Keto Taco Zucchini Boats is a tasty, low-carb dish. It is loved by everyone who is following a keto diet. We can hollow out fresh zucchini halves and stuff them with seasoned meat, onions, garlic, salsa & top with melted cheddar cheese for a filling taco-inspired dinner. These baked zucchini boats have all the robust flavors of tacos without the added carbohydrates from tortillas. You can easily personalize them by adding the preferred toppings, like cream(sour), jalapeños, etc. You can quickly prepare these zucchini boats, and it is liked by everyone in the family, which makes these zucchini boats perfect for weekday dinners or meal planning. These zucchini boats are loaded with fiber and protein and help us stay full and invigorated. This dish is delicious without sacrificing health, or just want to have taco night.
Free Keto Meal Plan: STEP-BY-STEP KETO DIET PLAN FOR BEGINNERS
STATISTICAL OVERVIEW:
- Calories: ~320 kilocalories
- Time for prep: Fifteen(15) mins
- Cooking time: 25 minutes
- Working time(total): Forty mins
- Serving size: 1 zucchini boat
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Course: Main
- Diet: Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free
EQUIPMENT:
- Paper towel
- Knife
- Skillet
- Chopping board
- Spatula
- Spoon
- Scoop
INGREDIENTS:
- Four zucchini(normal-sized)
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- ½ cup onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 tbsp. taco seasoning
- 1/3 cup salsa
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt & pepper
- Toppings(Optional): cream(sour), diced tomatoes, cilantro(chopped), & jalapeños
INGREDIENTS NOTES:
ZUCCHINI:
- We have to select medium-sized, firm, straight zucchini for easier stuffing. We don’t have to buy very large zucchini because these zucchini have more seeds and water content.
BEEF:
- We can use 80/20 ground beef for the ideal ratio of taste to fat. You may go for chicken/turkey(ground) to have a leaner option.
TACO SEASONING:
- We should have to use a low-carb, sugar-free taco seasoning. We can also use the homemade seasoning to avoid the hidden carb content, but we can also use the store-bought seasoning by reading the label. This seasoning contains cumin, paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, onion powder, and oregano are common ingredients
KETO SALSA
- We have to buy a keto and no-sugar salsa. We have to look at the label before buying because a lot of salsas have additional grains or sugars.
CHEESE:
- We can use the cheese(cheddar) in this recipe, which is also traditional, but we may go for jack cheeses(Monterey/pepper)or a blend(Mexican) as well..
Garlic and onion give the beef mixture depth and flavor. We have to use the fresh items to get the greatest flavor.
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS:
- Optional toppings include shredded lettuce, chopped avocado, fresh cilantro, jalapeños, or sour cream, which add freshness and texture.
Free Keto Meal Plan: STEP-BY-STEP KETO DIET PLAN FOR BEGINNERS
INSTRUCTION:
- Turn the oven on to 375°F.
- We can cut each zucchini in half(vertically).
- Now we can scoop off the center flesh to form a “boat” by using a spoon.
- Include the oil(olive) in a skillet over a normal flame.
- Now we can add the garlic and onion to the pan & sauté them for two to three minutes or till they are tender.
- We can add the beef in the skillet, cook the beef till it gets brown & break up the ground meat with the spatula.
- We can drain the excess fat at this point if necessary.
- Add salsa and taco spice to the skillet and stir & cook for two more minutes, and season with salt & pepper.
- We can fill each zucchini boat with the beef mixture and place the zucchini boats in the baking dish.
- Then we can place some shredded cheese over every zucchini boat.
- Bake these zucchini boats covered with foil for 20 minutes.
- Then we can take off the foil and continue baking for another five minutes or until the zucchini gets soft and the cheese gets bubbly.
- We can garnish these zucchini boats with the toppings and serve.
TIPS
- We can use the foil to soften the zucchini & bake uncovered for boats that are firmer.
- These zucchini boats are storage-friendly, and they are ideal for meal planning and reheating nicely.
- We can add the different variety of meat or seasoning according to our interest.
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- Transfer these zucchini boats(leftover) to a container(sealed). Enjoy them for approximately four days while chilling them in the refrigerator.
FREEZER:
- You can cover these zucchini boats in aluminum foil and then place these boats in the box and save these zucchini boats for 2 months.
FAQs:
Can I add any other variety of meat to these zucchini boats?
- We can add beef, chicken, pork, or turkey to these zucchini boats according to our taste and preferences.
How to prepare these zucchini boats dairy-free?
- We can add the dairy-free cheese or nutritional yeast to prepare the dairy-free zucchini boats.
Free Keto Meal Plan: STEP-BY-STEP KETO DIET PLAN FOR BEGINNERS
NUTRITIONAL FACTS/SERVING:
Calories: ~320 kilocalories
Carbs(total): Nine grams
Fiber: 3g
Net Carbs: 6g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 22g
Calcium: 180mg
Iron: 2.5mg
Vitamin A: 600 IU
Sodium: 420mg
Potassium: 750mg
