Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Is Gravy Keto?
• What Is The Secret Ingredient In Low Carb Gravy?
• How To Make Keto Gravy
• How To Thicken Low Carb Gravy?
• Troubleshooting Keto Gravy Made With Gelatin
• How To Make Keto Gravy Paleo & Whole30 Approved
• Can You Make Low Carb Gravy Without Turkey Drippings?
• Can You Thicken Keto Gravy With Something Other Than Gelatin?
• Can You Make This Keto Gravy Recipe Ahead?
• What To Serve With Keto Turkey Gravy
• Tools To Make Low Carb Turkey Gravy
• Keto Gravy (Zero Carb!) Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

This keto gravy recipe needs to be on your holiday menu! My low carb turkey gravy uses a secret ingredient to thicken it – absolutely no flour or carbs are needed and you’re going to love the rich flavor. (In fact, the secret ingredient makes this easy to adapt to a whole30 paleo gravy recipe, too!) You’ll want to drizzle this keto turkey gravy on turkey, of course, but also over cauliflower stuffing , and mashed cauliflower for a classic (and keto) Thanksgiving meal. Low carb turkey gravy is easy to make, and can also be made ahead for stress-free holiday meals.

Add this keto turkey gravy recipe to your holiday list. It’s not Thanksgiving without gravy on the table, right?!

Is Gravy Keto?

Can you have gravy on keto? YES! But you need to make sure it’s a keto friendly gravy recipe… like this one. 🙂 Most traditional gravy recipes are thickened with flour, which has way too many carbs for my liking.

This low carb turkey gravy recipe has 0 grams carbs! Yes, carb free gravy is possible and it’s delicious.

What Is The Secret Ingredient In Low Carb Gravy?

The secret ingredient is unflavored gelatin powder! Read on to see how you can use it to thicken keto turkey gravy naturally.

How To Make Keto Gravy

Keto thanksgiving gravy is a must on any low carb table this holiday season. Because what’s turkey without a low carb gravy recipe? Thankfully, this recipe is quick and easy, and it utilizes a (secret!) keto ingredient to thicken it right up.

Here’s how we’re making keto gravy for turkey:

1. Collect turkey drippings . After your turkey is done cooking, remove it from the roasting pan, and pour the contents through a fine mesh sieve. Discard the solids, we won’t use those!

TIP: This keto gravy recipe will work with turkey drippings from a whole turkey or just a bone-in turkey breast. Try garlic butter turkey or Crock Pot turkey breast !

TIP: If you prefer, you can let your drippings separate first and skim the fat off the top before using the rest of the drippings for the gravy. Or use a fat separator like this !

1. Bloom the gelatin . Sprinkle gelatin over cold water and set aside. It will take a few minutes to get firm.

1. Reduce broth and drippings . Melt butter in a saucepan. Add chicken broth and turkey drippings to the pan. Bring to a boil, then simmer until volume is reduced by half.

TIP: You can make your broth more flavorful by simmering the turkey giblets in it. Or, replace the chicken broth altogether with stock made by simmering giblets in water for about an hour.

1. Thicken keto turkey gravy . Add the gelatin to the pan, and whisk constantly until it’s completely dissolved.

TIP: Remove the gravy from heat as soon as the gelatin dissolves , because its gelling abilities will be reduced if you keep heating it for too long.

1. Let gravy cool slightly . As the gravy cools from hot to lukewarm, it will thicken. If a film forms on top, simply whisk it back into the gravy.

How To Thicken Low Carb Gravy?

Instead of flour (which wouldn’t be keto), the keto gravy thickener we are using in this recipe is gelatin! It works really well as a low carb gravy thickener, you just need to be sure to whisk it in well enough so that it’s fully incorporated into the keto turkey gravy.

As the gravy cools, it will continue to thicken , so don’t stress if it’s not thick right away!

Troubleshooting Keto Gravy Made With Gelatin

• If your healthy turkey gravy is too thin , it’s possible you needed to simmer (reduce) the dripping mixture for longer, and/or that the gravy needs to cool more. It will thicken as it cools.
• If your low carb gravy is too thick , it probably cooled too much and gelled. Simply reheat it a bit, whisking frequently, and it will become pourable again.
• If your gravy forms a film on top , simply whisk it to get rid of it. You may need to heat it a bit as well if the film is too thick.

TIP: Keto gravy made with gelatin is the perfect consistency when it’s warm, not hot or cold. It will be too thin when it’s piping hot, and will gel when it’s too cold. I recommend a heated gravy boat like this to keep it the perfect temperature on your holiday table.

How To Make Keto Gravy Paleo & Whole30 Approved

With a natural thickener, this healthy gravy recipe is already very close to paleo and whole30 friendly. The only part that isn’t is the butter.

To make this into a whole30 paleo gravy recipe, simply replace the butter with ghee.

Can You Make Low Carb Gravy Without Turkey Drippings?

Yes, you can make keto gravy without turkey drippings! Simply use chicken bone broth instead of the drippings.

Regular chicken broth is not recommended, because it doesn’t have as much flavor and doesn’t thicken as well.

Can You Thicken Keto Gravy With Something Other Than Gelatin?

Yes, you can. I like using gelatin because it’s a natural ingredient and good for you. It also makes this a whole30 paleo gravy recipe, if you use my modification for that.

But if you prefer, you can use xanthan gum instead and it would still be keto.

Here is how to thicken gravy with xanthan gum instead of gelatin. After simmering/reducing the broth and drippings, just replace steps 2 and 4 above with these instructions:

• Sprinkle (don’t dump!) 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum over the warm (not cold!) water in a small bowl.
• Immediately whisk together the mixture. No need to wait for it to bloom as you would with gelatin.
• Whisk the xanthan gum mixture into the reduced drippings/broth mixture. You don’t have to heat it, but you can if you find it helps it dissolve.

The rest is the same! The keto turkey gravy with xanthan gum will thicken as it cools.

The advantage of using xanthan gum instead of gelatin is that it’s a bit more stable and doesn’t form a film as easily.

Can You Make This Keto Gravy Recipe Ahead?

Yes, you can make low carb turkey gravy ahead of time. The gravy thickens as it cools, so it will form a thick gel once it’s completely cold. But you can easily reheat it until it’s pourable again.

Store it in the refrigerator and gently re-heat until it’s hot when you’re ready to serve. Don’t overheat.

What To Serve With Keto Turkey Gravy

There are so many delicious ways to enjoy this low carb turkey gravy! Of course you can enjoy it on any keto meats , but it pairs perfectly with these dishes:

• Slow Cooker Turkey Breast – You obviously need a turkey for your keto-friendly gravy. This one is made easy in the slow cooker, freeing up your oven for other dishes.
• Garlic Herb Roasted Turkey – If you want to make the juiciest whole roasted turkey ever, this is the one!
• Cauliflower Stuffing – Yes, keto stuffing does exist! It’s grain-free, paleo, low carb and the perfect stuffing for everyone at the table.
• Leftover Turkey Casserole – Mix up all of your low carb Thanksgiving leftovers in this casserole recipe.
• Keto Green Bean Casserole – A holiday must! I love this homemade green bean casserole made with fresh vegetables and scratch-made cream of mushroom soup! You’ll never go back to the canned version.
• Slow Cooker Cauliflower Mash – Perfect for catching the gravy, and this one is not only low carb, it’s also paleo friendly.

Tools To Make Low Carb Turkey Gravy

Tap the links below to see the items used to make this recipe.

• Fat Separator – You’ll need to separate the fat from the turkey drippings before making gravy. This fat separator makes it super easy and highly recommend it! But if you don’t want a separate tool for it, a fine mesh sieve will work.
• Porcelain Gravy Boat – Once you’ve made your low carb gravy recipe, you need a gravy boat to serve it in! This white one is simple, looks great on a table, and is affordable!
• Heated Gravy Boat – It doesn’t cost too much more than a regular one, but this will keep your keto gravy at the perfect temperature on your table and prevents it from getting too thick or too thin due to temperature changes.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1/2 cup Unsalted butter (or ghee for paleo or whole30) ▢
• 2 cups Turkey drippings * ▢
• 2 cups Chicken broth, reduced sodium ▢
• 3 tbsp Unflavored gelatin powder ▢
• 1 cup Cold water ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. After removing the turkey from the roasting pan (or slow cooker for a turkey breast), pour the contents through the fine mesh sieve over a bowl, so that the drippings end up in the bowl. Discard the solids.
2. In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin powder over the cold water. Set aside to bloom.
3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chicken broth and turkey drippings to the pan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 20 minutes , until the volume is reduced by half.
4. Add the gelatin into the pan, whisking constantly, until dissolved.
5. Allow the gravy to cool from hot to lukewarm – it will thicken as it cools. It may form a film on top, but just whisk it and it will go away. It will gel and be too thick if it gets completely cold – just reheat it to make it pourable again.

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Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 2 tablespoons (it is very rich so you don’t need much!)

*You can use turkey drippings from a whole turkey or bone-in turkey breast . If you have neither, use chicken bone broth instead! Regular chicken broth doesn’t replace the drippings very well and is not recommended as the replacement for that ingredient.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Low Carb Holiday Cookbook !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Low Carb Gravy Recipe

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Keto Gravy (Zero Carb!)

This keto gravy recipe needs to be on your holiday menu! Learn how to make low carb gravy with 0 carbs and a secret ingredient to thicken it – no flour needed.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/low-carb-keto-gravy-recipe/

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Unsalted butter (or ghee for paleo or whole30)
• 2 cups Turkey drippings *
• 2 cups Chicken broth, reduced sodium
• 3 tbsp Unflavored gelatin powder
• 1 cup Cold water

Instructions

1. After removing the turkey from the roasting pan (or slow cooker for a turkey breast), pour the contents through the fine mesh sieve over a bowl, so that the drippings end up in the bowl. Discard the solids.
2. In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin powder over the cold water. Set aside to bloom.
3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chicken broth and turkey drippings to the pan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 20 minutes , until the volume is reduced by half.
4. Add the gelatin into the pan, whisking constantly, until dissolved.
5. Allow the gravy to cool from hot to lukewarm - it will thicken as it cools. It may form a film on top, but just whisk it and it will go away. It will gel and be too thick if it gets completely cold - just reheat it to make it pourable again.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 2 tablespoons (it is very rich so you don’t need much!)

*You can use turkey drippings from a whole turkey or bone-in turkey breast . If you have neither, use chicken bone broth instead! Regular chicken broth doesn’t replace the drippings very well and is not recommended as the replacement for that ingredient.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Low Carb Holiday Cookbook !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)