Big Mac Salad (Cheeseburger Salad)

Big Mac Salad has all the crave-worthy flavors of your favorite burger in a fresh and hearty bowl. With seasoned beef, lettuce, pickles, and a creamy homemade dressing, this easy recipe comes together quickly for a fun twist on a classic hamburger.

Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Big Mac Salad

Flavor: Savory, beefy, and well-seasoned, balanced with crisp lettuce, tangy pickles, and a creamy, sweet, and zesty dressing.

Shortcuts: Use prepared croutons, store-bought Thousand Island dressing, pre-shredded cheese, and pre-washed lettuce to get this recipe on the table even faster.

Crowd Tip: Double the beef and dressing and set all the ingredients out in a buffet-style so everyone can build their own bowl just the way they like it.

Total Time: 30 Mins Servings: 4 Salads Cooking Method: Oven/Skillet

Ingredient Notes for Big Mac Salad

cheese , onion , dressing , hamburger buns , pickles , seasoning , lettuce and ground beef with labels to make Big Mac Salad

Buns: Sesame buns toasted into croutons give the most true-to-drive-thru flavor, while regular croutons are the quickest and easiest shortcut.
Beef: Lean beef keeps the salad hearty without getting greasy; drain it before adding to the salad. Turkey can be used, but beef delivers that classic burger flavor.
Dressing: The dressing is a creamy Big Mac sauce that gets its flavor from a mix of mayo, ketchup, and tangy additions. Dill pickles, onion flakes, vinegar, and a touch of sugar round it out, while a splash of milk helps thin it to the perfect drizzling consistency.

Toppings

Lettuce: Iceberg lettuce adds extra crispness and that classic burger-style shred, while romaine brings more body and holds the dressing beautifully.
Pickles: Use crunchy refrigerator dill pickles for the best tang and bite. Relish works in the dressing, but sliced pickles make the best topping.
Onion: Rehydrated onion flakes give a softer, more classic Big Mac-style onion flavor, while fresh red onion adds a sharper bite and extra crunch.
Variations:
- Add tomatoes for a fresh cheeseburger feel.
- Add oven bacon for a bacon cheeseburger twist.
- Mix in a splash of homemade BBQ sauce for a smoky backyard burger flavor.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds on top for that burger shop look.

How to Make Big Mac Salad

adding ingredients to bowl to make dressing for Big Mac Salad

cut out cheeseburger buns toasted on a baking sheet with ingredients to make Big Mac Salad

Mix the Dressing: Combine all the dressing ingredients and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
Bake the Croutons: Cut out small croutons from burger buns and bake until crispy.
Cook the Beef: Season and brown the beef.
Assemble the Salad just before serving.

While the beef cooks, chill the dressing so the onion flakes soften and the flavor mellows.
Let the beef cool for 5 minutes before assembling so it doesn’t wilt the lettuce.
Keep croutons and dressing separate until serving for the best crunch.

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover cooked beef, chopped toppings, croutons, and dressing in separate airtight containers.

Ground beef will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Dressing will keep for up to 4 days.

Assemble just before serving. Reheat the beef in a microwave or on the stovetop.

Burger Cravings, Fresh Twist

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Sesame Croutons

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Cut small 1″ circles out of a sesame seed bun (or cut into cubes). Lightly spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with little bit of seasoned salt.
Place the “croutons” on a baking sheet and bake about 8 minutes or until crisp.

Salad Preparation

Brown ground beef with onion powder and garlic powder until no pink remains. Drain fat and season with seasoned salt and pepper to taste.
Divide the lettuce evenly between each bowl. Top with beef, pickles, onions, cheese, and croutons.
Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Optional additions: BBQ sauce, diced tomatoes, crumbled bacon
Onions: I find buying dehydrated onion flakes and rehydrating them gives a great flavor and reminds me of the onions found on a Big Mac. You can use fresh onions (or a combination) if you’d prefer.
Shortcut Tips:

To save on prep time, buy shredded cheese and washed lettuce.
Sesame seed croutons can be replaced with regular croutons.
Purchased Thousand Island Dressing can be used instead of homemade dressing.

Leftovers
Store leftover ingredients separately. Cooked beef will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The sauce and other ingredients will keep for up to 4 days.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dinner, Lunch, Salad

Cuisine American

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