Finding Keto-Friendly Options at Texas Roadhouse
When craving hearty steakhouse fare like fall-off-the-bone ribs, indulgent bread, loaded baked potatoes, and sweet desserts, Texas Roadhouse naturally comes to mind. However, strictly limiting carbs on the ketogenic diet makes dining there seem challenging.
Fortunately, with careful menu selections, people following keto can also enjoy delicious meals at Texas Roadhouse restaurants nationwide.
An Overview of Keto at Texas Roadhouse
The ketogenic or “keto” diet involves consuming very low carb, high fat, and moderate protein meals to achieve ketosis – when the body burns fat for fuel. To stay in ketosis, keto dieters must restrict net carbs to 20-50 grams daily.
Many Texas Roadhouse customer favorites like bread, rice, beans, corn, desserts, and sweet drinks are too carb-dense for keto. However, focusing on the restaurant’s protein-centric entrées makes finding suitable options easier.
Best Keto-Friendly Texas Roadhouse Entrees
Taking carbohydrate counts into consideration, the following entrée selections can fit into keto eating plans:
Meats
- Steaks (sirloin, filet mignon, ribeye, New York strip, etc.)
- Beef ribs
- Pulled pork
- Chicken critters
- Grilled shrimp or salmon
Sides
- Small house or Caesar salads
- Green beans
- Roasted asparagus
- Broccoli
- Loaded mashed cauliflower (no gravy)
Herb crusted sirloins, honey barbecue ribs, lemon butter chicken critters, and grilled salmon fillets accompanied by small salads and low carb veggies make satisfying keto meals.
Customizing Keto-Friendly Entrées
When ordering keto-compatible proteins like steaks, ribs, or chicken, request for sauces, seasonings, and cooking methods to avoid hidden carbs, sugars, or unnecessary calories. Useful customizations include:
- Rub seasonings instead of sauces
- Extra herbs/spices
- Grilled, broiled, roasted, or pan-fried
- No breading
- Sub a vegetable for potato sides
Asking for ribeyes seasoned with just salt and pepper then grilled can keep options keto-approved.
Choosing Keto Sides at Texas Roadhouse
While menu sides like mashed potatoes, rice, baked sweet potatoes, and rolls are too high in carbs for keto, viable lower carb replacements exist. Excellent options include:
Salads
House or Caesar salads with no croutons and low carb dressings make nutritious pairings. Request no carrot or corn garnishes to avoid extra carbs.
Non-Starchy Vegetables
The restaurants’ steamed broccoli, green beans, asparagus, or seasonal roasted veggies are all keto-friendly.
Cauliflower Mash
Texas Roadhouse’s loaded mashed cauliflower mimics mashed potatoes minus the carbs. Order without gravy to avoid hidden sugars.
Pairing grilled entrees with small salads enhances nutrition while staying low carb.
Keto-Friendly Texas Roadhouse Appetizers
Select appetizers can also kickstart keto-approved Texas Roadhouse meals. Favorable choices include:
- Boneless Buffalo wings (naked)
- Beef skewers
- Bacon-wrapped filet bites
- Cup of chili
Sticking to dry rubs and skipping breading or sweet sauces keeps these starters keto-compliant.
Low Carb Texas Roadhouse Salad Options
Salads make healthier keto meal bases. Modifying high carb ingredients helps keep carbs low. Options like:
- Steak salad
- Grilled chicken Caesar salad (no croutons)
- BBQ chicken chopped salad (no corn/beans)
Bring their own carbs down while remaining filling. Pair with oil-based dressings.
Finding Keto Drinks at Texas Roadhouse
While Texas Roadhouse offers sweet tea, sodas, juices, milkshakes, and alcohol containing drinks unsuitable for keto, suitable options do exist. Consider:
- Unsweetened iced tea or coffee
- Sparkling water
- Diet soda
Slice lemons, limes, or cucumber into water for infused versions. Staying well-hydrated aids ketosis.
Avoiding Higher Carb Texas Roadhouse Menu Items on Keto
When adhering to the keto diet at Texas Roadhouse, refrain from menu items like:
- Breads, buns, rolls, biscuits
- Pasta, rice, potatoes, beans, corn, peas
- Beer
- Sweet cocktails and wines
- Sauces, gravies, dressings with added sugars
- Cheesecake, ice cream
Checking carb counts using nutrition calculators helps identify hidden sugars and starches not keto-friendly.
Keto Dining Tips for Texas Roadhouse Success
Follow these extra recommendations for smoothly navigating keto meals at Texas Roadhouse:
- Review menus and nutrition info online beforehand
- Opt for lunch portions
- Share sides family-style
- Request necessary substitutions
- Ask about custom orders
Arriving prepared, ordering intentionally, and seeking staff guidance makes low carb Texas Roadhouse dining achievable.
You Can Do Keto at Texas Roadhouse
Despite its indulgent American fare focus, Texan cowboy culture-inspired steakhouse chain Texas Roadhouse offers sufficient low carb selections for ketogenic dieters. By concentrating on high protein entrees, low starch vegetable sides, modified salads, and simple drinks, you can still enjoy crave-worthy barbecue ribs, fall-off-the-bone steaks, and down-home hospitality while maintaining ketosis.
FAQs
What are the best low carb entrées at Texas Roadhouse?
Good keto protein choices include various steaks, grilled chicken, ribs, salmon, and shrimp. Skip breaded or sauce-laden options to avoid added carbs and sugars.
What sides and drinks work for keto at Texas Roadhouse?
Order small salads with oil dressings or low starch vegetables like broccoli and green beans. Stick to unsweetened drinks like water, unsweetened tea/coffee, or diet soda.
How can I customize my order?
Request herb seasonings over sugary sauces, grilled/roasted cooking methods instead of frying, sub a veggie for potato sides, and hold the bread, buns, or croutons to keep carbohydrates down.
What menu items should I avoid on the keto diet?
Skip the rolls, biscuits, breads, baked potatoes, rice, beans, peas, corn, pasta, desserts, sweet wines/cocktails, and thick sugary sauces and gravies to avoid excess carbs and stay in ketosis.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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