How to Eat Brie Without Carbs: The Ultimate Low-Carb Guide

December 5, 2025 •

4 min read

While traditionally served with crackers or bread, one ounce of brie cheese contains only trace amounts of carbohydrates, making it an excellent choice for a low-carb or keto diet. The key to enjoying this creamy, decadent cheese without sabotaging your goals is to get creative with your pairings and preparation.

Quick Summary

This guide provides creative ways to enjoy brie while maintaining a low-carb lifestyle. It covers pairings with fruits, nuts, vegetables, and cured meats, along with several delicious and simple keto-friendly recipes for baked and whipped brie.

Key Points

Pair with Vegetables: Use cucumber slices, celery sticks, or bell pepper strips as fresh, crunchy dippers instead of crackers.
Use Cured Meats: Wrap creamy brie in prosciutto or pair it with salami for a salty, savory, and carb-free bite.
Add Nuts and Seeds: Sprinkle toasted walnuts or pecans over baked brie for added crunch and flavor.
Bake with Herbs and Garlic: For an elegant, warm appetizer, bake brie with fresh herbs and thinly sliced garlic.
Top with Sugar-Free Jam: Create a sweet contrast with a homemade, sugar-free berry or sun-dried tomato jam.
Try Whipped Brie: Create a fluffy, decadent spread by whipping softened brie and serving it with low-carb dippers.
Make Keto Crackers: For a cracker-like experience, bake your own version using ingredients like almond flour and chia seeds.

Brie is a staple on charcuterie boards and in appetizers, but its common companions—bread, crackers, and sugary jams—are high in carbohydrates. Fortunately, its rich, buttery flavor pairs beautifully with a wide variety of keto-approved foods. By focusing on low-carb dippers and savory or sugar-free toppings, you can still indulge in this delightful cheese.

Low-Carb Pairings for Brie Cheese

The most straightforward way to enjoy brie without carbs is to simply pair it with other low-carb ingredients. From crunchy vegetables to salty meats, the options are plentiful.

Vegetable Dippers and Scoops

Cucumber Slices: Refreshing and crisp, cucumber provides a perfect, neutral base for a slice of brie.
Celery Sticks: The subtle, earthy flavor and satisfying crunch of celery make it an excellent low-carb vehicle for creamy brie.
Bell Pepper Strips: Add color and a touch of sweetness with strips of red, yellow, or orange bell peppers.
Mushrooms: Sautéed mushrooms make a savory, earthy topping for baked brie.
Radishes: Thinly sliced radishes offer a peppery bite that contrasts well with the mild cheese.
Endive Leaves: These chicory leaves form a natural, elegant boat for holding brie and other toppings.

Meats and Cured Provisions

Prosciutto: Wrap a slice of creamy brie in salty prosciutto for a savory, decadent bite.
Salami: Thinly sliced salami is a classic charcuterie pairing that adds a spicy, rich note.
Bacon: Crumbled, crispy bacon adds a salty, smoky crunch to warm brie.
Beef Jerky: For a hearty, protein-packed pairing, try a piece of brie with unsweetened beef jerky.

Nuts and Seeds

Walnuts: Toasted walnuts add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor that complements the cheese.
Pecans: Sprinkle chopped pecans over baked brie for a delicious, crunchy topping.
Almonds: Sliced or slivered almonds are a versatile and healthy pairing.
Chia Seed Crackers: Make your own keto crackers from chia seeds and almond flour for a crisp, hearty dipper.

Low-Carb Fruit and Berries

Berries: Fresh berries like raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries offer a sweet and tangy counterpoint to brie. Create a quick, sugar-free jam with chia seeds.
Lemon Zest: A sprinkle of lemon zest over baked brie adds a bright, fresh flavor.

Keto-Friendly Brie Recipes

For a more impressive dish, transform brie into a delicious appetizer with these simple, carb-free recipes.

Keto Baked Brie with Garlic and Herbs

This simple recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Place an 8 oz wheel of brie on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a small oven-safe dish.
Slice a garlic clove thinly and make small incisions in the top of the brie, tucking the garlic slices inside.
Sprinkle with fresh rosemary and thyme. Drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil.
Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is warm and melty.
Serve immediately with low-carb dippers.

Whipped Keto Brie

For an elegant spread, try this whipped brie recipe.

Remove the rind from 8 ounces of brie and cut the cheese into cubes. Let it soften at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Place the brie cubes in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and whip on high for 10 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
Transfer to a serving bowl. Top with sugar-free jam or toasted nuts.
Serve with fresh vegetables or keto crackers.

Comparison of Low-Carb Brie Pairings


Pairing Type	Best For	Flavor Profile	Texture	Preparation Time
Vegetable Dippers	A fresh, crunchy contrast	Crisp, mild, and refreshing	Crunchy, juicy	Minimal
Meats (Prosciutto, Salami)	Salty, savory indulgence	Rich, salty, and umami	Chewy, smooth	Minimal
Nuts (Walnuts, Pecans)	Added crunch and texture	Earthy, nutty	Crunchy	5-10 mins (toasting)
Keto Crackers	A classic, comforting feel	Salty, cheesy	Crisp	20-40 mins (baking)
Berries & Sugar-Free Jam	Sweet and tangy notes	Sweet, tart	Soft, saucy	10-20 mins (making jam)
Baked Brie with Herbs	A warm, elegant appetizer	Savory, earthy, aromatic	Oozy, melty	15-20 mins

Conclusion

Enjoying the rich, creamy flavor of brie cheese is perfectly compatible with a low-carb or keto lifestyle, provided you move beyond traditional high-carb accompaniments. By exploring the wide range of keto-friendly pairings and simple recipe ideas, you can create satisfying and elegant appetizers and snacks. Whether you prefer the simple crunch of vegetables and nuts or the comforting warmth of a baked brie topped with savory herbs or sugar-free jam, there are countless ways to enjoy brie without carbs. This flexibility ensures that you never have to miss out on the delight of this classic cheese, no matter your dietary goals.

For more information on keto recipes and low-carb eating, explore other resources from trusted health and food publications, such as Healthline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, one ounce of plain brie cheese contains only trace amounts of carbohydrates, making it suitable for a low-carb and keto diet. The carb count typically becomes an issue when it's paired with high-carb foods like bread or jam.

You can use a variety of low-carb options, including fresh vegetables like cucumber and bell pepper slices, crispy keto crackers made from almond flour, or cured meats such as prosciutto and salami.

Absolutely. Baking brie without a crust is a popular keto method. You can simply place the wheel in an oven-safe dish and bake it with toppings like herbs, nuts, and a sugar-free jam until warm and melty.

Yes, many berries, such as raspberries and blackberries, are low in net carbs and pair well with brie. You can mash them into a sugar-free jam with a keto sweetener or serve them fresh.

A savory topping for brie can be made from sautéed onions and bacon, or a mixture of toasted nuts and herbs like rosemary and thyme.

No, the white rind on brie, known as the bloomy rind, is also very low in carbohydrates and is edible. It has a slightly earthy flavor and is safe to consume.

For cold brie, slice the cheese and serve it on a platter with low-carb companions. Good options include cucumber slices, celery sticks, salami, and a variety of nuts.