Sauces Archives - Sugar-Free Mom

Easy Homemade Low Carb Keto Restaurant Style Salsa

Brenda Bennett — Thu, 14 May 2026 15:10:05 +0000

This is one of the easiest recipes for the Best Homemade keto Restaurant-Style Salsa Recipe that’s low in calories, made with healthy tomatoes, no added sugars and it can be mild or spicy to your preference. Just 4 grams of net carbs per serving with natural ingredients!

Homemade Salsa versus Store-Bought Salsa

Salsa is the BEST invention ever…. hands down! Buying store-bought salsa is so convenient I know, I’ve done it! I love the stuff and so does my family! BUT I was sick of buying a jar a week.

I always get inspired when we head to our favorite Mexican restaurant and they make the homemade guacamole right at the table for you and then give you that fresh salsa! Just simple ingredients but they pack a flavor punch! I finally decided to make my own great recipe for the best salsa.

I scoured the internet looking over fresh salsa recipes from Giada, Paula Dean and Ree Drummond. I mixed up what I liked and what I knew my family liked, then changed some of the fresh ingredients and added some other things to make it my own easy blender salsa recipe that pleased everyone.

The good news is that my recipe card gives you instructions to make it either a chunky salsa or a smooth low carb salsa that is typical of what you would enjoy at a restaurant.

Homemade Chunky Keto Salsa Recipe

These pictures are using some fresh plum tomatoes and it was super tasty. You could also use Roma tomatoes. In fact my husband prefers using only fresh tomatoes.

Whole tomatoes can be a hit or miss at the grocery store in the winter as far as ripeness and taste so I convinced him it would still be just as good using canned. He was skeptical, but actually loves it just as much, if not a little more!

I love it for the simple fact that canned tomatoes last forever in your pantry which means you can make this easy salsa any time. 😉 Perfect for Super Bowl Sunday or any night you decide to enjoy some Keto Mexican Recipes!!

To keep the texture chunky just process it only a few times.

Homemade Restaurant Style Salsa

This is our favorite salsa recip,e but it is only mildly spicy because my family can’t handle too much heat.

If you want spicy salsa, you can keep the seeds and membrane in the fresh jalapenos and then you get a lot more heat and spice from it. You could also add some chipotle pepper or green chiles as well.

I love me some chunks of tomato in my chunky fresh salsa, but the kids prefer smooth salsa, so the next time I made it I processed it about 10 times to get it to their liking. Mexican restaurants salsa is more pureed not chunky.

Do what you like, is what I say!

It makes a lot but we want a lot because we eat this easy recipe up pretty quickly in my house.

I top this flavorful fresh tomato salsa on many things, like our favorite keto tacos, breakfast burrito, keto carnitas, taco casserole and sometimes even in a taco salad!

My kids of course eat it up with crunchy tortilla chips. I buy the Siete brand as they are made with Cassava flour and use avocado oil instead of canola or soybean oil.

Zero Carb Tortilla Chips

If you want very low carb keto homemade tortilla chips, I recommend purchasing egg white wraps and simply toasting them.

Here’s how to make low carb chips:

I cut the egg white wraps into triangles, then spray with avocado oil cooking spray on both sides and add a sprinkle of Redmond Real Salt on both sides.

I air fry at 400 degrees F for 3-5 minutes and flip over once. Not exactly the same as corn chips but pretty darn good enough when you’re following a keto diet and definitely delicious with the fresh flavors of my chunky homemade salsa recipe!

Can I make less Of this Easy Salsa Recipe?

My salsa recipe makes about 5 and half cup of salsa. You can certainly reduce this amount if it’s too much for your household. Once you click print below in the recipe card you will have an option to change the serving amount and nutritional data.

If you want to make a smaller batch of this amazing best keto salsa, skip the whole peeled tomatoes and just stick with the diced tomatoes in the salsa ingredients for this whole recipe and reduce the remaining ingredients by half.

If using fresh tomatoes, you could also just use about 3 large ripe tomatoes instead of either of the cans of tomatoes.

Keto Mexican Food

It’s not too difficult to order keto friendly food at a Mexican restaurant. While tacos and burritos aren’t a great option since they include a flour tortilla, asking for fajitas is easy to customize for keto since the tortillas come on the side.

Just skip the soft tortillas and enjoy the chicken, steak or shrimp with the peppers and onions and toppings like sour cream, cheese, guacamole.

Skip the rice and refried beans and you’ll be good to go! Skip the corn tortillas and bring your own pork rinds or ask for fresh bell peppers to dip into your salsa or guacamole!

Here’s a picture of the salsa more pureed and typical of restaurant style salsa, YUM either way!

Football Games Day -Super Bowl- Keto Food & Snacks:

Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed Burgers with Cheese & Bacon

Buffalo Cauliflower

Buffalo Chicken Salad

Pico De Gallo Salsa

Homemade Guacamole

Homemade Cheese Tacos

Instant Pot No Bean Chili

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Can I freeze this salsa?

I haven’t tried freezing my salsa recipe only because it’s gone so fast in my house. But I do think it would be fine to freeze in an airtight container in the freezer for at least a month.

the Midlife Macro Meal Plans

If you’re tired of:

Weight gain in midlife
Losing and regaining the same pounds
Constant cravings
Confusion around macro calculators
Feeling stuck despite eating low carb
Following a classic keto approach that no longer works

…my Midlife Macro Meal Plans may be exactly the support you need.

The good news is you do not have to figure this out alone.

My meal plans are designed to help midlife women create a powerful shift toward sustainable results, healthier habits, and long-term success with healthy eating. Register by Wednesday at midnight eastern and the new meal plan will be in your inbox Thursday morning!

Best Homemade Salsa Recipe

Easy Homemade Low Carb Keto Restaurant Style Salsa

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings servings

Calories 35kcal

Author Brenda Bennett

Ingredients

28 ounces canned whole peeled tomatoes drained
20 ounces canned diced tomatoes
1 cup chopped red onion or white onions, Vidalia is the one prefer
1 cup chopped red pepper
1 jalapeno membrane and seeds removed, chopped or serrano peppers
2 cloves chopped fresh garlic
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon olive oil
optional: chili powder

Instructions

Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse 5 times for chunkier salsa or up to 10 times for restaurant style salsa.
Makes about 5 1/2 cups. I serve my salsa room temperature after blending it but refrigerate if you are making it ahead of time or ahead of game day.
Store leftover salsa in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Notes

4 g net carbs for 1/2 cup serving

Midlife Macro Approved

This recipe was first published in Feb. 2013.

Nutrition

The post Easy Homemade Low Carb Keto Restaurant Style Salsa appeared first on Sugar-Free Mom.

Easy Sugar Free Low Carb Keto Caramel Sauce Recipe

Brenda Bennett — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:31:31 +0000

This amazing sugar free, low carb, keto caramel sauce is made with just a few ingredients and can be customized with your favorite sugar free, low carb sweetener!

Keto Low-Carb Caramel sauce

If you’ve been searching for the best keto caramel sauce that tastes like traditional caramel sauce made with real sugar- but without the blood sugar spike-this is it.

This Easy Sugar Free Low Carb Keto Caramel Sauce Recipe is rich, buttery, smooth, and deeply golden with that classic deeper brown caramel flavor you love.

It’s made with simple ingredients, ready in a short time, and perfect for anyone following a keto diet, low carb diet, Atkins diets, or just reducing actual sugar.

Unlike traditional caramel sauce made with white sugar, brown sugar, or table sugar, this homemade keto caramel sauce uses a low carb sweetener that keeps net carbs low while delivering that true caramel flavor.

Let’s make the perfect keto caramel sauce.

Why You’ll Love This Sugar-Free Caramel Sauce

Caramel is one of those delicious toppings that instantly elevates a dessert.

But traditional caramel sauce is made with real sugar and malt extract, which causes a rapid rise in blood sugar and doesn’t align with a low-carb diet.

Whether drizzled over vanilla low carb ice cream or over French Toast, waffles or, or pancakes or to dip with some fresh berries, it’s comfort food.

Some of you might even enjoy this in your morning coffee!

Making a keto caramel sauce is super easy and requires just some basic ingredients like butter and cream. Any low carb sweetener will work for this recipe, but please read below for the one I think works best!

This version:

Has just 1 gram net carbs per tablespoon
Uses no white sugar or brown sugar
Is made with heavy cream and unsalted butter
Thickens beautifully without a candy thermometer
Stores easily in a mason jar or glass jar
Reheats perfectly
Works for keto dessert recipes and low carb recipes

It’s truly a friendly caramel for midlife macros and anyone watching grams of carbs.

MICROWAVE SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE

I adapted this easy recipe for keto caramel sauce from my cookbook , Naturally Keto, which uses a few more ingredients for that perfect caramel flavor, but I wanted to make this recipe a little bit easier with less ingredients.

If you prefer to use the microwave rather than have to stand over the pot on the stove, check out my Keto Microwave Salted Caramel Sauce recipe.

TOOLS TO MAKE KETO CARAMEL SAUCE

Medium sized sauce pan– If you’re in the market for a really good, non-toxic pan, this stainless steel one is the way to go.

Large wooden spoon– I stopped using plastic spoons a long time ago, when I learned about all the toxins that can leach when heating. Now all I use are wooden spoons!

Mason jar– I use different sized mason jars for just about everything. To store things in like my Keto Gummy Bears and to keep my ingredients fresh in the fridge, like for my baking soda and my Keto Cereal and Granola.

Best Keto Sweeteners for Caramel Sauce

Not all keto sweeteners behave the same when heated over medium heat.

Monk Fruit Allulose Blend

My favorite option. It browns beautifully and mimics traditional caramel sauce texture. It doesn’t crystallize like erythritol sweeteners and gives a deeper brown color.

Allulose (Granulated or Liquid)

Allulose works very well because it caramelizes similarly to real sugar. If using half allulose and half monk fruit, that works too.

Erythritol Sweeteners

Due to recent discussions around erythritol sweeteners and adverse reactions in high amounts, I’ve updated older recipes to favor monk fruit allulose blends instead.

Avoid using a popular low carb sweetener that doesn’t caramelize -it won’t produce the best way to achieve caramel flavor.

Obviously this keto caramel sauce is good on everything and anything for dessert! My Butter Pecan Ice Cream would be a delicious as well as my Crustless Vanilla Cheesecake!

This recipe is just enough to use for my new Keto Instant Pot Cheesecake that serves 8!

Storage Tips

If it thickens too much, add a little bit of heavy cream and stir.

Store in a glass jar or mason jar.

Keep in an airtight container in the fridge.

Lasts up to 2 weeks.

Reheat in microwave for 30 seconds or warm gently in a sauce pan over low heat.

Midlife Macro Note

Traditional caramel sauce made with actual sugar is high in total carbohydrate and spikes blood sugar.

This version keeps total carbohydrate and net carbs low, making it supportive for fat loss while still enjoying dessert in small amounts.

Because it’s rich from heavy cream and butter, a tablespoon goes a long way, but yes this can be enjoyed on my midlife macro program.

Can I use coconut milk instead of heavy cream?

Yes. Full-fat coconut milk works well for dairy-free caramel sauce.

Does this taste like traditional caramel sauce?

Yes. Thanks to allulose, it develops a deeper brown and authentic caramel flavor similar to real sugar caramel.

Why did my sauce crystalize?

If you used erythritol sweeteners, they tend to crystalize after refrigeration. Reheat gently to dissolve.

Can I use half allulose?

Yes — half allulose and half monk fruit works beautifully.

Do I need a candy thermometer?

No. This is an easy recipe that does not require precise candy temperature.

With simple ingredients, a medium sauce pan, and about 15 minutes, you can make homemade keto caramel sauce that rivals traditional caramel sauce — without impacting blood sugar.

Whether you’re topping vanilla ice cream, drizzling over cheesecake, or adding it to your favorite keto dessert, this is truly the best keto caramel sauce for anyone living a low-carb diet lifestyle.

SUGAR FREE KETO CARAMEL SAUCE

Sugar Free Keto Caramel Sauce

This Easy Sugar Free Low Carb Keto Caramel Sauce Recipe proves you don’t need white sugar, brown sugar, malt extract, or actual sugar to create rich caramel recipes.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Servings tablespoons

Calories 84kcal

Author Brenda Bennett/Sugar-Free Mom

Ingredients

6 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup Monk Fruit Allulose confectioners
1/2 cup heavy cream
pinch salt
1 teaspoon caramel extract

Instructions

Place the butter in a medium sized sauce pan over low heat, once melted whisk in the sweetener and cook for 3-4 minutes until nicely browned.
Pour in the heavy cream and salt and bring to a boil, then simmer for 8-10 minutes until mixture starts to thicken. Once the mixture coats the back of a spoon and is reduced by half, it's done.
Remove from the heat and stir in the caramel extract.
Taste and adjust sweetener if needed. Use immediately and/or store in a glass mason jar in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds.

Notes

This recipe was first published in Jan. 2021.

Nutrition

The post Easy Sugar Free Low Carb Keto Caramel Sauce Recipe appeared first on Sugar-Free Mom.

Easy Low Carb Keto Strawberry Syrup Sauce Topping

Brenda Bennett — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000

This easy low carb keto strawberry sauce syrup is a delightful way to enjoy strawberries without added sugars. Just 3 simple ingredients for a luscious, glossy keto sauce with fresh strawberry flavor that’s perfect for pancakes, ice cream, or even cottage cheese or yogurt. Plus, it’s ready in 5 minutes!

Low Carb Strawberry Sauce

When strawberry season is here, making your own syrup with all natural ingredients, no sugar alcohol, or gums, and tastes delicious on so many things. It’s quicker than than you think and needs just basic ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

If you’re on a ketogenic diet or just watching your sugar intake, this will be a great addition to all your baked goodies or just to top on low carb pancakes, waffles or yogurt!

Just 1 gram of net carbs per serving to enjoy over any keto dessert you want! Printable recipe card is at the bottom of the page with all nutritional information.

Why you will love this recipe

Low carb and keto-friendly.
This easy recipe for strawberry syrup skips the regular sugar but keeps all the bright, fruity strawberry flavor as the star of the show. It’s a sweet treat that fits comfortably within a low carb or keto diet, so you don’t have to compromise on taste.

Quick and easy to prepare.
With just a handful of ingredients and minimal cooking time, this syrup comes together fast. Even if you’re not used to making your own toppings, you’ll find this recipe approachable and stress-free.

Versatile topping for many dishes.
Whether you drizzle it over pancakes, swirl it into sugar free cheesecakes, or spoon it on ice cream, this strawberry syrup adds a fresh pop of flavor. It’s a smart way to dress up simple desserts and breakfast favorites.

Simple Ingredients and Substitutions

Strawberries

Fresh strawberries are key for that vibrant, natural flavor and color. If fresh aren’t in season, you can use frozen berries, just thaw and drain excess liquid before cooking.

Lemon juice

A splash of lemon juice brightens the flavors and balances the sweetness naturally. If you don’t have lemon, a bit of apple cider vinegar or lime juice works well too.

Low Carb Sweetener

Allulose is used for this recipe since it works well to keep the sauce syrup from crystalizing once refrigerated. You can use either liquid or confectioners. If you don’t have that or can’t buy that where you live, try making my Keto Simple Syrup recipe to use in place of it.

What To Serve With Quick Strawberry Sauce

Keto Pancakes and waffles
Drizzling this syrup over low carb pancakes or waffles is a perfect way to start the day with a fruity boost.

Keto cheesecake
Use the sauce as a topping on your favorite keto cheesecake for an elegant and fresh-flavored dessert.

Greek yogurt or cottage cheese
Mix the syrup into creamy Greek yogurt or cottage cheese for a sweet and tangy snack or breakfast.

Sugar-free ice cream
Add a spoonful over sugar-free or low carb ice cream to enhance its flavor without extra carbs.

Pro Chef Tips

#1 Use ripe strawberries
For the best flavor, pick strawberries that are fully ripe and fragrant. Underripe berries can make the syrup taste a bit tart or bland, so don’t be shy about giving them a sniff in the market.

#2 Stir continuously while simmering
Keep the sauce moving gently with a spoon while it simmers to prevent burning on the bottom. This also helps the syrup thicken evenly and keeps the texture silky smooth.

#3 Adjust sweetness gradually
Start with less sweetener and taste as you go. Everyone’s sweetness preference is different, and it’s easier to add more than to fix a sauce that’s too sweet.

#4 Cool before serving
Let the sauce cool slightly before serving—it will thicken more as it cools, and the flavors meld together into something truly special.

#5 Store in a jar
Pour your finished sauce into a clean glass jar with a tight lid and keep it refrigerated. It lasts well for about a week—handy for quick desserts or breakfast treats all week long.

Equipment:

Small saucepan
Wooden spoon
Measuring cups and spoons
Small Mason Glass jar or container for storage

Recipe Variations

Add vanilla. A splash of vanilla extract at the end of cooking adds a cozy warmth to the strawberry syrup, making it an even more luxurious topping.

Berry mix. Try mixing in other low carb berries like raspberries or blackberries for a more complex flavor profile.

Thicker syrup. To get an extra thick syrup, simmer it a bit longer or add a touch more xanthan gum gradually until it reaches your desired consistency.

Sparkling twist. Add a splash of sparkling water to the syrup right before serving for a fun, fizzy topping that’s perfect on cream cheese or ricotta.

Honey-flavored. Use a keto-friendly honey substitute or a few drops of honey extract to mimic that familiar honey undertone without the sugar spike.

Flavor Variations

Fresh mint leaves
Adding finely chopped fresh mint leaves just before serving gives a fresh herbal note that brightens the strawberries beautifully.

Cinnamon
A pinch of cinnamon stirred into the syrup during cooking adds warmth and a subtle spice that pairs wonderfully with the fruitiness.

Balsamic vinegar
A small splash of high-quality balsamic vinegar deepens the flavor, offering a tangy-sweet complexity that’s surprising and delightful.

Almond extract
Just a drop of almond extract paired with the strawberries adds a nutty aroma that enhances the overall flavor, especially on breakfast dishes.

Troubleshooting Common Problems with this Recipe

Syrup too thin

If your syrup turns out too runny, continue simmering it on low heat to reduce the water content. Adding a tiny pinch of xanthan gum for a thicker consistency without altering flavor.

Syrup too thick or gummy

If you add any thickening agents like xanthan gum, (I don’t think you need it) the syrup can become gummy. Simply stir in a small amount of water to loosen it up until you reach the perfect consistency.

Strawberries taste bland

Make sure to use ripe, real strawberries—their natural sweetness is essential. If needed, add a little more sweetener or a splash of lemon juice to enhance the flavor.

Syrup crystallizes in the fridge

Keto sweeteners like erythritol can crystallize when cooled that’s why I recommend Allulose. Give your syrup a quick stir or warm it gently before use to smooth it back out.

Flavor too tart

If the syrup is too tart for your liking, add a bit more sweetener gradually while simmering, tasting as you go to find your perfect balance.

Freezing & Storing Leftovers

Freezing:

Pour leftover strawberry syrup into an airtight container or freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and stir well before serving to bring back its smooth texture.

Storing:

Keep the syrup refrigerated in a sealed jar for about 5 to 7 days. Stir before each use, as natural separation may occur but will not affect the flavor

Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?

Yes, frozen strawberries work well if fresh aren’t available. Just thaw and drain excess juice before cooking to avoid a watery syrup.

Is this syrup suitable for diabetics?

Because it uses keto-friendly sweeteners instead of sugar, this syrup is a better option for those managing blood sugar, but always consult with a healthcare provider about your personal diet.

Can I add other fruits to the syrup?

Absolutely, fresh fruit like low carb berries like raspberries and blackberries blend in beautifully and provide a different flavor twist.

How long does this syrup keep in the refrigerator?

Stored properly in an airtight jar, it stays fresh for about a week. Always check for any signs of spoilage before use.

Can this syrup be used in baking?

Yes, use it as a filling or drizzle for keto-friendly baked goods, but note the cooking times might affect its texture and moisture.

Best Keto Desserts to Top with Strawberry Sauce

Keto vanilla custard
Pair the syrup with a smooth keto vanilla custard for a luscious, creamy dessert that complements the strawberry brightness.

Keto Chocolate mousse
Rich, velvety chocolate mousse and this fruity syrup provide a fantastic contrast between dark and light flavors.

Low Carb Panna Cotta
The syrup’s fresh, tangy notes add a lovely balance to the silky texture of panna cotta.

Low Carb Crustless Cheesecake
Use as a topping on cheesecake for an indulgent, keto-friendly treat with an extra fruity punch.

Easy Low Carb Keto Sugar Free Strawberry Sauce Recipe

Easy Low Carb Keto Strawberry Syrup Sauce Topping

This strawberry syrup is a charming little kitchen gem, proving that keto desserts don’t have to be dull or complicated. It shines on breakfast dishes and sweet treats, celebrating bright, natural fruit flavor in an easy-to-make sauce. Whether you’re just starting the keto journey or looking for a fresh way to enjoy fruit without the sugar shock, this recipe is your new go-to.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 8

Servings tablespoons

Calories 10kcal

Author Brenda Bennett/Sugar Free Mom

Ingredients

8 ounces strawberries stems and hull removed
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup Allulose liquid or confectioners keto-friendly sweetener
pinch salt

Instructions

Slice your strawberries and place them into a small sauce pan. Pour in lemon juice, sweetener and salt. Bring to a simmer over low-medium heat.
Stir continually and mash berries while stirring. Cook 8-10 minutes until sauce thickens and is reduced by half. Remove from heat.
Once cool enough to taste, see if you need more sweetener. If not, pour into a mason jar, cover once cool and store in the fridge for up to 7 days.
It's a perfect topping mixed into yogurt, cottage cheese or as a dessert topping on keto ice cream or cheesecake.

Notes

This recipe makes a 1/2 cup of thick strawberry sauce syrup. Cook for less time if you want a thinner sauce with more yield.

Nutritional information is for 1 serving and is 1 tablespoon and has 1 g net carbs.

Nutrition

The post Easy Low Carb Keto Strawberry Syrup Sauce Topping appeared first on Sugar-Free Mom.

Easy Best Homemade Boiled Egg Mayonnaise Recipe

Brenda Bennett — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

This easy homemade boiled egg mayonnaise is a great way to increase your protein using hard-boiled eggs! Instead of worrying about consuming raw eggs, you’ve got a safe and easy way to make the best mayonnaise at home! Our healthy mayo has half the fat of regular mayonnaise. Just 50 calories, and only a half gram of carbs for 1 tablespoon!

Nutritional information for Regular Store Bought Mayonnaise

According to the app Cronometer I use, Primal Kitchen mayonnaise made with avocado oil has 100 calories, no protein, no carbs and 12 grams of fat in 1 tablespoon.

Even if you make your own mayonnaise at home, most recipes have at least a 1/2 cup of some type of oil.

I’m not opposed to using regular mayonnaise that uses raw egg yolks and I love the brands Primal Kitchen and Chosen because they don’t use inflammatory seed oils.

But recently I’ve started to lower my fat intake and decided to make my own mayo at home where I could adjust the ingredients to suit my higher protein keto diet lifestyle.

Our keto boiled egg version has 103 calories, 1 gram of carbs, 3 grams of protein and 10 grams of fat for 2 tablespoons. All nutritional information is at the bottom of this page on the printable recipe card.

If you’re rather have full-fat mayo, increase the oil used below to 1/2 cup.

Why cooked eggs?

I am just not comfortable consuming raw whole eggs and chose to create this version with hard-boil eggs.

Can I swap the oil?

I love extra virgin olive oil but if you don’t want to use extra virgin olive oil, you can use avocado oil which is mild in flavor. Any flavor of the oil you like can work in this recipe.

If you’re following a Carnivore diet, you could also swap the oil with bacon fat or lard if you prefer. If you need more carnivore ideas, I’ve been creating new recipes so be sure to subscribe to my free email list so you don’t miss them on social media.

Best Tips for Smooth Mayonnaise

Make sure you use a smaller but powerful blender like a Nutribullet or Ninja.

If you only have a large standard sized blender like a Blendtec or Vitamix, you will need to double the recipe because this recipe is a smaller serving and won’t blend smooth in a standard blender that has a larger base.

Same thing if you want to use a food processor is you will have to double the recipe as it’s just not enough mixture to fully process in a standard food processor.

I have also tested this recipe using a mason jar and immersion blender and found that I could not get the mixture as smooth as I wanted it, so that option is not recommended.

Cook your hard boiled eggs and allow them to cool in the fridge for at least an hour before making this mayo recipe. A cold egg is best to create a smooth mayo.

The water in this great recipe is optional if the mixture is thicker than you’d like it to be. It’s certainly spreadable but you may need 1 or 2 tablespoons of water.

More Egg Healthy Recipes

Instant Pot Soft Boiled Eggs

Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

Easy Dill Pickle Egg Salad

Easy Boiled Egg Mayonnaise

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Servings @ 2 tbsp

Calories 103kcal

Author Brenda Bennett/Sugar Free Mom

Ingredients

4 large hard boiled eggs peeled
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp water optional for looser consistency
1/4-1/2 tsp salt or to taste

Instructions

Place all ingredients, except water and salt, into a small high powered blender, like a Ninja or NutriBullet. Blend until smooth. Please see notes above about using a standard sized blender.
Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt and blend again. Taste and decide if you need more. If the mixture is too thick for your liking, add in the water and blend until smooth.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Notes

One serving is 2 tablespoons. There is 1 total cup in this recipe.

Midlife Macro Method approved!

Midlife Macro™ Meal plans

Nutrition

The post Easy Best Homemade Boiled Egg Mayonnaise Recipe appeared first on Sugar-Free Mom.

4 Ingredient Sugar Free Low Carb Keto Cranberry Sauce

Brenda Bennett — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 14:39:17 +0000

This easy keto, low carb sugar free cranberry sauce has a hint of orange, and is perfectly sweet, but made without adding sugar and has just 4 ingredients!

EASY KETO Homemade CRANBERRY SAUCE

This easy keto cranberry sauce takes little time in the kitchen and is packed full of flavor!

No one will be able to tell this cranberry sauce is sugar free and low carb!

Cranberry sauce or jelly whichever your preference is the epitome of Thanksgiving. Without it, the table is just not ready, and if not served for Thanksgiving dinner someone will inevitably ask for it.

With just a few simple ingredients and a wonderful sugar free sweetener, you can still enjoy cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving, even if you’re on a keto or low carb diet, using this great recipe!

With a slight hint of orange zesty-ness and perfectly sweetened with orange flavored stevia you won’t have anyone asking if it’s healthy. If you don’t have orange flavored stevia on hand, use plain stevia or even lemon would work.

Because it’s so low in calories and carbs you can go enjoy some more keto pumpkin pie! Maybe my Low Carb Chocolate Pecan pie is going on your holiday table this year?

I’d love to hear if you make it for the holiday meal for family and if they can even tell it’s low carb or low sugar, let me know!

Carbs in Traditional Cranberry Sauce

Store-bought cranberry sauce might be a delicious sauce you’ve grown to love but it’s very high in real sugar which will spike your blood sugar.

According to the app I use, Cronometer, in 2 ounces of canned jellied cranberry sauce there are 22.9 grams of carbs and 18 grams of sugar.

If you’re planning on eating all the the high carb delicious food for your Thanksgiving meal, don’t waste your total carbs for the day on cranberry sauce.

Try our sugar-free version and you may even find that you like this fresh cranberry sauce low-carb alternative even better than a traditional version.

Carbs in our Low Carb Cranberry Sauce

All the nutritional information is in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. The serving size is 1/4 cup or 2 ounces and there are a total of 7 grams of carbs with 5 grams dietary fiber.

Our sugar-free cranberry sauce recipe has 5 g net carbs for a serving which is considerably better than any canned stuff, cranberry jelly or sauce from your grocery store.

This homemade keto cranberry sauce is the best cranberry sauce without added sugars or preservatives and the perfect addition for the holiday season.

This is how I follow a sustainable keto lifestyle making all the side dishes, and desserts with the natural sweetener of choice I prefer using. This is a great option for those wanting to reduce their sugar intake and a perfect condiment for your Thanksgiving turkey!

FRESH OR FROZEN CRANBERRIES

Fresh is best, but frozen can be used in this recipe. If using frozen, best to thaw the bag overnight in the fridge the day before you want to make the recipe, don’t drain anything, use as is and follow the instructions below.

HOW TO MAKE Low Carb CRANBERRY SAUCE

Exact measurements are in the recipe card below.

Fresh cranberries

Water

Monk Fruit Allulose Confectioners sweetener

Orange zest or fresh orange juice, or use lemon juice and lemon zest if you prefer

Orange liquid stevia or even vanilla liquid stevia or add a little vanilla extract

optional; cinnamon stick

DIRECTIONS

Combine cranberries, water, monk fruit sweetener, orange zest to a sauce pan.

Boil over medium heat, stir frequently, mash cranberries if needed, for about 15 minutes.

Remove from heat and add stevia.

Cool slightly then taste and adjust sweetener.

Refrigerate 3 hours or overnight.

Store leftover cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

LOW CARB Sugar-Free SWEETENER OPTIONS

I’ve used a combination of Swerve confectioners and liquid stevia orange flavored in my original recipe for healthy cranberry sauce, but I know that many of you are avoiding using erythritol since recent studies came out about it causing blood clots.

I know many of you don’t like to use sugar alcohols either so I’ve adjusted the recipe and have tested it with Monk Fruit Allulose confectioners blend and love it!

Allulose is another wonderful sweetener that won’t spike your blood sugar.

Monk Fruit is also another sweetener I use and enjoy. In granulated form it does combine monk fruit with erythritol so you need to look carefully at ingredients when purchasing Monk fruit. It is sweeter than both Swerve and Allulose.

I created the Most Comprehensive Guide to Natural Sugar-Free Low Carb Sweeteners!

You will learn all about natural sugar free sweeteners, which sweeteners to use for your baking needs, how to replace the different sweeteners, best sweeteners conversion chart including Stevia, Erythritol, Monk Fruit & Allulose as well as sugar substitutes to avoid.

CAN I LEAVE OUT THE ORANGE ZEST?

Yes, if you really don’t want the orange zest you can certainly leave it out because of the small amount of natural sugar in this delicious low carb cranberry sauce.

But I recommend it as cranberries can be so tart, the orange zest helps balance the flavors and the acidity really makes for a wonderful bright flavor. You could swap it out if you don’t have fresh orange zest and use a little orange extract. Fresh lemon zest and juice can be swapped.

THANKSGIVING Keto RECIPES

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be scary if you’re following a low-carb or keto diet. It also doesn’t have to be a crazy day of eating all the things, since Thanksgiving only comes once a year.

Making a decision to eat low-carb and/or keto recipes on Thanksgiving is not a sacrifice, it does not have to feel like deprivation at all. The keto recipes I’m sharing below will make you feel like you are not missing out on anything everyone else is eating.

The first step to making this a sustainable way of life is planning and preparing ahead the wonderful low carb recipes that you can share with everyone you’re with.

I can guarantee no one will even realize they are eating a low carb dish or keto Thanksgiving dessert with a sugar-free alternative.

Easy KETO CRANBERRY SAUCE Recipe

4 Ingredient Sugar Free Low Carb Keto Cranberry Sauce

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 15

Servings servings @ 1/4 cup

Calories 26kcal

Author Brenda Bennett | Sugar-Free Mom

Ingredients

24 ounces fresh cranberries
2 cups water
1 cup Monk Fruit Allulose confectioners
2 tsp orange zest
2 teaspoons liquid stevia orange flavor preferred but not necessary

Instructions

Combine cranberries, water, low carb sweetener, orange zest to a medium saucepan.
Boil over medium heat, stir frequently, mash whole berries if needed, for about 15 minutes.
Remove from heat and add stevia extract.
Cool slightly then taste and adjust sweetener.
Refrigerate 3 hours or overnight.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

Video

Notes

This recipe was first published in Nov. 2014 and updated with pictures and video in November 2020.

Serving size is 2 ounces so about 1/4 cup and net carbs are 5 grams.

Midlife Macros™ Approved!

Nutrition

The post 4 Ingredient Sugar Free Low Carb Keto Cranberry Sauce appeared first on Sugar-Free Mom.

Easy Quick Sugar Free Low Carb Keto BBQ Sauce Recipe

Brenda Bennett — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 12:07:30 +0000

You can make a quick and easy homemade sugar-free BBQ sauce in less then 5 minutes with just 6 ingredients needed and no added sugars or high fructose corn syrup! 2 tablespoons has just 1.5 grams of carbs!

We all like convenience and this easy, quick, sugar-free, keto homemade BBQ sauce is perfect for busy people and doesn’t contain questionable ingredients that many store bought brands include! Just 6 ingredients and no cooking time needed!!

Is BBQ Sauce Keto?

Most store-bought BBQ sauces are not keto friendly or sugar free. You can buy sugar-free BBQ sauces at most any grocery store, but it gets tricky as many contain artificial sweeteners and other unhealthy ingredients to preserve store-bought sauce on the shelf.

They also use inflammatory oils like canola oil, soybean oil or cottonseed oil which are not going to help you if you’re looking to upgrade your health and lose weight.

Inflammation leads to disease and sickness and if you can minimize inflammation in the body, the stronger your immune system will be to fight off disease and sickness.

With just a few simple ingredients and your blender you can make this low carb barbecue sauce super fast and it tastes better then any store-bought BBQ sauce you could purchase!

Carbs in Traditional Barbecue sauces

Cronometer is the app I use for tracking not only macros but it also gives you the vitamins and minerals you are taking in through your daily food choices.

In just 1 tablespoon of store bought BBQ sauce, there are 7.1 grams of carbs and about 6 grams of sugar. If you’re following a keto diet or low carb diet, you won’t want to indulge in traditional bbq sauces.

How many people actually use just one tablespoon of BBQ sauce?

It’s easy to overdo that amount when you’re coating chicken wings to grill or adding to pulled pork, pork chops or pork ribs.

The carbs can easily add up if you’re using it as a dipping sauce and then you’re also spiking your blood sugar which stalls weight loss and can lead to sugar and carb cravings.

Carbs in our Keto Sugar Free BBQ Sauce Recipe

1 serving is 1 ounce or 4 tablespoons and equals 3 grams of total carbs. If you only use 2 tbsp then the carb count is 1.5 total carbs, but both are a good serving size.

Since there is no fiber in this recipe, the net carbs are the same as total carbs. All the rest of the nutritional information is at the bottom of this post in the recipe card.

CAN I COOK THIS KETO LOW-CARB BBQ SAUCE ON THE STOVE?

This tangy keto BBQ sauce recipe is Easy and quick keto sugar-free homemade sauce is made without cooking by just combining a handful of ingredients in a blender.

If you want the tangy flavor to mingle together a bit, I’d make this delicious sauce the day before you want to use it and refrigerate.

Alternatively, you can get a deeper, richer flavor by cooking, but it’s certainly not required.

Once you blend the ingredients together, pour in a saucepan over medium heat to bring to a simmer and cook about 5 minutes then cool and refrigerate.

WHAT IS YACON SYRUP?

Yacon syrup is extracted from the yacon plant found in Peru and Brazil.

It looks and taste much like molasses. It does contain some fructose, but when used in very small amounts, it should not raise blood sugar levels.

Perfect for adding a molasses flavor for recipes like this sugar-free barbecue sauce I’m sharing today as well as caramel sauce or BBQ Sticky Wings.

CAN I REPLACE THE SWEETENERS USED?

One of our newer favorite low carb sweeteners that doesn’t leave an aftertaste, is Better than Sugar by Sweetleaf. They have a confectioners powdered sweetener and they also have a granulated option.

It’s a combination of erythritol and stevia and has plenty of sweetness as sugar would provide. Unfortunately, they do not have a brown sugar sub yet so that is why I’m using Swerve here in this keto low carb bbq sauce recipe.

Swerve confectioners sweetener is also low carb, but doesn’t have as much sweetness and you may need to use a bit more to get this as sweet as you like. I’ve added yacon syrup to elevate the depth of flavor and add a molasses smoky flavor I wanted for this tangy sauce.

The Yacon syrup adds more sweetness than Swerve can provide alone.

Allulose would be another option, but again it isn’t as sweet as using the Better than Sugar sweetener. Allulose comes in a liquid, and granulated form.

I’ve found this product that combines Allulose and Monk Fruit Sweetener and it does have a brown sugar substitute, though I’ve not tested this product in this low carb sauce.

My updated Sweetener Conversion chart will provide you the ultimate guide into all the natural sweeteners to use as opposed to artificial sweeteners and this will be your guide to look up the different low carb sweetener options that you may want to swap in my recipes.

This guide will help you find the right amount to use for this perfect sauce.

Store-Bought Sugar Free BBQ Sauce and Sugar Free Ketchup

If you don’t have time to make my homemade sugar free ketchup recipe for this easy sugar free barbecue sauce recipe then the best option is to buy a good brand that uses great ingredients.

I recommend Primal Kitchen Ketchup as the best store bought option and they also have lots of great condiments and dressings with a great ingredient list of good quality oils.

If you can’t make my recipe for the best homemade barbecue sauce, then the Primal Kitchen brand has a good bbq sauce you can enjoy without a lot of sugar.

SUGAR FREE KETO 4TH OF JULY RECIPES

You really can keep it keto during holidays with just a little planning ahead. Making these keto recipes a day ahead will save time and you can enjoy your day with family and friends!

EASY SUGAR FREE KETO Barbecue SAUCE Recipe

Keto BBQ sauce

Servings ounces

Calories 14kcal

Ingredients

1.5 cups sugar free ketchup or see notes above for store bought keto ketchup
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon maple extract optional but adds a nice smokey flavor
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
1/4 cup Allulose/Monk Fruit Blend
1 tablespoon Yacon syrup or sugar free maple syrup
pinch salt
make it spicy by adding some cayenne pepper if desired

Instructions

Add all ingredients into a blender until smooth.
Taste and adjust sweetness and salt as needed for your taste buds. Place into an airtight container like a mason jar with a lid and keep refrigerated until serving.

Notes

1 serving is 1 ounce or 4 tablespoons and equals 3 carbs. If you only use 2 tbsp that is 1.5 total carbs.

This recipe was first published in June 2021.

Nutrition

The post Easy Quick Sugar Free Low Carb Keto BBQ Sauce Recipe appeared first on Sugar-Free Mom.

Easy Sugar Free Low Carb Keto Cannoli Frosting & Dip

Brenda Bennett — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 12:37:49 +0000

Sugar Free Low Carb Cannoli Frosting is a fabulous combination of two kinds of cheeses, with whipping cream and low carb sweetener, just 4 ingredients! The carb count is just 1 gram for a 1 ounce serving!

Sugar Free Cannoli Frosting

All things creamy, cool and smooth is what makes the low carb dessert world turn, especially when decorating keto cakes and sugar free filling for luscious pastries!

Whenever I head to my local grocery store, I always pass the pastry aisle on my way to the fresh vegetables, I think they have the market set up like that on purpose for those impulse buys.

It’s a good thing, I’m never tempted but I do like to look which gives me ideas to create keto versions.

I have noticed that they now sell the pizzelle cookies with a cannoli dip. So once I saw that, I knew that sweet ricotta dip needed to be made sugar free!

Carbs in Classic Cannoli’s

According to the app Cronometer, a 3.5 inch long cannoli, about 85 grams has 29 g total carbs.

Carbs in outer shell only, no cream, for a 1 ounce piece or 28 grams has 14.8 g total carbs.

The cannoli pastry cream alone would have 14.2 grams of total carbs.

Our keto cannoli pastry cream has just 1 g of carbs for one ounce, which is amazing!

I’m Sicilian Italian so cannolis are featured at most holidays. Once I stopped eating sugar and refined carbs in 2006 I knew that I wouldn’t “cheat” because having just a little, once in a while, didn’t ever work for me.

I had tried to moderate for years, but becoming an abstainer worked much better for me to stay the course and in the end, my cravings were finally gone. The key with this lifestyle is to find what works best for you.

You can read all about my story in my new book, The 30 Day Sugar Elimination Diet which also offers a 30 day sugar free meal plan with delicious foods!

Keto Cannoli

This sugar free frosting is a little twist on a cannoli filling made sugar free, keto and low carb, of course.

You can enjoy it as a festive dip with low carb cookies or use this pastry cream recipe in low carb cannoli shells or use for decorating cupcakes and cakes.

Since adopting a low carb lifestyle, I really wanted to adapt all my Italian favorite desserts so I never feel FOMO (fear of missing out).

I have finally conquered making a traditional cannoli shell, sugar free and low carb, but I saved this amazing keto cannoli recipe for my cookbook, Naturally Keto.

You will also be happy to know, I did not use almond flour since my youngest son has a tree nut allergy and I know many of you appreciate my tree nut free recipes.

I even made pizzelle cookies for my cookbook, Naturally Keto. I do have cannoli mug cake recipe that will blow your mind.

But I decided to share this delicious creamy filling on my blog for everyone to enjoy! With this frosting even non bakers will be making this without trouble and I believe even those not on a keto diet will also love this great recipe!

Best part is, I took the mug cake and frosting as a sweet snack to a family dinner party with many of my Italian relatives. No word of a lie, they said it tasted just like traditional Italian cannoli cream! Score!!!

What to Serve with Cannoli Dip

You can really use this on anything you want and in fact you could eat a small serving in a bowl like a dip and top with some fresh berries or sugar-free chocolate chips and call that dessert if you like, no cake needed lol!

Use like a dip with low carb cookies!

Probably not so fair to just share this awesome frosting today but it needed it’s own page, it is THAT good. It definitely hits the spot when your sweet tooth is calling! Here’s the Cannoli Mug Cake I’m placing it on!

FAQs

Can I use Part-Skim Ricotta?

You could swap the full fat ricotta with part skim ricotta if you prefer. I don’t think it will alter the texture of the dip, but I do think it will taste more like delicious cannoli cream if you use full fat ricotta.

Can I use fat free cream cheese?

As i mentioned with the ricotta, you could swap out the mascarpone with a low fat cream cheese but I don’t think it will be as tasty of a sweet treat classic cannoli cream recipe if you make it lower in fat.

Can I swap the ricotta with cottage cheese?

You could probably do that, thought it won’t have the same consistency, but it will add more protein. I’d recommend using full fat cottage cheese.

Can I replace the heavy whipped cream with almond milk?

No I would not recommend swapping the heavy cream with almond milk because it doesn’t have enough fat like heavy cream and the result would not be a thicker dip as with ricotta cream.

Can I replace the vanilla stevia?

If you don’t like stevia, you can use another low carb sweetener. I’d recommend Swerve sweetener, but in the confectioners style, not granulated which will make the cannoli cream mixture grainy and unappetizing.

More Easy Keto Frosting Recipes

Buttercream Frosting

Cream Cheese Frosting

Strawberry Whipped Cream Frosting

2 Ingredient Chocolate Frosting

Sugar Free Keto Cannoli Dip

Sugar Free Cannoli Frosting Dip

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings ounces

Calories 67kcal

Author Brenda Bennett | Sugar-Free Mom

Ingredients

8 ounces ricotta cheese
8 ounces mascarpone cheese or cream cheese
4 ounces heavy whipping cream
vanilla liquid stevia to taste

Instructions

Place all ingredients into a stand mixer.
Blend on high until mixture is a thickened smooth consistency.
Taste and adjust the stevia or sweetener of choice.
Makes 3 cups.
Decorate or keep refrigerated until ready to use.

Notes

Recipe makes 24 ounces. Serving size is 1 ounce.

This recipe was first published in August 2015.

Nutrition

The post Easy Sugar Free Low Carb Keto Cannoli Frosting & Dip appeared first on Sugar-Free Mom.

Sugar Free Keto Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe

Brenda Bennett — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 10:23:51 +0000

Just 3 simple ingredients to make your own sugar free, keto, sweetened condensed milk at home to use wherever traditional condensed milk is used in your favorite recipes. Just 1 g carbs per tablespoon!

Sugar Free Sweetened Condensed Milk

If you’ve been a baker all your life and have used the deliciousness of canned sweetened condensed milk in many recipes, you may feel a bit deprived if you are now watching your sugar intake or following a low carb diet or keto diet this holiday season.

There’s one thing I learned long ago when I went sugar free back in 2006, is that to make this a lifestyle that is sustainable, I knew I never wanted to feel left out or deprived. That’s why I started creating savory recipes as well as my favorite keto desserts and have over 1000 recipes on my website since 2011!

You can enjoy and use this homemade sugar-free condensed milk recipe to replace any traditional high carb sugary treat you have used in the past for your holiday baking!

What is Sweetened Condensed Milk?

Traditional Sweetened condensed milk is cow’s whole milk that has had the water removed and has added sugar so it has a lot of carbs. It is a very dense, thick liquid that is often used in many traditional baked goods like pie, puddings, ice cream and even in coffee.

When you’re following a keto diet or sugar free diet, you won’t find any sugar free condensed milk in any grocery store, but don’t worry because today this easy recipe is just like the real thing but has just 1 gram net carbs with no added sugars!

I’ve never found unsweetened condensed milk in any stores either but I suppose if you wanted to make this full recipe without any sweetener you could do that though the point of using regular condensed milk is for adding sweetness to your low-carb desserts.

If you’re dairy free, a great alternative to sweetened condensed milk is canned coconut cream but be sure to find one that doesn’t include sugar since most do.

Making a sugar-free, keto sweetened condensed milk has been something on my foodie to-do list for some time now and I’m excited to share this phenomenal recipe with you.

You can certainly use this deliciously creamy, but sugar free sweetened condensed milk in your daily cup of coffee or tea instead of your regular sugar substitute!

It’s also a fantastic sugar alternative for any recipe that uses sweetened condensed milk and you’d like to make a low carb version.

Carbs in Condensed Milk

Total carbs in just 2 tablespoons of regular sweetened condensed milk, using my favorite app Cronometer, has 20.8 grams of carbs and 123 calories!

Our keto condensed milk recipe has just 2 gram carbs in 2 tablespoons and 81 calories.

When to Use Sugar Free Condensed Milk

The good news is that many of your favorite keto dessert recipes use condensed milk.

Use this recipe the next time you make my Homemade Keto Magic Cookie Bars and my Tres-Leches cake instead of the canned coconut milk used in the recipe.

Of course any easy sugar free chocolate fudge recipe uses real condensed milk and now you have a homemade sugar-free version!

It’s also a great addition as a topping over some fresh blueberries, raspberries, strawberries or blackberries.

Add this to your morning cup of coffee or tea!

The best part about this recipe is that it’s a two for one! You can turn this condensed milk recipe into caramel sauce with just a few more minutes of your time.

Simply simmer the mixture on medium low heat for about an 45 minutes to one hour until it’s thick and reduced down by half. Adding some cinnamon and nutmeg might be nice as well!

Tools to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk

2 Quart Stainless Steel Saucepan– This is the perfect sized, good quality saucepan for most of your basic recipes that require making a sauce. Stainless steel is a better option than nonstick pans as they won’t leach chemicals into your food.

Wooden spoons-This Oxo set has 3 different sizes and a great grip on the handles that I really love.

Mason jars– 3 different sizes are a great investment to have in your keto kitchen. This recipe needs a 16 ounce mason jar to store.

Best Sugar-Free Sweeteners for Homemade Condensed Milk

Not all low carb sweeteners act the same in recipes and for this condensed milk, you really need to be careful about which ones you use to yield the best smooth texture and results.

You only need just three ingredients which are heavy whipping cream, unsalted butter, and low-carb sweetener.

I like to add a pinch of salt since the butter is unsalted and also a little bit of vanilla extract, but they are both totally optional.

If you use any type of erythritol-based sweeteners, they will all cause your sugar free condensed milk to crystalize in the fridge once your condensed milk is set. You can avoid crystallization simply by using powdered Allulose or even liquid Allulose will work.

Most brands of Monk Fruit sweetener still include erythritol, except this brand which includes Allulose instead, and will work great for this recipe.

If you can’t purchase Allulose where you live, you can make my Keto Simple Syrup that can replace the Allulose sweetener in this recipe.

If you want to use another low carb sweetener besides the ones suggested above or different from what I used in this recipe, simply follow my Sweetener Guide & Conversion Chart.

Directions

Pour one cup of heavy whipping cream into a medium sized sauce pan. Add unsalted butter and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add a pinch of salt if using (optional). Continually stir and cook for 5 minutes.

If using an electric stove, you may need to move pan on and off heat to regulate temperature so it doesn’t boil over.

Whisk in the amount of sweetener needed and continue to stir while on a gentle simmer for 10 minutes or until thick and coats the back of a spoon.

Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla extract if using. This makes about 1.25 cups. Allow it to cool.

It will thicken as it cools. If not using the recipe right away, store in a glass jar or glass bowl, covered, and in the fridge.

When you are ready to use it, just reheat for 30 seconds in the microwave. It may separate when heated, simply whisk vigorously to combine and use in your recipe as needed.

How to Store & Reheat Sweetened Condensed Milk

If not using right away, store in a glass mason jar, covered or an airtight container, in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Reheat the entire recipe for 30 seconds in the microwave or add a small amount you need to a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat on the stove.

In some easy keto recipes you actually just scoop out a small portion of the condensed milk, cold from the fridge, so in some recipes you may not need to heat it up at all.

It will look like it has separated when re-heated, but no need to worry at all. Simply give it a good stir to combine and it will come back together just as you made it the first time. Continue to use in your recipe as needed.

Fabulous Keto Christmas Sugar-Free Recipes you might enjoy:

Sugar Free Keto Sweetened Condensed Milk

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Servings tablespoons

Calories 81kcal

Author Brenda Bennett/Sugar-Free Mom

Ingredients

1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup Powdered Allulose (confectioners or your favorite sugar free sweetener)
pinch salt optional
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract optional

Instructions

Pour one cup of heavy cream into a medium sized sauce pan. Add butter and bring to a boil. Add a pinch of salt if using. Continually stir and cook for 5 minutes. If using an electric stove, you may need to move pan on and off heat to regulate temperature so it doesn't boil over.
Whisk in sweetener and continue to stir and simmer for 10 minutes or until thick and coats the back of a spoon.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. This makes 1.25 cups. Allow to cool. It will thicken as it cools. If not using right away, store in a glass mason jar or bowl, covered, in the fridge. Reheat for 30 seconds in the microwave. It will separate when heated, simply whisk vigorously to combine and use in your recipe as needed.

Want to turn this into Caramel Sauce? No Problem!

Turn this sugar free condensed milk into caramel sauce here.

Notes

This recipe was first published in December 2021.

Nutrition

The post Sugar Free Keto Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe appeared first on Sugar-Free Mom.

Best Homemade Sugar Free Keto Ketchup Recipe (How To Video)

Brenda Bennett — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 12:48:19 +0000

This Easy Blender Ketchup is Made with No Added Sugars! It’s quick and easy, gluten free and low carb! I’ve also provided the stove top version of my original recipe if you prefer!

Homemade Sugar-Free Ketchup

Is ketchup your favorite condiment? Do your kids love regular ketchup? You can stop buying store-bought ketchup from now on and make your own homemade ketchup that is a healthier, better for you, version at home, quickly and EASILY!!

This healthy ketchup recipe with simple ingredients, makes a lot so you won’t need to make it often. My younger two children who are quite picky have given it a stamp of approval! I love that it has no high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners!

It’s just the right, luscious, smooth texture as what the kiddies are used to. You can use honey if you prefer it over my sugar-free sweetener of choice.

I’d say ½ a cup if you think the family needs it as sweet as store bought tomato ketchup. With the amount I used my kids liked it this way just fine, but it’s definitely not as sweet as bottled ketchup.

I think once you taste it, you’ll never go back to buying any store bought ketchup again!

But of course if you don’t have time to make your own homemade version, you can find a few sugar free ketchup options at your local grocery store.

The best sugar free ketchup for those on a keto diet or low carb diet that doesn’t have artificial sweeteners, is Primal Kitchen ketchup in my opinion. They also have another popular condiment, sugar free BBQ sauce!

Sugar and Carbs in Traditional Ketchup

The basic ingredients in ketchup are tomatoes, spices, water, oil and vinegar but unfortunately, store bought ketchup always contains sugar making the sugar content quite high.

If you’re looking to reduce your daily sugar intake, the best thing to do is look for sugar in the main ingredients listed on the jar. My rule of thumb is if sugar is listed within the first 5 ingredients, I do not buy it.

Not only is the grams of sugar and carbs higher in store bought ketchup, the sugars in Heinz are highly inflammatory.

High fructose corn syrup and corn syrup should be avoided when you are trying to balance your blood sugar so you can stop the cravings and lose the weight.

Nutritional information in store bought ketchup Heinz based on one serving size which is one tablespoon:

Calories: 20

Carbs: 5g

Sugar: 4g

Carbs in our Homemade Ketchup Recipe

In my recipe card below the recipe ingredients you will see all the details but here’s just calories, carbs and sugar.

Our serving size is 1 ounce:

Calories: 15

Carbs: 2g

Sugar: 1g

G Hughes Sugar Free Ketchup isn’t any better than Heinz. Though it doesn’t include high fructose corn syrup, it does include modified corn starch and Sucralose which is shown in studies to spike blood sugar just as much as regular cane sugar.

It’s just a good idea to make it at home so you can to avoid these common ingredients that won’t help you when it comes to weight loss and balancing blood sugar.

Best Natural Sugar Substitutes

I prefer using keto sweeteners that have natural ingredients. My preferred sweeteners are Swerve, Allulose, Monk Fruit sweetener, and pure Stevia.

Feel free to use my Natural Sweetener Guide & Conversion Chart if you would like to swap out the sweetener I used in my sugar-free ketchup recipe.

You could substitute maple syrup, coconut sugar or honey, but all of those are still sugar, have high carbs and will spike your blood sugar.

Equipment for Low-Carb Ketchup Recipe

I’ve made this in my high powered blender (Vitamix) without cooking anything on the stove but I eliminated the fresh onion and used some dried minced instead. Using the blender and you can make this faster anytime you want and it still have a rich tomato flavor.

You could probably also use an immersion blender or food processor.

You can certainly still make it on the stove and I do think it provides a better mingling of flavors but in the blender is great for when you run out and have no time!

This recipe was originally posted in May of 2013. I felt that it needed to come out of the archives with new photos and video because it is such a great recipe and deserves to be featured!

How to Store Low Carb Ketchup

I bought this cute Ketchup bottle to put mine in to be able to easily serve our own ketchup. I also used a Mason Glass Jar to store the rest in the fridge for up to 6 months.

I promise you, this homemade ketchup is the real deal and your taste buds will be thanking you!

In my new book, The 30 Day Sugar Elimination Diet, I’ve got an amazing recipe for French Fries using Rutabaga and those who have made it said, they had no idea rutabaga could taste just as good as sweet potato fries or white potato fries with a lot less carbs!

Homemade Keto Ketchup

Healthier Homemade Tomato Ketchup

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Total Time 25

Servings ounces

Calories 15kcal

Author Brenda Bennett | Sugar Free Mom

Ingredients

28 ounce tomato puree
6 ounce tomato paste
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic minced
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup red wine vinegar or white vinegar
1 tbsp. dried minced onion or 1 tsp onion powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup Swerve granular sweetener or sugar substitute of choice

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a blender and pulse until desired consistency.
Taste and adjust spices and sweetener if needed.
Store in airtight containers in the fridge.

For Stove Top cooking:

Heat oil over low heat, saute garlic until fragrant.
Add 1 cup chopped onion and cook until softened.
Pour in vinegars, sweetener of choice and salt.
Bring to a boil over medium heat.
Add tomato puree and paste.
Bring to a boil.
Add in cloves and oregano.
Cook until reduced and sauce thickens about 15-20 minutes.
Pour into blender and blend until smooth.
Pour into Ketchup Bottle or Mason Jars.
Refrigerate. Makes 30 ounces if cooking on stove top. If not cooking and doing blender method, it's 38 ounces. Nutrition Info is for 38 ounces.
Enjoy over hot dogs, kielbasa, sausage, eggs or our low carb French Fries!

Nutrition

The post Best Homemade Sugar Free Keto Ketchup Recipe (How To Video) appeared first on Sugar-Free Mom.

Easy Sugar-Free Low Carb Keto Lemon Curd Parfait

Brenda Bennett — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 12:12:03 +0000

This tangy Sugar Free Keto Lemon Curd is layered between creamy Mascarpone cheese with optional blueberries, making these quick and easy keto lemon curd parfaits! Just 5 net carbs per serving!

Easy Sugar Free Homemade Lemon Curd

With just 7 simple ingredients you probably already have in your keto kitchen, you can make this perfectly tart lemon curd in no time at all! All you need is an egg, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, butter and heavy cream to make this easy low carb lemon curd.

Lemon desserts are a favorite for my hubby and dad, so making this lemon curd recipe for Father’s day was a must! This wonderful recipe is a delicious, rich, thick dessert spread full of lemon flavor, almost like a lemon jam!

You could use other citrus fruits as well like lime, or orange. It’s wonderful as a topping but in today’s recipe with pair this tart and tasty lemon curd between luscious smooth, sugar free whipped cream.

We use mascarpone cream cheese in this recipe because it’s richer and thicker in comparison to traditional cream cheese, though you could swap it out if you prefer.

About 2 ounces of a regular lemon curd recipe has 33 total carbs, according to the Cronomoter app, and will spike your blood sugar. When you are looking to lose weight, balancing your blood sugar is key for weight loss.

Our sugar free version has just as much flavor as traditional lemon curd without the sugar. Just 6 total carbs per serving and it won’t spike your blood sugar so it also won’t cause sugar cravings either.

How to Enjoy Traditional Lemon Curd

You could eliminate the cream and berries to make this lemon parfait recipe and simply just use the lemon curd today as a scrumptious sugar free keto lemon spread on keto toast, low-carb bread, Keto biscuits, keto muffins, keto scones.

Tastes like a ray of sunshine in one bite without added sugar!

Tools to make Keto Sugar-Free Lemon Curd

Microwave bowl– You can make this recipe in the microwave or use a double boiler if you prefer. The microwave will be quicker to make this lemon curd but if you’re opposed and have more time, opt for the drive top method below.

Double boiler – A double boiler is great to have on hand in your keto kitchen. It’s something I use regularly and helps to have one rather than looking for a clean bowl to fit perfectly over a pot on the stove.

Electric whisk – Of course this isn’t completely necessary, but it is convenient to help work quickly rather than whipping cream by hand for this recipe. An electric hand mixer or stand mixer will also be efficient.

Can I change the Low Carb Sweetener?

For the best texture for a smooth lemon curd, you will want to avoid using a low carb granular sugar alcohol. A powdered sugar free sweetener will work best.

You could also use all lemon liquid stevia or liquid Monk Fruit, instead of the combination I used here. I use a combo of sweeteners as it helps to alleviate any aftertaste.

Sometimes an aftertaste of certain sweeteners causes a cooking effect or a metallic taste, which you will want to avoid in this no bake dessert as it will be very noticeable.

Can I make this Keto Lemon Curd Dairy Free?

You could make this perfect recipe dairy free by swapping out the butter with coconut oil and swapping the heavy cream with coconut cream. For the mascarpone, you could swap it with dairy free cream cheese.

Can I use regular cream cheese instead of mascarpone?

Yes if you can’t find mascarpone, which is Italian cream cheese, you can swap it with regular cream cheese.

Mascarpone is nice and soft coming from the fridge, so it is easier to combine in the mixer with the other ingredients.

You will need to allow your regular cream cheese to come to room temperature for at least an hour to soften a bit before incorporating together with the other ingredients.

If you skip this step, you will have a lumpy cream cheese mixture and it won’t look pretty when layered between the lemon curd in the serving glasses.

Favorite Desserts for Lemon Lovers

This lemon cream pie could be turned into a lemon meringue pie just by swapping the cream for sugar free stiff egg whites.

Keto Lemon Bars

Lemon Pound Cake

Sugar Free Lemon Tarts

This no churn keto vanilla ice cream could be changed to lemon simply by swapping out the vanilla extract.

Air Fryer Lemon Shortbread Cookies

Italian Lemon Cream Cake

Lemon Cheesecake Jars

Lemon Custard Pie

Lemon Cheesecake Mousse

Slow Cooker Lemon Custard Cake with blueberries

Sugar Free Lemon Curd Parfait

Sugar Free Lemon Curd Parfait (Keto, Low Carb)

The perfect pairing of tart lemon curd, with fresh bursting blueberries and a rich and creamy mascarpone cream. So pretty, layered in a glass, and simple to pull together too.

Servings servings

Calories 455kcal

Author Brenda Bennett/Sugar-Free Mom

Ingredients

Lemon Curd

1 large egg
2 ounces Swerve confectioners sweetener
1/2 tsp lemon liquid stevia
2 tbsp lemon juice from fresh lemons is best
1 tsp lemon zest
2.5 ounces butter cut into squares
1 teaspoon heavy cream

Mascarpone Cream

4 ounces mascarpone cheese
1/2 tsp vanilla liquid stevia
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup blueberries optional

Instructions

Lemon Curd

Whisk eggs and sweeteners in a large microwave safe bowl. Add lemon juice and zest and whisk until combined. Drop squares of butter on top.
Microwave in 1 to 2-minute bursts, whisking in between until the butter is melted and the mixture is hot. If you don't want to use the microwave you can add the ingredients to a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat on the stove top until thickened.
Microwave in 30 second bursts until mixture is thickened. Whisk the cream in at the end.
Place in a bowl with cling wrap on the surface to avoid forming a skin, and chill until you are ready to use. The curd will thicken more as it cools.

Mascarpone Cream

To make the mascarpone cream, add it to medium-sized bowl, and use a hand electric mixer or a whisk attachment with a stand mixer to beat the mascarpone, sweetener and vanilla together until they are smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust sweetener if needed.
Whisk the cream through the mascarpone until softly combined.

Assembly

Layer the curd, mascarpone and fresh blueberries in decorative glasses or pots.
Garnish with an optional ingredient of fresh berries, or other fresh fruit, fresh herbs, or lemon zest to serve. This can be enjoyed cold from the fridge or room temperature.

Notes

The components can be made separately and stored in the fridge for up to five days.

The parfaits can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the fridge.

Blueberries are optional and not included in nutritional info.

Net carbs: 5 g

This recipe was first published in March 2020.

Nutrition

The post Easy Sugar-Free Low Carb Keto Lemon Curd Parfait appeared first on Sugar-Free Mom.

Perfect Get Ahead Keto Gravy (Low Carb, Gluten Free)

Brenda Bennett — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 11:00:24 +0000

This homemade keto gravy is an easy make ahead brown gravy to enjoy for your holiday meal! Less than 1 net carbs per serving!

Is Traditional Gravy Keto Friendly?

Homemade gravy is often made using turkey drippings and a thickening agent, like regular flour.

If you are gluten free and following a keto diet, regular gravy and even store-bought gravy will be high in carbs and gluten.

But no worries because a delicious low-carb gravy is very easy to make using keto thickeners and meat drippings.

This is a really good gravy that is gluten-free gravy, as well being a keto-friendly gravy recipe that can be enjoyed whether you follow a low-carb diet or ketogenic diet.

Low Carb Gravy Recipe

The basic ingredients for low carb or keto recipes you will see online for a delicious gravy often uses almond flour, turkey pan drippings, and either chicken broth, beef broth or bone broth.

I have used coconut flour to make a rue and that does work but I didn’t want to include any flours in this easy keto gravy recipe.

The only problem with wanting to make ahead gravy before turkey day is that no one wants to cook a whole turkey before Thanksgiving, right?

The best thing about our creamy gravy recipe is that it takes a short cut by using chicken wings and vegetables to make a delicious chicken stock and uses simple ingredients plus once secret ingredient to thicken the gravy.

After you cook the chicken wings you can freeze the meat from the chicken wings for another fast meal.

How to Make the Best Keto Gravy

To view the exact measurements, print this delicious recipe and see the nutritional information, please scroll to the bottom of this page to view the recipe card.

Ingredients

chicken wings

salt

black pepper

clove of garlic or garlic powder

carrots

celery

fresh thyme sprigs

fresh parsley

fresh rosemary

ground marjoram (optional)

bay leaves

onion

water

red wine

unsalted butter

balsamic vinegar (or coconut aminos)

Dijon mustard

glucomannan powder (to thicken) or xanthan

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425F / 220C / 200fan.

Season the chicken wings with salt and pepper. Place on parchment lined baking tray or roasting pan with the garlic (drizzled in a little oil) and roast for about 1 hour, or until golden.

Cooking times of the wings will depend on the size of them. Remove the garlic after 30 minutes.

Add the wings, garlic, carrots, celery, herbs, onion, and water to a large Dutch oven or stock pot. Over medium-high heat, Bring to a boil then simmer for 2 hours until nice and fragrant.

Remove the wings, allow to cool and shred the meat for another recipe. (You can place this back on a baking tray to crisp up if you like and use for tacos.)

Strain the remaining stock by smashing up the veggies and pushing through mesh strainer to get the veggies juices into the stock. Allow the stock to cool and skim off any fat.

If baking before the big day place in the fridge. If making way in advance, place in a ziplock bag in the freezer. Then defrost day before or defrost in microwave on the day. You should have about 4 cups of stock left.

On the Day you Serve Gravy

Add the 4 cups stock to a medium saucepan along with the red wine, butter, balsamic (or coconut aminos) and Dijon.

Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to medium-low heat and cook for about 20 mins to concentrate it. Add glucomannan powder (or xanthan) to thicken.

I ended up with 1 cup gravy after boiling. Serving size is 1/4 cup.

Note: as it cools it will get thicker. If it thickens and cools too much just place back on the heat to warm through and it will thin down. Taste and adjust seasoning to taste.

Serve all over your favorite keto dinner!

Storage

Place cooled gravy in an airtight container in the Fridge for up to 3 days or freezer for 2 months.

Xanthan Gum versus Glucomannan Powder

If it’s an unfamiliar ingredient to you, let me explain why it’s such a great option. Glucomannan is a natural, water soluble, dietary fiber made from the root of the konjac plant.

This fiber is the same ingredient used to make Miracle noodles or Shiritayaki noodles.

It’s been used for a very long time in Japanese cooking as a thickener. Before I discovered it, I was using xantham gum as a thickener for my gravy, but it gets somewhat goopy and a bit to gel-like.

Many people don’t like the slimy texture that can often happen if you use too much xanthan gum. I’d recommend trying glucomannan if you’re not a fan of xanthan, it’s definitely a must in my keto kitchen!

FAQs for Low Carb Gravy

Can I use a whole chicken instead of wings?

You could use any bone in chicken you like instead of wings, you could even use turkey thighs, turkey breasts or drumsticks as well.

Can I use Tapioca Starch instead of glucomannan?

Tapioca starch does thicken but it is a higher carb than glucomannan and many of my clients in my 6 week sugar detox course have better results when they do not ingest tapioca starch.

Can I use corn starch to thicken?

Yes corn starch can also be used to thicken but I avoid corn starch as it is a genetically modified organism and is also higher carb than glucomannan.

Low Carb Keto Thanksgiving Sides

Italian Keto Stuffing

Cornbread Apple Stuffing

The Best Make Ahead Low Carb Keto Gravy

Get Ahead Keto Gravy

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 3 20

Servings

Calories 40kcal

Author Jo Harding

Ingredients

2 pounds chicken wings
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 bulb garlic
2 medium carrots
4 ribs celery
8 grams thyme springs
1.5 tablespoons fresh parsley
2 sprigs rosemary
1 teaspoon marjoram (optional)
3 bay leaves
1 medium onion cut into wedges
12.5 cups water
2 ounces red wine
1 tablespoon butter unsalted
1.5 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (or coconut aminos)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon glucomannan powder (to thicken) (or xanthan)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425F / 220C / 200fan.
Season the chicken wings with salt and pepper. Place on parchment lined baking tray with the garlic (drizzled in a little oil) and roast for about 1 hour, or until golden. Cooking times of the wings will depend on the size of them, should be done in about 35-45 minutes. Remove the garlic after 30 minutes.
Add the wings, garlic, carrots, celery, herbs, onion, and water to a large Dutch oven or stock pot. Bring to boil then simmer for 2 hours until nice and fragrant. Remove the wings, allow to cool and shred the meat for another recipe. (You can place this back on a baking tray to crisp up if you like for tacos.)
Strain the remaining stock by smashing up the veggies and pushing through all the goodness of the veggies juices into the stock. Allow the stock to cool and skim off any fat. If baking before the big day place in the fridge. If making way in advance, place in a ziplock bag in the freezer. Then defrost day before or defrost in microwave on the day. You should have about 4 cups of stock left.

On the Day

Add the 4 cups stock to a pan along with the red wine, butter, balsamic (or coconut aminos) and Dijon.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium heat and cook for about 20 mins to concentrate it. Add glucomannan powder (or xanthan) to thicken. Note: as it cools it will get thicker. If it thickens and cools too much just place back on the heat to warm through and it will thin down. Taste and adjust seasoning to taste. I ended up with 1 cup gravy. Serving size is 1/4 cup.
Serve all over your favorite keto dinner!
Storage: Airtight container in Fridge for up to 3 days or freezer for 2 months.

Notes

Net Carbs= 0.9 grams

Serving size is 1/4 cup

Nutrition

The post Perfect Get Ahead Keto Gravy (Low Carb, Gluten Free) appeared first on Sugar-Free Mom.

Mini Bun-less Cheeseburger Bites with Thousand Island Dip

Brenda Bennett — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 12:25:49 +0000

Keto Mini cheeseburgers on a stick, you’ll never miss the bun! Low Carb, Gluten Free, and No Utensils required, perfect party food!

Low Carb Cheeseburger Bite Appetizers

The Super Bowl is the biggest and most festive party for finger foods and little bites. Whether you are the host of a home party, or the attendee at a friends party, appetizers rule on this night.

Maybe because finger foods and easy appetizers that don’t require utensils make for easy, comfortable gatherings, casual conversation and the ability to move around with ease and mingle.

After the holidays recipes that require lots of prep time and sit down entertaining, a Super Bowl party is a much anticipated relaxing night.

Little mini bites are always the hit at any party and these burger bites will surely please everyone, even the non low carb crowd!

Low Carb Cheeseburger Bites

These mini burger bites encompass all things wonderful. They’re bun-less so they’re low carb and keto without even trying. They’re tiny, so you can enjoy more per serving. They’re pretty and festive for company and especially helpful that everyone can just grab their own.

There’s really nothing NOT to love about these burger bites.

How to Customize Burger Bites

These cheeseburger bites are very easy to customize. You could have a table set up for building you own mini burger and leave out all the toppings so others can make it themselves.

If you make them ahead for a party they do require some time to cut and prep everything, but then it’s all assembly line style and your kiddies can help, like mine did.

Customize Toppings by swapping out the cheddar cheese for another melty type cheese you prefer. You could skip the pickle and add a jalapeno. You could swap out the tomato for a large green olive. You could also add some fresh red onion.

How to Make Keto Cheeseburger Bites

Ingredients

For the burgers, you really just need ground beef, salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder. Ingredients for the assembling of the cheeseburgers bites are bacon, lettuce, cheddar cheese, pickles and cherry tomatoes.

For the Thousand Island Dressing, you need garlic, plain Greek yogurt, sugar free ketchup, extra virgin olive oil, dill pickles, salt, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, pepper and Tabasco sauce.

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Combine the first 5 ingredients together in a bowl.Using about 1 tablespoon of the meat mixture, make 48 mini meatballs.

Place them on a parchment lined baking sheets and bake for 15 minutes.

Turn oven off and add a slice of cheese to each burger bite.

Place back in oven to melt cheese for 2-3 minutes.

Set aside to prepare remaining ingredients.

Cook the bacon in a skillet, but remove before crisp. If it’s too crisp, the bacon will crumble when inserting toothpick.

Drain on paper towel and break into 48 pieces.

To assemble burgers on toothpick start with a tomato half, a slice of pickle, a piece of bacon, lettuce, and cheeseburger bite.

Whisk the ingredients together for the dressing, taste and adjust spice if needed. Enjoy with Thousand Island dressing on the side.

Keto Thousand Island Dressing

You can use whatever dressing your really like with burgers, but I went for a change of pace and made my own thousand island style dressing to dip these bites in.

Be careful with Tabasco sauce, a little goes a long way. Taste and adjust before adding more. I think it’s spicy enough, but the hubby thought it was not spicy enough and would have preferred more. You be the judge.

More Low Carb Appetizer Finger Foods:

Nutritional Information was calculated for 3 mini burgers on a stick with 1 tablespoon of dip.

Mini Bun-Less Cheeseburger Bites

Mini Bun-less Cheeseburger Bites with Thousand Island Dip

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 15

Total Time 45

Servings

Calories 239kcal

Author Brenda Bennett | Sugar-Free Mom

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
8 ounces cheddar cheese cut into 48 pieces
6 ounces bacon uncured, nitrate free
24 cherry tomatoes halved
2 cups red leaf lettuce chopped
optional: pickles

Thousand Island Dip

1 clove garlic minced
1 cup Greek yogurt plain
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons sugar free ketchup
2 tablespoons dill pickle chopped
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Combine the first 5 ingredients together in a bowl.
Using about 1 tablespoon of the meat mixture, make 48 mini meatballs.
Place them on a parchment lined baking sheets and bake for 15 minutes. Turn oven off and add a slice of cheese to each burger bite. Place back in oven to melt cheese for 2-3 minutes. Set aside to prepare remaining ingredients.
Cook the bacon in a skillet, but remove before crisp. Drain on paper towel and break into 48 pieces.
To assemble burgers on toothpick start with a tomato half, pickle, bacon, lettuce, and cheeseburger. Whisk the ingredients together for the dressing, taste and adjust spice if needed. Enjoy with Thousand Island dressing on the side.

Notes

Serving size is 3 burger bites and 1 tablespoon of dip.

This recipe was first published in December 2014.

Net Carbs: 1g per serving

Nutrition

The post Mini Bun-less Cheeseburger Bites with Thousand Island Dip appeared first on Sugar-Free Mom.

Low Carb Keto Raspberry Chia Jam

Brenda Bennett — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 10:00:45 +0000

This easy, 6 ingredient low carb, keto raspberry chia jam takes very little time to prepare and is perfect on low carb, keto toast or keto bagels or even drizzled over keto ice cream!

WHAT IS CHIA?

Chia seeds are an edible plant that comes from Mexico. It has a wonderful nutty flavor and when mixed with water, it takes on a gel like texture. It is wonderful option to use to replace an egg in a recipe. While chia seeds tend to be high in carbohydrates, they are also high in dietary fiber, making them a fantastic choice for a low carb or even keto diet. 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, has about 12 carbs and 11 grams of fiber. If you are counting your net carbs, that would be just 1 net carb per 2 tablespoons.

Chia seeds can absorb about 1o times their weight in water. They are mild in flavor and can really be added to sweet or savory recipes. Because of their incredible absorbency, they can be added to smoothies or even soups to thicken them. Chia seeds ability to gel, makes them perfect substitution to replace pectin in a traditional jam recipe.

Chia seeds are also a really great source of protein with about 5 grams per two tablespoons. Chia seeds are a complete protein, meaning that they contain all nine essential amino acids that can not be made by the body on its own. Add a sprinkle in your smoothie or on your salad, or even in your dressing.

WHAT OTHER BERRIES CAN I SWAP WITH RASPBERRIES?

Berries are packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber and are a great option on a low carb or keto diet. If you’re not a fan of raspberries, you can easily swap them out with any berry you like. A delicious and still low carb berry would be blackberries, blueberries, and even strawberries.

Net Carbs in Berries

The net carbs are calculated by subtracting dietary fiber from total carbohydrates. Serving amount is about a 1/2 cup or 60-70 grams:

Raspberries=3 net carbs

Blueberries= 9 net carbs

Blackberries= 4 net carbs

Strawberries= 6 net carbs

HOW TO STORE CHIA JAM

Store this raspberry chia jam in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. I would not freeze this chia jam. Best if used fresh or within two weeks.

RECIPES USING CHIA

SUGAR DETOX TESTIMONIAL

Suzanne says, “Well I can’t believe this is actually working! Yesterday I tried on all my jeans and I haven’t been able to wear them for over a year and they fit!!! I wore a pair out and it felt amazing! This morning I weighed myself and I have lost 6.6 pounds since last Wednesday and also Thursday!!! Thank you Brenda! I have learnt so much so fast and my husband has now joined me on this challenge! ”

6 Week Sugar Detox Course with Live Weekly Support

Learn more about the Sugar Detox Course with Live Weekly Support Membership!

HOW TO REPLACE AN EGG WITH CHIA

To replace one whole egg in a recipe, add 2 teaspoons of ground chia seeds into a small bowl. Add 3 tablespoons of water, stir to combine. Allow to sit untouched for about 5 minutes. You will start to see the mixture thicken as it sits. Once you see it thick, almost like a raw beaten egg in texture, it is ready to use in your recipe.

LOW CARB KETO RASPBERRY CHIA JAM

Keto Raspberry Chia Jam

This delicious raspberry chia jam is from my cookbook, Naturally Keto.

Prep Time 2

Servings @ 2 tablespoons each

Calories 51kcal

Author Brenda Bennett/Sugar-Free Mom

Ingredients

2 cups raspberries fresh
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons Swerve confectioners
1/2 teaspoon lemon liquid stevia
pinch of salt
3 tablespoons chia seeds

Instructions

Place all ingredients except chia seeds into a high powered blender or food processor and blend on high until smooth or desired texture. Taste and adjust sweetener if needed.
Add the chia seeds and pulse two or three times to combine.
Pour jam into mason jar, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour before using.

Notes

Net Carbs: 2g

Nutrition

The post Low Carb Keto Raspberry Chia Jam appeared first on Sugar-Free Mom.

Dairy Free Keto Ranch Dressing

Brenda Bennett — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 10:00:44 +0000

This Dairy Free Keto Ranch Dressing is perfect for any salad or use as an appetizer with fresh veggies! Made quickly with just 4 main ingredients plus seasonings.

Dairy Free Ranch Dressing

If you have kids, or remember being a kid, food just tastes better with dips and dressings. I could get my kids to eat anything with a side of ranch! Now though, my daughter is dairy free and my original ranch dressing needed to change just a bit to make it for my daughter to enjoy just as much as my boys and I do. Super simple and just 4 ingredients plus seasonings and you’ve got a great side or dressing to enjoy with any salad or main entree!

Keto Ranch Dressing

What makes this a keto ranch dressing you might be asking? If you’re fairly new to the keto world, most salad dressings contain sugar or high fructose corn syrup and some pretty bad, inflammatory oils like canola, soybean, peanut, etc. When you’re eating a keto diet, these are some of the things you really need to avoid. I do like one store bought brand of dressing that is made with avocado oil and no sugar, and that is the Primal Dressing brand. They have a fantastic avocado oil mayo and many variety of dressings, as well as condiments like ketchup, all delicious in my opinion. But they can be costly, so making my Keto Ranch dressing will cost a bit less and is just as tasty!

Keto Low Carb Recipes to Enjoy with Keto Ranch Dressing

Keto Low Carb Meal Plans

Our membership is simple. You can subscribe for a month to try it out or you can subscribe for a yearly membership. Each Friday you will get a meal plan that comes to your email. You’ll have that early in order to go food shopping before the meal plan begins on Sunday. You will be able to view and print the meal plan and the shopping list. If you don’t like a meal, simply delete it and swap it with another meal you like. The shopping list will automatically adjust. It’s the best software available out there for a customizable menu plan. Not many other low carb or keto meal plans allow you the option to remove, add, start with a blank menu and create your own if you so wish.

Learn More about our meal plans!

Hope you enjoy this easy dairy free keto ranch dressing!

Dairy Free Keto Ranch Dressing

Prep Time 5

Servings @ 3 tbsp per serving

Calories 237kcal

Author Brenda Bennett/ Sugar Free Mom

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk or almond
3/4 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

In a medium sized bowl, add the coconut milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and lemon juice and whisk to combine. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
Whisk in the mayonnaise and fresh parsley. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Net carbs: 0g

Nutrition

The post Dairy Free Keto Ranch Dressing appeared first on Sugar-Free Mom.

Quick Keto Italian Marinara Sauce

Brenda Bennett — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 10:30:49 +0000

This Quick Keto Italian Marinara Sauce is easy to make at home and less expensive than buying store bought brands.

Homemade Marinara sauce versus Store Bought Marinara

Healthy, delicious, sugar-free tomato sauce is hard to come by in a jar or can. Most often it contains ingredients I don’t want in my body, like sugar. For those with gluten sensitivities, buying store bought of any product can be challenging. Most jarred tomato sauces are gluten free, but isn’t it better to be able to be in control of what goes into your body by simply making your own?

It is not as long a process as one might think. Its very simple, economical and tastes even better! It’s much less expensive to buy 2 cans of crushed tomato than it is to buy 2 jars of prepared marinara sauce.

So when you have a hankering for some delicious, authentic Italian sauce , you must try this. You will never want to buy prepared sauce again!

Freezer Friendly Marinara Sauce

This keto marinara sauce is so simple you won’t ever need to buy store bought again! Make a big batch and freeze in smaller containers so it’ll be easier to thaw when you need it! Use this sauce for my Keto Skillet Chicken Parmesan recipe, or my Chicken Parm Calzone or just over Mini Zucchini Pizza Bites or Miracle Pasta.

Traditional Italian Bolognese

If you prefer a chunky, meaty sauce you can try my Traditional Italian Bolognese sauce that is out of this world! You just can’t go wrong with a homemade, gluten- free, sugar-free and downright flavorful tomato sauce any day of the week! A big stock pot is all you need to prepare this amazing authentic, keto sauce. My family loves this and I believe yours will as well! The meatballs you see here in these pics are a recipe from my new cookbook, Naturally Keto.

Meal Plan Membership

Quick Keto Italian Marinara Sauce

Quick Keto Marinara Sauce

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 30

Servings @ 3 ounces each

Calories 32kcal

Author Brenda Bennett/ Sugar Free Mom

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
3 cloves garlic minced
56 ounces crushed tomatoes
2 tsp dried basil
2 tsp dried parsley
2 tsp fennel seed crushed
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
red chili pepper flakes to taste

Instructions

Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or pot. Sauté the garlic just until fragrant.
Stir in the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
Once at a boil, cover and reduce heat. Simmer for 25-30 minutes.
Stir, taste and adjust seasonings. Makes about 8 cups.
Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes

Net Carbs: 4g

This recipe was first published in April 2012 and updated with content and video in January 2019.

Nutrition

The post Quick Keto Italian Marinara Sauce appeared first on Sugar-Free Mom.

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Can I use coconut milk instead of heavy cream?

Does this taste like traditional caramel sauce?

Why did my sauce crystalize?

Can I use half allulose?

Do I need a candy thermometer?

SUGAR FREE KETO CARAMEL SAUCE

Sugar Free Keto Caramel Sauce

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Instructions

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Troubleshooting Common Problems with this Recipe

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​Freezing:

Storing:

Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?

Is this syrup suitable for diabetics?

Can I add other fruits to the syrup?

How long does this syrup keep in the refrigerator?

Can this syrup be used in baking?

Best Keto Desserts to Top with Strawberry Sauce

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EASY KETO Homemade CRANBERRY SAUCE

Carbs in Traditional Cranberry Sauce

​Carbs in our Low Carb Cranberry Sauce

FRESH OR FROZEN CRANBERRIES

Freezing:

Carbs in our Low Carb Cranberry Sauce