26 Low-Carb Dinners That Actually Fill You Up

I’ve tried plenty of low-carb dinners that left me hungry an hour later, so I started collecting the ones that actually keep me full. These meals skip the heavy carbs without sacrificing substance, flavor, or satisfaction. If you’re looking for easy, reliable dinner ideas that don’t leave you reaching for snacks, you’re in the right place.

A plate of Salisbury steak topped with mushroom gravy and garnished with herbs. Accompanied by a bowl of salad and a pitcher of extra gravy. — Photo credit: The Dinner Bell.

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Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

Pouring savory sauce over a bowl of rice topped with beef and bell peppers. — Slow Cooker Pepper Steak. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Pepper steak cooked in a slow cooker results in tender meat and flavorful peppers. Preparation is simple, allowing the appliance to handle the cooking. The dish offers a combination of protein and vegetables. It's suitable for meal prep or serving a family dinner. This meal provides lasting fullness without the need for additional carbohydrates.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

Garlic Butter Steak Bites

A bowl of meat and green peppers with a spoon. — Garlic Butter Steak Bites. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Bite-sized steak pieces are seared and coated in garlic butter. Cooking takes less than 15 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings. The dish is rich in protein, contributing to a satisfying meal. Pair with your choice of vegetables for a complete dinner. It's a quick option that doesn't compromise on fullness.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Close-up of a crispy air fried chicken drumstick on a white plate garnished with parsley, with hot sauce in the background. — Air Fryer Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Chicken legs cooked in an air fryer achieve crispy skin without excessive oil. Preparation is minimal, and cooking time is approximately 25 minutes. The meat provides ample protein for a hearty meal. Serve with steamed or roasted vegetables. This dish is a convenient choice that leaves you feeling full.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Baked Stuffed Pork Chops

A plate of pork chops stuffed with mushrooms and cheese served with green beans. — Baked Stuffed Pork Chops. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Pork chops are filled with a savory stuffing and baked to perfection. The preparation is straightforward, and the oven handles most of the work. The combination of meat and filling offers a substantial meal. Ready in about 40 minutes, it's suitable for weeknight dinners. This dish ensures you won't be reaching for snacks later.
Get the Recipe: Baked Stuffed Pork Chops

Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry

Roasted broccoli and tofu cubes garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, served with a wooden spoon. — Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Tofu and broccoli are stir-fried with your choice of seasonings. The dish is prepared in a single pan, simplifying cleanup. It's a plant-based option that still offers a hearty meal. Cooking time is under 30 minutes. This stir fry is a practical choice that keeps you full without heavy ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry

Creamy Chicken Curry

Chicken curry with rice. — Creamy Chicken Curry. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Chicken pieces are simmered in a creamy curry sauce, absorbing rich flavors. The dish is prepared in one pot, making it convenient. High in protein, it serves as a substantial main course. Ready in about 35 minutes, it's suitable for weeknight meals. This curry provides lasting fullness without the need for rice or bread.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Curry

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Shrimp are threaded onto skewers and grilled until cooked through. Preparation and cooking take less than 20 minutes. The seafood offers lean protein, contributing to a filling meal. Serve with grilled vegetables for a balanced dinner. This dish is a quick option that doesn't leave you hungry.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Air Fryer Cornish Hen

A Cornish hen is cooked in an air fryer, resulting in crispy skin and juicy meat. Preparation is minimal, and cooking time is approximately 45 minutes. The portion size is suitable for an individual, providing ample protein. Pair with a side of vegetables for a complete meal. This dish offers a satisfying dinner without excessive effort.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cornish Hen

Ground Pork Stir Fry

A plate with ground pork and vegetables on top of cauliflower rice. — Ground Pork Stir Fry. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Ground pork is stir-fried with vegetables and your choice of seasonings. The dish is prepared in a single pan, making cleanup easy. High in protein, it serves as a hearty main course. Cooking time is under 30 minutes. This stir fry is a convenient option that keeps you full.
Get the Recipe: Ground Pork Stir Fry

Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites (Lechon Kawali)

A basket of crispy roasted pork belly chunks garnished with parsley, served in a white paper-lined wicker basket. — Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites (Lechon Kawali). Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Pork belly pieces are cooked in an air fryer until crispy. Preparation is straightforward, and cooking takes about 30 minutes. The rich meat provides a filling main course. Serve with a light salad or vegetables. This dish offers a hearty meal without the need for additional sides.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites (Lechon Kawali)

Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon

A plate of salmon on a white plate with lemon slices on it. — Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Salmon fillets are topped with a lemon butter sauce and baked until tender. The preparation is simple, requiring minimal ingredients. High in protein and healthy fats, it serves as a substantial meal. Ready in about 25 minutes, it's suitable for weeknight dinners. This dish ensures you won't be reaching for snacks later.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Sauce for Salmon

Pan-Fried Pork Chops

Pork chops on a plate with rosemary sprigs. — Pan-Fried Pork Chops. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Pork chops are seasoned and pan-fried until cooked through. The cooking process is quick, taking about 15 minutes. The meat provides ample protein for a hearty meal. Serve with steamed or roasted vegetables. This dish is a straightforward option that keeps you full.
Get the Recipe: Pan-Fried Pork Chops

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

A skillet containing a stir-fried mix of ground meat, sliced bell peppers, leafy greens, and white sesame seeds, with a wooden spoon resting on the side. Plates with flatbreads are in the background. — Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Ground beef and cabbage are cooked together in a single skillet. The preparation is simple, and cooking takes about 30 minutes. The combination offers a filling meal with minimal ingredients. It's suitable for meal prep or a quick dinner. This skillet dish provides lasting fullness without heavy carbohydrates.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Shrimp Scampi

A plate with shrimp and bread on it. — Shrimp Scampi. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Shrimp are sautéed in garlic butter and served with a squeeze of lemon. The dish is prepared in one pan, making cleanup easy. High in protein, it serves as a satisfying main course. Cooking time is under 20 minutes. This scampi is a quick option that doesn't leave you hungry.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi

Braised Short Ribs

Short ribs are slow-cooked until tender, absorbing rich flavors. The preparation requires minimal effort, with the oven handling most of the work. The meat provides a hearty main course. Serve with your choice of vegetables. This dish offers a substantial meal that keeps you full.
Get the Recipe: Braised Short Ribs

Stuffed Flank Steak Pinwheels

Stuffed steak pinwheels sliced on platter. — Stuffed Flank Steak Pinwheels. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Flank steak is rolled with a savory filling and baked until cooked through. The preparation is straightforward, and cooking takes about 35 minutes. High in protein, it serves as a hearty main course. Pair with a side of vegetables for a balanced dinner. This dish ensures you won't be reaching for snacks later.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Flank Steak Pinwheels

Sheet Pan Salmon and Vegetables

Baked salmon fillet with asparagus, zucchini, and bell peppers on a white plate, garnished with herbs. — Sheet Pan Salmon and Vegetables. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Salmon fillets and assorted vegetables are baked together on a single sheet pan. Preparation is minimal, and cooking takes about 25 minutes. The combination offers a balanced meal with protein and fiber. Cleanup is simplified with only one pan used. This dish is a practical option that keeps you full.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Salmon and Vegetables

Oven Baked Pork Steaks

Oven baked pork steak on a plate with green beans and a fork on the side. — Oven Baked Pork Steaks. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Pork steaks are seasoned and baked until tender. The preparation is simple, and cooking takes about 30 minutes. The meat provides ample protein for a hearty meal. Serve with steamed or roasted vegetables. This dish offers a satisfying dinner without excessive effort.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Pork Steaks

Crispy Coconut Pan-Fried Salmon

Salmon fillets are coated in shredded coconut and pan-fried until crispy. Preparation is straightforward, and cooking takes about 20 minutes. The fish provides lean protein and healthy fats. Pair with a side of vegetables for a complete meal. This dish is a quick option that doesn't leave you hungry.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Coconut Pan-Fried Salmon

Egg Roll in a Bowl

Ground meat and shredded vegetables are sautéed together with seasonings. The dish is prepared in a single pan, making cleanup easy. High in protein and fiber, it serves as a filling main course. Cooking time is under 30 minutes. This meal provides lasting fullness without the need for wrappers or rice.
Get the Recipe: Egg Roll in a Bowl

Hamburger Steaks with Mushroom Gravy

Ground beef patties are cooked and topped with a savory mushroom gravy. The preparation is simple, and cooking takes about 30 minutes. The combination offers a hearty meal with rich flavors. Serve with a side of vegetables for a balanced dinner. This dish ensures you won't be reaching for snacks later.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Steaks with Mushroom Gravy

Zucchini Pizza Boats

Zucchini halves are hollowed out and filled with pizza toppings, then baked until tender. Preparation is straightforward, and cooking takes about 25 minutes. The vegetables provide fiber, while the toppings add protein. This dish offers a lighter alternative to traditional pizza. It's a practical option that keeps you full.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pizza Boats

Spaghetti Squash Pizza Casserole

Spaghetti squash strands are combined with pizza toppings and baked into a casserole. The preparation is simple, and cooking takes about 40 minutes. The squash provides fiber, while the toppings add protein. This dish offers a hearty meal without traditional pasta. It's a satisfying option that doesn't leave you hungry.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Squash Pizza Casserole

Curried Riced Cauliflower with Shrimp

Riced cauliflower is sautéed with shrimp and curry spices. The dish is prepared in a single pan, making cleanup easy. High in protein and fiber, it serves as a filling main course. Cooking time is under 30 minutes. This meal provides lasting fullness without heavy carbohydrates.
Get the Recipe: Curried Riced Cauliflower with Shrimp

Spicy Cajun Shrimp

Shrimp are seasoned with Cajun spices and sautéed until cooked through. Preparation is minimal, and cooking takes about 15 minutes. The seafood offers lean protein, contributing to a hearty meal. Serve with a side of vegetables for a balanced dinner. This dish is a quick option that doesn't leave you hungry.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Cajun Shrimp

Deconstructed Burger Bowl with Secret Sauce

Ground beef is served over a bed of lettuce and topped with burger fixings and a special sauce. The preparation is straightforward, and cooking takes about 20 minutes. High in protein and fiber, it serves as a filling main course. This bowl offers the flavors of a burger without the bun. It's a practical option that keeps you full.
Get the Recipe: Deconstructed Burger Bowl with Secret Sauce