KETO LOW-CARB CAJUN TURKEY THIGHS (HEART HEALTHY)
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I think you’re going to enjoy these Keto Low-Carb Cajun Turkey Thighs! On a regular basis Shawn and I eat turkey thighs when available at our local supermarket. Sometimes we enjoy a traditional turkey dinner, complete with gravy and grain free stuffing. Other times I throw the thighs in the crock pot with compliant BBQ sauce. I also like to try new dry seasonings to spice things up.
We love the dark meat and even the crispy skin. Often times we’ll enjoy the thighs with a vegetable like broccoli or cauliflower. I’m always trying new sauces and seasonings. This time I decided to make a breading with Cajun spice.
For this recipe I combined almond flour with the Cajun spice to act like a shake n bake coating. The coating was delicious, crisp, hot and spicy. This coating also allowed the thighs to retain most of their juices. As a result the turkey was incredibly tender.
You can adjust the cayenne spice and chili flakes to your liking. In my recipe the heat is quite forward, making your forehead sweat! We like spicy!
WHAT IS THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF KETO LOW-CARB CAJUN TURKEY THIGHS?
These Keto Low-Carb Cajun Turkey Thighs are a great source of lean protein and also provide a range of essential vitamins and minerals. A 3-ounce serving of meat provides about 19 grams of protein, which is an important nutrient for building and repairing muscles, bones, and other tissues. Turkey thighs are also low in fat, particularly saturated fat, which makes them a healthier choice compared to other types of meat, especially if you’re caring for your heart.
WHAT IS THE RECIPE TASTE PROFILE OF KETO LOW-CARB CAJUN TURKEY THIGHS?
While there is some fattiness in dark meat, the primary flavour of these Keto Low-Carb Cajun Turkey Thighs come from the Cajun seasoning. This seasoning mix has predominant heat and spice from the cayenne and chili flakes, along with the flavour from the spices. Some herbal tones from the oregano and thyme, along with a depth of flavour from the garlic and onion powders.
WHAT WINE HARMONIZES WITH KETO LOW-CARB CAJUN TURKEY THIGHS?
The predominant flavor sensation of these Keto Low-Carb Cajun Turkey Thighs is heat and spiciness due to the cayenne and chili flakes. For this reason, you need a white wine with plenty of sweetness to match. In following a Keto diet or in living a low-carb lifestyle, we don’t want to use up your carbs on a glass of wine. You have a couple of options. Drink whatever wine you like (as long as it’s bone dry) and don’t worry about pairing the wine to dish. Enjoy your wine the way you like it. If you like to create harmony between the wine and the food, you’ll need some sweetness in the wine to offset the heat and spice. Add a pinch of stevia or monk fruit sweetener to your glass of wine. Choose a white like Riesling or Gewurztraminer or a pink rose. These varieties taste great when bone dry or sweet. So they taste great with the added sweetener. The wine’s sweetness will nicely offset the heat and spice.
WINE TIPS:
ALCOHOL AND KETOSIS:
To support your Keto diet or low-carb lifestyle, opt for quality, non-alcoholic wines that are low-carb and low in sugar. Additionally, alcohol does not align with a keto diet or low-carb lifestyle. Moreover, your liver processes alcohol before nutrients, pausing ketone creation and slowing the ketosis process. Furthermore, your body will metabolize alcohol as fuel before utilizing food, which can decelerate fat burning and may lead to the storage of carbs, fat, and protein as excess body fat. Moreover, alcohol consumption stimulates the appetite, potentially causing overeating.
ALCOHOL AND HEALTH:
Did you know that when you consume alcohol, your liver has to work extra hard to break it down? This can result in damage to your liver. Furthermore, it can elevate your risk of health issues such as inflammation and cancer, particularly with heavy consumption. Additionally, alcohol can disrupt your blood sugar levels, leaving you feeling dehydrated and disrupting your body’s normal functions.
NON-ALCOHOLIC WINE AND HEALTH BENEFITS:
Non-alcoholic wines with minimal carbs and sugar are advantageous for your health. They not only aid in weight management, blood sugar control, and hydration but also contain essential nutrients and antioxidants from grapes that can decrease your risk of health conditions like heart disease. Consequently, since they lack alcohol, they’re ideal for socializing without any adverse effects, promoting feelings of happiness and reduced stress.
WHAT OTHER KETO LOW-CARB HEALTHY HEART RECIPES CAN YOU ENJOY?
KETO LOW-CARB HAM & MUSHROOM EGG FOO YOUNG
Montreal Strip Loin (Healthy Heart)
Hamburger Buns (Healthy Heart)
Stuffed Pork Chops (Heart Healthy)
Bacon-Wrapped Salmon Asparagus (Heart Healthy)
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU NEED TO PREPARE THIS RECIPE?
Equipment Needed:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Non-stick cooking spray
- Bowl for mixing coating
- Paper towels
- Oven or air-fryer
- Thermometer
HOW DO YOU PREPARE KETO LOW-CARB CAJUN TURKEY THIGHS?
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. (I like to add non-stick cooking spray to the pan before adding the parchment. The spray helps to hold down the parchment and it also makes clean up a lot easier.)
Dry thighs on paper towel. Get Cajun breadcrumbs ready. Pour olive oil into bowl.
Mix almond flour with Cajun spice. Coat thighs in olive oil then dredge in Cajun coating. Set on parchment.
Bake at 350 F for about 50 minutes until turkey reaches 165 F and juices run clear. Let sit for a few minutes before serving.
KETO CAJUN TURKEY THIGHS
- Total Time: 55 to 60
- Yield: 4 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Try these delicious Keto Cajun Turkey Thighs! A crispy, spicy recipe satisfying your taste buds, especially paired with non alcoholic wine!
Ingredients
8 bone-in turkey thighs (2 per person)
Coating:
1 cup almond flour
1/4 cup Cajun Spice Mix*
1/4 cup olive oil
Instructions
- *Keto Low-Carb Salt-free Sugar-Free Cajun Seasoning
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Or preheat air-fryer.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- (I like to add non-stick cooking spray to the pan before adding the parchment. The spray helps to hold down the parchment and it also makes clean up a lot easier.).
- Dry thighs on a paper towel. Set aside.
- In a bowl combine almond flour and Cajun spice mix to make a coating mix.
- Stir to mix well.
- Dip turkey thigh in olive oil and then dredge in coating mix on all sides, top, and bottom. Set thigh on parchment and repeat process for all thighs.
- Bake for 50 minutes or until turkey juices run clear and temperature (with thermometer) reaches 165 F. Or air-fry at 400F for a half hour until juices run clear. Remove from oven. Let sit for 5 minutes. Enjoy!
Notes
- The recipe is based on the keto version and is approximate only. One serving has only 7 grams of sugar for 2 turkey thighs. The net carbs are less important as the natural sweetener has carbs that we don’t count since our body does not absorb them as sugar. In any case, the net carbs per serving (2 thighs) is 18.9
- (Note: The nutritional information provided is a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the nutritional accuracy of any recipe on this site. We cannot know what brands you use or how accurately you follow the recipe or what you like to add creatively to the dish. Use the information as a general guideline only.)
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 50
- Category: KETO LOW-CARB
- Method: ROASTING
- Cuisine: LUNCH, BRUNCH, DINNER
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 (2 thighs)
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 40
- Cholesterol: 200
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