Homemade Keto Big Mac Salad
Craving that delicious famous burger flavor but don’t want the carbs? Check out this easy Homemade Keto Big Mac Salad recipe! It legit tastes just like the real deal!
Homemade Keto Big Mac Salad
This keto salad recipe is one low-carb recipe that my husband and I absolutely love. Since we’ve been eating keto and low-carb options for a long time, this is something that we’ve added to our rotation and have no plan on stopping.
And even if you’re not a huge fan of McDonald’s, there’s no denying that their Big Mac sauce is the best. This is why I created this simple Big Mac Salad recipe because it tastes like the real deal, but with the healthy salad taste.
What type of lettuce should you use?
This is totally up to you. I’m a fan of romaine lettuce but you can use iceberg if you want. I use romaine because it tends to have a bit more nutrients in it but I’ll never turn down a salad.
Tips for cutting down the fat content
While this recipe does call for ground beef, you can cut down on the fat content and use ground turkey and even ground chicken as well. It will alter the flavor a tad bit but it will still resemble the Big Mac sandwich and all the deliciousness of the homemade Big Mac Sauce!
If you’re not a huge fan of meat, you can even omit it if you want and still have that delicious sauce and flavoring paired with the added vegetables and ingredients.
As you can tell, there’s a bit of versatility to this simple keto salad recipe that I think you can have a lot of fun with! I can’t wait to hear what you think!
Ingredients needed for a Homemade Keto Big Mac Salad
- 4 cups of shredded lettuce (I used Romaine Lettuce, but Iceberg Lettuce will work as well)
- 1 lb. of lean ground Beef
- 1 teaspoon of Salt
- ½ teaspoon of ground Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon of Garlic Powder
- 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil
- 1 dry pint of Grape or Cherry Tomatoes, quartered
- 1 small (or ½ of a large) Red Onion, chopped
- ¼ cup of Dill Pickles
- 1 cup shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- ¾ cup of prepared Big Mac Sauce
How to Make this Low Carb Big Mac Salad
Take a big ole large skillet, preferably a cast-iron one, place it over medium-high heat.
Then add the ground beef and break it down with a spatula OR a meat chopper into little crumbs. Cook for about 2 minutes.
You will want to season the beef with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder and continue to cook till the beef is well browned well.
Then in a large bowl, add the shredded lettuce. It is most delicious with the lettuce from our very own garden!
After this, you will want to add the browned beef, onion, tomatoes, dill pickles, and shredded cheese.
Now add the Big Mac Sauce on top.
Lastly, toss everything together and serve immediately.
Tips for Making This Keto Salad
To make ahead, follow steps 1 thru 5. Cover and refrigerate. Toss just before serving. Because the dressing is thick and on top, it won’t make the salad soggy.
Tips for storing leftover salad
This is where this recipe can get a bit tricky. Anytime you store salad, you run the risk of it getting soggy. As I mentioned above, you can make it and leave it and add the dressing later or you can just embrace the fact that the salad isn’t going to have much of a crunch but it’s going to have a ton of flavor!
What side dishes pair well with a salad?
I have a lot of people ask me this and I have varying thoughts. Salads can be a side dish in themselves or they can totally be the star of the show. We usually have this meal alone or with some keto crackers.
If you’re wanting to add a few more sides to the table, some easy side dishes that can pair nicely with this salad are:
I like to add in a bit of variance and see what I think. All the above recipes are super simple to make, too.
Variations to this simple Homemade Keto Big Mac Salad Recipe
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found that I like what I like. And I love this recipe just like it is. It truly is perfection! However, other times I’ve changed up a few things and loved it too. It definitely changes the salad, but that is the beauty of cooking- making new things and making them your own. Below are some changes that I think are delicious that still keep it tasting a lot like a Big Mac as well.
You can switch out the dill pickles for sweet pickles or even try it with my Canned Pickled Jalapenos for a spicy kick and flavor.
I also think that using a sweet onion instead of a purple onion is a delicious swap, too.
These simple solutions and options can make this salad taste just a bit different without being anything drastic!
See how simple and easy this recipe is? I can’t wait to hear what you think when you whip it up! Happy eating, my friends!
More Keto Recipes to Enjoy
Homemade Keto Big Mac Salad
If you love the McDonald's classic Big Mac, you're gonna love this salad! This low-carb salad recipe is the best!
Ingredients
- 4 cups of shredded lettuce (I used Romaine Lettuce, but Iceberg Lettuce will work as well)
- 1 lb. of lean ground Beef
- 1 teaspoon of Salt
- ½ teaspoon of ground Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon of Garlic Powder
- 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil
- 1 dry pint of Grape or Cherry Tomatoes, quartered
- 1 small (or ½ of a large) Red Onion, chopped
- ¼ cup of Dill Pickles
- 1 cup shred Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- ¾ cup of prepared Big Mac Sauce
Instructions
Heat a large skillet, preferably a cast-iron one, over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it down with a spatula into little crumbs. Cook for about 2 minutes.
Season the beef with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder and continue to cook till the beef is well browned.
In a large bowl, add the shredded lettuce.
Next add the browned beef, onion, tomatoes, dill pickles, and shredded cheese.
Add the Big Mac Sauce on top.
Toss everything together and serve immediately.
