This Big Mac Salad is your favorite fast food burger—transformed into a crave-worthy, low-carb bowl! It’s got all the iconic flavors (beef, pickles, special sauce) but skips the bun and keeps things light, fast, and totally family-friendly.
I love making unique big mac recipes for my beautiful family. Two of my favorites are my Big Mac sloppy joes and my Big Mac sauce.
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Why this Big Mac Salad Recipe is a Keeper
This great recipe for big mac salad is quick, easy and keto. It tastes just like a big mac, but in a salad bowl. It is a filling salad that everyone loves.
- All the Flavor, Less the Guilt (and Carbs): This is the primary reason. It perfectly captures the iconic flavors of a Big Mac (beef, “special sauce,” pickles, red onions, cheese, lettuce). You won’t even miss the bun.
- Easy to Make: Most Big Mac salad recipes are very straightforward. Cook the ground beef, chop some veggies, whisk together the sauce, and assemble. It’s a quick and easy weeknight meal.
- Customizable: While the core ingredients are essential, you can easily customize the dressing ingredients to your liking. You can make these as a mason jar salad. Just place all the salad ingredients together.
- Comfort Food Remake: This delicious recipe taps into the nostalgia and comfort of a Big Mac, but in a fresh and often healthier format. It’s a fun twist on a familiar favorite.
What’s in Big Mac Salad Dressing?
The secret’s in the sauce! The classic Big Mac-style dressing uses mayo, ketchup, relish, vinegar, mustard, and some pantry spices. It’s sweet, tangy, and absolutely essential—don’t skip it!
Fun Fact about Big Mac Sauce
The original Big Mac was created in 1967 and became famous for its “special sauce”—a tangy mix of mayo, pickles, and mustard.
Ingredient Needed to Make Big Mac Salad
Only a few everyday ingredients—most you already have! This is one of the most filling and delicious salad recipes.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Lean Ground Beef: Go for 80/20 for juicier flavor, or leaner if preferred.
- Shredded Lettuce: Romaine lettuce or iceberg gives that fast-food crunch.
- Pickles: Dill pickles work best—adds tang and bite.
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar gives it that classic burger vibe.
- Thousand Island Dressing: Essential to hit those nostalgic notes.
Variations and Substitutions for Cheeseburger Salad
This low carb dinner is super easy to switch up. Try different meats or add different spices.
- Add Bacon: For a bacon cheeseburger twist.
- Swap Proteins: Use ground turkey or plant-based meat for dietary preferences.
- Make it Spicy: Add hot sauce or jalapeños to the dressing.
- Make it a Wrap: Serve wrapped in a large lettuce leaf or low-carb tortilla.
How to Make this Big Mac Salad
This big mac salad bowl comes together in 3 easy to follow steps. This salad version of Big Mac is so good, I will often make this easy recipe for burger night.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Cook the Beef: Add the ground beef, diced onions and All Purpose Seasoning to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until beef is no longer pink.
- Make the Dressing: Mix together mayo, relish, Dijon mustard, honey, white vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. Set aside in the fridge.
- Assemble the Salad in a Large Salad Bowl: Add chopped iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese and pickles in a large bowl. Top with cooked beef and onions, sesame seeds, and a drizzle of Mac sauce.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Ground Beef Salad
When I prepare ingredients ahead of time, it can help save me time and kitchen space when it comes to making everything for dinner.
- Sauce: Make the special sauce up to 5 days ahead. It is easy to make and tastes amazing.
- Beef: Cook and store ground beef in the fridge for quick assembly.
- Vegetables: Chop veggies in advance and store in airtight containers.
Alternate Cooking Methods to Brown the Burger
Make this recipe another way by using your air fryer, crock pot or grill.
- Air Fryer Option: Cook beef in the air fryer for added texture and faster cleanup.
- Slow Cooker Option: Cook the seasoned beef on low for 2-3 hours.
- Grilled Version: Grill burger patties and chop for a smoky twist.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Big Mac Salad Dressing
- Store: Keep components stored separately for freshest results—especially the copycat Big Mac sauce and lettuce.
- Reheat: Reheat the beef in the microwave or skillet to enjoy the low carb big mac salad again.
- Use Leftovers: Enjoy leftovers in a lettuce wrap or as a topping for baked potatoes or nachos. Season with salt and pepper if needed.
Common Questions About This Hamburger Salad Recipe
I like to use iceberg or romaine lettuce when I make a Big Mac without the bun.
To make this Big Mac burger in salad form with even less calories, use low calorie ingredients, especially when you make the Big Mac sauce.
Expert Tips to Love This Recipe
- Sauce: Chill the sauce for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Prep: This chopped salad is great for meal prep, pack the sauce separately and toss just before eating.
- Flavor: Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce to the beef for even more burger flavor.
- Salad Suggestions: Other delicious salad recipes I love to make are my: Orzo Chicken Salad and my Chicken Picadillo Taco Salad.
More Recipes You Might Like
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Easy Big Mac Salad Recipe
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Ingredients
Salad:
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 1 small Yellow onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon All Purpose Seasoning
- 8 ounces Iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup Tomatoes, chopped
- ¾ cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Dill pickles, chopped
- Sesame seeds, optional
Dressing:
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 4 Tablespoons Relish
- 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Honey
- 1 Tablespoon White vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, add the ground beef, diced onions and All Purpose Seasoning. Cook and crumble the beef with a spoon for 6-7 minutes or until the beef is no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat.
- Meanwhile, whisk together all of the ingredients for the dressing in a bowl. If the mixture is too thick for your liking, you can thin it out by adding a teaspoon of water. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Add the chopped lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese and diced pickles to a large bowl.
- Top with the ground beef mixture.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and top with sesame seeds
Christina’s Notes
- Let Sauce Chill: Allow the flavors to meld for about 30 minutes.
- Meal Prep: Pack the sauce separately and toss just before eating.
- Flavor: Add Worcestershire sauce for even more burger flavor.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.