Big Mac Salad Recipe
This Big Mac Salad combines seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, cheddar cheese, pickles, onions, and a tangy homemade dressing for a low-carb take on your favorite burger flavors.
4 Servings
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons finely diced sweet onion
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar or lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Salad:
- Nonstick spray
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 6 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
- 1/2 cup finely diced onions
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup finely diced dill pickles
- Toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Dressing
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, finely diced onion, ketchup, mustard, pickle relish, vinegar, paprika, and kosher salt. Whisk until smooth. If the dressing is too thick, add a small amount of water to reach the desired consistency. Set aside or refrigerate if preparing in advance.
Cook the Ground Beef
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly spray the pan with nonstick spray and add the ground beef. Allow it to cook undisturbed for 1–2 minutes to develop a browned crust. Break the beef into small crumbles and continue cooking until no pink remains, approximately 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat, then season the beef with kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl to cool slightly.
Assemble the Salad
- Evenly divide the shredded iceberg lettuce among four serving bowls (approximately 1 1/2 cups per bowl). Add 1/3 cup of the cooked ground beef to each bowl, followed by equal portions of shredded cheddar cheese, diced onions, and chopped dill pickles.
Dress the Salad
- Drizzle approximately 3 tablespoons of the prepared dressing over each salad. Gently toss the salad to ensure even coating of the ingredients.
Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over each salad as a finishing touch. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
To make this Big Mac Salad gluten-free, ensure the ketchup, mustard, and sweet pickle relish used in the dressing are certified gluten-free. Most other ingredients, including the ground beef and lettuce, are naturally gluten-free.