Keto Options at McDonald's
McDonald's is more keto-friendly than most people expect. Skip the bun on any burger and you're looking at 3-7g net carbs — and the breakfast menu has some of the best value keto and low carb options on the UK high street. Focus on bunless burgers, breakfast items without the muffin, and grilled chicken salads.
Top Keto Picks at McDonald's
Big Mac (No Bun)
ExcellentClassic Big Mac without the bun - two beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions. One of the most recognised low carb fast food orders in the UK.
Pro tips:
- •Ask for extra pickles and cheese for more flavour
- •The special sauce contains some sugar - ask for it on the side if you want to keep this as low carb as possible
- •A reliable keto and low carb order that staff are very familiar with
Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese (No Bun)
ExcellentTwo quarter pound beef patties with cheese, pickles, onions and mustard, served without the bun. The highest protein bunless burger on the McDonald's UK menu and the top pick for anyone serious about keto or low carb eating.
Pro tips:
- •The best keto and low carb option at McDonald's UK - 49g protein and just 5g net carbs
- •Skip the ketchup entirely - ask for mustard only
- •Higher sodium than other options, worth noting if you are tracking electrolytes on keto
- •Staff are used to bunless orders - just ask clearly at the counter or on the app
Sausage & Egg McMuffin (No Muffin)
ExcellentSausage patty, egg, and cheese without the English muffin. One of the best value low carb breakfasts on the UK high street.
Pro tips:
- •Just 4g net carbs - one of the cleanest keto breakfast options at any UK fast food chain
- •Ask for extra cheese to increase fat content if you are tracking macros
- •Works well as a low carb breakfast even if you are not strictly keto
All Keto Options
Quarter Pounder with Cheese (No Bun)
ExcellentQuarter pound beef patty with cheese, pickles, onions, ketchup, and mustard. A solid low carb option with good protein.
Pro tips:
- •Skip the ketchup to keep this genuinely low carb - saves 2-3g carbs
- •Larger portion than the Big Mac, more filling for the same price range
- •Good protein-to-carb ratio for a keto meal
Bacon & Egg McMuffin (No Muffin)
ExcellentBack bacon, egg, and cheese without the English muffin. The lowest carb breakfast option at McDonald's UK.
Pro tips:
- •The lowest carb breakfast option at McDonald's - 3g net carbs
- •Higher protein, lower fat than the sausage version - good for low carb eaters who are not strictly keto
- •Very affordable and consistent across all UK locations
Grilled Chicken Salad (No Dressing)
GoodMixed greens with grilled chicken breast. A high protein, low carb option that works well as a lighter keto meal.
Pro tips:
- •Very high protein relative to calories - good for low carb eaters watching overall intake
- •Add olive oil to increase fat content if you are tracking keto macros
- •One of the few genuinely low carb salad options at a UK fast food chain
FAQs: Keto at McDonald's
What can I eat at McDonald's on keto?
The best keto and low carb strategy at McDonald's UK is to order any burger without the bun. The Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese without the bun is the top pick - 5g net carbs and 49g protein. You can also order a grilled chicken salad without dressing, or breakfast items without the muffin.
Can I order a bunless burger at McDonald's UK?
Yes - simply ask for your burger without the bun when ordering. McDonald's UK staff are very used to this request from keto and low carb customers. The burger will be served in a box. All burger patties and cheese are keto-safe - avoid ketchup and ask for mustard or mayo only.
Are McDonald's sauces keto-friendly?
Most McDonald's sauces are not keto or low carb friendly. Ketchup, Big Mac sauce, and sweet and sour are all high in sugar. Stick to mustard or mayonnaise, which are both low carb. Always ask for no ketchup when ordering a bunless burger.
Is McDonald's breakfast keto-friendly?
Yes - the breakfast menu has some of the best value keto and low carb options on the UK high street. Order a Sausage and Egg McMuffin or Bacon and Egg McMuffin without the muffin. Both come in under 4g net carbs. Avoid hash browns, pancakes, and porridge.
What are the lowest carb options at McDonald's UK?
The lowest carb options are the Bacon and Egg McMuffin without the muffin (3g net carbs), the Sausage and Egg McMuffin without the muffin (4g net carbs), and the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese without the bun (5g net carbs, 49g protein). All three are on the page above with full nutrition details.
What should I avoid at McDonald's on keto?
Avoid all burger buns, wraps, and McFlurries. French fries are around 40g carbs per medium portion. Also avoid milkshakes, apple pie, and any limited edition items with coatings or sweet sauces. For low carb eating, the rule is simple - if it has bread, batter, or sugar in the sauce, skip it.