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Braciole is one of my favorite dishes from my childhood. I remember my grandmother making it all the time and since I started cooking, I've been making it too.
When I began my journey on Keto, I was determined to find a low carb version. And with just a few substitutions, I did just that, it has all the traditional Italian flavors without all the carbs!
As this Keto Italian dish begins to cooks, your house will smell like an Italian kitchen on a Sunday afternoon!
What's in Low Carb Beef Braciole
- Top round roast
- Crushed tomatoes
- Garlic cloves
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil
- Fresh parsley
- Pignoli/pine nuts, toasted
- White wine (I use Pinot Grigio)
- Zucchini, spiralized
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
How to Make Keto Italian Braciole
Lay out the thinly sliced pieces of the roast and sprinkle the parmesan, basil, parsley, pignoli, garlic, salt and pepper over the top of each piece.
Roll each one up and secure closed with a toothpick (or kitchen twine).
Heat the olive oil in a pot and brown the braciole.
Once browned, remove from the pot and set aside.
Add in the garlic and sauté for 20 seconds, careful not to burn it or it will become bitter.
Add in the white wine to deglaze the pan, be sure to scrape up the brown bits!
Add in the crushed tomatoes, remain parsley and basil (reserving a little basil for garnish), salt and pepper and mix.
Add back in the braciole and simmer on medium low, partially covered, for about an hour or until tender. Stirring occasionally to scrap up any bits that are settling on the bottom.
Spirals the zucchini using a spiralizer, and heat in the microwave for 45 seconds. Add ¼ - ½ cup of sauce over the top and toss to combine.
Slice the braciole into pinwheels and lay over the top. Garnish with grated parmesan and basil.
Variations of Beef Braciole
Just like with a lot of Italian food, there're some strong opinions about how to make authentic braciole. The way that's correct usually boils down to the way grandma used to make it! That usually settles any argument, right?
In some Italian homes, the size of braciole is made using one large, sheet pan size piece of meat, tied into one big roll that resembles a large roast. Where in Sicily, they cut beef, or other cuts of meat, into tiny hors-d'oeurve size pieces that can be served on tooth picks.
Even the spelling of "braciole" is somewhat a controversy, as some spell it, "braciola." Which one is correct? Well, they both are! "Brociola," is the way you'd spell one large roll. "Brociole," as in this recipe, is when you have more than one, so it's the plural of Brociola.
One thing everyone agrees on is that it's a delicious and hearty recipe!
What Cut of Beef is Used in Braciole?
Most traditional beef braciola recipes use top round, but you can easily use bottom round or rump. You can also use veal or pork cutlets and get a really nice result. In Sicily, fish is often used to make braciole.
The key to really good braciole is regardless of the meat you use, make sure you pound it out well before wrapping it. This ensures the meat will be tender and cooks evenly.
What do I Serve with Beef Braciole
This recipe uses spiralized zucchini noodles, but you can use Palmini noodles or cauliflower rice.
These Italian Bread Sticks served a long side of the braciole rounds out a perfect low carb meal.
Is Beef Braciole Keto?
Traditional Italian braciola uses bread crumbs which really drives up the carb count. They are completely omitted in this recipe, but pork panko can serve as a substitute if you choose to use it. It's absolutely delicious just skipping them all together though.
What are the Carbs in Beef Braciole?
Beef braciola is very low in carbs because it's mostly meat and cheese. But the tomatoes and the veggie you serve it with. When served with zucchini noodles, this Keto Braciole has approximately 4 net carbs per serving. How is that for an entire meal?!
More Keto Italian Recipes
- Keto Italian Meatballs
- Italian Wedding Soup
- Italian Meat Sauce
- Bacon Wrapped Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf
- Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Makes 4-6 Servings
Macros for the 6 Servings of Braciole with ¼ cup of sauce:
Fat 10 grams - Protein 23 grams - Carbs (net) 4 grams
*Please weigh your zucchini and adjust your macros per serving, accordingly.
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Italian Beef Braciole - Keto and Low Carb
Recipe Video
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound top round roast, sliced into 6 very thin pieces
- 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes, lowest carb version
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- ⅓ cup fresh basil, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 tablespoons pignoli, pine nuts, toasted
- ¼ cup white wine, I use Pinot Grigio
- 3-4 medium zucchini, spiralized
INSTRUCTIONS
- Lay out the thinly sliced pieces of the roast and sprinkle the parmesan, basil, parsley, pignoli, garlic, salt and pepper over the top of each piece. Roll each one up and secure closed with a toothpick (or kitchen twine).
- Heat the olive oil in a pot and brown the braciole. Once browned, remove from the pot and set aside. Add in the garlic and sauté for 20 seconds, careful not to burn it or it will become bitter. Add in the white wine to deglaze the pan, be sure to scrape up the brown bits!
- Add in the crushed tomatoes, remain parsley and basil (reserving a little basil for garnish), salt and pepper and mix. Add back in the braciole and simmer on medium low, partially covered, for about an hour or until tender. Stir occasionally.
- Spirals the zucchini using a spiralizer, and heat in the microwave for 45 seconds. Add ¼ - ½ cup of sauce over the top and toss to combine. Slice the braciole into pinwheels and lay over the top. Garnish with grated parmesan and basil.
