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Keto Sauces

Garbage Plate Sauce

I remember the first time I tasted a classic garbage plate—that rich, spiced meat sauce stole the show. Now, sticking to keto doesn't mean missing out. This low-carb version captures all the bold, savory notes without the sugar, perfect for topping burgers, hot dogs, or even cauliflower rice.

15 min Prep time 35 min Cook time 50 min Total time 4 Servings 140 Calories
Garbage Plate Sauce

Ingredients

  • /2 pound ground beef
  • /4 cups water
  • tablespoon white vinegar
  • /2 teaspoon paprika
  • /2 teaspoon black pepper
  • /4 teaspoon chili powder
  • /4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • /4 teaspoon salt
  • /4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • /4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • /4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • /4 teaspoon ground thyme
  • /4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Step 1

    Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spatula, cooking until no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat—I find this keeps the sauce from getting greasy. Once drained, transfer the beef to a blender or food processor. Pulse a few times until the meat is finely minced

  2. Step 2

    this step creates that classic, uniform texture. Now, in a saucepan, combine the minced beef, water, vinegar, and all the spices—paprika, black pepper, chili powder, cayenne, salt, allspice, cloves, cumin, thyme, and cinnamon. Stir everything together and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. I like to let it bubble slowly for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld beautifully. If it gets too thick, just add a splash of water to keep it gravy-like. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed—maybe an extra pinch of cayenne for heat. That's it

  3. Step 3

    your keto garbage plate sauce is ready to serve.

Chef's Tip

For an even deeper flavor, I sometimes toast the ground spices in the dry pan for 30 seconds before adding the liquid. Also, using a fattier ground beef like 80/20 makes the sauce richer without adding carbs.

Storage Tips

Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, gently warm it on the stove with a splash of water to bring back the saucy consistency. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.

Variation Tips

For a spicier kick, double the cayenne or add a chopped chipotle pepper. To make it a complete keto meal, serve over sautéed zucchini noodles or alongside a crisp green salad. You can also swap ground turkey for beef if you prefer a leaner option.

Frequently Asked Questions