Big Mac Salad Recipe (Cheeseburger Salad) - Wholesome Yum (2024)

Big Mac Salad Recipe (Cheeseburger Salad) - Wholesome Yum (1)

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In This Post

  • Why You’ll Love This Big Mac Salad Recipe
  • How To Make Big Mac Salad
  • Storage Instructions
  • More Meal-Worthy Salad Recipes
  • Tools To Make Big Mac Salad
  • Big Mac Salad (Cheeseburger Salad)Recipe card
  • Recipe Reviews

This 20-minute Big Mac salad recipe (or simply cheeseburger salad) will convince you to skip the drive-through! This dish captures the satisfying taste of a cheeseburger with all the crisp freshness of a salad. It also gets a classic McDonald’s upgrade with copycat Big Mac sauce — just like the casserole version of this burger.

The inspiration for a hamburger salad came from my childhood memories of rare stops at McDonald’s after gymnastics practice. We seldom ate out when I was growing up (my parents much preferring home cooked meals), so even though I loved my mom’s food, those unexpected stops for fast food were such a treat. Now I try to avoid all those processed ingredients myself, and with this keto Big Mac salad recipe, I can enjoy the same flavors at home, all the time — and so can you!

Why You’ll Love This Big Mac Salad Recipe

  • Tastes like a Big Mac in salad form
  • Crisp, meaty, and fresh textures
  • Sweet, creamy dressing
  • Simple, natural ingredients
  • Ready in 20 minutes
  • Healthy, low carb, keto friendly, and gluten-free
  • Easy healthy dinner idea
Big Mac Salad Recipe (Cheeseburger Salad) - Wholesome Yum (2)

Let’s be real — the key to this cheeseburger salad is the Big Mac salad dressing! The sauce at the fast food joint is loaded with sugar, but I sweeten mine with Besti powdered instead. It’s just as sweet and has no aftertaste, but has 0 net carbs, 0 calories, and unlike most sweeteners, dissolves easily for a smooth texture. Try it out and see for yourself!

Big Mac Salad Recipe (Cheeseburger Salad) - Wholesome Yum (3)

Ingredients & Substitutions

This section explains how to choose the best Big mac salad ingredients, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

Cheeseburger Salad:

The main ingredients for this salad are very similar to what you’d find in a Big Mac:

  • Ground Beef – Use hamburger for classic flavor (I usually use 85/15 lean ground beef), but if you like, you can use ground turkey or ground chicken instead.
  • Sea Salt & Black Pepper
  • Romaine Lettuce– Chopped iceberg lettuce, arugula, or spinach leaves would also work.
  • Tomatoes – I used chopped Roma tomatoes, but you could use cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes if you prefer. You can also omit them if you want to, as a traditional Big Mac doesn’t have any.
  • Cheddar Cheese– The Big Mac sandwich traditionally includes a slice of processed cheese, but we’re using shredded cheddar. You can omit to make the salad dairy-free and paleo-friendly if needed.
  • Pickles– Dice up some dill pickles and add them to the salad for a delightful crunch and an extra layer of flavor. You can also add diced or sliced red onions for even more crunch!
  • Sesame Seeds– Instead of a sesame seed bun, garnish with sesame seeds for the same flavor!

Big Mac Sauce:

The dressing for this hamburger salad is very similar to my sugar-free Thousand Island dressing:

  • Mayonnaise – I used my own homemade avocado oil mayonnaise, but store-bought would work as well (this is my favorite store-bought brand when I don’t have time to make my own).
  • Pickles– Use dill pickles and dice finely for the special sauce. You can also use sweet pickle relish instead, but beware that this will have added sugar or corn syrup.
  • Mustard – I used classic yellow mustard, but you could use Dijon instead, or even keto honey mustard if you like extra sweetness.
  • Vinegar – Adds tang to the dressing. I used white vinegar, but apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or rice vinegar can all work instead.
  • Smoked Paprika – Adds a subtle smokiness to the dressing, and is responsible for its signature color. Regular sweet paprika would also work.
  • Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend– I used this instead of ketchup to add natural sweetness to the dressing, as it dissolves better than other sugar substitutes. You could also use zero sugar honey or sugar free ketchup. Regular powdered sugar works from a recipe standpoint, but I can’t recommend it because the whole point of this Big Mac salad is to make it healthier!
Big Mac Salad Recipe (Cheeseburger Salad) - Wholesome Yum (4)

How To Make Big Mac Salad

This section shows how to make cheeseburger salad, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

  1. Brown the meat. Add the ground beef to alarge skillet. Break apart with a spatula and season with salt and pepper. Cook until no longer pink.
  2. Blend the Big Mac salad dressing. Combine the mayo, pickles, mustard, vinegar, smoked paprika, and powdered Besti in ablender. Puree until smooth. Adjust sweetener to taste. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Big Mac Salad Recipe (Cheeseburger Salad) - Wholesome Yum (5)

TIP: Need thinner sauce?

If the dressing is thicker than you like, you can thin it out with water or oil and puree again.

  1. Plate the cheeseburger salad. Add lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, and pickles to a salad bowl.
  2. Add the beef and dressing. Top with ground beef crumbles, then drizzle with dressing and toss to coat.
  3. Garnish. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
Big Mac Salad Recipe (Cheeseburger Salad) - Wholesome Yum (8)
Big Mac Salad Recipe (Cheeseburger Salad) - Wholesome Yum (9)

Storage Instructions

  • Store: Keep leftover Big Mac Salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days, with the dressing stored in a separate container. If you already added the dressing, it will only be good for 1 day.
  • Meal prep: Chop the pickles, tomatoes, and lettuce, precook the ground beef, and make the sauce. Store in separate containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Assemble just before eating.

More Meal-Worthy Salad Recipes

In many ways, this low carb Big Mac salad reminds me of my populartaco salad. It’s another transformation of a carb-heavy classic into a lighter healthy salad that’s still packed with flavor and hearty enough to be a meal on its own. If that’s your thing, you’ll like these other salads that serve up dinner with minimal cooking:

Cobb Salad

Green Goddess Salad

Steak Salad

BLT Salad

Disclaimer: Big Mac may be a registered trademark. This recipe is my interpretation of a similar dish, but is not to be construed as an endorsem*nt of the company or having been endorsed by the company. There is no affiliation between myself and the company. Trademark remains the property of its owner and is used here only to describe the product.

  • Large Skillet– One of my faves! It has lasted for years and browns ground beef without sticking.
  • Blender– This high-powered blender is one of my go-to kitchen appliances. It will puree the salad dressing ingredients perfectly.

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Recipe Card

Big Mac Salad Recipe (Cheeseburger Salad) - Wholesome Yum (15)

4.61 from 240 votes☝️ Click stars to rate or click here to leave a review!

Big Mac Salad (Cheeseburger Salad)

This Big Mac salad recipe (cheeseburger salad) makes an easy, healthy, low carb lunch or dinner in just 20 minutes, with simple ingredients.

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 10 minutes

Total: 20 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 6 (adjust to scale recipe)

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Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them.

Salad:

Dressing:

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

  1. Add the ground beef to a large skillet over medium-high heat. (You can add a little oil if needed.) Break apart with a spatula and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and moisture has evaporated.

  2. Meanwhile, puree all the dressing ingredients in a blender. If dressing is thicker than you like, thin out with water or oil and puree again. Adjust sweetener to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

  3. In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, and pickles.

  4. Add the ground beef. Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Toss to coat.

  5. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired.

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Related Easy Recipes

  • Spinach Bacon Salad

  • Chicken Caesar Salad

  • Taco Salad

  • Keto Cheeseburger Casserole

Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 1/2 cups

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories368

Fat31g

Protein18g

Total Carbs3g

Net Carbs2g

Fiber1g

Sugar1g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course:Main Course, Salad

Cuisine:American

Keywords:big mac salad, big mac salad recipe, cheeseburger salad, hamburger salad

Calories: 368 kcal

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂

Big Mac Salad Recipe

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FAQs

What kind of lettuce is on a Big Mac? ›

Product. The Big Mac is made with two 1.6 oz (45 g) beef patties, a "special sauce" (similar to Thousand Island dressing), shredded iceberg lettuce, one processed American cheese slice, two slices of dill pickle, and minced onions, served on a three slice sesame seed bun.

How to make salads yummier? ›

How to Make a Salad You'll Actually Want to Eat
  1. 1: Think Beyond Lettuce and Greens.
  2. 2: Add Heft with Grains and Nuts.
  3. 3: Add Beans or Other Proteins.
  4. 4: Make Your Own Homemade Salad Dressing.
  5. 5: Make it a Flavor Party.
Jan 18, 2024

What does Big Mac sauce taste like? ›

Big Mac sauce was invented alongside the Big Mac burger in 1968 at a Pittsburgh McDonald's franchise. It's a creamy, tangy, slightly sweet sauce that is slathered on both Big Mac patties for optimal flavor.

Why is McDonald's lettuce so good? ›

During certain parts of the year when the lettuce has taken a long time to grow, a food grade nitrogen is added to the bags upon sealing. This slows the respiration and maintains the freshness, and is referred to as a modified atmosphere, not an ingredient.

Does McDonald's wash their lettuce? ›

Q: Is there anything else in the water used to wash lettuce? A: The water used is the same as the water that comes out of your tap at home. Just as with tap water, a small amount of chlorine is added to the water to keep the water clean and remove any bacteria introduced by the dirt on the lettuce.

Why do salads always taste better in restaurants? ›

Restaurants use really good ingredients.

Your ingredients can decide whether your salad turns out average or extraordinary, Jamie Simpson, executive chef liaison at The Chef's Garden, told Allrecipes. "Restaurant-quality salads start with restaurant-quality ingredients," he said.

What can I put in my salad to make it taste better? ›

12 Easy Ways to Make Salad Taste Amazing – Seriously
  1. Make Your Salad a Spectacle. ...
  2. Mix and Match Leaves. ...
  3. Upgrade Your Salad Dressings. ...
  4. Massage Your Salad Greens. ...
  5. Toss in Cooked Veggies. ...
  6. Add Fresh Herbs. ...
  7. Sweeten with Fruit. ...
  8. Heat Your Salad Dressing.
Mar 9, 2022

What are 5 components of a satisfying salad? ›

  • High quality greens. This means just about anything BUT iceberg. ...
  • Protein. Consider animal-based proteins like salmon, shrimp, chicken, beef or turkey. ...
  • Temperatures. Alix loves to toss a salad with some roasted cherry tomatoes, broccoli or cauliflower. ...
  • Dressing. ...
  • Textures.
Sep 27, 2018

When did they stop selling salads at McDonalds? ›

They offered a menu option for those wanting more veggies. However, all of that changed in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. While the pandemic did cause restaurants to temporarily close, including some McDonald's locations, it was the effects on the supply chain in 2021 that spelled doom for salads at McDonald's.

Why can't I order a salad on McDonald's app? ›

Our salads are highly perishable compared to other menu items. Our decision to remove the salad items from our delivery menu is to eliminate any risk that may result in food safety and hygiene issues during the delivery process. Our salads are still available in our restaurants for dine-in or takeaway.

Does the McDonald's salad have more calories than the Big Mac? ›

If you ever thought “healthy fast food” was actually healthy, think again. Though McDonald's may be on a health kick, some of its nutrient-enhanced meals are actually worse for you than junk food, according to CBC News.

What is the closest thing to Big Mac sauce in stores? ›

According to a video posted by TikTok influencer Mike Haracz, a former McDonald's corporate chef, Great Value brand Secret Sauce is the closest thing you'll get to the fast food chain's Big Mac sauce.

Is Thousand Island dressing the same as Big Mac sauce? ›

The answer is no… but they are similar. Both of the condiments have a creamy consistency and include pickle relish. But, McDonald's Big Mac Sauce includes vinegar and has a bit more pickle relish in it than Thousand Island dressing.

Can you just order Big Mac sauce? ›

You can also order packets à la carte with any order. To add an aesthetic touch, the dipping cups sport a retro look of blue and silver from the original Big Mac sandwich wraps, the company says on its website. This isn't the first time McDonald's has spotlighted Big Mac sauce.

What lettuce is used in McDonald's? ›

The leaves towards the heart of the lettuce are the freshest, and those are exactly the ones we use for our famous chopped iceberg lettuce.

What type of lettuce is burger lettuce? ›

1. Baby Iceberg Lettuce. The sturdy cup-shaped leaves of baby iceberg lettuce really hold up to the job of holding on to a burger. Baby iceberg's mildly sweet flavor folds around burgers with a uniquely tender crunch.

What is the big lettuce called? ›

Butterhead lettuce is aptly named, since the leaves of the bulbous lettuce heads can be very soft and sweet — almost buttery in texture. Two varieties are the most well-known: Boston is a slightly larger and floppier-leafed variety, while Bibb is the smaller and more compact of the two.

What is curly lettuce called? ›

Frisée: This salad green is also known as Curly Endive and Chicory. Frisée is closely related to Escarole. It features curled leaves tinged with yellow and green. Its flavor is slightly bitter.

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