Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Salad (Print Version)

Low-carb salad featuring bacon, beef, avocado, pickles, and cheddar with a flavorful burger sauce.

# Ingredient List:

→ Meats

01 - 8 slices bacon
02 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)

→ Vegetables & Fresh Produce

03 - 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 avocado, diced
06 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
07 - 1/2 cup dill pickle slices

→ Cheese

08 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Burger Sauce

09 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
10 - 2 tablespoons sugar-free ketchup
11 - 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
12 - 1 tablespoon dill pickle juice
13 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Seasonings

15 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
16 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
17 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Steps:

01 - Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, approximately 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and crumble once cooled.
02 - Leave approximately 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet. Add ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat until browned, breaking into bite-sized pieces, approximately 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat and allow to cool slightly.
03 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sugar-free ketchup, yellow mustard, dill pickle juice, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined.
04 - Arrange chopped romaine lettuce as the base in a large salad bowl or on individual plates. Layer with cooked ground beef, crumbled bacon, cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, red onion slices, pickle slices, and shredded cheddar cheese.
05 - Drizzle burger sauce over the assembled salad immediately before serving to maintain optimal texture and temperature.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • You get that full, satisfied burger experience but without the carb crash that normally hits around 3 p.m.
  • The warm beef mixed with cool avocado and crisp lettuce creates this texture contrast that keeps every bite interesting.
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, which means weeknight dinner doesn't have to be sad or complicated.
02 -
  • The timing matters—serve this immediately while the beef is still warm and the lettuce is still crisp, because letting it sit even five minutes changes the whole texture experience.
  • Don't skimp on the sauce because that's where all the burger flavor lives, and a generous drizzle right before eating makes the difference between good and unforgettable.
03 -
  • Cook your bacon and beef ahead of time and store them separately, then reheat gently before serving so the salad stays fresh but everything stays warm.
  • Use a good quality mayo because it's the base of your sauce and cheaper versions tend to taste thin and vinegary.
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