This easy Big Mac Salad tastes like a juicy McDonald's burger, but healthy, low carb and keto. Drizzled with homemade Big Mac sauce, this meaty salad will satisfy your cravings and keep you full hours.

Matteo, what about going to McDonald's today? I still remember the excitement. Just at hearing McDonald's, little Matteo would jump all around the house looking forward to his meal. McBacon, McToast, fries and a medium Coke - plus an Happy Meal toy (but not the meal, it was too little for me). That was the menu I used to get, every single time.

Growing up in a rural town of Italy, eating at McDonald's was a rare event. The closest restaurant was 40 minutes from home and my parents did not want us to have junk food that often. So, we would go to McDonald's only once every couple of months. It was pure happiness, an event.

Many years have passed, and even though I live in a metropolis, I still rarely eat fast food. This would have never happened as a child, but now I am more conscious about my food choices. Don't get me wrong, I do eat fast food from time to time. But not every day. That's where this recipe comes into play. Craving cheeseburger, last night I made Big Mac in a bowl. Served with my homemade Big Mac sauce, it was so good that I had to share the recipe with you.

The ingredients in Big Mac salad

This easy Big Mac salad recipe comes together in under 20 minutes, with just a handful of simple ingredients. Check out the list down below to learn all details, tips, and replacements.

• Lean ground beef. I used 95% lean ground beef because it makes the meal healthier and lower in calories, but any fat percentage is fine. You can replace with ground chicken, ground turkey, or vegan ground meat if desired.
• Seasonings. This simple recipe uses sea salt, black pepper and a hint of garlic powder to give flavor to the meat.
• Vegetables. To make this Big Mac bowl recipe you'll need romaine lettuce or iceberg lettuce, tomatoes and yellow onions.
• Pickles. Dill pickles are a must, they will give your keto salad McDonald's signature taste.
• Cheddar cheese. Shredded cheese is what makes keto Big Mac salad tastes like the original burger, but without bun. Choose regular cheddar cheese or low fat alternatives, if you are looking for a low calorie bowl.
• Homemade Big Mac Sauce. Made with mayonnaise, yellow mustard, white vinegar and sweet pickle relish, my copycat Big Mac Sauce makes this salad as tasty and satisfying as a McDonald's burger.

How to make Big Mac salad

Cook the meat. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. When it is hot, add the lean ground beef, salt, pepper and garlic powder to the pan. Cook until the beef is browned, then adjust with salt and pepper to taste if it is needed. Set aside and let cool while you are assembling the salad.

Prepare the salad. In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped salad with diced tomatoes, diced onions, sliced pickles, cheddar cheese and cooked beef. Drizzle the homemade Big Mac Sauce over the salad and toss very well.

Serve with secret sauce. Portion your cheeseburger salad into bowls, then serve drizzled with more McDonald's sauce and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

How to store

Before storing, let your Big Mac keto salad cool completely. This ensures that the vegetables keep their freshness and don't get soggy. Once it has cooled, place the salad into a large airtight container or into individual food containers and refrigerate. In the fridge, it will last for up to 3 days. Before serving, toss in some more homemade McDonald's sauce.

What to serve with cheeseburger salad?

• Low carb egg white wraps
• Low calorie fries
• Potato fritters
• Air fryer zucchini fries
• Veggie nuggets
• Deviled egg potato salad
• Chickpea nuggets