A delicious version of the classic big mac sandwich, this Big Mac Salad is comfort in a bowl.

Offering all of the flavors of a traditional big mac, this version is a healthy low-carb recipe without the bun.

This gluten free, keto big mac salad is packed with protein and ready in just 15 minutes.

If you enjoy a meaty and flavorful salad try our Grinder Salad.

Why You’ll Love this Big Mac Salad recipe

This dish feels like a splurge with hearty ground beef, creamy big mac dressing, and tangy cheese.

Full of big mac flavors and low carb, this recipe will feed your whole family. It can be doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.

Easy to make and satisfying, this cheeseburger salad will curb those fast food cravings.

A big mac in a bowl, this low-carb salad makes a great lunch or dinner any day of the week.

Big Mac Salad Verses Classic Big Mac

A traditional big mac burger contains 44 grams of carbs, 39.5 grams of net carbs, and just over 1,000 mg of sodium.

Without sacrificing flavor and by removing the sesame seed bun, our Big Mac Salad delivers protein, fiber, and hydrating lettuce with significantly less sodium.

At only 5 net carbs per serving, it's a perfect meal for your keto lifestyle.

Big Mac Salad ingredients

Ground beef – Juicy and flavorful, this is the “burger” in this dish.

Cheddar cheese – We use shredded cheddar cheese in this recipe to create the cheeseburger flavors of a big mac in this salad.

Fresh Lettuce – Crisp lettuce works best in this recipe; we like iceberg lettuce or romaine hearts for a satisfying crunch.

Onion – Chopped white onions give this recipe a zing. You can also use red onion if you prefer.

Pickle – Chopped dill pickles create a tangy flavor. You can also use sweet pickle relish if you prefer.

Fresh Tomatoes (optional) – Diced juicy tomatoes add a light sweetness.

Salt – Sprinkled on to taste, enhances the other flavors in this recipe.

Pepper – A dash of pepper to taste for a little heat.

Sesame seeds (optional) – For garnish as desired. The big mac bun has sesame seeds on it after all.

Delicious Big Mac Sauce Ingredients

Mayonnaise – A creamy base for this special sauce.

Pickle relish – Adds a tangy flavor.

Yellow Mustard – Provides a touch of acid.

Ketchup – Adds a rich sweetness and complements the other flavors in this sauce.

Vinegar – Provides an additional layer of complexity to this homemade sauce.

Paprika – An earthy spice that adds flavor.

If you have any questions about the ingredients in this Keto Big Mac Salad, please leave a comment below and we will get back to you.

How to make this perfect Big Mac Salad

1. Make the big mac sauce by whisking all the ingredients together in a small bowl until well combined. Set aside in the refrigerator until ready to use.

2. Brown the beef in a large nonstick pan set over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through with no pink. Drain off excess fat, then season with salt and black pepper. Allow it to cool slightly.

3. Divide the crisp lettuce between 4 salad bowls, then top evenly with ground beef, cheese, onions, pickles, and tomato (if desired). Drizzle the salad with the Big Mac dressing, garnish with sesame seeds, and serve.

If you have any questions about the steps in how to make this Big Mac Salad recipe, please leave a comment below and we will get back to you. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the printable recipe card below.

Ways to serve a Big Mac Salad

To add an extra layer of savory flavor sprinkle chopped bacon over this salad.

For a spicy Big Mac Salad add some chopped jalapeño peppers, sprinkle on red pepper flakes, or substitute the cheddar cheese for spicy pepper jack cheese.

Mix in some darker leafy greens like baby spinach or baby kale for an extra boost of nutrition.

For a change of flavor and a low calorie option, try drizzling our Sugar Free Salad Dressing to add variety to this dish.

You can also replace the ground beef with ground turkey or ground chicken.

After this protein packed meal, don’t forget dessert. Try our Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies or our Easy Keto Mug Cake.

Best Tips for Making a Big Mac Salad

Dry your lettuce. Use a salad spinner to dry out the lettuce before assembling the salad. If you don’t have a salad spinner rinse your lettuce leaves before chopping them.

Lay the washed lettuce leaves and flat on a clean surface and press gently with an absorbent towel or paper towels to remove excess water.

One additional lettuce drying method is to rinse the lettuce leaves, give them a shake to remove excess water and then drop each leaf into a clean plastic grocery bag.

Once all of the leaves are in the bag, hold the handles of the bag firmly in one hand and briskly windmill (making a vertical, propeller type motion) the bag approximately 8-10 times.

Reach your hand in to remove the dried lettuce and you will find that the excess water is left behind in the bag.

Select the freshest produce possible. The fresher the lettuce, onion and other vegetables in this salad – the more delicious the result!

Be sure to drain the ground beef after cooking for juicy beef without excess fat that can congeal when mixed with chilled salad ingredients. You can also use lean ground beef to reduce the amount of fat.

Can I prepare the meat ahead of time and freeze it?

The cooked ground beef that has been drained and seasoned (with salt and pepper) can be frozen for quick meal prep.

To freeze cooked ground beef, drain the beef and allow it to fully cool before transferring into a Ziplock freezer bag or freezer safe container.

Remove as much air as possible from the storage container and label your container with the date and the amount of ground beef it contains.

How do I reheat pre-cooked frozen ground beef?

When reheating the beef, for best results, add 1 tablespoon of oil or butter.

Can I make the Big Mac Sauce ahead of time?

The copycat Big Mac Sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days before serving.

How do I store the Big Mac Salad once all of the ingredients are prepped?

If you plan to store a portion of this low carb Big Mac Salad, it is recommended to store the dressing, cooked beef, and fresh ingredients in separate containers and assemble just before serving.

For best results, prior to serving heat the cooked ground beef in a large skillet.

Can I store leftovers of this Big Mac Salad?

This easy salad recipe is a crowd pleaser and I doubt you will have leftovers, but if you do, store this Big Mac Salad for up to one day in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Due to the Big Mac dressing drizzled on top of this salad, the lettuce and other ingredients may not maintain a crisp texture, but the flavor will still be delicious.

More Keto recipes with ground beef

Here are the top 20 Keto and Low Carb ground beef recipes

Keto Cheeseburger Casserole - A meaty, cheesy, satisfying, and topped with everything you'd expect on a deluxe cheeseburger. Enjoy this easy to make keto casserole that the whole family will love.

Keto Taco Casserole - Make this meaty, cheesy, low carb taco casserole any time you're in the mood for an easy to make, filling, and delicious meal.

Keto Beef Enchiladas - Ground beef, melty cheese, and a mildly spicy, savory sauce will quickly become a family favorite meal. We love enjoying enchiladas with keto salsa.

For the remaining 17 recipes, please read our round up of Keto Ground Beef Recipes. It also includes 20 perfect side dishes.

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