Cheeseburger salad loaded with ground beef, lettuce, tomato, onion and a special big mac sauce that tastes just like the big mac from McDonald’s without the added carbs and fats!
I would be lying if I said I didn’t have my fair share of Big Macs over the years! The combination of cooked beef, topped with pickles, lettuce, and cheese makes anyone’s heart skip a beat. I am happy to report that once you taste this homemade big mac salad, you will forget all about the fast-food version. Okay, maybe not forget about it, but for sure be glad you made it.
My Big Mac Salad recipe is truly so delicious, easy to make, and so much healthier than what you can pick up at a local drive-thru. I don’t know about you, but I love being able to make food at home that is better for you than those foods we all crave.
Plus, when you make Big Mac Salad at home, it’s totally customizable too. You can add your favorite toppings like avocado, sour cream, jalapeno, or even roasted veggies. Or if you’d rather substitute a different protein like ground turkey, chicken, or another beef alternative, you can!
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE BIG MAC SALAD
- Ground beef: You can easily swap the ground beef for ground chicken or turkey if you want. It tastes excellent either way.
- Diced onions: You can’t have a big mac without some diced onions, can you?
- Salt & pepper: All you need is 1/2 teaspoon of each, and it will be seasoned perfectly.
- Romaine Lettuce: I like to chop it pretty fine, just like it would be on a traditional big mac. So yummy!
- Red onion: Using a little bit of red onion adds some lovely vibrant color to the salad as well as flavor.
- Shredded Cheddar cheese: Cheddar cheese is the best to add to this incredible salad. You could also use mozzarella, pepper jack, or anything else you enjoy also.
- Tomato: They are completely optional, but I love the way they taste, and they are great for enhancing the salad.
- Dill Pickles: You’ll need some dill pickles for the salad itself as well as some diced pickles for the sauce.
- Mayo: Using mayo will make the sauce super creamy and flavorful.
- Mustard: You could exchange the mustard for French or Thousand Island dressing if you prefer. No matter which way you make it, it’s so good you could eat it with a spoon.
- Seasonings: Just a little bit of smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder will give you the best flavor ever.
HOW TO MAKE BIG MAC SAUCE
The big mac sauce is what makes this cheeseburger salad complete and taste like an authentic cheeseburger salad.
To Make the big mac sauce, simply whisk together mayonnaise, finely minced dill pickles (or sweet relish), mustard, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. No vinegar or salt needed as the mayonnaise is already seasoned!
HOW TO MAKE BIG MAC SALAD
There isn’t an easier big mac salad recipe out there! Once you put that fork to your mouth, you’ll be hooked. Begin by browning your beef in a skillet for 3-4 minutes. Then mix in the onions and season with salt and pepper. Once the hamburger is browned, and the onions are soft, it’s done.
Prepare the sauce by whisking the mayo, mustard, pickles, and seasonings together. Put out 4 bowls and divide the ingredients between the bowls. Add the sauce on top and devour!
CAN I MAKE THIS BIG MAC SALAD RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME?
Technically, you can make it ahead of time, but don’t assemble it until you are ready to eat it. Simply cook the hamburger, dice the lettuce, tomatoes, and other toppings and whisk the sauce. Then when you are ready to serve the salad, warm up the hamburger in the microwave and put the salad together. This is a great option if you are meal prepping and want something fun and delicious as an easy option.
Big Mac Salad (Low Carb, Keto)
Ingredients
Big Mac Salad
- 1 pound 85-90% ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced onions
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 6 cups romaine lettuce, (chopped)
- 1/2 cup sliced red onion
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup tomato, diced, (optional)
- 1/4 cup dill pickles, (sliced or diced)
For The Big Mac Sauce:
- 3/4 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoon dill pickles, finely minced, (or pickle relish)
- 1 tablespoon mustard, (or French/Thousand Island Dressing)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Cook beef: Add the beef to a large pan and brown over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes, smashing the beef to crumble. Add the onion, salt & pepper and cook for another 4-5 minutes or until the onion is softened and the beef is browned, cooked through and slightly crispy.
- Make a big mac sauce: whisk all the ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Assemble: Divide the lettuce into 4 bowls, top each bowl with ¼ the browned beef, onion, cheese, tomato and pickled. Drizzle with big mac sauce and serve immediately.
Video
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More calories than an actual big mac. If you’re craving a big mac just get one.
Some of us cannot have the bun because it adds too many carbs. Is a good change from a normal salad. Can also reduce the calories and still maintain the flavor.
I made this for the first time and I quite enjoyed it, I wasn’t keen on the sauce so I left it off and I still enjoyed it. Although it might sound weird I added a little bit of mustard and it was good too. I also didn’t have romaine lettuce so I used spinach. I will definitely be making this again and I will try it with ground chicken or turkey as well. A nice change from a regular salad. A hamburger without the bun!
Delicious!! This will become a staple in my meal prep! Thank you!
WE LOVE THIS! I’ve made this twice now and both times have been delicious!! Highly, highly recommend. The 2nd time I made it I cut the mayonnaise down and it came out just as delicious. A little of the sauce goes a long way! I must ask though: last time I made this I had extra sauce and it’s been chilling in the fridge. How long does the dressing keep for? Thanks!!
That’s good to hear! The dressing should last 2 weeks in the fridge.
Is one serving 687? Or is that for the 4 serving combined?
That is per serving with the sauce!
More calories and saturated fat than the actual Big Mac, but less sodium. I imagine more fiber and vitamins as well. Still….
OMG DELICIOUS…
Swap out the beef for Beyond meat and it can be a vegetarian rendition 🙂
changed up the boring salad – Thank you