Keto Big Mac Burger Salad
Posted: 01/06/22
Updated: 09/12/23
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Our keto Big Mac salad is an easy, homemade, sugar-free version of that classic fast food burger. It’s got all the flavors you know and love from a traditional Big Mac (including a ketofied Big Mac sauce) but with very few carbs and absolutely no added sugars. Skip the drive-thru and opt for this hearty meal instead!
What Makes This Recipe So Good
- This keto Big Mac salad takes all the delicious flavors you love in a classic Big Mac burger and turns them into an easy, delicious salad without all the carbs and added sugars. We even perfected a keto version of the Big Mac sauce, so it really is just like the original!
- Not only is this recipe keto-friendly, but it’s also low in overall carbs, added-sugar free, gluten free, and dairy free (if you use a dairy-free cheddar). If you want to make it meatless, you can swap out the ground beef for a vegetarian alternative, but that will most likely make it not-keto, too.
- It’s great for meal prepping. If you prefer the ground beef warmed, store it separately from the otherwise-prepared salad, and store the dressing separately, too. Warm the meat on the stove or in the microwave when you’re ready to eat it! The salad will keep up to 5 days if refrigerated in an airtight container.
Key Ingredients
Dill Pickles – If you don’t typically get pickles on your Big Mac, you can skip them in your salad. I love the pop of flavor and crisp texture they add, though!
Big Mac Sauce – A Big Mac without Big Mac sauce is just a burger. Same goes for a Big Mac salad! We’ve ketofied the classic Big Mac sauce, keeping all the flavors but ditching all the added sugar. A little Granular Swerve gives the sauce its sweetness but keeps it totally keto-friendly and low-glycemic.
Chef’s Tips
- The sauce is super easy and totally foolproof. If you don’t have Granular Swerve handy, you can replace it with any keto sweetener – powdered, granulated, or liquid. Various sweeteners don’t sub 1-to-1, though, so start with a small amount and taste it as you go, adding more sweetener only if necessary.
- Leaner ground beef will prevent your salad from being greasy and soggy. I recommend using an 85/15 or even a 90/10 mixture.
- The Big Mac sauce will keep up to a week, so refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container and save it to use on a keto burger or with keto chicken tenders.
More Keto Recipes You’ll Enjoy
- Keto Stuffed Peppers
- Whole30 Chicken Burrito Bowls (Keto, Paleo)
- Keto Meatballs and Tomato Sauce
- Creamy Keto Taco Soup
- Everything Bagel Chicken with Scallion Cream Cheese Sauce (Keto)
- Cheesy Keto Green Beans
Keto Big Mac Burger Salad
Our keto Big Mac salad is an easy, homemade, sugar-free version of that classic fast food burger. It's got all the flavors you know and love from a traditional Big Mac (including a ketofied Big Mac sauce) but with very few carbs and absolutely no added sugars. Skip the drive-thru and opt for this hearty meal instead!
servings
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 6 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese see Notes
- ½ cup dill pickle chips
- ½ cup red onion thinly sliced
- sesame seeds optional, for garnish
For the Keto Big Mac Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon keto ketchup store-bought or homemade, see Notes
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill pickles
- 2 teaspoons dried minced onion rehydrated with a little hot water, then drained; OR use 1 tablespoon fresh minced white onion
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Swerve Granular see Notes
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Equipment
- 1 Large skillet
- 1 Small bowl
- 1 Large salad bowl
Instructions
- Add oil to skillet over medium heat. Once oil is hot and shimmery, add ground beef, salt, and pepper. Cook and crumble ground beef until browned, approximately 7 to 10 minutes.
- While ground beef cooks, combine all sauce ingredients in small bowl and stir until thoroughly combined. Adjust seasonings to taste and set aside (or refrigerate) until ready to serve.
- In large salad bowl, layer romaine lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, dill pickle chips, onion, and ground beef. Top with sauce (or serve sauce on side) and garnish with sesame seeds, if desired, and serve.
Notes
- Click here for my homemade keto ketchup recipe.
- Ground Beef: The fat content in the ground beef will determine how greasy/soggy your salad gets. I recommend an 85/15 or 90/10 ratio.
- Cheddar Cheese: To keep things keto, shred your own cheese from a block of cheddar cheese. Prepackaged, pre-shredded cheeses contain added fillers and anti-clumping agents that add unnecessary carbs.
- Sweetener: Any keto sweetener will work here – granulated, powdered, or liquid. Start with less than called for and adjust to taste.
- Make it Lower Carb: Skip the red onions.
- Make it Dairy Free: Use a dairy-free cheddar cheese.
Nutrition Information
Serving Size: 1serving, Calories: 613kcal, Protein: 30g, Fat: 51g, Saturated Fat: 17g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 119mg, Sodium: 1417mg, Potassium: 663mg, Total Carbs: 11g, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Erythritol: 3g, Net Carbs: 5g, Vitamin A: 6497IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 270mg, Iron: 4mg
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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