This Big Mac Salad is a game-changer for anyone who loves the flavors of a classic burger but wants to keep it healthy. With juicy ground beef, crisp lettuce, and a creamy special sauce, it’s a hearty salad that delivers all the best parts of a fast food favorite. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep!
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This salad has become my go-to when I’m craving fast food but want something a bit lighter. It’s like eating a burger, but without the guilt of a heavy bun and greasy fries. The combination of tangy pickles, savory beef, and creamy special sauce is just so satisfying. I especially love it as a quick midweek dinner or even a low carb meal prep option for busy days. Trust me, it’s as fun to make as it is to eat!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Big Mac Salad
I’m here to guide you through creating this delicious Big Mac Salad. It’s simple, quick, and full of bold, familiar flavors.
Prepare the Sauce
In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, dill pickle relish, granulated sugar, white vinegar, mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth, then cover and refrigerate. Let it chill while you cook the beef.
Cook the Beef
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and season it with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Break the beef apart with a spoon or spatula and cook until browned about 7–10 minutes. Drain the grease, and set the beef aside to cool slightly.
Chop the Toppings
Dice the onion, slice the pickles, and chop the tomato (if using). Wash and shred the butter lettuce for the salad base.
Assemble the Salad
In a large bowl, layer the butter lettuce, cooked beef, diced onion, pickles, shredded cheddar cheese, and tomatoes. Drizzle the chilled Big Mac sauce over the top.
Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle sesame seeds for that iconic burger touch, toss lightly, and serve immediately. Enjoy every bite of this fast-food-inspired salad!
Big Mac Salad Recipe
Add Preferred SourceIngredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 6 ounces butter lettuce
- ½ white onion
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 4 medium pickles
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tomato optional
For the sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Mix all the sauce ingredients together in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate to chill while you prepare the beef.1 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, 1 tablespoon mustard
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground beef. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Break the beef apart with a spoon or spatula and cook until browned, about 7 to 10 minutes. Drain any excess grease.1 pound ground beef, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper
- Prepare the toppings by chopping the tomato, dicing the onion, and slicing the pickles.½ white onion, 1 tomato, 4 medium pickles
- In a large bowl, assemble the salad. Start with a bed of butter lettuce, then layer the onion, pickles, beef, cheese, and diced tomatoes if desired.6 ounces butter lettuce, 1 cup cheddar cheese
- Drizzle the sauce evenly over the salad. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Customize Your Protein: Ground turkey or chicken works just as well as beef if you prefer a leaner option.
- Cheese: While shredded cheddar is classic, you can swap it for Colby Jack or even a dairy-free cheese if needed.
- Lettuce Options: Pre-shredded lettuce saves time and works perfectly for this salad. You can also switch butter lettuce for romaine, iceberg lettuce, spinach,or arugula.
- Skip the Tomato: Not a fan? No problem—leave it out without losing that Big Mac vibe.
- Gluten-Free: Double-check your mustard and relish for gluten-free options to keep the recipe fully gluten-free.
- Meal Prep: Keep the sauce and toppings in separate airtight containers and assemble just before serving to keep the lettuce crisp.
How to Store Leftover Big Mac Salad
To store leftovers, place the salad (minus the sauce) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store the sauce separately in another container. When ready to eat, drizzle the sauce over the salad just before serving to keep everything fresh and flavorful.Nutrition
Recipe Notes and Tips
I’ve got a few tips to make your Big Mac Salad absolutely perfect:
- Customize Your Protein: Ground turkey or chicken works just as well as beef if you prefer a leaner option.
- Cheese: While shredded cheddar is classic, you can swap it for Colby Jack or even a dairy-free cheese if needed.
- Lettuce Options: Pre-shredded lettuce saves time and works perfectly for this salad. You can also switch butter lettuce for romaine, iceberg lettuce, spinach,or arugula.
- Skip the Tomato: Not a fan? No problem—leave it out without losing that Big Mac vibe.
- Gluten-Free: Double-check your mustard and relish for gluten-free options to keep the recipe fully gluten-free.
- Meal Prep: Keep the sauce and toppings in separate airtight containers and assemble just before serving to keep the lettuce crisp.
How to Store Leftover Big Mac Salad
To store leftovers, place the salad (minus the sauce) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store the sauce separately in another container. When ready to eat, drizzle the sauce over the salad just before serving to keep everything fresh and flavorful.
What to Serve With Big Mac Salad
This salad is hearty enough to stand alone, but you can pair it with a side of oven-baked sweet potato fries, french fries, or a refreshing cucumber salad. For a drink, a glass of iced tea or a sparkling lemonade balances the rich flavors perfectly.
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