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Keto Options at McDonald's

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McDonald's offers surprisingly good keto options when you skip the buns. Focus on burgers without buns, grilled chicken salads, and breakfast items.

Best picks:
3 items
Net carbs range:
3g -8g
Keto-friendly:
good
Last updated:
Jan 2026

Top Keto Picks at McDonald's

Big Mac (No Bun)

Excellent

Classic Big Mac without the bun - two beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions

Net Carbs
6g
Protein
24g
Fat
25g
Calories
330

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 control portions
  • •Comes to about £3.50 - good value for a keto meal
Availability: all-day£3-4
Verified: Jan 2026

Quarter Pounder with Cheese (No Bun)

Excellent

Quarter pound beef patty with cheese, pickles, onions, ketchup, and mustard

Net Carbs
7g
Protein
26g
Fat
27g
Calories
350

Pro tips:

  • •Skip the ketchup to save 2-3g carbs
  • •Larger portion than Big Mac - more filling
  • •Great protein-to-carb ratio
Availability: all-day£4-5
Verified: Jan 2026

Sausage & Egg McMuffin (No Muffin)

Excellent

Sausage patty, egg, and cheese without the English muffin

Net Carbs
4g
Protein
18g
Fat
22g
Calories
280

Pro tips:

  • •Perfect keto breakfast option
  • •Just 4g net carbs - very clean
  • •Ask for extra cheese if you want more fat
Availability: breakfast£2-3
Verified: Jan 2026

All Keto Options

Bacon & Egg McMuffin (No Muffin)

Excellent

Back bacon, egg, and cheese without the English muffin

Net Carbs
3g
Protein
16g
Fat
16g
Calories
220

Pro tips:

  • •Lowest carb breakfast option at McDonald's
  • •Higher protein, lower fat than sausage version
  • •Very affordable keto breakfast
Availability: breakfast£2-3
Verified: Jan 2026

Grilled Chicken Salad (No Dressing)

Good

Mixed greens with grilled chicken breast

Net Carbs
8g
Protein
28g
Fat
5g
Calories
180

Pro tips:

  • •Very high protein, low fat option
  • •Great if you're close to protein goals
  • •Add olive oil to increase fat content
Availability: all-day£5-6
Verified: Jan 2026

FAQs: Keto at McDonald's

What can I eat at McDonald's on keto?

The best keto 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 — around 5g net carbs and 49g protein. You can also order grilled chicken without the bun, or a side salad without dressing.

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 used to this request. The burger will be served in a box without the bun. 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-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 strong keto options. Order a sausage and egg muffin without the muffin, or ask for scrambled eggs and a sausage patty on their own. Bacon and eggs are also available. Avoid hash browns, pancakes, and all breakfast muffins with the bread.

What are the lowest carb options at McDonald's UK?

The lowest carb options are the grilled chicken without bun (around 2g net carbs), a plain beef patty without bun, and side salad without dressing. The Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese without bun is the best balance of low carbs and high protein at around 5g net carbs and 49g protein.

What should I avoid at McDonald's on keto?

Avoid all burger buns, wraps, and McFlurries. French fries are one of the highest carb items at around 40g per medium portion. Also avoid all milkshakes, fruit bags, apple pie, and any limited edition items with sauces or coatings. Stick to plain bunless burgers and water or black coffee.