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Home > Recipes > Dinner

Keto Big Mac Salad (High Protein, Low Carb Cheeseburger Salad)

portrait of Olivia Wyles
Author: Olivia Wyles · Updated: Mar 23, 2025
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Keto Big Mac Salad Pinterest Image
Keto Big Mac Salad Pinterest Image
Keto Big Mac Salad Pinterest Image

If you've ever daydreamed about cheeseburgers while attempting to eat a bit healthier, this Keto Big Mac Salad is basically your new best friend. Think crunchy lettuce, juicy ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, tangy dill pickles, and that classic "special sauce" drizzle-minus the bun. Trust me, it's a quick way to satisfy that fast-food craving without leaving you snoozing on the couch afterward.

Keto Big Mac Salad in a casserole dish with wooden spoon, and on a plate single serving

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When I decided to turn this classic cheeseburger into a salad, I wanted it to be as simple as possible while still delivering all the flavor we know and love. The key? Crisp lettuce, juicy beef, and a sauce that tastes just like the real thing without any added sugar.

I kept the ingredients minimal because let's be honest, no one has time for a long grocery list. Once I found the right sugar-free thousand island dressing and added plenty of cheddar, the salad came together perfectly. It's everything you want in a cheeseburger, just lighter and fresher.

The sesame seeds were a last-minute idea, but they pull the whole thing together. They're like a little wink to the iconic bun-just without the carbs. This salad is fast, easy, and so good you'll forget you're eating a salad!

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How to Make Keto Big Mac Salad

Ingredients You'll Need For This Recipe

ingredients for keto big mac salad
  • 1 head of lettuce
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup sandwich dill pickle slices
  • ½ of a small red onion, sliced
  • ½ cup sugar-free thousand island dressing
  • ½ teaspoon sesame seeds

Step By Step Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it cooks, until no longer pink.
raw ground beef in a pan
cooked ground beef in a pan
  1. Chop the lettuce into chunks. Slice red onion.

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chopped lettuce
sliced red onion
  1. Layer lettuce in a 9x13 inch casserole dish. Add ground beef on top of the lettuce, then sprinkle on cheese.
chopped lettuce in a casserole dish
chopped lettuce and ground beef in a casserole dish
chopped lettuce and ground beef and shredded cheese in a casserole dish
  1. Arrange pickle and onion slices across the top of the salad.
chopped lettuce and ground beef and shredded cheese and pickles in a casserole dish
chopped lettuce and ground beef and shredded cheese and pickles and onions in a casserole dish
  1. Drizzle dressing over the top of the salad, then sprinkle sesame seeds.
chopped lettuce and ground beef and shredded cheese and pickles and onions and thousand island dressing in a casserole dish
chopped lettuce and ground beef and shredded cheese and pickles and onions and thousand island dressing and sesame seeds in a casserole dish
  1. Serve or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Tips and Tricks

  • Use Fresh Ingredients - Crisp lettuce and fresh ground beef make all the difference. Avoid pre-shredded lettuce if you can-it tends to wilt quickly. Chop your own for maximum crunch!
  • Customize the Sauce - If you're feeling adventurous, make your own sugar-free thousand island dressing by mixing mayo, sugar-free ketchup, and a little pickle relish. It's super easy and lets you control the flavor.
  • Serve It Fresh - This salad is best served immediately after assembling so the lettuce stays crisp. If you're meal-prepping, keep the dressing and toppings separate and mix them together just before eating.

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Keto Big Mac Salad Pinterest Image

Recipe

Keto Big Mac Salad in a casserole dish with wooden spoon, and on a plate single serving

Keto Big Mac Salad

No ratings yet
Author: Olivia Wyles
Prep TimePrep: 10 minutes mins
Cook TimeCook: 10 minutes mins
Total TimeTotal: 20 minutes mins
CourseDinner, Lunch
CuisineAmerican
Servings: 6
Print Pin
This Keto Big Mac Salad brings all the best parts of a classic cheeseburger together-minus the bun. Fresh lettuce, juicy beef, tangy pickles, and that famous sauce make for a ridiculously tasty low-carb meal. Topped with a sprinkle of sesame seeds to give it that real burger feel, it's a hearty yet refreshing classic crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

  • 1 head of lettuce
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup sandwich dill pickle slices
  • ½ of a small red onion sliced
  • ½ cup sugar-free thousand island dressing
  • ½ teaspoon sesame seeds
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Instructions

  • Brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it cooks, until no longer pink.
  • Chop the lettuce into chunks. Slice red onion.
  • Layer lettuce in a 9x13 inch casserole dish. Add ground beef on top of the lettuce, then sprinkle on cheese.
  • Arrange pickle and onion slices across the top of the salad.
  • Drizzle dressing over the top of the salad, then sprinkle sesame seeds.
  • Serve or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 218g | Calories: 319.86kcal (16%) | Carbohydrates: 5.77g (2%) | Protein: 24g (48%) | Fat: 21.8g (34%) | Fiber: 1.2g (5%) | Net Carbohydrates: 4.54g
KEYWORDS: Keto Big Mac Salad
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Hey, I'm Olivia

I’m a food creator, mom, picky eater, & cozy gamer with ADHD, creating easy low carb, protein-focused, keto-friendly, sugar-free & gluten-free recipes with minimal ingredients, prep, & dishes for a balanced lifestyle.

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