Keto Restaurant Guide
Keto at Applebee's
Applebee's is a grill-and-bar menu, which means there is always a grilled protein you can build a keto meal around. The steaks, grilled chicken, salmon, and burger patties are all keto-friendly. The carbs are in the fries, the breaded appetizers, the bread, the pasta, and the sweet sauces and cocktails.
The universal sit-down tactic applies: pass on the bread, choose a grilled protein, and pair it with a salad or non-starchy vegetables. Watch glazes and sweet sauces on the proteins, and skip the signature cocktails, which are mostly sugar.
Built by Barron Hansen · Last updated June 2026
Best keto options
A plain grilled steak is essentially carb-free. Ask for vegetables or a salad in place of the potato.
Order it grilled and plain, and watch for sweet glazes. Pair with a crouton-free salad.
Low carb and high in fat. One of the most reliable keto entrees on the menu.
A grilled patty with cheese and low-carb toppings. Hold the bun and any sweet sauce.
Skip the croutons and choose a low-sugar dressing. Caesar without croutons is a solid low-carb side.
| Item | Net carbs | Why / how |
|---|---|---|
| Grilled steak | ~1g | A plain grilled steak is essentially carb-free. Ask for vegetables or a salad in place of the potato. |
| Grilled chicken | ~2g | Order it grilled and plain, and watch for sweet glazes. Pair with a crouton-free salad. |
| Grilled salmon | ~1g | Low carb and high in fat. One of the most reliable keto entrees on the menu. |
| Burger, no bun | ~3g | A grilled patty with cheese and low-carb toppings. Hold the bun and any sweet sauce. |
| Side salad or Caesar, no croutons | ~5g | Skip the croutons and choose a low-sugar dressing. Caesar without croutons is a solid low-carb side. |
Order with care
Fried potato with no keto version. Swap for a side salad or steamed vegetables.
Breaded, fried appetizers are carb-heavy. Order grilled wings or a salad to start instead.
The bread basket adds carbs before the meal even starts. Ask the server to skip it.
Any pasta entree runs 70g or more net carbs. Choose a grilled protein instead.
Signature cocktails and frozen drinks are mostly sugar. Stick to water, tea, or a spirit with soda water.
| Item | Net carbs | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Fries | ~45g | Fried potato with no keto version. Swap for a side salad or steamed vegetables. |
| Mozzarella sticks and breaded apps | ~40g | Breaded, fried appetizers are carb-heavy. Order grilled wings or a salad to start instead. |
| Bread and dinner rolls | ~25g | The bread basket adds carbs before the meal even starts. Ask the server to skip it. |
| Pasta dishes | ~70g | Any pasta entree runs 70g or more net carbs. Choose a grilled protein instead. |
| Sweet cocktails | ~30g | Signature cocktails and frozen drinks are mostly sugar. Stick to water, tea, or a spirit with soda water. |
How to order keto at Applebee's
- Ask the server to skip the bread, and order a grilled protein as the centerpiece.
- Choose steak, grilled chicken, or salmon, and ask for vegetables or a salad instead of fries.
- Get any salad without croutons and use a low-sugar dressing like ranch or oil and vinegar.
- Watch for sweet glazes and barbecue sauces on chicken and ask for them on the side or left off.
- Drink water, unsweetened tea, or a spirit with soda water rather than the sweet signature cocktails.
Nutrition and menus vary by location and change over time. The figures here are approximate, rounded from published nutrition data, and meant as a starting point. Always check current nutrition information with Applebee's before you order, especially for sauces, dressings, and seasonal items.