Keto Big Mac Salad Recipe
The Keto Big Mac Salad is a delicious and low-carb twist on the classic Big Mac burger, perfect for those following a keto diet. This salad features seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, cheddar cheese, pickles, and onions, all topped with a homemade keto-friendly Big Mac dressing. The dressing combines mayonnaise, mustard, sugar-free pickle relish, vinegar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and a keto sweetener to replicate the iconic Big Mac sauce.
Equipment
- Skillet or Pan For cooking the ground beef.
- Cutting board To chop vegetables and prepare ingredients.
- Knife For chopping lettuce, pickles, onions, and optional tomatoes.
- Mixing bowl For preparing the Keto Big Mac dressing.
- Whisk or Spoon To mix the dressing ingredients.
- Large Salad Bowl or Platter - To assemble and serve the salad.
- Measuring spoons To measure dressing ingredients accurately.
- Colander (optional) - If you need to wash and drain vegetables.
- Spatula or spoon: For stirring and serving the salad.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 450 gram ground beef
- 4 cups chopped lettuce (e.g., iceberg or romaine)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pickles
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onions
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (optional, depending on strictness of keto)
For the Keto Big Mac Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 2 tablespoons sugar-free pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons keto sweetener (e.g., erythritol, to taste)
Instructions
- Cook Beef: Brown 1 lb ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat and let cool.
- Prepare Dressing: Mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon mustard, 2 tablespoons sugar-free pickle relish, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1-2 teaspoons keto sweetener in a bowl.
- Assemble Salad: Layer 4 cups chopped lettuce, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup sliced pickles, 1/4 cup chopped onions, and optional 1/2 cup diced tomatoes in a large bowl.
- Add Beef: Top the salad with the cooked ground beef.
- Dress and Serve: Drizzle with the Big Mac dressing and toss gently or serve dressing on the side. Enjoy!
Notes
- Ground Beef: Choose lean ground beef (e.g., 80/20) to avoid excess fat. Adjust seasoning to your taste.
- Dressing Sweetener: Use a keto-friendly sweetener like erythritol or monk fruit to keep the dressing low-carb.
- Pickle Relish: Ensure the relish is sugar-free to maintain the keto-friendly nature of the dish.
- Optional Tomatoes: If you’re following a very strict keto diet, consider omitting tomatoes due to their higher carb content.
- Serving Fresh: For the best flavor and texture, serve the salad immediately after adding the dressing. If preparing in advance, keep the dressing separate until serving.
- Customization: Feel free to add or substitute other keto-friendly toppings, such as avocado or bacon, to enhance flavor and nutrition.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Keep the dressing separate to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.