What is the lowest carb item at McDonald's? A Keto Guide

October 10, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutrition data, a standard McDonald's bun can contain 28-40 grams of carbohydrates, making it the primary carb source in most sandwiches. For those following a low-carb diet, removing the bread is the key to identifying what is the lowest carb item at McDonald's and creating compliant meals.

Quick Summary

This guide reveals the lowest carb items at McDonald's by focusing on protein-rich options and modifications like removing buns and sugary sauces. It provides specific low-carb orders for breakfast and lunch/dinner, ensuring you can stick to your dietary plan while dining at the fast-food chain.

Key Points

The Absolute Lowest Carb Item: A plain hamburger patty, ordered with no bun, no ketchup, and no salt, is essentially zero carbs.
Breakfast Hack: Order a Sausage McMuffin with Egg but ask for 'no muffin' to get a flavorful, low-carb breakfast of sausage, egg, and cheese.
Bunless Burger Strategy: Get any burger without the bun and ketchup to drastically reduce carbs. Ask for 'protein style' or 'no bun'.
Mind Your Condiments: Avoid sugary sauces and ketchup. Instead, stick to mustard, mayo, or the Creamy Ranch dipping sauce.
Check Your Drinks: Choose water, plain coffee, or diet soda. Flavored drinks and some 'sugar-free' options can still contain hidden carbs.
Beware of Breading: Any item that is breaded, like Chicken McNuggets or crispy chicken, will be higher in carbs and should be avoided on a strict keto diet.

Navigating the McDonald's menu on a low-carb diet can seem daunting, given the prevalence of buns, breading, and sugary condiments. However, with the right strategy, it's possible to create satisfying and remarkably low-carb meals. The secret lies in customization: by asking for simple omissions, you can transform high-carb menu items into keto-friendly alternatives. The absolute lowest carb items are often the unadorned, savory ingredients, such as burger patties or bacon, though these are typically ordered as part of a larger, customized meal.

The Absolute Lowest Carb Components

When stripped of any breading, buns, or sauces, many McDonald's ingredients are extremely low in carbohydrates, often containing just 0-1 gram. For instance, a single sausage patty or a hamburger patty contains a negligible amount of carbs. The challenge is ordering these items in a way that feels like a complete meal. Ordering 'à la carte' is a useful tactic, asking specifically for individual components on a tray or in a container. Another option is requesting a standard menu item with key omissions, which often prompts staff to serve the protein and toppings in a box.

Best Low-Carb Breakfast Strategy

For breakfast, the Sausage McMuffin with Egg, ordered without the English muffin, is a powerhouse low-carb option. You are left with a savory combination of sausage, egg, and a slice of cheese, packed with protein and fat to start your day. Many customers suggest ordering two of these, minus the muffin, for a more substantial meal. The Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit, ordered without the biscuit, offers a similar low-carb profile. Simply ask for the individual components on a platter or in a bowl. For those seeking even fewer carbs, a plain Sausage Patty or a Round Egg patty are fantastic foundational options with minimal carbs. Some patrons even order a side of a single scrambled egg or ask for extra cheese slices to boost fat content. The key is remembering that the bread component is the primary source of carbs in almost all breakfast sandwiches.

Customizing Low-Carb Lunch and Dinner

Lunch and dinner at McDonald's require a similar approach: eliminate the bread. A bunless burger is the most popular and versatile low-carb choice. This can be ordered on any burger, from a simple Cheeseburger to a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese. Ordering a 'plain' burger with no bun and no ketchup is often the safest bet, as mustard, mayo, pickles, and onions are typically low-carb additions. A common strategy is asking for it 'protein style' or 'no bun,' and you will receive the burger patties and toppings in a container. To turn this into a more complete meal, you can ask for shredded lettuce on the side or even mix in one of the approved sauces. While McDonald's discontinued most salads in the US, some locations internationally may still offer a basic side salad. It is crucial to check local menu options and avoid high-carb dressings, instead opting for a keto-friendly dipping sauce like creamy ranch.

Low-Carb Comparison Table


Menu Item (Customized)	Net Carbs (Approx.)	Protein (Approx.)	Calories (Approx.)	Notes
Hamburger (no bun)	1g	7g	100	A very basic, low-calorie option.
Quarter Pounder w/ Cheese (no bun)	3g	24g	320	A more filling burger with a higher protein and fat count.
Sausage McMuffin w/ Egg (no muffin)	2g	15g	340	Perfect for a high-fat, high-protein breakfast.
Big Mac (no bun, no sauce)	3g	18g	250	Avoids the sugary sauce and bun for a classic taste.
6-Piece McNuggets	15g	17g	250	Contains breading; a 'dirty keto' option only.

*Note: Nutritional information can vary slightly by location and region. Figures are based on bunless or modified US menu items as per recent nutritional guides.

Customization and Condiment Considerations

Beyond just removing the bun, understanding the carbohydrates in condiments is critical for low-carb eating. Ketchup and sugary sauces, like the traditional Big Mac sauce, are major carb contributors. Instead, opt for mustard or mayonnaise, which contain minimal to zero carbohydrates. For salads, skip the provided dressing and use a keto-friendly dipping sauce like the Creamy Ranch sauce, which is a better option than the higher-carb salad dressings. Always scrutinize a product labeled 'sugar-free' and verify the carb content on the McDonald's nutrition website.

Conclusion

While fries, shakes, and buns are high-carb staples at McDonald's, the lowest carb items are found by deconstructing the menu. By intelligently customizing your order, you can enjoy a satisfying and flavorful meal that aligns with low-carb or keto dietary goals. The most reliable low-carb options revolve around bunless burgers and breakfast sandwiches, focusing on the protein and fat content while eliminating all bread and sugary sauces. A plain Hamburger (no bun, no ketchup) or a Sausage Patty are technically the items with the single lowest carb count, but a customized, bunless meal offers a more complete option. For more detailed information on specific ingredients, consult the official McDonald's nutrition calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

The lowest carb breakfast item is the Sausage McMuffin with Egg, ordered with no English muffin. This removes the main source of carbohydrates, leaving a satisfying meal of sausage, egg, and cheese with only a few grams of net carbs.

To order a keto-friendly burger, ask for any burger 'no bun' and 'no ketchup'. It will be served in a container, and you can eat it with a fork or wrap it in a lettuce leaf if available.

Yes, but with customization. For example, a side salad or a grilled chicken salad (where available) can be low-carb, but you must avoid the croutons and opt for a low-carb dressing like Creamy Ranch dipping sauce instead of the higher-sugar vinaigrettes.

For low-carb or keto, stick to mustard and mayonnaise. The Creamy Ranch dipping sauce is also a good option. Avoid ketchup, BBQ sauce, and other sweet sauces, which contain significant amounts of sugar.

No, both Chicken McNuggets and crispy chicken sandwiches are not low-carb because they are covered in a breading that is high in carbohydrates. They should be avoided on a strict keto diet.

Yes, most diet sodas and unsweetened iced tea are fine for a low-carb diet. However, it's always wise to check the nutrition facts for flavored or 'sugar-free' iced coffees, as some can contain hidden carbs.

While it is nearly impossible to find a completely zero-carb meal due to minor carbs in seasonings or processes, a plain hamburger patty or sausage patty ordered à la carte can be close to zero net carbs.