Ham Salad with dill pickle on a plate.

My Sister Called This the Best Thing at Sunday Dinner — 23 Low-Carb Recipes That Prove It

Sunday dinner gets tricky when you want the table to feel generous without filling every serving dish with bread, pasta, or potatoes. These 23 recipes cover grilled meats, baked chicken, seafood, crisp salads, cauliflower-based sides, and a few old-school dishes that keep the focus on protein and vegetables. There is enough range here for a full family spread, from ribs and pork loin to salmon packets, steak skewers, creamy spinach, and fresh Greek-style sides. A few recipes sit higher on the carb scale than the rest, but most keep the plate firmly in lower-carb territory.

Ham Salad with dill pickle on a plate.
Old Fashioned Ham Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Vintage Chicken Divan

Two cast-iron skillets filled with vintage chicken divan and a fork dishing up one serving.
Vintage Chicken Divan. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

Old-school casserole flavor gives Vintage Chicken Divan a Sunday-dinner feel without relying on pasta or potatoes. Chicken breast and broccoli are folded into a creamy sauce with mushrooms, cheddar, Dijon, lemon, and a Parmesan-panko topping before baking until bubbly. The recipe serves eight and takes 30 minutes total. Keep the rest of the plate simple with a green salad or roasted vegetables if you want to keep the meal on the lower-carb side.
Get the Recipe: Vintage Chicken Divan

Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri

A plate of sliced Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri, served on a white rectangular dish.
Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Juicy grilled beef makes Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri an easy centerpiece when Sunday dinner needs something bold without a heavy sauce. Hanger steak marinates with olive oil, cumin, oregano, paprika, onion, and garlic before hitting a hot grill, then gets chimichurri on top. The recipe serves four and lists just 4 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Slice it across the grain and pair it with grilled vegetables or a crisp salad.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri

Chicken Paprikash

Three pieces of chicken smothered in a creamy, orange-hued sauce topped with chopped herbs, served on a white rectangular plate.
Chicken Paprikash. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Rich paprika gravy gives Chicken Paprikash the kind of old-fashioned dinner appeal that works well on a Sunday table. Bone-in chicken thighs cook in the Instant Pot with onions, garlic, chicken broth, several kinds of paprika, and sour cream. The recipe serves four, with a 20-minute cook time after 15 minutes of prep. Since the card lists 21 grams of carbohydrates per serving, keep the sides especially light if you are watching the full plate.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash

Mexican Cauliflower Rice

A plate of Mexican Cauliflower Rice garnished with cilantro, served with a lime wedge. Fresh tomatoes and cilantro are visible in the background.
Mexican Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Bright tomato and spice make Mexican Cauliflower Rice a useful side when regular rice would push the carb count higher than you want. Cauliflower rice cooks with onion, garlic, taco seasoning, cumin, vegetable broth, and tomato paste until tender. The recipe serves four and takes 20 minutes total, with 12 grams of carbohydrates and 4 grams of fiber per serving. Spoon it beside grilled meat, chicken, or shrimp for an easy Sunday dinner swap.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Cauliflower Rice

Oven Baked Ribs

Oven-baked ribs with onion and garlic on top served on a white rectangular plate.
Oven Baked Ribs. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

Slow oven cooking gives Oven Baked Ribs tender meat and deep savory flavor without needing a sugary barbecue glaze. Baby back ribs are seasoned with onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper, then baked with sliced onion and garlic until the meat starts pulling from the bones. The recipe serves six and takes 2 hours 10 minutes total. At 3 grams of carbohydrates per serving, it fits easily beside low-carb salads and vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Ribs

Mediterranean Chicken Bake

Mediterranean Chicken Bake with herbs, cheese and tomatoes in a platter.
Mediterranean Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Tomatoes and feta keep Mediterranean Chicken Bake bright and savory while the oven does most of the work. Chicken breasts bake with grape tomatoes, shallot, garlic, thyme, olive oil, Italian seasoning, and crumbled feta until the chicken is cooked through. The recipe serves four and takes 40 minutes total, with 7 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Bring it to Sunday dinner with a cauliflower side or leafy salad instead of bread or potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken Bake

Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone

Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone in a black dish.
Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Silky and rich, Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone gives the Sunday table a steakhouse-style side without piling on starch. Fresh spinach wilts in a skillet before heavy cream, dehydrated onion, garlic, and mascarpone melt into a smooth sauce. The recipe serves four and cooks in about 10 minutes from prep to finish. With 6 grams of carbohydrates per serving, it pairs naturally with grilled steak, pork chops, chicken, or salmon.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone

Pork Chops with Tomato & Green Onion Relish

Three pork chops with tomato and green onion on a white plate.
Pork Chops with Tomato & Green Onion Relish. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Golden-seared pork gets a fresh finish in Pork Chops with Tomato & Green Onion Relish, keeping the plate lively without a heavy breading or sauce. Boneless chops are seasoned with tarragon and garlic, seared in butter and olive oil, then served with diced tomatoes, green onions, and pan juices. The recipe serves four and lists 9 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Add roasted greens or cauliflower for a Sunday dinner that stays straightforward and filling.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops with Tomato & Green Onion Relish

Grilled Greek Chicken

Grilled Greek Chicken on a white plate with lemon slices.
Grilled Greek Chicken. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Lemon, dill, and oregano give Grilled Greek Chicken a bright edge that works well next to richer Sunday dinner sides. Chicken breasts marinate in olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, dill, lemon zest, and a little honey before grilling over high heat. The recipe serves four and lists 4 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Slice it for a platter with Horiatiki Salad, grilled vegetables, or a spoonful of creamy spinach.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Greek Chicken

Horiatiki Salad

A black bowl contains a Horiatiki salad with blocks of feta cheese, garnished with herbs.
Horiatiki Salad. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

Fresh crunch keeps Horiatiki Salad from feeling like an afterthought beside roasted or grilled mains. Tomatoes, cucumber, green bell pepper, red onion, Kalamata olives, and feta are tossed with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and oregano. The recipe serves four and takes 10 minutes total, with 9 grams of carbohydrates and 3 grams of fiber per serving. Set it out next to chicken, steak, or seafood for an easy low-carb Sunday side.
Get the Recipe: Horiatiki Salad

Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs in a bowl.
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Quick air-fryer cooking gives Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs browned edges without needing a pan of oil. Ground turkey is mixed with breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, salt, and pepper, then formed into meatballs and air fried until cooked through. The recipe serves four and takes 18 minutes total, with 10 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Pair them with zucchini noodles, cauliflower mash, or a green salad instead of pasta.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

Grilled Vegetables

Grilled vegetables including zucchini, mushrooms, red onions, peppers, and squash, arranged on a rectangular black platter.
Grilled Vegetables. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Charred edges and smoky flavor make Grilled Vegetables an easy way to fill out a Sunday dinner platter. Zucchini, summer squash, red onion, mushrooms, eggplant, and bell peppers are tossed with Italian dressing or another marinade before grilling until tender-crisp. The recipe serves four and uses just 10 minutes of grill time after marinating. The current card lists 35 grams of carbohydrates per serving, so this one is the higher-carb vegetable option in the collection.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Vegetables

Mediterranean Cod

A rectangular plate with Mediterranean Cod placed on a lemon-patterned cloth. A vine of cherry tomatoes is beside the plate.
Mediterranean Cod. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Flaky fish and a skillet full of vegetables make Mediterranean Cod feel complete without rice or potatoes on the plate. Cod cooks with red onion, garlic, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts, olives, olive oil, and herbs de Provence. The recipe serves four and takes 30 minutes total, with 10 grams of carbohydrates and 3 grams of fiber per serving. Serve it straight from the skillet for a lighter Sunday main with plenty of color.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cod

Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Close-up of a Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps placed on a white plate.
Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Cool lettuce and spicy chicken give Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps the kind of contrast that keeps a low-carb spread from getting repetitive. Shredded chicken is coated with buffalo sauce, tucked into romaine or butter lettuce, and topped with celery plus ranch or blue cheese dressing. The recipe makes four wraps in 10 minutes and lists 2 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Put them out as a starter or light main before the heavier dishes arrive.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Creamy Radish Salad

A bowl of Creamy Radish Salad garnished with dill, with a spoon lifting a portion above the bowl.
Creamy Radish Salad. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

Crisp radishes give Creamy Radish Salad plenty of bite while a yogurt dressing keeps the side cool and light. Radishes, English cucumber, green onions, and fresh dill are mixed with Greek yogurt, a small amount of honey, salt, and pepper. The recipe serves four and takes 10 minutes total, with 5 grams of carbohydrates per serving. It works especially well beside grilled pork, chicken, steak, or salmon when the rest of Sunday dinner runs rich.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Radish Salad

Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Air Fryer chicken cordon bleu on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Melted Swiss and ham make Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu look like a more involved main than the method actually requires. Frozen chicken cutlets are air fried, flipped, then topped with deli ham and shredded Swiss cheese for the final minute. The recipe serves four and lists 3 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Add a green vegetable or salad and you have a fast Sunday dinner option that keeps the classic chicken-and-ham combination without a long prep session.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Greek Cauliflower Salad

A spoon holds a serving of Greek Cauliflower Salad above the bowl.
Greek Cauliflower Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Briny olives and feta turn Greek Cauliflower Salad into a side with enough personality to stand beside grilled meat or fish. Lightly blanched cauliflower is mixed with cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, olives, feta, and a lemony dressing, then chilled before serving. The recipe serves six and takes 55 minutes including chill time. With 11 grams of carbohydrates and 4 grams of fiber per serving, it gives the table a lower-carb alternative to pasta salad.
Get the Recipe: Greek Cauliflower Salad

Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Mediterranean Grilled Shrimps on a white plate with lemon wedges.
Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Fast grilling keeps Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp juicy while lemon and herbs do most of the flavor work. Shrimp are coated with olive oil, shallot, garlic, fresh lemon juice, parsley, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper before going on the grill. The recipe serves four and takes 30 minutes total, with 3 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Serve the shrimp over Greek Cauliflower Salad or alongside Horiatiki Salad for an easy Sunday seafood plate.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Lemon-Dill Salmon Foil Packets

Lemon-Dill Salmon Foil Packets and herbs served in aluminum foil on a blue plate, with utensils and garlic nearby.
Lemon-Dill Salmon Foil Packets. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Steam trapped inside foil keeps Lemon-Dill Salmon Foil Packets moist while the grill handles dinner with almost no cleanup. Salmon cooks with lemon, garlic, dill, butter, and seasonings inside individual packets until flaky. The recipe takes 24 minutes total and lists 3 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Put a packet on each plate with creamed spinach, cauliflower rice, or a crisp salad for a Sunday dinner that looks polished without much last-minute work.
Get the Recipe: Lemon-Dill Salmon Foil Packets

Chicken Tinga

Chicken tinga in a blue bowl.
Chicken Tinga. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Smoky tomato sauce gives Chicken Tinga enough flavor to carry a plate without tortillas or rice. Chicken breast pressure-cooks with onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, cumin, chipotle powder, and chicken broth before being shredded back into the reduced sauce. The recipe serves eight and lists 4 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Spoon it over cauliflower rice, tuck it into lettuce cups, or serve it beside a crunchy salad for Sunday dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tinga

German Pork Loin

German Pork Loin on a platter with a gravy boat nearby.
German Pork Loin. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Slow-cooked pork and savory gravy make German Pork Loin a natural Sunday centerpiece without needing a starchy coating. Pork loin is seasoned with German mustard, then cooked low and slow until tender, with the juices turned into gravy. The recipe serves eight and takes 4 hours 10 minutes total, with 6 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Slice it thick and pair it with creamed spinach, radish salad, or roasted green vegetables.
Get the Recipe: German Pork Loin

Grilled Steak Skewers with Mojo Rojo

Grilled Steak skewers on a white plate with chilis nearby.
Grilled Steak Skewers with Mojo Rojo. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Smoky skewers bring a little drama to the table without adding much carbohydrate in Grilled Steak Skewers with Mojo Rojo. Steak is threaded onto skewers and grilled, then paired with a bold red pepper and chile sauce. The recipe serves four and takes 45 minutes total, with 3 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Pass the skewers around with Greek salad or grilled low-starch vegetables for a Sunday dinner that still feels built for sharing.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak Skewers with Mojo Rojo

Old Fashioned Ham Salad

Ham Salad with dill pickle on a plate.
Old Fashioned Ham Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Creamy and tangy, Old Fashioned Ham Salad turns leftover ham into a cold dish that fits easily beside a larger Sunday spread. Chopped ham is mixed with dill pickle, mayonnaise, and sour cream, then chilled before serving. The recipe serves four and takes 10 minutes total, with just 1 gram of carbohydrates per serving. Spoon it into lettuce cups, pile it onto cucumber rounds, or serve it in a small bowl alongside salads and grilled meats.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Ham Salad

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