The Ultimate Keto Grocery List (What I Keep in My Pantry)

This page may contain affiliate links. This means at no additional cost to you we may receive a commission if you purchase a product from one of our links. We only recommend products we love.

Are you ready for a super-stocked keto pantry? This is my “mega list” of the groceries that helped me be successful eating keto.

I’ve linked as many items as I could so you can see exactly what I mean. You can buy from the links or shop around. Prices vary a lot, and many of these are in your local grocery store.

Meat, eggs and dairy

• Meat: chicken, beef, pork, fish, bacon, sausage. Watch deli meats; many have added cornstarch or sugar.
• Eggs
• Heavy cream
• Butter
• Sour cream (full fat)
• Cream cheese
• Cheese: mozzarella and cheddar show up in a lot of recipes; cheese sticks are great for snacking.
• Rotisserie chicken: Costco’s makes a yummy chicken broth too.

Fats and oils

• Ghee: clarified butter with a higher smoke point for frying
• Refined coconut oil: works for recipes and frying without a coconut aftertaste

Baking basics

• Almond flour (blanched)
• Coconut flour
• Golden flax seed: buy whole seeds and grind them in a clean coffee grinder as needed so they don’t go rancid
• Whole psyllium husk
• Xanthan gum
• Baking powder
• Unflavored gelatin
• Lily’s chocolate chips

Sweeteners

I like Swerve (erythritol); get both confectioners and granular. Sukrin has a good brown sugar alternative. I also use monk fruit, which is milder, and liquid stevia. Stevia can turn bitter if you use too much, so I buy the flavored ones and use less.

• Sugar-free maple syrup: I like Maple Grove Farms; Lakanto makes a monk fruit version.
• Sugar-free jam: Smucker’s strawberry and raspberry. Their orange marmalade is handy for recipes like orange chicken.

Veggies and fruit

• Low-carb veggies: cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, cucumbers, spinach, mini peppers, turnips, radishes. Fresh is nice, but keep some frozen so they’re always on hand.
• Berries: unsweetened frozen is nice since you use so little at a time.
• Canned tomatoes: most spaghetti sauce has added sugar (except Rao’s, which is pricey), so I keep tomatoes on hand to make my own marinara.

Snacks, drinks and extras

• Pickles: a great go-to snack (check sweet pickles for sugar)
• Sugar-free peanut or almond butter: buy small jars; a little goes a long way.
• Sugar-free dressing: Walden Farms is decent, or use full-fat ranch.
• Sugar-free pudding mix: stir a little into whipped cream for a treat.
• Sugar-free Jell-O: my go-to when I want something sweet.
• Chicken and beef broth: helpful in the first couple of weeks and great for recipes.
• Himalayan salt: you’ll use more salt on keto.
• Sugar-free water flavors: I like MiO to break up the monotony of water.
• Zipfizz: a sugar-free drink mix I like (a multivitamin is another option; ask your doctor).

There’s always more you can add. If something you love for keto is missing, let me know in the comments and I’ll add it!

Frequently asked questions

What should a beginner buy for keto?

Start with meat, eggs, butter, heavy cream, cheese, a few low-carb vegetables and salt. You can add almond flour and sweeteners later if you want to bake.

Are deli meats keto?

Some are, but many have added sugar or cornstarch. Read the label and pick ones with zero or very low carbs.

What sweetener is best for keto?

I like erythritol (Swerve) for baking, plus monk fruit and flavored liquid stevia. Try a few and see which taste you like best.

How can I do keto on a budget?

Stick to basics like eggs, ground beef, chicken thighs, cabbage and frozen veggies, and skip most specialty keto products. Rotisserie chicken is a cheap, easy meal.

Your next step

• What Day 1 on keto really looks like
• 8 things to track from the start
• Going carnivore instead? Get my free 7-day carnivore plan with a shopping list.

This post contains affiliate links; I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I’m a mom sharing what worked for me, not a doctor. Please talk with your doctor before changing how you eat.