This Big Mac Salad captures the familiar, crave-worthy flavors of the classic burger in a lighter, low-carb, and gluten-free format. Built with fresh vegetables, seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, and a tangy “Big Mac” style dressing, it’s an easy, satisfying meal that feels indulgent without the guilt.
Big Mac Salad Recipe
If you love the iconic taste of a Big Mac but want a fresher, healthier option, this Big Mac Salad is a perfect choice. It keeps the signature flavor profile—savory seasoned beef, pickles, onions, cheddar, and a creamy tangy sauce—while swapping the bun for crisp greens. It’s quick to prepare and great for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or a lighter weekend treat.
Why You Should Make This Salad Recipe
- Classic flavor, refreshed: All the elements you expect from a Big Mac are here, reimagined as a hearty salad.
- Healthier components: Lean ground beef (or turkey/bison), lots of greens, and a homemade dressing let you control quality and portions.
- Flexible: Add extra pickles, swap cheeses, or adjust the dressing sweetness to suit your taste.
- Nutrient balanced: Good protein from the meat, fiber and vitamins from the lettuce and tomatoes, and flavor from cheese and dressing.
- Fast: Ready in about 25 minutes, making it ideal for busy days.
Ingredients For A Big Mac Salad
- Ground beef: 1 pound (ground turkey or bison also work)
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder: 1 teaspoon
- Worcestershire sauce: 1 teaspoon
- Lettuce: 8 cups chopped, a mix of iceberg and romaine is recommended
- Cherry tomatoes: 1 cup, halved
- Shredded cheddar: 1 cup
- Pickles: 1/2 cup sliced dill pickles
- Red onion: 1/2 small, thinly sliced
- Sesame seeds: 1 tablespoon, optional garnish
Ingredients For the Dressing
- Mayonnaise: 1/2 cup (use your preferred mayo)
- Ketchup: 2 tablespoons (adjust sweetness as needed)
- Sweet pickle relish: 2 tablespoons, or finely diced sweet pickles
- White vinegar: 1 tablespoon (apple cider or rice vinegar also work)
- Honey: 1 teaspoon (or brown sugar/maple syrup)
- Seasonings: 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, salt and pepper to taste
- Sesame seeds: for garnish (optional)
Is Thousand Island Dressing the Same as Big Mac Sauce?
Thousand Island is similar in texture and sweetness, but authentic Big Mac-style sauce has its own balance of relish, vinegar, and seasonings. If you want a shortcut, Thousand Island will give a tasty result, but this dressing recipe more closely mirrors the signature flavor.
What Kind of Lettuce Is Used on a Big Mac?
A Big Mac uses iceberg lettuce. For this salad, combining iceberg with romaine adds color, crunch, and more nutritional value, but any greens you prefer will work.
How to Make a Big Mac Salad
This salad comes together quickly: brown and season the beef, assemble the veggies, whisk the dressing, then combine. Follow these steps for the best result:
- Cook the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce, and cook until browned. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly to avoid wilting the greens.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, shredded cheddar, sliced pickles, and thinly sliced red onion.
- Make the dressing: Whisk the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, vinegar, honey, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Finish: Add the cooled beef to the salad, drizzle the dressing over everything, and toss gently to coat.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and add extra pickles if desired. Serve immediately.
Tips for Making A Big Mac Salad
These simple tips will help you get the best texture and flavor:
- Balance the dressing: Taste as you go and adjust the sweetness, acidity, and seasoning to your preference.
- Cool the beef: Let the cooked meat rest until it cools slightly so it doesn’t wilt the lettuce.
- Sesame seeds add authenticity: A sprinkle of sesame seeds mimics the bun flavor and adds a subtle nutty note.
- Add croutons if you miss the bun: Toasted croutons or torn, toasted bun pieces make a satisfying textural contrast.
What to Serve with This Salad
The Big Mac Salad is filling on its own, but if you want sides, choose complementary options:
- Fries: A classic pairing—regular or garlic fries for extra flavor.
- Baked potato: Simple and customizable; serve plain or loaded.
- Roasted asparagus: A lighter, low-carb side that still feels indulgent.
Storing Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Keep salad and dressing separate in airtight containers for best results. Salad will keep up to two days in the fridge.
- Do not freeze the assembled salad: Lettuce becomes watery when thawed. You can freeze cooked ground beef: cool, bag, label, and freeze up to three months; thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
More Salad Recipes
- Steak Salad
- Grilled Salmon Salad
- Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad
- Italian Antipasto Salad
More Ground Beef Recipes
- Sheet Pan Totchos
- Chili Cheese Fries
- Easy Ground Beef Tacos
- Baked Mostaccioli
Big Mac Salad
Ingredients
For the salad
- 1 pound ground beef
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 8 cups chopped lettuce (mix of iceberg and romaine)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced dill pickles
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
For the dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook, breaking it up until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, cherry tomatoes, shredded cheddar, pickles, and sliced red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, vinegar, honey, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Add the cooled ground beef to the salad, drizzle the dressing over the top, and gently toss until well combined and evenly coated.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds over the salad for garnish and add extra pickles just before serving, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- Taste and adjust the dressing to achieve the balance of tangy, sweet, and savory you prefer.
- Allow the cooked beef to cool slightly before adding to the salad to prevent wilting the greens.
- Sesame seeds add an authentic touch and a subtle nutty note.
- Store salad and dressing separately; leftovers keep up to two days refrigerated.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 10 g |
Protein: 22 g |
Fat: 25 g
Nutritional info is an estimate. Values may vary based on ingredients and portions.
More Satisfying Main Course Salads
- Easy Steak Salad with Spinach and Mushrooms
- Shrimp Salad with Avocados
- Chicken Bacon Avocado Salad