Big Mac Salad

This Big Mac Salad is a game-changer! It's nostalgic for the classic burger, but it's made with healthier, wholesome ingredients and is low-carb and gluten-free!

Prep Time15

Cook Time10

Total Time25

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: American

Keyword: big mac salad, cheeseburger salad, hamburger salad

Servings:

Calories: 358kcal

Author: Katerina | Easy Weeknight Recipes

Equipment

Ingredients

For the salad

1 pound ground beef
salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
8 cups chopped lettuce, use a mix of iceberg and romaine
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup sliced dill pickles
½ small red onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish, optional

For the dressing

½ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish, diced
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside to cool to room temperature.
In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, cherry tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, pickles, and sliced red onions.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, honey, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper to make the dressing.
Add the cooled ground beef to the salad bowl and drizzle the dressing over the top. Gently toss everything together until well combined and evenly coated.
Sprinkle sesame seeds over the salad for garnish and additional pickles just before serving, if desired.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Making The Dressing: Taste and adjust the dressing until you find the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors for your taste.
Cool The Beef: After cooking the ground beef, you need to let it cool before adding it to the salad because the hot meat will wilt the salad greens.
Sesame Seeds: The sesame seeds will add a nutty, authentic taste reminiscent of the classic Big Mac.
Croutons: This salad is like a bunless cheeseburger, but you can add a sprinkle of croutons if you miss the bread.
To Store, keep the salad and dressing separate. Store any leftover salad in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to two days.

Nutrition