	27g	28g

✅ Why it's cheap: Frozen veggies and drumsticks are more affordable than breasts or steaks.

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🛒 Budget Keto Tips:

• Buy in bulk: Eggs, frozen veggies, canned meat, and cheese have long shelf lives.

• Skip “fancy” keto: No need for expensive almond flour or MCT oil.

• Look for sales: Stock up on meats and butter when discounted.

• Cook at home: Takeout keto is 3x the price of homemade meals.

• Use the same ingredients across recipes to avoid waste.