3 Low Carb Vegetables and Jerky Combos
Being on a low-carb diet doesn’t mean you have to eat bland, steamed veggies. If you’re looking for something flavorful to satisfy your cravings without messing up your plan.
If you’re already looking to Mission Meats’ handmade jerkies for your protein, you need the right pairing of low-carb veggies.
There’s one problem—not all low-carb veggies are the same. When you’re on a strict diet that requires less than 20 grams of carbs a day, it’s easy to get frustrated with your limited choices.
However, our combos use a variety of low-carb veggies.
Savory, sweet, spicy, and down-right hot—these dishes are what you need to transform your low-carb meal plan.
Low-Carb Cauliflower Mash and Carolina Reaper Beef Jerky
"Hottest Pepper in the World" Carolina Reaper Grass-Fed Beef Jerky
Mildly flavored cauliflower mash pairs nicely with spicy beef jerky. In addition to being one of the best low-carb vegetables, mashed cauliflower tastes a lot like mashed potatoes—light, fluffy, creamy, and buttery.
As far as spicy beef jerky goes, none beats our Carolina Reaper beef jerky that’s seasoned with the hottest pepper. Made with natural, simple ingredients and packed with flavor, they are a favorite among our customers:
“Amazing blend of heat and tons of flavor! I'm a hot sauce fan, and this ranks up there for heat, but still very enjoyable. Jerky itself was very fresh and soft, not dried-up leather like most other jerky you find. Highly recommend!” – Dave S
If you’re not one for too much spice, we have the Original beef jerky packed with smokey flavor minus the hot pepper. It’s delicious enough to be a substitute in this low-carb veggie and jerky recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 oz. Carolina Reaper beef jerky
- ¼ lb cauliflower
- 3 tbsp shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 oz. butter
- ⅛ lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut the cauliflower into florets.
- Boil a pot of salted water.
- Add the cauliflower florets and boil until slightly tender. Strain in a colander and discard the water.
- Pulse the cauliflower and the remaining ingredients in a food processor to achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve alongside Carolina Reaper beef jerky.
Zucchini Fries and Korean BBQ Bacon Jerky
Zucchini fries are the perfect fix when you’re craving something crunchy and flavorful. Battered in almond flour, dipped in a tangy sauce, and eaten alongside flavored barbeque jerky, these fries taste heavenly.
Our Korean BBQ bacon jerky is sweet, tangy, made from the leanest bacon, and with simple ingredients. Don’t just take our word for it—here’s what one of our customers had to say:
“This was some of the best bacon jerky I have ever had in my life. 10/10 would recommend. It slaps so hard.” – Hadley Pade.
Although they are the perfect snack to eat on the go, they also go nicely with some crunchy zucchini and tomato mayo dip.
Ingredients
- 1 oz. Korean BBQ bacon jerky
- ½ lb zucchini
- 1 oz. almond flour
- 1 oz. grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ egg
- ¾ tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ tsp tomato paste
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mix the mayo, tomato paste, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper, and refrigerate.
- Preheat the oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet.
- Whisk the egg in a bowl.
- Mix almond flour, parmesan cheese, and spices in another bowl.
- Deseed the zucchini and cut them into sticks.
- Coat the sticks in almond flour, dip them in egg batter, and coat with another layer of almond flour.
- Place the sticks on the baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until they brown. Serve with Korean bbq bacon jerky and the spicy mayo dip.
Butter Fried Broccoli and Sea Salt & Pepper Beef Jerky
Broccoli might not be your favorite low-carb vegetable, especially if you consistently eat it steamed. Butter and onions give this side dish a much-needed makeover.
Mission Meats’ Sea Salt and Black Pepper Beef jerky is made with grass-fed and finished beef that is sourced from premium farms in the midwestern United States. It is flavorful, tender, and a hit among our customers:
“Tender and tasty and the perfect seasoning. This is really good jerky.” – Mark.
Fried broccoli, paired with our authentic grass-fed beef jerky, will quickly become one of your favorite dishes.
Ingredients
- ¾ oz. butter
- ¼ lb broccoli
- ⅔ oz. scallions
- ½ tbsp small capers
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Divide the broccoli into small florets.
- Melt the butter in a pan, add broccoli.
- Saute for 5 minutes over medium-high heat until the broccoli browns.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Add finely chopped scallions and capers. Fry for another 2 minutes.
- Serve with a portion of sea salt and pepper beef jerky.
Remember: not all low-carb veggies are the same. Here are three little-known facts that will help you work with a limited carb intake without getting frustrated.
Choosing the Right Low-Carb Vegetables
Most people “go for the rainbow” when choosing low-carb veggies.
It means choosing colored veggies like red peppers, yellow tomatoes, or purple eggplant. The truth is, not all colored veggies are the same.
Above-Ground Vegetables Are the Best Keto Options
Vegetables that grow above the ground have the lowest carb content and can be eaten more freely than below-ground varieties. Above-ground vegetables have under 5 grams of carbs per 100-gram serving.
Conversely, below-ground varieties, also called root vegetables, have 7 to 17 grams of carbs per 100 grams. You should avoid overeating these, especially if you’re on a strict low-carb diet like keto and your goal is to consume fewer than 20 grams of carbs a day.
Although root vegetables are often sweeter and more flavorful, they have lots of starch, making them less ideal.
Leafy Veggies Are the Most Nutritious
Dark, leafy vegetables are both high in nutrients and low in carbs. They provide the most antioxidant protection and fiber. However, leafy vegetables can be hard to consume as a snack. They work better as a part of meals, so for snacks, you may want to look for cruciferous veggies that are easy to pack and carry.
Green Is Better
Although the rainbow is a good criterion for choosing low-carb veggies, some colored vegetables have a high carb count. Green veggies are better than yellow, red, purple, or any other colored veggies.
For instance, green cabbage is lower in carbs than purple cabbage. Green bell peppers are also slightly lower in carbs than red and yellow varieties.
Jerky That’s Good for You and Others
Our beef sticks are the perfect pairing for your favorite veggies. From Kickin’ Sriracha Bacon Jerky that packs a punch to the flavorful Sea Salt & Black Pepper Beef Jerky, we have something for everyone.
We’re a company that sells 100% grass-fed, 110% non-GMO snacks and works to give back to the community. So head over to our products catalog, grab some low-carb friendly snacks, and make a difference while at it.