Keto Big Mac Sloppy Joes

Juicy seasoned ground beef, creamy Big Mac sauce, melted cheese, crunchy pickles, and lettuce come together in this delicious low-carb version of a classic Sloppy Joe. Serve it in lettuce cups or as a cheesy Big Mac bowl for an easy keto dinner.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

For the Beef

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ small onion, finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp sugar-free ketchup
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika
• ¼ cup beef broth or water

Keto Big Mac Sauce

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp finely chopped dill pickles
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp sugar-free ketchup
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp paprika

For Serving

• 4 large lettuce leaves or lettuce cups
• 4 slices cheddar or American cheese, preferably low-carb
• ½ cup shredded lettuce
• ¼ cup finely diced dill pickles
• 2 tbsp finely diced onion
• Sesame seeds, optional

Instructions

1. Prepare the sauce
Add mayonnaise, chopped pickles, mustard, sugar-free ketchup, vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika to a bowl. Stir until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate until ready to use.

2. Cook the aromatics
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

3. Brown the beef
Add the ground beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and fully cooked through. Drain excess grease if needed.

4. Season and make it saucy
Stir in the tomato paste, mustard, sugar-free ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and paprika. Add the beef broth and mix well.

5. Simmer
Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef mixture is thick and flavorful.

6. Add the cheese
Place the cheese slices over the hot beef and cover the skillet for 1–2 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt. Alternatively, stir shredded cheddar directly into the beef.

7. Assemble
Place a spoonful of the cheesy beef mixture into lettuce cups. Top with shredded lettuce, diced pickles, a little onion, and plenty of the homemade Big Mac sauce.

8. Serve
Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired and serve immediately.

🥬 Keto Big Mac Bowl Option

For an even easier meal, place shredded lettuce in a bowl and top with the hot beef and melted cheese. Add pickles, onion, and Big Mac sauce. This makes a satisfying low-carb Big Mac salad bowl without any bun.

Keto Tips

• Use sugar-free ketchup to reduce added carbohydrates.
• Choose pickles without added sugar when possible.
• For stricter keto, reduce the onion because onions contain more carbs than leafy vegetables.
• Skip regular hamburger buns and serve in lettuce cups or a bowl.
• Check labels on Worcestershire sauce and condiments because some brands contain added sugar.

Approximate nutrition per serving: 450–500 calories, 28–32 g protein, 35–40 g fat, and approximately 4–6 g net carbs, depending on the brands and toppings used.