Big Mac Salad

A delectable fusion of iconic flavors without the bun, this Big Mac Salad is a healthier twist on a restaurant classic. Dive into a healthier fast-food delight!

Big Mac Salad Recipe

Y’all know the jingle …. “Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions – all on a sesame seed bun” … Everyone knows that, right?

Growing up, going to the Golden Arches was a special treat – and I loved getting the Big Mac meal. We didn’t go often, but that sandwich was such a cultural icon, and I wanted to experience it for myself every chance I got.

Now that I’ve grown up, I want a somewhat healthier version of one of America’s favorite sandwiches. Aside from soup, salad is probably one of my favorite meals. Literally, the possibilities are endless.  

One of our more recent favorites is this take on a Cheeseburger Salad. It has all the flavor of a Big Mac, with a lot less fat and calories!

My kids think eating these “famous” sandwich salads is kind of neat. They especially love when I use the hamburger buns to make the croutons! Seriously, that scores me “mega cool mom points” every single time! 😎

You could easily make this a Bacon Deluxe …. or Bacon Double Cheeseburger – just add bacon! You just can’t go wrong with any version of a Cheese Burger Salad!

There are many days when I appreciate lighter meals that don’t make you sacrifice flavor or make you feel like you’re starving yourself! I hope you give this cheeseburger salad recipe a try! We think it’s a winner and we hope you do too!

Burger Salad: Ingredients & Substitutions

To make this Big Mac Salad recipe, you will need …

Ingredients

• vegetable oil, lean ground beef, onions, salt, and pepper – this replicates the taste of the two all-beef patties in the famous sandwich. If you prefer, you can also use ground chicken or turkey.
• iceberg head, dill pickles, (and optional tomatoes) – all the yummy veggies of the famous sandwich. Of course, the actual Big Mac doesn’t have tomatoes, but I think they’re a nice addition. I like to use iceberg lettuce in this salad because it gives it that classic Big Mac crunch, but you could use any type of lettuce that you like.
• Cheddar cheese – the actual sandwich uses American cheese. This cheese helps give us that iconic flavor.
• Big Mac Sauce – my homemade version is the perfect copycat recipe! It brings the salad together and gives it that signature taste.

How to make Big Mac Salad

Prepare the ground beef. Cook and crumble the ground beef with the onions, salt, and pepper in a skillet until cooked through. Set aside to cool.

Assemble the salad. In a large salad bowl, assemble the salad ingredients.

Prepare the salad dressing. In a small bowl, prepare the salad dressing.

Combine the ingredients. Pour the salad dressing over the salad and combine.

Serve. Once combined, serve immediately.

Big Mac Salad: FAQs

Other recipes you may enjoy

• BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Flat Bread Melts
• BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Buns
• Big Mac Pizza
• Copycat Big Mac Sauce
• Bacon Cheeseburgers with Coca-Cola Onions

5 from 2 votes

Servings: 6 servings

Big Mac Salad

By Jamie Sherman

A delectable fusion of iconic flavors without the bun, this Big Mac Salad is a healthier twist on a restaurant classic. Dive into a healthier fast-food delight!

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 25 minutes mins

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Equipment

• Salad Dressing Shaker
• serving bowls
• Salad Bowl Set
• measuring cups and spoons
• knife
• cutting board
• Ground Meat Chopper
• HexClad 10 Inch Hybrid Stainless Steel Pan with Stay-Cool Handle – PFOA Free, Dishwasher and Oven Safe, Non Stick, Works with Induction Cooktop, Gas, Ceramic, and Electric Stove

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• ▢ 1 lb lean ground beef
• ▢ 1 small onion chopped
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ▢ 1 medium head iceberg lettuce, chopped
• ▢ 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• ▢ 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• ▢ 3 baby dill pickles, chopped
• ▢ Big Mac Sauce

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions 

• In a skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil. Once hot, add the ground beef, onion, salt, and pepper. Brown and crumble the ground beef until the beef is completely cooked, about 6 to 8 minutes. Set it aside and let it cool.
• In a large salad bowl, mix the iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and pickles.
• Add the cooled beef to the salad.
• Add the Big Mac Sauce to the salad and mix everything until it is coated.
• Serve immediately.

Notes

• This is a great way to use leftover hamburger patties!
• Try using any leftovers to make Big Mac Salad Wrap!
• Switch out the Big Mac Sauce for a sauce mixture or equal parts of BBQ sauce and mayo. If desired, add a bit of honey.
• While the special sauce gives the signature Big Mac taste, feel free to use Ranch, Thousand Island, or any dressing of your preference. It's all about what flavors you love!
• Missing the bun but still want a salad? Use the buns to make your own homemade croutons!
• Add bacon for a bacon cheeseburger version.
• While the traditional Big Mac doesn't have tomatoes, cucumbers, or bell peppers, you can add any of these and more to your homemade version to increase the nutritional value and add more flavors.

Nutrition

Calories: 182kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 22g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 51mg, Sodium: 828mg, Potassium: 511mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 672IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 125mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Originally published on April 25, 2013. Updated on August 9, 2023.