Introduction to the Keto Big Mac Salad
If you’re making an effort to choose healthier food options, making the jump from fast food to salads can be difficult. After all, Big Macs and salads are pretty much on opposite sides of the health spectrum – and how could a salad possibly satisfy a craving for a juicy, cheesy Big Mac? That’s where our keto big mac salad comes in! This recipe is healthy, low-carb, keto-friendly and tastes just like the real deal!
Big Mac Vs Big Mac Salad
The trick to any healthified recipe is replicating the flavor. This was extra-important for this recipe since the Big Mac is famous for its iconic sauce. So how does the salad version stack up? There are a few key similarities and differences. Let’s dive in.
A Big Mac That’s Low on Net Carbs
The beauty of this keto Big Mac Salad isn’t just what it contains, but what it doesn’t contain: unnecessary added carbs and sugar. It’s no secret that bread is a pretty major source of carbs, and not just from the flour. Did you know fast food burgers are often loaded with sugar, too? In fact, one Big Mac burger has nine grams of sugar – most of which come from the bread.
Is Big Mac Sauce Keto?
While this shouldn’t come as a surprise, Big Mac sauce traditionally contains sugar, including high-fructose corn syrup. This highly processed sugar has been linked to metabolic dysregulation, depleted ATP and even increased risk of fatty liver disease. In other words, it’s not very healthy – and it’s definitely not very keto-friendly, either.
From Burger to Big Mac Salad
If you eat a low-carb or keto diet, you may already be ordering or making your burgers wrapped in lettuce. This is known as a bunless or “naked” burger, and an easy way to replicate the burger experience without the usual net carbs. This keto Big Mac Salad may contain all the same ingredients as a bunless homemade Big Mac, but it’s more convenient to both make and eat.
Flavor and Ingredients
The Big Mac sauce is iconic, so we made sure to replicate that famous flavor in our keto Big Mac Salad recipe. Forget every cheeseburger salad recipe you’ve ever had – this sauce seriously tastes just like a Big Mac! This is all thanks to the Big Mac Sauce, made using a combination of mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle juice, mustard, vinegar, paprika and onion powder.
What You’ll Need
You probably already have all the tools you need to make this easy recipe. Grab these things out of the cupboard before you start cooking:
- Skillet
- Grater (optional)
- Salad bowls
- Wooden spoon
How to Make Big Mac Salad
You’ll have no problem dodging the golden arches with your very own low-carb Big Mac Salad. You might even be able to make this recipe in less time than it takes to drive to your closest fast-food chain!
- Add the meat to a skillet and break it using a wooden spoon. Cook the beef all the way through, stirring occasionally.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and add the onion powder and garlic powder.
- Divide the lettuce between 2 salad bowls, about 2 cups of lettuce in each bowl.
- Layer the other ingredients on top of the lettuce. Start with the beef, then add the onions and pickles, and sprinkle the cheese on top.
- To make the sauce, take all sauce ingredients and mix together in a bowl
- Drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of sauce on each bowl. You can either toss the salad or keep it layered as is.
- Garnish with sesame seeds on top, and serve immediately
How to Store Your Big Mac Salad
Not only can this easy keto Big Mac Salad be made ahead of time and enjoyed another day, but it’s also a great meal prep recipe. Don’t let any bad encounters with soggy salads put you off. There’s a trick to keeping your salad fresh: separate your ingredients. If you’re making extra or not eating the entire batch right away, you can store the meat, romaine lettuce and vegetables, cheese and salad dressing in separate containers in the fridge.
How to Make a Big Mac Salad Jar
Still loving the mason jar salad trend? You’re in luck – this Big Mac Salad makes the perfect salad jar. Simply prepare all salad ingredients as per the recipe, allowing the ground beef to cool first. Then, place the ingredients in a large jar. Make sure to store the ground beef and cheddar cheese at the bottom, followed by the dill pickles and onion, then finally, the romaine lettuce.
A Note on Ingredients
This salad recipe uses a few pre-made ingredients, and we always recommend choosing wisely and sourcing the best quality available to you. That means as few nasty ingredients as possible! If you can, we recommend avoiding any mayonnaise that uses vegetable oils such as canola or sunflower – you can read more about why we avoid those here. These may be low-carb, but they’re far from healthy.
More Recipes Like This
Finding your own replacements for your favorite takeaway meals is key to making a keto or low-carb diet sustainable and enjoyable. Luckily for you, we’ve got plenty of keto-fied recipes to help you avoid temptation! If you loved this Big Mac Salad recipe, try these keto dishes to satisfy those fast food cravings:
Nutrition Facts
Keto Big Mac Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 636
Calories from Fat 477
% Daily Value*
Fat 53g 82%
Carbohydrates 8g 3%
Fiber 3g 12%
Protein 29g 58%
- Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
