Keto Seafood List: 21 Foods to Try Now

Seafood is packed with important nutrients that improve your overall health.

Eating enough seafood on the keto diet could even boost weight loss results. Seafood is low in saturated fats and sugars, which already sounds perfect for building a healthy lifestyle. While it isn’t for everyone, it may be worth evaluating your options.

From wild-caught salmon to sardines, you’re bound to find foods that suit your taste buds. It’s all about experimenting on the keto diet, especially if you’re new to low-carb meal plans. So, are you ready to read our list?

In this article, you’ll discover 21 keto seafood options to try now.

Extended Keto Seafood List: 21 Options to Choose From

Creating your keto-friendly grocery list doesn’t need to be a challenging task. There are many delicious foods you can eat, including classic seafood options. Even if you’ve never tried seafood before, it’s the perfect chance to expand your taste on the keto diet.  

Here are 21 keto seafood options to add to your meals:

#1 Salmon

Salmon is a popular, versatile fish that can spice up any dish. It is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. All of these nutrients combined will lower blood pressure spikes and encourage the metabolism to burn more stubborn weight.

There are 0 net carbs in 100 grams of raw, wild salmon. Due to it containing no carbs at all, you can enjoy salmon in almost every meal. For example, some people add farmed salmon to a creamy garlic butter sauce, as the combination seems to exceed all expectations.

#2 Oysters

Oysters seem to have a mix of flavors that make them enjoyable. The sweet, rusty, and copper taste might not be everyone’s first choice, but oysters are more than that. This type of seafood contains a high amount of vitamin D, which provides anti-inflammatory properties to the gut.

Less inflammation in your stomach means the body can properly remove fat cells. Your metabolism and immune system can finally focus on reducing stored fat. To spice up an oyster recipe, simply fry them using almond flour and keto-friendly cooking oil.

#3 Bluefin tuna

Bluefin tuna is the largest tuna species in today’s food industry. It is high in selenium, phosphorus, vitamin A, calcium, and magnesium – five minerals that protect your body. Magnesium is also known to support fat loss due to its metabolism-boosting properties.

Just be aware that buying raw fish is better than canned tuna. Canned products may contain hidden carbs and saturated fats that aren’t suitable for the keto diet. Luckily, 100 grams of raw bluefin tuna doesn’t contain any carbs, making it a delicious choice for your meals.

#4 Shrimp

Shrimp is great for fat loss, bone health, and even the prevention of certain brain diseases. The high amount of potassium, manganese, and iron can improve long-term health. For example, iron helps with many functions in the body, including red blood cell production. 

Again, 100 grams of shrimp doesn’t contain a single trace of net carbs. This means you can add shrimp to a range of different meals, like low-carb curry dishes, vegetable stir fry, Caesar salads, and even sauce-based recipes that use butter, garlic cloves, and heavy cream.

#5 Herring

Herring is a small, oily fish that tastes similar to sardines. You can fry, boil, grill, or even pickle this fish when adding it to the keto diet. One medium-sized herring filet should be enough to fuel your body with vitamins A, D, and B12, which are needed to stay healthy every day.

To some people, herring is the best seafood when it comes to losing weight. Its minimal calories and non-existent carbs can support good weight management. Aim to have one or two servings of herring per week to gain the essential, healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids.

#6 Scallops

Scallops are similar to oysters, mussels, and clams in terms of their shells. However, scallops usually have less flavor and excess liquid in the middle. For people who don’t enjoy a strong, fishy taste, scallops might be a great option to include in a keto seafood grocery list.

In 100 grams of scallops, there are only 3.18 grams of carbs. While this is a great thing to focus on, the high-nutrient content is even more impressive. Zinc and copper are both present in scallops, which can boost your energy levels and get you motivated to exercise regularly.

#7 Haddock

Haddock is a ray-finned fish that comes from the family of cods. Since it is high in B-complex vitamins, your metabolism will become stronger and burn more calories. As you might already know, a fast metabolic rate reduces stored fat quickly and prevents weight gain in the future.

Surprisingly, there are no carbs in raw haddock. This means you can pair this versatile fish with most meals on the keto diet. It’s recommended that people consume fish at least 2–3 times a week when planning to lose weight.

#8 Lobster

Lobsters belong to the family of marine crustaceans. They contain minerals like copper and selenium, which are the most prominent in this seafood. Researchers have discovered that consuming more selenium actually causes a 3–6% decrease in body fat over a few weeks.

There are zero carbs in lobster but 63.6 micrograms of selenium. You should aim to have 50–60 micrograms of selenium a day to protect your metabolism. The best fish will always contain important minerals, so keep that in mind when choosing keto seafood for your diet.

Out of ideas? Try a flavorsome keto-friendly lobster bisque.

#9 Cod

Cod is a very popular fish that is loaded with protein, B-complex vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. As you might already know, consuming more fatty acids can lower LDL cholesterol levels, strengthen your cardiovascular system, and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Protein is another key nutrient to focus on for improving your health. Since cod has 17.8 grams of protein and no carbs at all, you can expect strong muscle and tissue growth. People who want to build muscle while following the keto diet need lots of protein to sustain their strength.

#10 Clams

Clams are a type of bivalve shellfish that have a salty taste. You can eat these raw or steam them with some keto-friendly vegetables. One great thing about clams is that they contain lots of B-group vitamins, magnesium, and high amounts of iron that support your organs.

B-group vitamins are especially important for breaking down carbs and transporting nutrients around your body. Without these vitamins, you won’t be gaining any real benefits from keto seafood. If you haven’t already, it’s worth trying clams with different kinds of herbs and spices. 

#11 Halibut

Halibut is one of the largest white fish found in the ocean. Because it contains phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium, your body can help delay age-related cognitive deterioration. This is because magnesium ensures optimal nerve transmissions between learning and memory.

Of course, this benefit is outstanding, but halibut also holds minimal calories. You can eat this white fish every day without worrying about exceeding your calorie intake. Keto seafood like halibut will boost your long-term health while playing a vital role in your fat loss journey.

#12 Mahi-mahi

Mahi-mahi is an unusual type of fish that many people claim is absolutely delicious. It has a sweet flavor with mild hints of the salty ocean. The omega-3 fatty acids in mahi-mahi have been proven to combat depression, which can improve your long-term mental health.

This is one of the best fish for upping your protein intake. Protein is an important nutrient that speeds up recovery after exercise and keeps you full. Hunger pangs on the keto diet are perfectly normal, so it may help to get more protein from fish to prevent binge eating.

#13 Grouper

Grouper is a heavy-bodied fish that tastes similar to sea bass and halibut. It is one of the uncommon larger sea predators in the food chain. Due to its mild flavor, people can enjoy this fish with keto-friendly dishes like seafood stir fry or even a vegetable-based casserole.

There are also 0 grams of carbs per 100 grams of grouper. This means you don’t have to worry about counting carbs when preparing this type of fish. However, be aware that there isn’t much healthy fat, so it’s worth pairing grouper with other high-fat food sources.

#14 Mussels

Compared to most seafood on this list, mussels have more carbohydrates. There are 3.69 grams of carbs per 100 grams of mussels, which is something to keep in mind on the keto diet. Always clean this food before cooking, and try to find fresh mussels in the market.

Mussels are actually very high in vitamin B12. You need this vitamin to keep red blood cells healthy in the body. Another great benefit of consuming mussels is that they might prevent or relieve symptoms of autoimmune diseases, depending on how much you eat on a diet.

#15 Octopus

Octopus may not be popular in terms of everyday meals, but eating grilled octopus on special occasions could change your taste buds. The slightly smoky flavor is supposed to enhance the food it’s served with, so you could try to add crispy octopus to pan-fried vegetables. 

There are 2.2 grams of carbs per 100 grams of octopus. This is a very small amount that can suit keto dieters on their low-carb meal plan. A simple way of cooking octopus is by trickling some olive oil over it and then boiling it for up to 60 minutes, with regular check-ins.

If you didn’t know already, octopus contains an outstanding omega-3 profile. The body needs these important fatty acids to regulate blood clotting and strengthen artery walls.

#16 Squid

Squid is similar to an octopus in terms of its tentacles and taste. However, it contains more carbs and protein. There are 3.08 grams of net carbs and 15.6 grams of protein in 100 grams of squid, making this seafood great for people who are training their muscles.

Some key minerals in squid comprise phosphorus, copper, iron, and potassium. A study found that consuming phosphorus may decrease your body weight over 12 weeks. If you want to see more noticeable results on the keto diet, consider eating more seafood like squid.

#17 Abalone

Abalone is another type of mollusk that closely relates to large snails. People claim this food to have a sweet buttery finish, like oysters. Even though oysters contain some carbs, abalone rises to the top of the list, with 6.01 grams of carbs per 100 grams of abalone.

Of course, this might seem like a lot, but you only need half of that amount in each meal. The keto diet is all about limiting carbs as much as possible, not removing them completely. Just monitor how much abalone you eat and aim to write down your macros every day. 

#18 Eel

Eels are ray-finned fish that taste similar to Atlantic salmon and other types of fatty fish. It contains calcium, manganese, and vitamin D. Calcium is a very important nutrient that helps muscles to contract, maintains normal heart rhythm, and supports bone development.

Luckily, eels don’t contain any net carbohydrates. This makes it easier for you to cook eel-based meals without thinking about counting carbs. One study found that people who consumed fish like eel gained the best sources of protein, fats, and vitamins for their current diet. 

#19 Snapper

The snapper fish has a firm texture and nutty flavor. 

You can prepare pan-fried meals using this fish or simply grill it with other keto-appropriate vegetables. Luckily, the carbs are non-existent, so you can enjoy the milder flavor in grilled salads or even high-fat stews.

Some excellent benefits of snapper comprise better weight management and stronger heart function. People trying to lose extra weight on the keto diet can enjoy snapper fish due to its high potassium content – a mineral that naturally boosts the metabolism.

#20 Mackerel

Mackerel is actually a popular fish that holds the best source of omega-3s. Atlantic mackerel has 0 net carbs, making it great for the ketogenic diet. Some people report that this fish has a smoky, grilled taste, which may suit those who prefer fish without salty remnants.

You can find minerals like vitamin D, iodine, and selenium in Atlantic mackerel. Iodine serves an important role in maintaining good thyroid functions. Since the thyroid releases thyroxine, your body can burn more calories throughout the day to sustain high energy levels.

#21 Sardines

Sardines are small, oily fish that are usually sold in canned form. Surprisingly, they don’t contain any carbs, especially when soaked in oil. However, it’s important to note that sardines have more calories compared to other seafood, so keep that in mind when losing weight.

If you need more vitamins in your diet, eating sardines is the way to go. They contain vitamin D and vitamin B12, which are key to strengthening your organs. For example, vitamin B12 supports blood cell formation in the organs, while vitamin D is required to repair and build healthy bones.

FAQs

Conclusion

So, have you found the right keto seafood for your dishes?

Finding seafood-based meals shouldn’t be an intimidating task for keto dieters. Looking at the list, you can slowly add more options to your grocery list every week. Remember, eating fish is highly recommended when losing weight, as this food has a very low-carb content.