Keto Big Mac Salad is a bold, low-carb take on the classic burger, loaded with seasoned beef, crisp lettuce, pickles, cheese, and a creamy sugar-free “special sauce” without the bun or carbs. This Keto Big Mac Salad recipe delivers fast prep, high protein, and all the nostalgic fast-food flavor perfect for meal prep, weight loss, and anyone craving a satisfying keto dinner that tastes like a burger but keeps you firmly in ketosis.
About This Recipe
There’s something oddly comforting about the flavor of a Big Mac — that mix of smoky beef, melted cheese, and tangy pickles. It’s pure fast-food nostalgia, and this Keto Big Mac Salad brings it back without the bun, the sugar, or the regret. Every forkful hits that same flavor combo, but you get to skip the sluggish “post-burger crash.”
The trick is in the layering. Start with browned ground beef, seasoned lightly with salt, pepper, and a little paprika for depth. Add crisp shredded lettuce, diced onions, tangy pickles, and a generous sprinkle of cheddar cheese. Then comes the real secret — the keto “special sauce.” A quick mix of mayonnaise, sugar-free ketchup, mustard, vinegar, and paprika makes it taste just like the real thing, only low-carb.
This salad is fast, filling, and works for both lunch and dinner. It’s the kind of meal that takes 15 minutes from start to finish and feels like comfort food with zero effort. It also reheats well, making it ideal for meal prep or quick office lunches.
From a nutrition standpoint, it’s perfectly balanced for a keto lifestyle: high in fat, moderate in protein, and low in carbs. You’ll stay full for hours, and your cravings for drive-thru food will vanish. Plus, it’s family-friendly — even people who “don’t eat keto” love it. This is one of those rare recipes that actually tastes indulgent while keeping your macros in check.
If you’ve ever missed a juicy burger on keto, this salad will fix that in one bite.
Also Read: Thirty Birthday Cakes You Need to Try!
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
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and ground beef.
- Cook until browned and crumbly. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- In a bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients until smooth.
- In a large salad bowl, layer lettuce, beef, onion, pickles, tomatoes, and cheese.
- Drizzle with the Big Mac sauce and toss lightly before serving.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 540
- Fat: 44 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Net Carbs: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
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.
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.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a side of pickles or keto fries (like baked zucchini sticks) for a full “burger-style” experience.
Keto Big Mac Salad
Ingredients
- 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)
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and ground beef.
- Cook until browned and crumbly. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- In a bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients until smooth.
- In a large salad bowl, layer lettuce, beef, onion, pickles, tomatoes, and cheese.
- Drizzle with the Big Mac sauce and toss lightly before serving.
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know how it turned out! Snap a pic and tag @dailyketo.recipes on instagram – I’d love to see your version.
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