Counting your calories and trying to keep those meals healthy? Here are multiple low-calorie meals that will help you to stay within your calorie range. All recipes are under 350 calories.
Are you trying to lose weight? You’ve probably heard the saying that “Calories in, equals calories out.”
So, you’re probably trying to eat fewer calories. But typical everyday meals are loaded with calories.
Does that mean you’re going to have to live on carrots and lettuce?
No! I have a better idea: Low calories meals.
Today, I’m sharing 20 low calories meals. They’re not only low in calories, but good for you too.
And they’re easy to make too. So, come on. Let’s dig right in!
1. Chicken Pozole Recipe
Credit: wholelottayum.com
Soups are a great way to help you lose weight. That’s because they’re packed with fluid, so they help you feel full.
So, it’s a great idea to add soups to your diet. Soups like this Chicken Pozole.
In case you don’t know what it is, Chicken Pozole is a Mexican soup made from hominy.
Hominy is dried corn, which has been softened using a lime or lye solution.
Traditionally, you use pork in the Pozole. In this Pozole, however, you’ll be using chicken breast.
Like pork, chicken breast is packed with protein. Unlike pork, it is lower in calories.
The Mexican tomatoes add a nice acidity to the Pozole, while the hot pepper sauce and jalapenos add some heat.
Besides adding heat, jalapenos may help you lose weight by increasing your metabolism and quenching your appetite. So, pack on those jalapenos!
Making this Pozole is pretty easy, especially if you use an Instant Pot. Just saute your onions, spices, and jalapenos in the Instant Pot.
Then dump the rest of your ingredients in, and pressure cook. Ten minutes later, it’s ready…it’s that easy. If you don’t have an Instant Pot yet, there’s a good deal right now on this high-quality Instant Pot.
Now, this Pozole is a meal in itself. But, if you like, you can garnish it with veggies like radishes, shredded cabbage, and green onion. Yum!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 335
- Fats: 10g
- Protein: 42g
- Carbs: 16g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 3g
2. Easy Oven Baked Salmon
Credit: easybudgetrecipes.com
Salmon is another good food to eat on a diet. That’s because it’s packed with protein, which helps keep you full.
It’s also packed with omega-3s, which are good for your heart and brain. So, bring on that salmon!
This Easy Oven Baked Salmon is juicy and flaky. And it’s lightly seasoned with salt and pepper.
So, the taste of the salmon shines through. It also takes very little time to make.
In 20 minutes, you’ll have a meal that you’ll want to sink your teeth into. Serve with roasted asparagus.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 276
- Fats: 14g
- Protein: 34g
- Carbs: 1g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
3. Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Credit: recipesfromapantry.com
Chicken breasts are perfect for low calories meals. They have less fat than chicken thighs, so they’re naturally lower in calories.
But less fat means less taste. So, chicken breasts can taste like cardboard.
These Chicken Lettuce Wraps are made with chicken breasts. But they taste like anything but cardboard.
They’re tender, and juicy, and packed with Mexican flavor. That’s because you season them with taco seasoning and tomato salsa.
And because you cook them in chicken broth, you add extra flavor…without the calories.
You also use lettuce instead of bread as your wrap. This not only cuts down on calories but carbs as well.
Once you’ve finished cooking your chicken, you’ll need to shred it. To make shredding it a breeze, you can just use these meat claw shredders.
Don’t have an instant pot? Check out these healthy crockpot recipes!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 158
- Fats: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Carbs: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
4. Easy Greek Chicken
Credit: easyhealthllc.com
Yearning for a taste of Greece? This Easy Greek Chicken is for you!
The chicken tenders are juicy on the inside and nicely browned on the outside. And they’re super flavorful.
That’s because you marinate them in a balsamic vinaigrette that’s packed with Greek spices. Spices like dried oregano, and thyme.
To add even more flavor, you’ll be adding minced garlic too. And if you love olives, you can toss those in too.
Once your chicken tenders are done marinating, all you need to do is saute them in a frying pan. Easy, peasy, chicken dinner.
Serve with a side Garden salad.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 176
- Fats: 7g
- Protein: 24g
- Carbs: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
5. Homemade Taco Salad Recipe
Credit: areinventedmom.com
Looking for a low-calorie and low carb alternative to tacos? Try this Taco Salad!
It has all the flavors you love, but without all the calories and carbs. That’s because you leave out the taco shells.
You have nicely browned ground beef, crisp lettuce, creamy Ranch dressing. And we can’t forget the taco sauce.
You can add your favorite toppings too. Just make sure they’re low in calories.
Now do keep in mind that this dish contains ground beef, which has a high carbon footprint. So, you may want to eat it less often or use ground chicken, turkey, or even black beans instead.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 259
- Fats: 17g
- Protein: 21g
- Carbs: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
6. Easy Crustless Spinach Quiche
Credit: supergoldenbakes.com
Looking for a low-calorie vegetarian option? This one is for you.
On the menu is a crustless spinach quiche. By leaving out the pastry, you cut down on the calories (and carbs if you’re on a low carb diet).
It is not only delicious but nutritious. That’s because it’s packed with feta cheese, eggs, herbs, and spinach.
Spinach is a good source of fiber, which helps keep you full. It is also an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which help boost your immune system.
This quiche is perfect for meal prep, too, since it makes 6 servings. It takes only 15 minutes of prep time; then you let the oven do the baking.
It will last about 5 days in the fridge. Just make sure you store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh longer. I recommend these food storage containers as they don’t contain toxic chemicals that will leak into your food.
You can cut the calories even more by using fat-free cottage cheese instead of feta cheese. You’ll need to add more salt to your quiche though since cottage cheese is not as salty as feta cheese.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 217
- Fats: 14g
- Protein: 16g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 3g
7. Cabbage & Sausage Skillet
Credit: dancingthroughtherain.com
I live a busy life, as I’m sure you all do too. So, the last thing you want to do at the end of dinner is to wash tons of pots and pans.
That’s why one-skillet meals are lifesavers. And this one doesn’t disappoint.
The sausage is juicy and spicy, and the grease from the sausage makes the cabbage super flavorful. It’s a great way to get your veggies in.
Besides being low in calories, cabbage is an excellent source of vitamins C and K. It also has powerful antioxidants that may help fight inflammation.
Now, this dish has Andouille sausage, which is a spicy sausage. But if you don’t like the heat, you can just choose a milder sausage instead; it will still taste yummy.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 171
- Fats: 11g
- Protein: 4g
- Carbs: 17g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 9g
8. Instant Pot Chicken Coriander Soup
Credit: ministryofcurry.com
Are you fighting a cold? This soup may be just what the doctor ordered!
It’s packed with tons of delicious flavors and ingredients that boost your immune system. From the juicy chicken, hot green chilies and ginger, savory garlic, tangy lemon juice, and crunchy cabbage and carrots…it’s a party in your mouth.
Are you vegan? Not to worry…this soup can be totally veganized.
Instead of chicken, you can use tofu. And you can skip the chicken broth, and use veggie broth instead.
This is a freezer-friendly meal! So, definitely give it a try!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 168
- Fats: 6g
- Protein: 17g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
9. Vegan Black Bean Chili
Credit: eatplant-based.com
Need more vegan recipes? Then be sure to try this one out.
It’s yummy and super nutritious. It’s not only high in fiber but protein and iron too.
All you need are 3 ingredients: cooked black beans, frozen corn, and salsa. If you don’t have cooked black beans, you can use canned beans instead; just make sure you drain and rinse them first.
Then place your defrosted corn, salsa, and black beans in a pot and cook for 5 minutes. That’s it.
And since one serving contains only 76 calories, you can have second helpings. Or even splurge on some cornbread.
This is a healthy freezer meal you’ll definitely like.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 76
- Fats: .4g
- Protein: 4.5g
- Carbs: 15.8g
- Fiber: 4.5g
- Sugar:
10. Tuna Stuffed Tomatoes
Credit: foodmeanderings.com
Don’t have any time to cook? This recipe is for you!
This recipe uses canned tuna. Besides being super convenient, canned tuna is packed with protein and heart-healthy omega 3s.
You have juicy tomatoes filled with tuna salad. The celery adds some crunch, while the dill pickles add some tang.
They also contain only 4 grams of net carbs. So, they’re perfect if you’re on a low carb diet.
As an added bonus, it takes only 10 minutes to make them. Making them is super easy.
All you have to do is cut off the top of your tomatoes, then scoop out the flesh. Next, mix the rest of your ingredients together to make your tuna salad.
Finally, place your tuna salad in your scooped-out tomato. Bon appetit!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 101
- Fats: 2g
- Protein: 16g
- Carbs: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
11. Spicy Black Bean Tacos
Credit: cadryskitchen.com
Looking to combine meatless Mondays and Taco Tuesdays? These tacos are for you.
They’re brimming with tasty black beans, crispy lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and creamy avocado. And they’re pretty satisfying… You won’t even miss the meat.
Besides being satisfying, black beans are quite nutritious. They’re an excellent source of plant-based iron.
They’re also rich in magnesium and manganese, which you need for healthy bones.
Now, you’ll be using a bunch of spices, so make sure you have a good set of measuring spoons. I like these ones because they don’t rust or get stained.
Check out more healthy pantry recipes here.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 281
- Fats: 7g
- Protein: 10g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 11g
- Sugar: 4g
12. Indian Tomato Salad Recipe
Credit: pepperbowl.com
Does salad make you think of rabbit food? This salad will change your mind.
It’s packed with tomatoes, chickpeas, and onions. All seasoned with lemon juice, chili peppers, and salt.
The chili peppers add a nice heat, while the lemon juice adds some tang. But the best part is that this salad takes only 5 minutes to make.
All you do is toss your ingredients together; no cooking required. Now, that is my kind of meal.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 110
- Fats: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Carbs: 21g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 7g
13. Baked Cod With Parmesan & Garlic Butter
Credit: cookingwithmammac.com
Cod is the perfect fish to eat when watching your calories.
One 3 oz. a serving contains only 90 calories. Yet, it provides almost 40% of your daily protein needs, so it’s pretty filling.
It is also an excellent source of selenium, a powerful antioxidant.
But because it doesn’t contain much fat, it can be tasteless. And no-one wants to eat tasteless food.
This baked cod dish is anything but tasteless. The parmesan cheese and garlic butter add tons of flavor and richness to the fish.
To make it a meal, you can serve it with some steamed veggies.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 303
- Fats: 15g
- Protein: 37g
- Carbs: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
14. Salmon With Balsamic Salsa & Lime
Credit: cookingwithmammac.com
Having dinner parties are a great way to connect with friends. After all, who doesn’t love good food and drink?
But dinner parties can be a minefield of high-calorie foods. So, what can you do?
Serve this salmon with balsamic salsa and lime. It’s pretty elegant, and it’s just as beautiful to eat as it is to look at.
The salmon is tender and flaky, and the balsamic salsa topping has a nice tartness and sweetness.
It’s pretty easy to make too. All you do is mix your salsa, lime juice, vinegar, chili powder, and garlic powder.
Then top your salmon filets with your salsa mixture, and bake. With a recipe like this, you may want to host dinner parties more often.
And if you want to wow your guests, even more, be sure to serve your salmon on a beautiful dinner platter. These ones are pretty classic yet simple.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 348
- Fats: 14g
- Protein: 46g
- Carbs: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 3g
15. Best Ever Butter Chicken In The Slow Cooker
Credit: recipethis.com
Everyone loves chicken, but after a while it can get boring. If you’re looking to spice up your chicken dinners, this dish is for you.
You have tender pieces of chicken in a creamy butter sauce. And the tomato puree balances out the creaminess of the sauce.
And it contains less than 300 calories too.
The secret to it being low calorie is that you skip the butter and cream. Instead, you use Greek yogurt.
So, you still have your creaminess, but with fewer calories.
To make this dish, you’ll need a slow cooker, so make sure you have one on hand. If you don’t have one, here’s a nice one that is quite budget-friendly.
To mop up the sauce, you can serve this dish with rice. Or if you want a lower calorie option, you can serve it with cauliflower rice instead.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 288
- Fats: 5g
- Protein: 40g
- Carbs: 18g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 10g
16. Vegan Tortilla Soup With Black Beans & Seitan
Credit: cadryskitchen.com
Having a bad day? Let this soup cheer you up!
It’s warm, hearty, and packed with delicious flavors. The fire-roasted tomatoes add some smokiness, while the ancho chili powder adds some heat.
Meanwhile, the red bell peppers add some freshness. And the black beans and seitan make it nice and filling.
Seitan is an excellent source of vegan protein. It is also rich in selenium, a powerful antioxidant.
Now, seitan is not gluten-free, so if you need to replace it, no worries. You can sub it with hydrated soy curls, which you can get right here.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 363
- Fats: 12g
- Protein: 21g
- Carbs: 49g
- Fiber: 17g
- Sugar: 7g
17. Spinach Soup Recipe
Credit: vegrecipesofindia.com
We could all use some more greens on our plates. Greens like spinach.
Besides being low in calories, spinach is nutritious. Just one ounce of cooked spinach provides 173% of your daily vitamin K needs, and 59% of your daily vitamin A needs.
But, let’s face it, boiled spinach isn’t that tasty. So, you may want to skip it.
You won’t want to skip this spinach soup though…it’s pretty tasty. The sauteed garlic, onions, and spices add tons of flavor… You’ll definitely want seconds.
And since one bowl contains only 88 calories, you can definitely have seconds or thirds.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 88
- Fats: 7g
- Protein: 1g
- Carbs: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
18. 15-Minute Skillet Tilapia With Artichokes & Tomatoes
Credit: easybudgetrecipes.com
Fish is another thing we could use more of. However, fish can be pretty pricey and hard on your wallet.
If you’re on a budget, tilapia is a great option. It is inexpensive and doesn’t taste too fishy either.
It is also low in calories. In fact, one baked fillet contains only 111 calories. So, eat up that tilapia!
This 15-minute skillet tilapia dish is sure to become one of your favorites. Not only is it really quick to make, but it’s also a one-skillet dish.
And it tastes amazing. You’ve got tender, flaky tilapia cooked in a savory tomato sauce.
The capers add a nice tangy taste that complements the mildness of the tilapia. The artichoke hearts add freshness and extra nutrition.
Now, you’ll need a pretty big skillet to make this dish. So, make sure you have a large 12-inch skillet on hand. I recommend this one here because it is non-stick, yet doesn’t contain toxic chemicals that can get into your food.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 247
- Fats: 7g
- Protein: 38g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 2g
19. Warm Chicken Salad Over Arugula With Creamy Dill Dressing
Credit: skinnyms.com
Want a lunch that your co-workers will drool over? Make this warm chicken salad!
Warm salads combine the best of both worlds. They’re packed with greens, yet they’re nice and warm, so you feel like you’re eating a meal, not an appetizer.
This salad is yummy and good for you too. It has pan-seared chicken, asparagus, juicy cherry tomatoes, and tangy arugula.
The homemade Greek dressing is the icing on top of the cake, ahem, salad. It’s creamy and zesty and complements the salad beautifully.
You’ll think you’re cheating on your diet, but you’re not. At only 167 calories per serving, you can eat to your heart’s delight.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 167
- Fats: 8g
- Protein: 20g
- Carbs: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 3g
20. Spinach Quesadillas
Credit: tasteofhome.com
Yearning for a taste of Mexico? These quesadillas are sure to satisfy your cravings.
You have ooey, gooey cheese, wilted spinach, and juicy tomatoes packed in flour tortillas.
Like the heat? Feel free to add some green chilies. Yum!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 281
- Fats: 12g
- Protein: 14g
- Carbs: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 3g
20 Low Calorie Meals That Are Super Nutritious
Super easy to make, these Low-Calorie Meals are very quick to make. They'll also make it super easy for you to track your calories.
Ingredients
- 1. Chicken Pozole Recipe
- 2. Easy Oven Baked Salmon
- 3. Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- 4. Easy Greek Chicken
- 5. Homemade Taco Salad Recipe
- 6. Easy Crustless Spinach Quiche
- 7. Cabbage & Sausage Skillet
- 8. Instant Pot Chicken Coriander Soup
- 9. Vegan Black Bean Chili
- 10. Tuna Stuffed Tomatoes
- 11. Spicy Black Bean Tacos
- 12. Indian Tomato Salad Recipe
- 13. Baked Cod With Parmesan & Garlic Butter
- 14. Salmon With Balsamic Salsa & Lime
- 15. Best Ever Butter Chicken In The Slow Cooker
- 16. Vegan Tortilla Soup With Black Beans & Seitan
- 17. Spinach Soup Recipe
- 18. 15-Minute Skillet Tilapia With Artichokes & Tomatoes
- 19. Warm Chicken Salad Over Arugula With Creamy Dill Dressing
- 20. Spinach Quesadillas
Instructions
- Scroll up to get a bunch of easy, yummy, and delicious recipes. Don't be afraid to get creative with the ingredients, you might discover a flavor you didn't know you liked.
- Get your shopping list going and make sure you've got all the ingredients.
- Get cooking and make your next Low-Calorie Meal!
Notes
Which one of these recipes was your favorite? Let me know in the comment section or on Pinterest!