How to Eat Keto at LongHorn Steakhouse?

According to Healthline, LongHorn Steakhouse is considered a keto-friendly restaurant, making it possible to enjoy a delicious, low-carb meal while dining out. With proper ordering techniques, you can easily find savory options to eat keto at LongHorn Steakhouse and stick to your dietary goals.

Quick Summary

This guide provides practical strategies for ordering ketogenic-friendly meals at LongHorn Steakhouse. Learn how to select the right steaks, sides, and make necessary modifications to avoid hidden carbs.

Key Points

• Smart Protein Choices: Opt for simply seasoned steaks or grilled fish without any sugary glazes or marinades to ensure a low-carb main course.

• Modify Side Dishes: Replace high-carb sides like potatoes with low-carb vegetable options, such as steamed broccoli or grilled asparagus.

• Customize Your Meal: Request toppings like cheese, bacon, and sour cream on steamed vegetables instead of a baked potato to create a loaded keto side.

• Check Dressings and Sauces: Choose keto-friendly salad dressings like ranch or blue cheese and ask for plain melted butter instead of standard steak sauces.

• Avoid All Breads: Decline the complimentary bread and breading on appetizers like stuffed mushrooms to eliminate unnecessary carbs.

• Confirm with Staff: When in doubt about a menu item's ingredients, always ask your server to ensure it fits your dietary needs.

Navigating the LongHorn Steakhouse Menu on Keto

Staying in ketosis while dining out can be challenging, but a steakhouse like LongHorn offers many inherently keto-compliant options. The key is to be mindful of hidden carbs in sauces, marinades, and side dishes. By focusing on simple, grilled proteins and non-starchy vegetables, you can enjoy a satisfying meal without derailing your diet.

Picking the Perfect Keto-Friendly Steak

LongHorn Steakhouse specializes in steaks, which are a cornerstone of the ketogenic diet. The best choices are those cooked simply with minimal seasoning, as pre-made marinades can contain sugar. To ensure your steak is keto-friendly, follow these tips:

• Ask for clarification: When ordering, confirm that your chosen steak is not marinated in a sugary sauce. For example, inquire about the preparation of options like Flo's Filet or the Outlaw Ribeye.
• Request simple seasoning: Ask the kitchen to use only salt, pepper, and butter. This ensures a clean, zero-carb seasoning profile.
• Consider the cut: While most steak cuts are good, fattier cuts like the Ribeye will provide more healthy fats, which are essential for a ketogenic diet.

Making Smart Side Dish Substitutions

Traditional steakhouse sides like baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, and rice are high in carbohydrates and must be avoided. Fortunately, LongHorn offers several excellent keto-friendly side options and allows for smart substitutions.

• Order steamed vegetables: Steamed broccoli and grilled asparagus are safe, low-carb choices. To make them more flavorful and increase your fat intake, ask for extra butter.
• Get creative with toppings: Some patrons have successfully created a "loaded broccoli" dish by asking for loaded baked potato toppings (butter, cheese, sour cream, bacon) to be put on their steamed broccoli instead.
• Request modifications: When ordering sides like crispy Brussels sprouts, ask for them without any sweet glazes or honey butter.

Choosing Keto-Friendly Salads and Dressings

A salad can be a great way to start your meal, but you must make sure to omit croutons and choose the right dressing.

• Order a side salad: Ask for the house salad or Caesar salad without croutons. This provides a fresh, low-carb base.
• Select a safe dressing: Ranch and blue cheese dressings are generally keto-friendly, but you should always confirm the ingredients. A simple oil and vinegar dressing is also a safe bet.
• Avoid high-carb toppings: Skip sugary-glazed nuts, candied pecans, or fruit that may be included with certain salad options.

Comparison of Keto vs. Non-Keto LongHorn Orders

This table illustrates how a traditional LongHorn order can be modified to fit a ketogenic diet, highlighting the necessary changes.

Item	Traditional High-Carb Order	Keto-Friendly Modified Order
Entrée	Outlaw Ribeye	Outlaw Ribeye, simply seasoned
Side Dish 1	Loaded Baked Potato	Loaded Steamed Broccoli (with cheese, bacon, butter)
Side Dish 2	Steakhouse Mac & Cheese	Grilled Asparagus with butter
Appetizer	Wild West Shrimp	White Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms (no breading)
Salad	House Salad with Croutons	House Salad (no croutons, keto dressing)

Conclusion: Your Roadmap to a Delicious Keto Meal

Eating keto at LongHorn Steakhouse is not only possible but can also be a delicious and enjoyable experience. By being aware of potential hidden carbs in marinades, glazes, and side dishes, you can make informed choices that align with your dietary goals. Opt for simply seasoned steaks, swap carb-heavy sides for low-carb vegetable options, and choose salads with safe dressings. With a few simple modifications, you can indulge in a hearty, satisfying meal that keeps you on track with your ketogenic lifestyle.

Key Takeaways for Your Keto LongHorn Visit

• Stick to simple proteins: Order steaks and grilled fish without sugary sauces or glazes.
• Load up on low-carb vegetables: Grilled asparagus, steamed broccoli, and crispy Brussels sprouts (without honey) are your best bets.
• Modify salads and dressings: Order salads without croutons and choose keto-friendly dressings like ranch or blue cheese.
• Be aware of hidden carbs: Watch out for sugary marinades, breading on appetizers, and high-carb sauces.
• Ask for extra fat: Enhance flavor and satiation by asking for extra butter on your steak and veggies.
• Create a "loaded broccoli": Substitute a loaded baked potato by asking for loaded toppings on your steamed broccoli.
• Avoid the bread: Politely decline the bread basket to eliminate a major source of carbs.

FAQs

question: Can I have the ribs at LongHorn Steakhouse on a keto diet? answer: No, the ribs at LongHorn and most steakhouses are prepared with a sugary barbecue sauce that is not keto-friendly. It is best to avoid them and stick to simply grilled meats.

question: What are the best side dishes to order on keto at LongHorn? answer: The best low-carb side dishes are grilled asparagus, steamed broccoli, and crispy Brussels sprouts (without the honey butter). You can also ask for a side salad with keto-friendly dressing and no croutons.

question: Is the Flo's Filet a good keto option? answer: Yes, Flo's Filet is an excellent keto option. It's a lean cut of beef, and you can request it with simple seasoning (salt, pepper) and a side of butter to keep it low-carb and high-fat.

question: What should I do about the bread served at the beginning of the meal? answer: Politely decline the bread basket when it is offered. This is the easiest way to avoid temptation and stay on track with your keto plan.

question: What appetizers can I order that are keto-friendly? answer: The White Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms can be a good option, provided you ask for them without the breadcrumbs. Double-check with your server to confirm the preparation.

question: Is the chicken at LongHorn a good keto choice? answer: Grilled chicken can be a great keto option. Similar to steak, you should specify that you want it grilled without any sugary glazes or marinades. Pair it with keto-friendly sides.

question: How can I ensure the sauces are low-carb? answer: When in doubt, ask to have your steak cooked without any pre-made sauces or glazes. Instead, ask for a simple side of melted butter. Many steak sauces have added sugars that can increase carb count.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have the ribs at LongHorn Steakhouse on a keto diet?

No, the ribs at LongHorn and most steakhouses are prepared with a sugary barbecue sauce that is not keto-friendly. It is best to avoid them and stick to simply grilled meats.

What are the best side dishes to order on keto at LongHorn?

The best low-carb side dishes are grilled asparagus, steamed broccoli, and crispy Brussels sprouts (without the honey butter). You can also ask for a side salad with keto-friendly dressing and no croutons.

Is the Flo's Filet a good keto option?

Yes, Flo's Filet is an excellent keto option. It's a lean cut of beef, and you can request it with simple seasoning (salt, pepper) and a side of butter to keep it low-carb and high-fat.

What should I do about the bread served at the beginning of the meal?

Politely decline the bread basket when it is offered. This is the easiest way to avoid temptation and stay on track with your keto plan.

What appetizers can I order that are keto-friendly?

The White Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms can be a good option, provided you ask for them without the breadcrumbs. Double-check with your server to confirm the preparation.

Is the chicken at LongHorn a good keto choice?

Grilled chicken can be a great keto option. Similar to steak, you should specify that you want it grilled without any sugary glazes or marinades. Pair it with keto-friendly sides.

How can I ensure the sauces are low-carb?

When in doubt, ask to have your steak cooked without any pre-made sauces or glazes. Instead, ask for a simple side of melted butter. Many steak sauces have added sugars that can increase carb count.