Big Mac Salad (Cheeseburger Salad)
This Big Mac salad has all the flavors of the classic McDonald’s burger but in a fresh, low-carb bowl. It’s packed with seasoned ground beef, crisp iceberg lettuce, crunchy pickles, and a creamy homemade Big Mac–style sauce.
The recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for a quick lunch or an easy weeknight dinner. It’s also great for meal prep because the components store well and can be assembled whenever you’re ready to eat.
Ingredient Notes
Big Mac Ground Beef
- Ground Beef: Use ground beef with a moderate fat content, such as 80/20. The extra fat keeps the meat juicy and gives the salad the rich flavor you expect from a cheeseburger. Break it up well in the pan so it cooks evenly.
- Beef Fat: Adds extra flavor and helps the ground beef brown properly. If you don’t have beef fat, you can use olive oil, canola oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil.
- Seasonings (Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Salt, Black Pepper): These mimic the savory seasoning used in classic burgers.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth and a subtle umami flavor that enhances the taste of the beef.
- American Cheese: Melts smoothly into the warm beef, giving it that signature cheeseburger taste. Grate it so it blends evenly.
Big Mac Sauce
- Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base of the sauce. Full-fat mayonnaise works best for richness and texture.
- Low-Sugar Ketchup: Adds tang and a touch of sweetness while keeping the sauce keto-friendly.
- American Mustard: Brings brightness and acidity that balances the mayo, and the flavor pairs naturally well with beef.
- Pickle Liquid: A splash of pickle brine adds the distinct tanginess found in a Big Mac sauce. It ties the whole flavor together.
- Garlic Powder & Paprika: Add mild savory notes and a hint of color without overpowering the sauce.
Big Mac Salad
- Iceberg Lettuce: Adds crunch and freshness. Soaking it in iced water for about 30 seconds helps it crisp up and stay firm, giving the salad that satisfying burger-like crunch.
- Onion: Adds sharpness and contrast. Chop it small so the flavor distributes evenly throughout the salad.
- Pickles: Bring sharpness and acidity that cut through the richness of the beef and sauce.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Not traditionally found in a Big Mac, but they add sweetness, acidity, and a fresh touch. You can omit them if you prefer.
- American Cheese: Adds more of the classic McDonald’s cheeseburger flavor. Grated cheese mixes easily into the salad without forming large clumps.
- Sesame Seeds: A small finishing touch that mimics the Big Mac bun.
Step by Step Video Recipe
Expert Tips
Brown the Beef on Medium-High Heat: Cook the ground beef over medium-high heat so it has enough heat to properly brown. Browning creates deeper, richer flavor and gives the meat a more authentic burger taste. Stir regularly and break the beef into small pieces so the moisture can evaporate and the beef sears instead of steaming.
Melt the Cheese Off the Heat: Turn off the heat before adding the grated American cheese. The residual warmth is enough to melt it gently without causing the cheese to split.
Crisp the Lettuce Properly: Soak the shredded iceberg lettuce in iced water for about 30 seconds to make it extra crisp. Drain thoroughly afterward, or use a salad spinner to remove excess water so the salad stays fresh and crunchy.
Storage and Leftovers
This Big Mac salad works well for meal prep. Chop the lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles; cook the ground beef; and prepare the sauce. Store everything in separate containers in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Assemble the salad just before eating.
If you prefer the beef warm, reheat it briefly before adding it to the salad. If you don’t mind it cold, you can portion out the ingredients into individual containers and add the sauce when ready to serve.
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Big Mac Salad (Cheeseburger Salad)
Ingredients
Ground Beef
- 1 tbsp Beef fat
- 1.1 lbs Ground beef
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ oz American cheese grated
Big Mac Sauce
- 2 tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Low sugar ketchup
- ½ tbsp American mustard
- ½ tbsp Pickle liquid
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Paprika
Big Mac Salad
- 1 head Iceberg lettuce shredded
- ½ Onion chopped
- 10 Cherry tomatoes sliced in halves
- 1 oz Pickles sliced
Garnish
- 2 oz American cheese grated
- Sesame Seeds
Instructions
Cook the Ground Beef:
- Heat the beef fat in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and season with onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until browned.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and cook until the liquid has fully reduced. Turn off the heat and mix in the grated American cheese until melted and combined.
Make the Big Mac Sauce:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle liquid, garlic powder, and paprika. Whisk until smooth and fully combined.
Prepare the Lettuce:
- Place the shredded iceberg lettuce in a bowl of iced water for 30 seconds to crisp. Drain well and set aside.
Assemble the Salad:
- In a large bowl, layer the iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes, onions, pickles, and cooked ground beef. Drizzle the Big Mac sauce over the top and sprinkle with the grated cheese and sesame seeds.
I can’t get the recipe from the link. I’m subscribed to myfitnesspal but it doesn’t open up the recipe when i’m signed in both on desktop and mobile app.
Really gutted, I wanted to make this tonight
You can just make the recipe anyway and put a generic listing in MFP. Or you can manually add the macros yourself it’s not really a big deal.
This is a fun salad to make. It is very filling and has guilt free twist of indulgence since the name associates it with MickeyD’s. Thank you for this one~
Glad you enjoyed it!
This looks great. Where can I find the recipe? When I click on the MyFitnessPal link it says “Page not Found”
It’s only for the sauce but here it is https://www.myfitnesspal.com/view/239012677545325
When I click on “Print Recipe” it’s also blank.
Oh yes I never posted this written recipe. Will get it updated.