Keto Dining at LongHorn
For those following a ketogenic or strict low-carb diet, finding compliant meals at restaurants can be challenging. Fortunately, **LongHorn Steakhouse** (see the main LongHorn Menu with Prices directory) is one of the most keto-friendly chains in America. Because their primary cooking style relies on flat-top searing and open-flame char-grilling of fresh meats, you can easily enjoy high-protein, high-fat meals with virtually zero carbs.
However, hidden sugars in marinades, glazes, and seasonings can easily kick you out of ketosis. In this comprehensive guide, **Chef Marcus Vance** breaks down the exact macros of major steak cuts, lists keto-approved sides and dressings, and reveals crucial order hacks to keep your meal strictly keto-compliant.
1. Steak Cuts & Macro Breakdown
Unseasoned beef contains zero carbs. At LongHorn, steaks are seasoned with proprietary spice rubs before cooking. Most standard dry rubs contain negligible carbs, but if you want to be 100% safe, you can request your steak to be basted with butter and seasoned with salt and black pepper only.
Here are the macro estimates for LongHorn's signature cuts (ordered with standard seasoning and no carb-heavy sauces):
| Steak Cut | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Net Carbs (g) | Chef's Keto Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flo's Filet (6 oz) | 46g | 9g | <1g | ★★★★★ (Lean & Tender) |
| Outlaw Ribeye (20 oz) | 125g | 85g | <1g | ★★★★★ (Keto Gold Standard) |
| Renegade Sirloin (8 oz) | 46g | 20g | <1g | ★★★★☆ (Excellent Value) |
| Ribeye Steak (12 oz) | 72g | 54g | <1g | ★★★★★ (High Fat / Flavor) |
| New York Strip (12 oz) | 74g | 32g | <1g | ★★★★☆ (Great Balance) |
| Fire-Grilled T-Bone (18 oz) | 110g | 64g | 1g | ★★★★★ (Huge Portions) |
For a deep dive into how these cuts compare in taste, value, and tenderness, check out our ranked guide to the Best Steaks at LongHorn.
2. Keto-Approved Chicken & Seafood
If you are craving seafood or poultry instead of beef, LongHorn offers excellent high-protein, zero-carb selections. Be sure to request that these dishes be served without high-carb grains like rice pilaf:
- LongHorn Salmon (0g Net Carbs): Fresh Atlantic salmon grilled to a flaky finish. Order it basted with butter instead of sweet glaze, and swap the standard rice pilaf for steamed broccoli.
- Redrock Grilled Shrimp (0g Net Carbs): Grilled shrimp skewers served with garlic butter. Ensure you substitute the rice bed for low-carb green veggies.
- Parmesan Crusted Chicken (Modified): Ask to remove the breadcrumbs from the Parmesan crust. The cheese, provolone, and ranch spread topping are completely keto-friendly.
To view pricing for these entrees, you can check the complete LongHorn Dinner Menu.
3. Keto-Friendly Sides & Customizations
Standard steak entrees come with two sides. To keep your meal low-carb, bypass the baked potato, sweet potato, fries, and rice pilaf, and request these vegetable sides instead:
- Fresh Steamed Broccoli (~2g Net Carbs): Lightly steamed broccoli crowns. Ask for extra melted butter on top to boost healthy fats.
- Fresh Steamed Asparagus (~2g Net Carbs): Fresh asparagus spears steamed or lightly grilled.
- Side House Salad (~2g Net Carbs): A crisp blend of greens. **Crucial Rule:** Request it without croutons, tomatoes, or carrots.
- Side Caesar Salad (~1g Net Carbs): Chopped romaine with Caesar dressing and parmesan cheese. **Crucial Rule:** Order it without croutons.
For full details on vegetables, calories, and nutritional listings, check out our comprehensive LongHorn Nutrition Guide.
4. Keto Salad Dressings
Salad dressings are notorious for containing hidden sugars. Keep your salads keto-compliant by choosing these creamy, high-fat, low-carb dressings:
- Oil & Vinegar (0g Net Carbs): The safest, most natural keto dressing.
- Blue Cheese Dressing (1g Net Carbs): Rich, creamy, and high in fats.
- Caesar Dressing (1g Net Carbs): Creamy garlic, anchovy, and parmesan base.
- Ranch Dressing (2g Net Carbs): Classic buttermilk ranch.
AVOID: Honey Mustard (11g carbs), Raspberry Vinaigrette (13g carbs), and French Vinaigrette (7g carbs) as they are loaded with sugars.
5. High-Carb Pitfalls to Avoid
To prevent accidentally kicking yourself out of ketosis, make sure you watch out for these high-carb traps:
- Complimentary Bread Loaf: LongHorn serves warm, sweet Honey Wheat Bread before the meal. **A single slice contains over 15g of carbs**. Simply ask your server to bypass the bread basket entirely.
- Sugary Steamed Veggie Seasonings: Some vegetable sides are tossed in seasoning blends that contain sugar. Always request veggies "plain steamed with butter only".
- Steak Glazes & Sauces: Avoid the Sweet Spicy Chicken Glaze, BBQ sauces, and Steak Sauce (e.g. A.1.) which have high fructose corn syrup.
6. Chef Marcus Vance's Keto Order Hacks
Use these specific ordering templates next time you visit a LongHorn Steakhouse to guarantee a premium keto experience:
The Ultimate Keto Order Script:
"I'll have the 20-ounce **Outlaw Ribeye** medium-rare. Instead of the baked potato and rice, could I get a **double order of steamed broccoli** basted with extra butter, and a **Side House Salad with no croutons, tomatoes, or carrots, with Blue Cheese dressing on the side**?"
Additionally, if you are dining during lunch hours, check out our middaycombos guide on LongHorn Lunch Deals. You can also save on your steakhouse meals using active coupon discounts detailed on our LongHorn Deals page.
Ready to explore the rest of our articles? Return to the central Steakhouse Dining Blog.