Description
This Keto Big Mac Salad is a low-carb, flavorful twist on the classic Big Mac burger, featuring a savory ground beef base, crisp iceberg lettuce, sharp cheddar cheese, and a tangy homemade dressing infused with dill pickles and smoked paprika. Ready in just 25 minutes, this salad is perfect for a quick, satisfying keto meal that captures all the iconic flavors without the bun.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 3/4 cup Mayonnaise
- 4 tsp Prepared Mustard
- 2 tbsp Dill Pickles, diced
- 1 tablespoon White Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Onions, chopped
- 2 teaspoons Swerve (or other low-carb sweetener)
- 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
Salad
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1 tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 4 cups Chopped Iceberg Lettuce
- 1/2 cup Sliced Onions (cut in half)
- 1 cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 1/4 cup Dill Pickles, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, diced pickles, prepared mustard, white vinegar, chopped onion, smoked paprika, and Swerve. Stir well until the ingredients are fully incorporated. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld while preparing the other components.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a 10-inch sauté pan over medium heat. Add the lean ground beef to the pan and use a spatula to break it up into crumbles. Cook the beef until it is almost fully browned, then season with kosher salt and ground black pepper. Continue cooking until the beef is fully cooked through and browned evenly.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While the beef cooks, chop the iceberg lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Slice the onions and cut each slice in half to get smaller pieces. Roughly chop the dill pickles for added texture and flavor.
- Assemble the Salad: When ready to serve, mix together the chopped lettuce, halved onion slices, roughly chopped pickles, and shredded sharp cheddar cheese in a large bowl. Divide the mixture into four serving bowls. Evenly distribute the cooked ground beef over each salad bowl.
- Add Dressing and Serve: Drizzle the prepared dressing over each salad just before serving. Toss lightly if desired to combine, and serve immediately for a fresh, flavorful keto-friendly meal.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef (90% lean or higher) to reduce fat while keeping moistness.
- For a spicier dressing, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the dressing mix.
- To keep the salad crisp, add the dressing only right before serving.
- Swerve or other erythritol-based sweeteners are great low-carb options; adjust sweetness to taste.
- This salad is great for meal prep; keep dressing separate until ready to eat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
