Big Mac Salad takes all the familiar flavors of a Big Mac and turns them into an easy salad. Seasoned ground beef is piled over crisp lettuce with cheddar cheese, dill pickles, red onion, tomatoes, and creamy Thousand Island dressing.
It comes together quickly with simple ingredients and gives you plenty of those classic burger flavors in every bite. It’s an easy lunch or dinner when you want something different from a traditional burger.
Why I Love Big Mac Salad
Ingredients for Big Mac Salad
Ingredient Notes
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef works well and keeps the salad from becoming greasy. Ground turkey can also be used.
- Kosher Salt: Seasons the ground beef as it cooks. If you’re using garlic salt instead of granulated garlic, skip the additional salt.
- Black Pepper: Adds a little peppery flavor to the seasoned beef.
- Granulated Garlic: Adds garlic flavor to the beef. Garlic powder can also be used.
- Granulated Onion: Adds savory onion flavor to the ground beef. Onion powder can be substituted.
- Iceberg Lettuce: Gives the salad that crisp, crunchy base. Romaine lettuce or your favorite salad mix will also work.
- Grape Tomatoes: Add freshness and a little sweetness. Slice them in half so they’re easier to eat with the salad.
- Dill Pickles: Give the salad that tangy pickle flavor that makes it taste Big Mac-inspired. I recommend dill rather than sweet pickles.
- Red Onion: Adds crunch and a slightly sharp onion flavor. Slice it thinly so it doesn’t overpower the other ingredients.
- Cheddar Cheese: Shredded cheddar adds the cheesy burger flavor. I like sharp cheddar, but mild or medium will work too.
- Thousand Island Dressing: An easy way to get that creamy, tangy burger-sauce flavor. You can also use a homemade Big Mac-style sauce. 🍔🥗
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How To Make Big Mac Salad
- Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until browned and crumbled.
- Add the salt, black pepper, granulated garlic, and granulated onion. Stir to combine.
- Drain any excess grease from the ground beef. Add the chopped lettuce to a large bowl.
- Top with the cooked ground beef, cheddar cheese, red onion, chopped dill pickles, and tomatoes.
- Toss the salad to combine.
- Drizzle with Thousand Island dressing or Big Mac sauce and serve.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
Tips I Found Helpful
- Use lean ground beef: This keeps the salad from becoming greasy. Be sure to drain any excess grease after cooking.
- Let the beef cool slightly: Give the cooked beef a few minutes to cool before adding it to the lettuce so it doesn’t wilt the salad.
- Dry the lettuce well: After washing, remove as much water as possible so the dressing doesn’t become watery.
- Chop everything bite-sized: Smaller pieces of lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, and onion make it easier to get all the Big Mac flavors in each bite.
- Use dill pickles: Dill pickles give this salad the tangy burger flavor you’re looking for. I wouldn’t use sweet pickles.
- Add the dressing last: Wait until just before serving to add the Thousand Island or Big Mac sauce so the lettuce stays crisp.
Frequently Asked Questions
More Salad Recipes I Love
Big Mac Salad
Big Mac Salad has all the familiar flavors of a classic Big Mac in an easy salad. Seasoned ground beef is combined with crisp lettuce, cheddar cheese, dill pickles, red onion, tomatoes, and creamy Thousand Island or Big Mac-style dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- 1 Teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 Teaspoon black pepper
- 1 Teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 Teaspoon granulated onion
- 1 Head Iceberg Lettuce, Chopped and Washed
- 1 Cup Grape Tomatoes, Sliced In Half
- 3 Pickle Spears, Roughly Chopped
- ½ Red Onion, Sliced
- 1 Cup Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
- ¾ Cup Thousand Island Dressing
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until browned and crumbled.
Add the salt, black pepper, granulated garlic, and granulated onion. Stir to combine.
Drain any excess grease from the ground beef.
Add the chopped lettuce to a large bowl.
Top with the cooked ground beef, cheddar cheese, red onion, chopped dill pickles, and tomatoes.
Toss the salad to combine.
Drizzle with Thousand Island dressing or Big Mac sauce and serve.
Notes
Use lean ground beef and drain any excess grease after cooking. Let the beef cool slightly before adding it to the lettuce so it doesn't wilt. Wash and dry the lettuce thoroughly, and add the dressing just before serving to keep the salad crisp. Ground turkey can be substituted for the beef.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 427Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 855mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 2gSugar: 8gProtein: 26g
