keto cheeseburgers, no bun

Keto at McDonald’s | 25+ Low Carb Options

Be sure to take a peek at this Keto McDonald’s Menu Guide before you pull up in the drive thru!

With an abundance of locations and inexpensive prices, McDonald’s is a fast food restaurant chain that is accessible to almost everyone.

I’ve had great experiences eating Keto at McDonald’s. Here’s how to make it work with your Keto lifestyle.

BUNLESS BURGERS

When you ask for a sandwich without a bun, it typically comes prepared for you in a plastic container.

They even include large pieces of leaf lettuce, which I happen to love.

It’s a great replacement for the bun and saves us over 30 grams of carbs and 180 calories!

OVERVIEW: KETO AT MCDONALD’S

Much like the tactics I use for eating Keto at Wendy’s, you’ll want to stick to these basics:

• Avoid the heavy carbs: french fries, buns, wraps, bagels, biscuits, etc.
• Make wise condiment choices due to the fact that some are loaded with sugar.
• Be wary of the sugar-free iced coffee and dressings.
• Sadly, McDonald’s no longer offers the Pico Guacamole Chicken Sandwich. With grilled chicken, guacamole, cheese, bacon and pico de gallo — it made a perfect Keto lunch!
• It’s very convenient to be able to pop through the drive-thru for breakfast at any time of day!

USE THE MCDONALD’S APP FOR DEALS AND EASE OF USE

The McDonald’s app let’s you plan and place your order directly from your smartphone.

I love this option because it also gives me the functionality to remove the bun, add condiments, etc.

When you’re ready to pick up your food, just place the order and either:

• pick up your meal in the drive-thru
• head inside to get your food
• pull into one of the designated parking spaces for mobile orders (they’ll bring it right out to your car!)

This is especially helpful for people who are still a little shy about ordering with no bun.

SAVE SOME MONEY!

Finally, the app usually has some sort of deal that you can take advantage of.

For example, the McDonald’s app often has specials like BOGO sandwiches and even free promotions when your local sports teams win.

I’m from Pittsburgh, so there’s usually a free offer waiting for me in the app.

BURGERS

Almost all of the burger offerings can easily fit into a ketogenic diet when you remove the bun.

• Hamburger, plain with no bun (90 calories, 6g fat, 0g carbs, 7g protein)
• Cheeseburger, plain with no bun (140 calories, 10g fat, 2g carbs, 10g protein)
• Double Cheeseburger, plain with no bun (270 calories, 20g fat, 5g carbs, 20g protein)
• McDouble, plain with no bun (220 calories, 16g fat, 3g carbs, 17g protein)
• Bacon McDouble, plain with no bun (290 calories, 21g fat, 3g carbs, 23g protein)
  

• Triple Cheeseburger, plain with no bun (360 calories, 26g fat, 5g carbs, 1g fiber, 27g protein) 4g net
• Quarter Pounder, plain with no bun (240 calories, 18g fat, 1g carbs, 20g protein)
• Quarter Pounder with Cheese, plain with no bun (340 calories, 25g fat, 4g carbs, 1g fiber, 25g protein) 3g net
• Double Quarter Pounder, plain + no bun (480 calories, 35g fat, 2g carbs, 39g protein)
• Double Quarter Pounder with cheese, plain + no bun (530 calories, 37g fat, 4g carbs, 42g protein)

BIG MACS

Instead of large leaf lettuce, Bunless Big Macs typically come with shredded lettuce. I think this is great because it totally adds that Big Mac realness!

• Big Mac, no bun (330 calories, 27g fat, 6g carbs, 1g fiber, 17g protein) 5g carbs
• Big Mac, plain + no bun (220 calories, 16g fat, 2g carbs, 17g protein)
• Bacon Big Mac, no bun (400 calories, 30g fat, 8g carbs, 1g fiber, 23g protein) 7g net
• Bacon Big Mac, plain + no bun (290 calories, 21g fat, 3g carbs, 22g protein)
  

CHICKEN

• Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich, plain + no bun (130 calories, 2g fat, 0g carbs, 28g protein)
• Filet-O-Fish, plain + no bun (120 calories, 5g fat, 9g carbs, 10g protein)
• Classic Chicken Sandwich, plain + no bun (300 calories, 16g fat, 20g carbs, 2g fiber, 19g protein) 18g net
• McChicken, plain + no bun (160 calories, 9g fat, 10g carbs, 1g fiber, 9g protein) 9g net
• Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich, plain + no bun (300 calories, 16g fat, 20g carbs, 2g fiber, 19g protein) 18g net
• Chicken McNuggets, 4 piece (180 calories, 11g fat, 11g carbs, 1g fiber, 10g protein) 10g net
• Chicken McNuggets, 6 piece (270 calories, 16g fat, 16g carbs, 1g fiber, 15g protein) 15g net
• Buttermilk Crispy Tenders, 2 piece (250 calories, 13g fat, 13g carbs, 20g protein)
  

BREAKFAST OPTIONS

McDonald’s breakfast has always been a guilty pleasure of mine, even before starting the Keto diet.

These are the lowest carb options available for McDonald’s breakfast:

SIDES OF PROTEIN

• Sausage patty (190 calories, 18g fat, 1g carbs, 7g protein)
• Bacon, side (70 calories, 4.5g fat, 1g carbs, 5g protein)
• Canadian bacon (15 calories, 0g fat, 1g carbs, 3g protein)
• Steak patty (130 calories, 10g fat, 0g carbs, 12g protein)
• Round egg (70 calories, 5g fat, 1g carbs, 7g protein)
• Folded egg (60 calories, 4g fat, 2g carbs, 6g protein)
• American cheese, slice (50 calories, 3.5g fat, 2g carbs, 3g protein)

MCDONALD’S BREAKFAST SANDWICHES WITH NO BUN

• Egg McMuffin, no McMuffin (160 calories, 11g fat, 3g carbs, 12g protein)
• Egg White Delight McMuffin, no McMuffin (140 calories, 9g fat, 2g carbs, 13g protein)
• Sausage McMuffin, no McMuffin, no McMuffin (260 calories, 24g fat, 2g carbs, 9g protein)
• Sausage McMuffin with egg, no McMuffin (340 calories, 29g fat, 3g carbs, 16g protein)
• Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit, no biscuit (190 calories, 13g fat, 4g carbs, 1g fiber, 14g protein) 3g net
• Sausage Biscuit, no biscuit (190 calories, 18g fat, 1g carbs, 7g protein)
• Sausage Biscuit with Egg, no biscuit (270 calories, 23g fat, 2g carbs, 12g protein)
• Steak, Egg & Cheese Biscuit, no biscuit (270 calories, 19g fat, 4g carbs, 1g fiber, 20g protein) 3g net
• Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddle, no griddle cakes (180 calories, 12g fat, 4g carbs, 1g fiber, 14g protein) 3g net
• Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle, no griddle cakes (310 calories, 26g fat, 4g carbs, 1g fiber, 15g protein) 3g net
• Bacon, Egg & Cheese Bagel, no bagel (300 calories, 23g fat, 6g carbs, 1g fiber, 17g protein) 5g net
• Triple Breakfast Stack McMuffin, no bread (660 calories, 56.5g fat, 8g carbs, 1g fiber, 32g protein) 7g net
  

KETO-FRIENDLY CONDIMENTS AT MCDONALD’S

The sauces at McDonald’s aren’t especially Keto-friendly and vary greatly in carbs.

However, you are generally pretty safe if you stick to choices like mayo and mustard.

• Mayonnaise (100 calories, 10g fat, 0g carbs, 0g protein)
• Mustard (5 calories, 0g fat, 0g carbs, 0g protein)
• Ketchup (10 calories, 0g fat, 2g carbs, 0g protein)
• Pickles (2) (0 calories, 0g fat, 0g carbs, 0g protein)
• Lettuce (0 calories, 0g fat, 0g carbs, 0g protein)
• Tomato, (1 slice) or Lettuce (5 calories, 0g fat, 1g carb, 0g protein)
• Tartar Sauce (90 calories, 10g fat, 1g carbs, 0g protein)
• American cheese, slice (50 calories, 3.5g fat, 2g carbs, 3g protein)
• White cheddar, slice (50 calories, 3.5g fat, 2g carbs, 3g protein)
• Bacon (70 calories, 4.5g fat, 1g carbs, 5g protein)
• Big Mac Sauce (90 calories, 9g fat, 2g carbs, 0g protein)

SIDES & SALADS

As a result of the limited side dish options, a side salad is a great choice. Be sure to choose a salad dressing that is low in carbs.

• Side Salad, no dressing (15 calories, 0g fat, 3g carbs, 1g fiber, 1g protein) 2g net
• Bacon Ranch Grilled Chicken Salad, no dressing (320 calories, 14g fat, 9g carbs, 3g fiber, 42g protein) 6g net
• Apple slices (15 calories, 0g fat, 4g carbs, 0g protein)
• Yoplait Go Gurt (50 calories, 0.5g fat, 8g carbs, 3g protein)
• French Fries, kids size (110 calories, 5g fat, 15g carbs, 1g fiber, 1g protein) 14g net

If I’m not in the mood for a salad, I will typically just get another bunless burger instead.

SALAD DRESSINGS

I find that the salad dressing options at McDonald’s are rather limited and disappointing.

• Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing (35 calories, 2g fat, 4g carbs, 0g protein)
• Low Fat Italian dressing (50 calories, 1.5g fat, 8g carbs, 1g fiber, 0g protein) 7g net
• Ranch dressing (190 calories, 16g fat, 11g carbs, 1g fiber, 1g protein) 10g net
• Creamy Southwest dressing (110 calories, 7g fat, 12g carbs, 1g fiber, 1g protein) 11g net

Instead of dressing, I often opt for the dipping sauces instead.

One packet of ranch dipping sauce is only 1g of carbs compared to 10g for a packet of dressing.

DIPPING SAUCES

Do yourself a favor and mix the Spicy Buffalo Sauce and Creamy Ranch as your salad dressing. You’re welcome.

• Spicy Buffalo Sauce (30 calories, 3g fat, 1g carbs, 0g protein)
• Creamy Ranch Sauce (110 calories, 12g fat, 1g carbs, 0g protein)
• Signature Sauce (100 calories, 9g fat, 3g carbs, 0g protein)
• Habanero Ranch Sauce (80 calories, 7g fat, 5g carbs, 1g protein)
• Honey Mustard Sauce (50 calories, 3g fat, 6g carbs, 0g protein)
• Sweet ‘n Sour Sauce (50 calories, 0g fat, 11g carbs, 1g protein)
• Tangy Barbeque Sauce (45 calories, 0g fat, 11g carbs, 0g protein)

DRINKS

Overall, it is best to stick to your typical low sugar and calorie options like water and diet soda.

It’s important to be cautious with the iced coffees. The sugar free options are surprisingly high in carbs.

• Small iced coffee, sugar free vanilla (80 calories, 5g fat, 8g carbs, 2g protein)
• Medium iced coffee, sugar free vanilla (90 calories, 5g fat, 11g carbs, 2g protein)
• Large iced coffee, sugar free vanilla (130 calories, 7g fat, 16g carbs, 3g protein)
• Unsweetened iced tea (5 calories, 0g fat, 0g carbs, 0g protein)
• Diet Coke (0 calories, 0g fat, 0g carbs, 0g protein)

KETO MEAL IDEAS AT MCDONALD’S

• 2 McDouble, plain with no bun + side of mayo (540 calories, 42g fat, 6g carbs, 17g protein)
• 2 Sausage patties + 2 Round eggs (520 calories, 46g fat, 4g carbs, 28g protein)
• Big Mac, no bun (includes all toppings) + McDouble, plain with no bun
  (550 calories, 41g fat, 10g carbs, 1g fiber, 35g protein) 9g net

You can even customize your own Keto meal before you get to McDonald’s.