This salad features seasoned ground beef layered with shredded lettuce, diced onions, pickles, and cheddar cheese. The dish is finished with a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, sugar-free ketchup, and mustard to replicate traditional burger flavors. It is prepared by browning the meat in a skillet and assembling the fresh components in a bowl, providing a savory meal that can be served warm or cold.

About This Recipe

The preparation begins by browning ground beef in a skillet with olive oil or butter until it reaches a crumbly texture. The meat is seasoned with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika before being removed from the heat. In a separate bowl, the dressing is created by whisking mayonnaise with sugar-free ketchup, yellow mustard, pickle relish, white vinegar, and paprika. The base of the dish is formed by placing shredded lettuce in a large bowl, followed by the cooked beef and additional toppings.

The ingredients include ground beef as the main component and shredded cheddar cheese for added richness. Diced onions and chopped dill pickles are used to provide the signature tangy and sharp notes associated with classic burgers. The dressing relies on the combination of vinegar and mustard to establish its characteristic profile without the use of added sugars. Diced tomatoes are sometimes included in the assembly for additional texture and color.

The recipe is modified by using ground turkey instead of beef or by substituting shredded cabbage for the lettuce to increase the crunch. For a different flavor profile, bacon bits are occasionally added to the surface before the dressing is drizzled over the layers. The finished salad is tossed lightly and portioned into individual servings. Portions are stored in the refrigerator with the dressing kept in a separate container to maintain the texture of the vegetables.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• All the Big Mac flavor, zero carbs
• Ready in 15 minutes
• Great for meal prep or quick lunches
• Melty cheese and tangy pickles in every bite
• High in fat and protein for long-lasting energy

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What You’ll Need for This Keto Big Mac Salad

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• 4 cups shredded lettuce
• 1 small onion, diced
• ½ cup dill pickles, chopped
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup diced tomatoes (optional)
• For the Keto Big Mac Sauce:
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp dill pickle relish
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt, to taste

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Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and ground beef.
2. Cook until browned and crumbly. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
3. In a bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients until smooth.
4. In a large salad bowl, layer lettuce, beef, onion, pickles, tomatoes, and cheese.
5. Drizzle with the Big Mac sauce and toss lightly before serving.

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FAQ

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
  Yes — it’ll be leaner, but still full of flavor with the sauce.
• Is the Big Mac sauce really keto-friendly?
  Completely, as long as you use sugar-free ketchup and unsweetened mayo.
• Can I meal prep this salad?
  Yes, just store the sauce separately and add before eating.
• Can I serve it warm?
  Absolutely. It’s great warm or cold, depending on preference.

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Variations & Substitutions

• Use shredded cabbage instead of lettuce for extra crunch.
• Add bacon bits for a smoky twist.
• Swap cheddar for American cheese for true Big Mac flavor.

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Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a side of pickles or keto fries (like baked zucchini sticks) for a full “burger-style” experience.

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Did you make this recipe?

I’d love to hear from you — leave a comment below and tell me how it turned out, what you liked, or if you made any tweaks!

Try these next:

• Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
• BLT Lettuce Wraps

New keto recipes are added every week — check back often for more low-carb inspiration!