If you are worried about sacrificing flavor because of a lighter meal, try the Big Mac Salad! It will fill you up, and is a healthier alternative.
Big Mac Salad
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.
Anyways, one of our more recent favorites is this Big Mac Salad. All the flavor of a Big Mac, with a lot less fat and calories! My kids think it’s kind of neat to eat these “famous” sandwich salads. They especially love the fact that 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 or whatever other famous sandwich with bacon is called. Just add bacon!
The warmer weather will soon be upon us, so it’s time to start thinking about lighter meals that don’t make you sacrifice flavor or make you feel like you’re starving yourself! I hope you give this salad a try! We think it’s a winner and we hope you do too!
And just for good measure, here’s another picture. 😉 You want to eat it, don’tcha?!
Other recipes you may enjoy
Big Mac Salad
The warmer weather will soon be upon us, so it's time to start thinking about lighter meals that don't make you sacrifice flavor or make you feel like you're starving yourself! I hope you give this salad a try! We think it's a winner and we hope you do too!
Ingredients
For the meat mixture
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
For the croutons
- 4 hamburger buns, cut into cubes
- 2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the salad
- 2 heads of Romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
- 1 block (8 oz.) Cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
- Dill pickle slices, chopped
- Thousand Island dressing
- Sesame seeds, toasted (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook and crumble the beef with the onions and garlic until the meat is no longer pink. Drain if necessary. Mix in the ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, sugar and vinegar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until most of the liquid has thickened up to your liking. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, toss the hamburger bun cubes with the oil. Spray a cooking sheet with cooking spray and spread the bread cubes on the pan in a single layer. Bake for 5-7 minutes. Stir, then continue to bake for another 5 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
To serve:
- Layer desired amount of lettuce on a plate. Top with desired amount of the beef mixture, tomatoes, cheese, pickles, Thousand Island dressing, sesame seeds and croutons.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 741Total Fat: 51gSaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 146mgSodium: 1153mgFiber: 6gSugar: 11gProtein: 41g
Originally published on April 25, 2013. Updated on April 22, 2021.
You are clearly in full Spring swing! Delicious looking recipe :-)Pinned !
Delicious look salad with lots of fantastic flavors. Great job 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Looks yummy. How many calories?
Looks yummy! How many calories?
I can hear the Mc D's song already singing in my head with your lovely, healthy salad! Will now be "on the list" for me
Cheers!
Joanne
What's On The List?
http://www.whatsonthelist
Foodie Friends Friday
SHUT UP! That is GENIUS! Oh and I totally sang the jingle while reading your post. Seriously, what a great idea! And you can make your own "special sauce" with canola mayo to make it even lighter. Pinning this!
I just came over from Michelle's because I couldn't resist not checking out something called the Big Mac Salad! 🙂 It looks fabulous and what a healthy way to eat a Big Mac! Great job and so creative!
oh my gosh this is so fun! love it! If you'd like link this one up too!
This is so creative you ought to sell it to McDonalds. Thanks for sharing this with us on foodie friday.
Hi Jamie,
This is a great salad. Your recipe is fabulous and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday. Have a great weekend and come back soon!
Miz Helen
This looks delicious! I like to make cheeseburger salads. I always put pieces of dill pickles on it and serve it with honey mustard. Yum. I will have to try this version now!
This is a fabulously inventive idea. I love that you still get all the flavors without all the calories. Thanks for sharing on Thursdays Treasures.
Thanks for linking up, Jamie. McDonald's was a special treat for me growing up too. We rarely got fast food or any kind of take out. Love this creative version of a big mac.
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You are an absolute legend! So making this salad! 🙂 Fllowed you from Memories by the Mile's link party. Also, I've just posted my Tasty Tuesdays link party on my blog & I'd love it if you could stop by & link up some of your recipes! Here's the link: http://anyonitanibbles.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/Tasty-Tuesdays-8-features-ad.html
YUM! I am definitely pinning this!
Hi Jamie,
Just wanted to BUZZ by and let you know this is one of the features at our party.
http://www.thebusybhive.blogspot.com/
Thanks for linking up with us,
The Busy Bee's.
Thank you so much for linking this recipe to the Tasty Tuesdays link party! I’ve pinned this recipe to my Tasty Tuesday’s board. 🙂 This week’s party is live on the blog & I would love for you to come link up with us! Here’s the link: http://anyonitanibbles.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/Tasty-Tuesdays-Link-Party-9.html
Jamie,
This looks so delicious! I'm featuring this recipe on my blog tonight when I Finally get the link party up, lol. I'm so far behind!
Have a great weekend 🙂
Michelle
Yum-o, Jamie. This looks really good! Thanks for sharing at Saturday Dishes. Pinned!
What a fun salad to make and def less calories 🙂 Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday.
Your co host from Nosh My Way
G'day! Very healthy looking Jamie!
Thanks for sharing as party of Foodie Friends Friday 30 Minute Meals Party!
Cheers! Joanne
http://whatsonthelist.net