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Keto Chayote Gratin Recipe – Cheesy Low Carb Gratin!

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Firstly, I’m not sure whether to call this a Chayote Gratin or a Scalloped Chayote. You can tell me in the comments which one this recipe fits better.

What I can tell you is that this is the perfect low-carb gratin to satisfy your rich potato side dish cravings! I’ve been experimenting a lot lately with chayote squash recipes and this is a favorite so far.

It’s cheesy and creamy and satisfy that craving for a rich side dish you’d typically make at holiday dinners or on Sundays occasionally.

Related: My Fool-Proof Method of Getting into Ketosis in 24 Hours

Chayote Squash

Chayote, also called Christophene in some Caribbean countries and actually referred to as cho-cho in Jamaica, is a member of the squash family. It’s pear-shaped with sometimes prickly skin and has a seed inside, which technically makes it a fruit.

Chayote squashPin

Like I said, sometimes prickly, sometimes not. Go figure. They’re typically used in soups and I was absolutely not a fan. The flavor is slightly bitter in a soup or liquid stew.

However, I’ve seen them used on Instagram in a number of stir-fry dishes and even as a dupe for apple pie, and I figured I’d give it another try since it’s so inexpensive and so widely available.

The texture is very similar to that of an American pear or an apple, and I can see how it would work well as a swap for potatoes.

Related: If you’re not losing weight on the keto diet, this may be the biggest reason why.

Chayote Stir-Fry

This delicious low carb gratin will blow you away. It's one of my favorite chayote recipes. If you've never worked with chayote squash, there's also a great chayote stir-fry recipe included. Also known as Christophene, this amazing fruit is the perfect keto gratin swap for potatoes! #ketorecipes #chayoterecipes #ketodiet #keto #lowcarbPin

I first tried it out in a simple stir-fry. To prepare your chayote, peel it if it’s prickly, or just wash it well and deseed it. Slice it thinly and add it to a pan with garlic and coconut oil.

It was delicious this way, with salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder added. I paired it with the curry chicken above, and it was the perfect potato dupe. It absorbed my curry gravy and gave me the comforting mouthfeel I am used to when eating curry with rice, potatoes, or roti.

After trying it a few times like this, I was ready for a fancier dish, like this chayote gratin.

What You Need to Make Chayote Gratin

Here is a list of the ingredients required to make this delicious chayote gratin.

  • 4 chayotes peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 3 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 1 tbsp Badia Complete Seasoning
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp bone broth or stock
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella shredded, divided

How to Make Chayote Gratin

  1. Heat oven to 350° F
  2. Add garlic and onion to coconut oil and melted butter over medium heat. Cook for 30 seconds till onions are soft
  3. Add heavy cream and Badia Complete Seasoning to the pan. Add any other seasonings at this point as well. 
  4. Add cheddar cheese and half of the mozzarella
  5. Add in your chayote. If the sauce is too thick, add bone broth or stock.
  6. Bake for 40 minutes, then add the remaining mozzarella to the top of the pan and broil for an additional 5 minutes. Enjoy!

What to Serve Chayote Gratin With

This delicious chayote gratin will go with anything, but here are a few options for you!

Chayote gratin baked in a dutch oven. This delicious low carb gratin will blow you away. It's one of my favorite chayote recipes. If you've never worked with chayote squash, there's also a great chayote stir-fry recipe included. Also known as Christophene, this amazing fruit is the perfect keto gratin swap for potatoes! #ketorecipes #chayoterecipes #ketodiet #keto #lowcarbPin

I decided to try it in a gratin dish. Or is it scalloped? Do you need to blend out the veggies/potatoes to make it a chayote gratin? Whatever the case, I sliced up my chayotes thinly and got started.

Next, get some garlic and onions going in coconut oil and butter.

I added my heavy cream and loads of seasonings, then my cheese to make the sauce. Then dumped my chayotes in. I think next time I will sautee them over high heat first or grill them up to get a nice char on them before this step. I can see that adding an awesome layer of flavor.

If your sauce is too thick, add a bit of stock or bone broth to it, but not too much since the chayotes will spring a bit of their own liquids while baking.

I put the whole pot in the oven since I was using my favorite dutchie, but you can also transfer it to a glass pan at this stage and place it in a 350° oven.

I added cheese to the top and placed it under the broiler for the last 5 minutes to get that perfect top.

So how was it? Delicious!!!! I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this chayote gratin dish. It was rich, creamy, and so satisfying.

I wasn’t the only one singing its praises. All other carby members of my household, including my kiddo, enjoyed every last bite. It’s definitely a winner and a recipe you MUST try.

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Chayote Gratin

The perfect low carb gratin recipe for keto-dieters who are tired of cauliflower everything. 
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6
Calories: 261kcal
Author: Iva Ursano

Ingredients

  • 4 chayotes peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 3 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 1 tbsp Badia Complete Seasoning
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp bone broth or stock
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella shredded, divided

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees F
  • Add garlic and onion to coconut oil and melted butter over medium heat. Cook for 30 seconds till onions are soft
  • Add heavy cream and Badia Complete Seasoning to pan. Add any other seasonings at this point as well. 
  • Add cheddar cheese and half of the mozzarella
  • Add in your chayote. If sauce is too thick, add bone broth or stock.
  • Bake for 40 minutes then add remaining mozzarella to top of pan and broil for an additional 5 minutes. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 01 | Calories: 261kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 265mg | Potassium: 181mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 665IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 261mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Here it is served with Rosemary Pork Chops and steamed, buttery greens.

If this recipe intrigues you, please save it to Pinterest to try later! Let me know if you try it and how it turns out for you.

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2 Comments

  1. Nancy Ruth says:

    I made this tonight and it was delicious! My husband was so excited to have something so similar to a potato dish to go with our pork tenderloin. The sauce is very cheesy and thick and yummy! I baked mine for an extra 10 minutes to get the chayote more tender. This is definitely on my list of go-to recipes for both its flavor and easy preparation.

  2. Chayote one of the best organic vegetable grown in Darjeeling Hills. Locally called as Iskush in nepali language. Not only good to eat but it has lots of health benefits. We not only prepare as curry but sometimes prepared as chayote Dumplings one of the favourite delicacy of hills we can say it.

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