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Salad bowls with chopped lettuce, ground beef, tomatoes, pickles, shredded cheese, and a drizzle of dressing on a wooden table.

Big Mac Salad Recipe

Mandy Applegate
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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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 877 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 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

Calories: 877kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 29gFat: 79gSaturated Fat: 21gPolyunsaturated Fat: 27gMonounsaturated Fat: 25gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 132mgSodium: 2103mgPotassium: 687mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 2363IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 316mgIron: 4mg
Keyword big mac salad
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