Introduction
Hey there, my friend! Let’s talk about cravings. You know that unmistakable, tangy, savory flavor combo that makes you think of a certain famous fast-food burger? Yep, the Big Mac. It’s iconic! But when you’re eating low carb, that classic bun and sugary sauce can feel like a distant dream. Well, get ready to make that dream a delicious reality! I’ve whipped up a recipe for Keto Big Mac Smash Burgers that capture all those amazing flavors you love, but fit perfectly into your low-carb lifestyle. And the best part? They are SO easy and lightning fast. Like, weeknight-dinner-in-a-flash fast. Seriously, you’re going to wonder where this recipe has been all your life!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Okay, so why should THIS be the next recipe you try in your kitchen? Let me count the ways:
- Fast: We’re talking under 20 minutes from start to plate. Perfect for those busy evenings!
- Easy: No fancy techniques here! If you can mix ingredients and smash some burgers, you’ve got this.
- Giftable: While maybe not gifting a whole assembled burger, the components (especially the sauce!) are awesome to share, or this makes a fantastic meal to bring to a low-carb-conscious friend or family member.
- Crowd-pleasing: Seriously, who doesn’t love a good burger? And with that familiar “special sauce” taste, even the pickiest eaters will be asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is a breeze! Here’s what you’ll need to bring this low-carb magic to life:
- For the Smash Burgers:
- 1 pound Ground Beef: Go for 80/20 or 85/15 for great flavor and juiciness.
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder: Adds a little kick to the patties.
- 8 Street Taco-Sized Keto Zero Carb Tortillas: These are your low-carb “buns”! Look for ones that are soft and pliable.
- 8 slices American Cheese: Melts beautifully and gives you that classic burger joint vibe. Feel free to use white or yellow!
- 1 cup Shredded Lettuce: Provides that essential fresh crunch.
- 1/2 cup Dill Pickle Slices: Can’t have a Big Mac copycat without pickles!
- For the Keto Big Mac Sauce:
- 1/3 cup Mayonnaise: The creamy base for our special sauce. Use your favorite kind!
- 1 tbsp Finely chopped Dill Pickles: Chopped pickles in the sauce? Trust me on this one.
- 1 1/2 tsp Yellow Mustard: Adds tang and color.
- 3 tsp Sugar-Free Ketchup: Sweetness and depth without the sugar.
- 1/4 tsp Vinegar: Just a splash to brighten everything up. White or apple cider vinegar works.
- 1/4 tsp Paprika: For color and a hint of warmth.
- 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder: A little extra garlic punch for the sauce.
- 1/4 tsp Onion Powder: Adds another layer of savory flavor.
How to Make It
Okay, apron on? Let’s get cooking! You’ll be sinking your teeth into one of these before you know it.
1. Prepare the Sauce: Grab a small bowl. Measure out your mayonnaise, finely chopped pickles, yellow mustard, sugar-free ketchup, vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Whisk it all together until it’s perfectly blended and looks like that iconic “special sauce.” Give it a little taste – you might want a tiny pinch more salt or a drop more vinegar, totally up to you! Set this aside while you make the burgers so the flavors can meld.
2. Prepare the Meat: In a medium bowl, take your pound of ground beef and sprinkle the 1/2 tsp of garlic powder over it. Use your hands to gently mix the seasoning into the meat. Try not to overwork it – you want tender burgers! Now, divide the seasoned beef into 8 equal portions. Think golf ball size, or slightly smaller.
3. Cook the Burgers: Heat up your griddle or a large skillet over medium-high heat. You want it good and hot! Place one portion of ground beef onto the hot surface. Immediately grab a sturdy spatula (or a burger press if you have one!) and firmly smash the beef patty down very thin. The thinner, the crispier the edges! Cook for just 1-2 minutes on the first side until you see those yummy browned edges. Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until cooked through. Because they are so thin, they cook super fast!
4. Add Cheese: Right before the burgers are done cooking (during the last 30 seconds or so), place a slice of American cheese on top of each hot patty. Let it melt into gooey perfection.
5. Warm Tortillas: While your last batch of burgers and cheese is melting, quickly warm the street taco-sized tortillas. You can do this right on the griddle next to the burgers, or in a separate dry pan. You just want them pliable and easy to fold or hold.
6. Assemble: Time for the best part! Place a warm tortilla down. Put a cheesy burger patty onto the tortilla. Pile on a generous amount of shredded lettuce and those delicious dill pickle slices. Finally, spoon a good dollop (or two!) of your prepared Keto Big Mac sauce right on top. Fold it up like a taco, or just eat it open-faced! Repeat with the remaining ingredients, and serve immediately!
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is super flexible! Here are a few ways you can switch things up:
- Change the Meat: You could try this with ground turkey or chicken, though beef really gives that classic flavor.
- Cheese Swap: Not a fan of American? Try cheddar, provolone, or even a spicy Monterey Jack.
- Bun Alternatives: If you don’t have the keto tortillas, wrap the burger in a large lettuce leaf (like iceberg or butter lettuce) for a lettuce wrap! You can also just serve the patty, cheese, sauce, and toppings in a bowl.
- Sauce Tweaks: Want it spicier? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Prefer more tang? A little extra vinegar. You can also finely mince some onion and add a tiny bit to the sauce for even more authentic flavor (start small!).
- Extra Toppings: Add thinly sliced raw onion, grilled onions, sautéed mushrooms, or crispy bacon crumbles!
Tips for Success
Even though it’s easy, a few simple tips will make sure your smash burgers are absolutely perfect:
- Get Your Pan HOT: This is crucial for getting that amazing crust (the “smash”) on your burger patties. Don’t be afraid of medium-high heat!
- SMASH Thin: The thinner you smash, the crispier and faster-cooking the patty will be. Place the meatball down and press firmly and quickly.
- Don’t Overwork the Meat: Handle the ground beef as little as possible when seasoning and forming the portions. This keeps the burgers tender.
- Prep Ahead: Make the Big Mac sauce earlier in the day (or even the day before!) so the flavors really have time to deepen. Chop your lettuce and pickles too, so assembly is lightning fast.
How to Store It
Leftovers? While these are best enjoyed fresh, you can definitely save the components! Store the cooked burger patties, shredded lettuce, pickle slices, and the special sauce in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. The patties will last 3-4 days, and the sauce is good for up to a week (or follow the mayo’s expiration date). Reheat the burger patties gently in a skillet to get them crispy again, then assemble fresh.
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
Q: Can I make this with regular hamburger buns if I’m not low carb?
A: Absolutely! Just swap the keto tortillas for your favorite regular hamburger buns or slider buns and follow the same assembly process.
Q: Is the sauce really like the Big Mac sauce?
A: Yes! This combination of mayo, mustard, sugar-free ketchup, vinegar, and spices gets incredibly close to that classic flavor profile you know and love. The chopped pickles in the sauce make a big difference!
Q: Can I cook these on an outdoor grill?
A: Smash burgers are typically best cooked on a flat-top griddle or a cast iron skillet to get that full surface contact for the “smash” and crust. A grill grate won’t give you the same result unless you have a griddle attachment for your grill.
Q: Where can I find keto street taco tortillas?
A: Check the bread or tortilla aisle at your regular grocery store. Many brands now make zero-carb or low-carb tortillas in various sizes, including smaller street taco size.
Keto Big Mac Smash Burgers
Equipment
- Small bowl
- Medium bowl
- Griddle or a large skillet
- sturdy spatula
- Burger press (optional)
- Separate dry pan (optional, for warming tortillas)
Ingredients
For the Smash Burgers
- 1 pound Ground Beef 80/20 or 85/15
- 0.5 tsp Garlic Powder for the patties
- 8 Street Taco-Sized Keto Zero Carb Tortillas
- 8 slices American Cheese white or yellow
- 1 cup Shredded Lettuce
- 0.5 cup Dill Pickle Slices
For the Keto Big Mac Sauce
- 0.33 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Finely chopped Dill Pickles
- 1.5 tsp Yellow Mustard
- 3 tsp Sugar-Free Ketchup
- 0.25 tsp Vinegar White or apple cider vinegar
- 0.25 tsp Paprika
- 0.25 tsp Garlic Powder for the sauce
- 0.25 tsp Onion Powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Grab a small bowl. Measure out your mayonnaise, finely chopped pickles, yellow mustard, sugar-free ketchup, vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Whisk it all together until it's perfectly blended and looks like that iconic "special sauce." Give it a little taste – you might want a tiny pinch more salt or a drop more vinegar, totally up to you! Set this aside while you make the burgers so the flavors can meld.
- Prepare the Meat: In a medium bowl, take your pound of ground beef and sprinkle the 1/2 tsp of garlic powder over it. Use your hands to gently mix the seasoning into the meat. Try not to overwork it – you want tender burgers! Now, divide the seasoned beef into 8 equal portions. Think golf ball size, or slightly smaller.
- Cook the Burgers: Heat up your griddle or a large skillet over medium-high heat. You want it good and hot! Place one portion of ground beef onto the hot surface. Immediately grab a sturdy spatula (or a burger press if you have one!) and firmly smash the beef patty down very thin. The thinner, the crispier the edges! Cook for just 1-2 minutes on the first side until you see those yummy browned edges. Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until cooked through. Because they are so thin, they cook super fast!
- Add Cheese: Right before the burgers are done cooking (during the last 30 seconds or so), place a slice of American cheese on top of each hot patty. Let it melt into gooey perfection.
- Warm Tortillas: While your last batch of burgers and cheese is melting, quickly warm the street taco-sized tortillas. You can do this right on the griddle next to the burgers, or in a separate dry pan. You just want them pliable and easy to fold or hold.
- Assemble: Time for the best part! Place a warm tortilla down. Put a cheesy burger patty onto the tortilla. Pile on a generous amount of shredded lettuce and those delicious dill pickle slices. Finally, spoon a good dollop (or two!) of your prepared Keto Big Mac sauce right on top. Fold it up like a taco, or just eat it open-faced! Repeat with the remaining ingredients, and serve immediately!