Accommodating the Keto Diet at Your Restaurant

The keto diet – a low-carb, high-fat combination – has been gaining a lot of traction in the last couple of years.

Many restaurants have created specific gluten-free dishes to bring in additional customers. Having keto-friendly dishes can do the same thing! Get the foodservice supplies and ingredients you need by following this guide.

Adapt or Add New Menu Items?

Depending on the type of restaurant you run, you may not want to change your existing dishes. Chefs spend hours perfecting a recipe, and swapping out ingredients can ruin the effect they were going for.

If that describes your establishment, consider simply adding a few keto-friendly dishes to your menu. Your carb-conscious diners will be satisfied, and so will your chef!

On the other hand, you may be able to offer simple swaps that can accommodate a keto focus without creating new menu items. That may keep things simpler when it comes to foodservice supplies, training, and more.

Both ways work – you just have to choose!

Focus on Side Dishes & Desserts

If someone is looking for a keto-friendly main dish, they have a pretty simple time. They’ll gravitate toward your grilled meat items. They’ll be happy to have buttery sauces added, as long as they aren’t thickened with flour!

So, focus your foodservice supplies and creativity on side dishes, which can be more challenging for carb-conscious diners. Consider offering squash, mashed cauliflower, and unbreaded vegetables.

What about dessert? Folks who eat a keto diet often go to great lengths to substitute ingredients in an attempt to create a low-carb dessert. If you plan to cater to the keto dessert crowd, you’ll need a good natural sugar substitute and a focus on crustless items and chocolate.

It can certainly be done, and you can gain a loyal following from your efforts!

Breakfast & Lunch

If your restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, you may have additional challenges meeting the needs of a keto-focused diner. While eggs are perfect, bread is out.

Consider dishes like omelets and crustless quiche, or egg skillets that don’t include potatoes. Shakshuka would be an excellent option!

For lunch, think about offering your sandwiches as lettuce wraps instead. You don’t have to revamp the menu or get special foodservice equipment – just put the filling inside a leaf!

You can also offer stuffed peppers, stuffed portabella mushrooms, and loaded salads to satisfy these customers. You can make seasonal ingredients front-and-center, and it helps you serve gluten-free customers and handle other restrictions as well.

Get the Foodservice Equipment You Need

Going keto requires a little creativity, but it’s similar to having gluten-free options. Make sure you have the foodservice equipment and ingredients you need!

Offering simple-to-make but popular items like cauliflower mash or cauliflower crusts on pizza or wraps can make you the go-to restaurant in town. It’s not just about dealing with requests, it’s about being unique and drawing in new and repeat business!

Let us help you with the supplies and equipment you need. We’d love to help your Little Rock restaurant succeed. Contact us for more information!