Steakhouses are keto heaven — and LongHorn Steakhouse is no exception. Grilled protein, butter, and green vegetables are the backbone of low-carb eating, and a menu built around hand-cut steaks is one of the easiest in America to order from. The trick is knowing which items to pick, which sides to swap, and which sneaky carbs to dodge. This 2026 guide covers the best keto entrées, friendly appetizers, safe sides, items to skip, and ordering tips that keep your meal under ~20g of net carbs.
Why LongHorn Works So Well for Keto
Almost every protein on the menu is grilled over an open flame with simple seasoning — no hidden breading, no mystery sauces baked in. Steaks are naturally zero-carb, grilled chicken and salmon need only minor tweaks, and LongHorn lets you swap sides freely, so the default baked potato never has to touch your plate. The one thing to watch: signature touches like Parmesan crusts and sweet glazes. Most are avoidable with a two-second request.
Best Keto Entrées at LongHorn
Every steak on the menu is keto-friendly when ordered plain. These are the standouts for flavor and value:
- Flo’s Filet: The leanest premium cut — naturally near-zero carb. Ask for butter instead of any finishing sauce.
- Ribeye / Outlaw Ribeye: High fat makes the ribeye the most keto-aligned cut of all — fat is your fuel on low carb.
- New York Strip: Beefy flavor, good marbling, fair price. Our cut-by-cut breakdown is in the LongHorn steak guide.
- Porterhouse for Two: Split it to keep the per-person cost down — filet tenderness and strip flavor in one plate.
- Renegade Sirloin / Top Sirloin: The budget keto pick. Sirloin is leaner, so add butter or grilled mushrooms to bring the fat back up.
- Grilled Chicken & Salmon: Order plain — skip the Parmesan crust (it contains breadcrumbs) and sweet glazes like the strawberry pecan topping.
- Redrock Grilled Shrimp: Naturally low carb; confirm no sugary glaze and ask for grilled, not fried.
Keto-Friendly Appetizers (Yes, a Few Exist)
Appetizers are the danger zone at most restaurants, but LongHorn has a few safe plays:
- Seasoned Steakhouse Wings: Order grilled with dry seasoning — no breading, no sweet sauce. Pick butter-based or hot sauce over BBQ.
- Grilled Wild West Shrimp: The fried version is a carb bomb, but grilled skewers keep it low carb. Specify grilled when you order.
- White Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms: Mushrooms and cheese are naturally low carb — just check the stuffing isn’t breadcrumb-heavy.
- Side salads as a starter: A chopped or Caesar salad (no croutons, dressing on the side) works as a shared starter. See our salads guide.
Skip the Texas Tonion (battered and fried), the Firecracker Chicken Wraps (tortilla + breading), and the spinach dip if it arrives with chips or bread — the dip itself is fine, the vehicles are not.
Low-Carb Sides: What to Swap In
This is where keto orders are won or lost. LongHorn’s default sides lean starchy (baked potato, fries, mac & cheese), so swap them out for these:
- Fresh Steamed Broccoli — the classic keto side; ask for butter on top.
- Fire-Grilled Brussels Sprouts — caramelized and satisfying; confirm no sweet glaze.
- Parmesan-Crusted Asparagus — naturally low carb and one of the best sides on the menu.
- Grilled Mushrooms — buttery, savory, and nearly zero carb.
- Side Salad / Steakhouse Greens — with ranch, blue cheese, or oil and vinegar instead of sweet dressings.
- Double veggies: Most servers will happily substitute two vegetable sides for the potato at no extra charge — just ask.
Our full side-dish breakdown with prices and calories is in the LongHorn sides menu guide.
What to Avoid on Keto at LongHorn
- The bread basket: The famous honey wheat bread is delicious and roughly 25–30g of carbs per roll. Ask your server to skip it or you’ll be tempted.
- Anything “crispy,” “breaded,” or “fried”: Crispy chicken, fried shrimp, onion straws — all breaded.
- Sweet sauces and glazes: BBQ sauce, teriyaki-style glazes, strawberry toppings, and honey-based dressings can add 10–20g of sugar each.
- Starchy sides: Baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, fries, rice pilaf, and mac & cheese are all out.
- Desserts: Even sharing, the Chocolate Stampede or Molten Lava Cake will blow a day’s carb budget. If you need a sweet finish, fresh berries with whipped cream (if available) is the only realistic play.
- Sugary drinks: Margaritas, sangria, and sweet tea are carb-heavy. Stick with water, unsweet tea, or a spirit with soda — see our drinks guide.
How to Order Keto at LongHorn
You don’t need to announce “I’m keto” — these simple requests get you a perfect low-carb plate:
- “Grilled, no breading, no glaze” — covers chicken, shrimp, and salmon in one sentence.
- “Sauce on the side, please” — lets you control exactly how much touches your food.
- “Can I swap the potato for double broccoli?” — servers hear this constantly and almost always say yes.
- “Extra butter instead of the sauce” — butter is keto gold and the kitchen always has it.
- “Dressing on the side, no croutons” — the two salad tweaks that matter.
- “Skip the bread basket, thanks” — say it when you’re seated, before temptation arrives.
Ordering at lunch is even easier on the wallet: smaller portions mean smaller bills, and lunch-sized steaks and salads are naturally portion-controlled for keto macros.
Sample Keto Orders (Rough Carb Estimates)
Net carb counts are estimates based on typical preparations — recipes vary by location, so confirm with your server:
- The classic: 8 oz Renegade Sirloin + double steamed broccoli + side salad with ranch — roughly 8–12g net carbs.
- The indulgent: Outlaw Ribeye + grilled asparagus + grilled mushrooms with extra butter — roughly 6–10g net carbs.
Pair any of these with a happy hour visit for one of the cheapest keto restaurant meals in town.
FAQs: Keto at LongHorn Steakhouse
Is LongHorn Steakhouse good for keto?
Yes — it’s one of the most keto-friendly chain restaurants. Grilled steaks, chicken, salmon, and shrimp are naturally low carb, and you can swap starchy sides for vegetables. Just avoid breaded items, sweet sauces, and the bread basket.
What is the lowest-carb steak at LongHorn?
Any plain grilled steak is effectively zero carb. The ribeye is the best keto choice overall because its higher fat content fits keto macros better than leaner cuts like filet or sirloin.
Can I get bunless burgers or lettuce wraps at LongHorn?
Yes — order any burger or chicken sandwich without the bun (most locations will serve it over lettuce or on a plate with your chosen sides). See our burgers & sandwiches guide for the full handheld lineup.
Are LongHorn’s grilled vegetables keto?
Broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, and side salads are all keto-friendly. Ask for no sweet glazes and add butter — and skip the corn, which is higher in carbs.
This is an unofficial fan guide — menulonghorn.com is not affiliated with LongHorn Steakhouse or Darden Restaurants. Menu items, preparations, and nutrition values vary by location and change over time; always confirm with your server. Prices shown are typical 2026 ranges, not guarantees.
