Looking for a salad that’s easy, healthy, and loaded with flavor? This Big Mac Salad is a cheeseburger lover’s dream!
It’s low carb, gluten free, and comes together in 15 minutes. Perfect for busy nights or meal prepping, this salad has all the best parts of a burger without the bun.
This cheeseburger in a bowl is fulfilling, flavorful, and much better for you than the alternative. So, log off Uber Eats and head to the kitchen to recreate your favorite burger right at home.
Table of Contents
Recipe Video
Why This Recipe Works
This cheeseburger salad recipe works because it delivers all the delicious flavors of a classic Big Mac in a quick, easy, and healthy way.
In the 10 minutes it takes for the ground beef to brown, the rest of this salad can be prepared swiftly, from making the Big Mac salad dressing to chopping the veggies. In 20 minutes or less, you can have a meal-worthy salad that has all the flavors you crave from the iconic Big Mac, only healthier!
By skipping the heavy bun and reducing calories from oil and cheese, this Big Mac-inspired salad offers a lighter version of the iconic Big Mac sandwich. The fresh veggies, lean protein, and customizable toppings give you a guilt-free indulgence, satisfying those cravings without the heavy feeling.
Ingredients
Ground Beef:
Of course, ground beef is used in a Big Mac Salad to mimic the savory, juicy flavor of the classic Big Mac burger patty. If you prefer a healthier or different option, you can always substitute the beef with leaner meat like ground chicken or turkey. Lentils, black beans, plant-based ground meat alternatives, tofu, tempeh, or oyster mushrooms are all excellent vegan or vegetarian options.
Big Mac Salad Dressing:
The Big Mac salad dressing is comprised of typical burger ingredients like ketchup, mustard, relish, and mayo. However, if you want to save yourself some time and effort in the kitchen, you can simply reach for your favorite brand of Thousand Island dressing as a convenient alternative.
Vegetables:
This low-carb Big Mac salad is made with lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and pickles, staying true to the ingredients you would usually find on a cheeseburger. If you are looking to make your salad even healthier, you can add bell peppers, cucumber, carrots, and even mushrooms to your Big Mac-inspired salad.
Cheddar Cheese:
In this recipe, cheddar cheese is added for its sharp flavor, which complements the savory beef, giving the salad that classic "burger" feel. Mozzarella, parmesan, feta, and American cheeses are excellent alternatives. For a vegan version, opt for your favorite vegan cheese or nutritional yeast for the cheesy flavor.
Sesame Seeds:
The sesame seeds finish off the salad, giving it the feel of being served on a "sesame seed bun," just like the Big Mac. These are optional and will result in that classic Big Mac flavor.
How to Make a Big Mac Salad
Step One:
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes.
Step Two:
Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula for even cooking. Brown the meat for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure it cooks evenly. Remove the browned ground beef from the heat and set aside. If needed, drain any excess fat from the skillet.
Step Three:
Whisk the mayo, ketchup, Dijon mustard, relish, water, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika together in a bowl until all the ingredients are incorporated to make the Big Mac salad dressing. Set aside.
Step Four:
To assemble the salad, place the lettuce at the bottom of the bowl, then layer the tomatoes, onions, pickles, ground beef, and cheese on top, followed by a drizzle of the Big Mac salad dressing.
Step Five:
Finish your low-carb Big Mac salad with a sprinkling of sesame seeds, and enjoy!
Tips
- For even more of that iconic Big Mac flavor, season your ground beef with some salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder as soon as you add it to the skillet. This will allow you to capture that classic burger flavor in every bite.
- For seasoning, you can use this Big Mac Sauce recipe as well.
What to Serve With a Big Mac Salad
This healthy Big Mac salad pairs well with a variety of options that complement its authentic flavors. For a heartier meal, consider adding a side of sweet potato fries or French fries. If you’re keeping it low-carb, cauliflower tots or zucchini fries work great. Additionally, you can serve up a classic soup and salad combo by accompanying your cheeseburger salad with some dill or tomato soup.
FAQs
Is this a gluten-free Big Mac salad?
While this is a naturally gluten-free salad, it's important that you check the label of any packaged items. Ingredients like mayo, Dijon mustard, relish, or sesame seeds could come from a facility where cross-contamination may be possible, so choose a brand specifically labeled gluten-free to ensure safe consumption.
Can I make this a vegan Big Mac salad?
Yes! To make a vegan Big Mac salad, replace ground beef with a plant-based meat substitute or cooked lentils. Use vegan mayonnaise in the dressing, omit the cheese, or use dairy-free cheese and skip any non-vegan ingredients. This way, you can enjoy a Big Mac-inspired salad with all the classic flavors!
What's the best way to store leftover Big Mac salad?
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping the ingredients separate to avoid sogginess.
Salad Recipes
Salads don't always have to be bird food. For more hearty and fulfilling salad recipes like this cheeseburger salad, check out this collection for some fresh inspiration.
Big Mac Salad
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon water
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups iceberg lettuce chopped
- 2 tomatoes diced
- ⅓ cup onion sliced
- ½ cup pickles sliced
- ¾ cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula for even cooking. Brown the meat for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure it cooks evenly. Remove the browned ground beef from the heat and set aside. If needed, drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Whisk the mayo, ketchup, Dijon mustard, relish, water, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika together in a bowl until all the ingredients are incorporated to make the Big Mac salad dressing. Set aside.
- To assemble the salad, place the lettuce at the bottom of the bowl, then layer the tomatoes, onions, pickles, ground beef, and cheese on top, followed by a drizzle of the Big Mac salad dressing.
- Finish your low-carb Big Mac salad with a sprinkling of sesame seeds, and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Notes
- For even more of that iconic Big Mac flavor, season your ground beef with some salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder as soon as you add it to the skillet. This will allow you to capture that classic burger flavor in every bite.
- To mix things up, you can use this Big Mac Sauce recipe as well.
This salad was so tasty. I used cherry tomatoes and toasted the sesame seeds and it was yummy. Next time I'll swap the water for some vinegar in the dressing.