Keto BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger (Printable)

A flavorful low-carb skillet dish featuring bacon, ground beef, cheddar, and tangy sugar-free BBQ sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 8 oz bacon, chopped
02 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
04 - 1 small dill pickle, chopped
05 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Sauces and Dairy

06 - 1/2 cup sugar-free BBQ sauce
07 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
08 - 1/4 cup heavy cream

→ Spices and Seasonings

09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Garnishes

13 - 2 green onions, sliced
14 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving approximately 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
02 - Add diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
03 - Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Stir in smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, combining thoroughly.
05 - Return the crispy bacon to the skillet. Add the chopped pickle and cherry tomatoes, mixing gently.
06 - Pour in the sugar-free BBQ sauce and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
07 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the mixture. Cover the skillet and cook on low heat for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Remove from heat. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one skillet, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor layering as each ingredient builds on the last.
  • It tastes indulgent and restaurant-quality while staying completely aligned with your low-carb goals, no compromise on taste.
  • The whole thing comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners when you're tired but hungry.
02 -
  • Don't drain the bacon grease—that's your entire flavor base, and getting impatient with it means you're throwing away the soul of the dish.
  • Check your BBQ sauce carbs obsessively because some "sugar-free" brands sneak in enough sweeteners to derail your macros without you realizing it.
  • If your finished dish looks too wet, you either added too much cream or your cheese didn't set properly—keep the lid on a bit longer on low heat rather than cranking up the temperature.
03 -
  • Keep your heat at medium rather than cranking it up, because you want the bacon to render slowly and the beef to brown instead of steam, which changes the whole texture.
  • Taste as you go and adjust seasoning before the cream goes in, since dairy can muffle flavors and you want to know what you're working with before you make it creamy.
  • Make extra because this reheats beautifully in the skillet over low heat, and leftovers taste even better the next day when the flavors have settled together.
Return