This Big Mac Salad is a hearty, satisfying, main course salad that brings together the bold flavors of America’s beloved fast food burger with fresh vegetables and a classic tangy sauce.
Can a salad be satisfying? You betcha!
When you’re craving something that’s both hearty and healthy-ish (emphasis on the ish), this Big Mac Salad recipe is just the ticket.
Seasoned ground beef is crumbled on top of lettuce with classic burger toppings like cheese, pickles, tomatoes, and onions. Then it’s all topped off with a drizzle of classic creamy burger sauce.
This is definitely a salad that takes center stage at any weeknight family dinner.
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❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe
This is the high protein salad you make when you are hungry, on the verge of hangry. It satisfies those fast food cravings while being slightly leaner in calories and carbs.
More reasons to love this Big Mac salad:
- It’s a better-for-you version of a drive-thru fave. You know exactly what’s in it, and can control the ingredients.
- Speaking of ingredients, no need to go to a specialty grocery store to make this recipe. It has all simple everyday ingredients, most of which you probably already have on hand in your refrigerator or pantry.
- If you want a salad that’s big on flavor, this is it!
🛒 Ingredient notes
This salad has all the classic ingredients of America’s favorite burger.
- Ground meat – Use ground beef to keep it traditional, but you can substitute ground turkey if you want. Then make sure it’s seasoned well before cooking.
- Burger sauce – A simple yet flavorful sauce of mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, vinegar, and pickles.
- Toppings – All the classic burger toppings: lettuce (it’s a salad, after all!), tomatoes, cheese, pickles, and onions.
I like to top my Big Mac salad with sesame seeds, like you’d enjoy a burger on a sesame seed bun. But the sesame seeds are optional.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
More detailed instructions, along with the full list of ingredients with measurements, can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here are some step-by-step photos to show you how easy it is to make a Big Mac salad at home!
- Start by seasoning the ground beef.
- Then cook the ground beef in a skillet, and set aside to cool slightly.
3. Meanwhile, whisk together the burger sauce ingredients in a large bowl.
4. In a separate large bowl, build the salad by first layering the lettuce. Top the lettuce with the cooked ground beef. Then top with cheese, tomatoes, pickles, and onions.
5. Drizzle burger sauce and sprinkle sesame seeds over the salad. Serve immediately.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
You can cut the calories down by using less meat, and by using ground turkey instead of ground beef. You could also leave off the sauce as dressing and/or use less of the sauce.
Yes! You can cook the ground beef ahead of time, cool, then chill separately from the salad. You can refrigerate the salad components in a large bowl. Then in a separate bowl, make the burger sauce and wait to drizzle over the salad until you’re ready to serve.
Store salad leftovers in an airtight container separate from the sauce, and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
🍽 Serving ideas
This satisfying main course salad is great for family dinners. Serve it with Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes or Rosemary and Garlic Roasted Potatoes.
It’s also great served with more veggies, like a Charred Corn Salad.
Or serve it with bread, like Air Fryer Garlic Bread or Parmesan Garlic Knots.
🍷 🥂 Wine pairings
Elevate this comfort food salad by serving it with a bright, refreshing white wine. Pair it with an off-dry Riesling to balance out the richness of the dish.
Or pair it with any sparkling wine, which helps balance the fat and creaminess of the dish.
More salad recipes
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Big Mac Salad
Ingredients
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon finely chopped pickles
Meat
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Salad
- 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup chopped tomatoes
- ½ cup sliced pickles
- ¼ cup finely diced onions
- 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Set aside.
- Season the ground beef with the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned ground beef and cook.
- Place lettuce in a large serving bowl. Layer the cooked ground beef, tomatoes, cheese, and pickles. Drizzle dressing over the salad. Garnish with sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love this recipe, it’s sooo delicious! The dressing is the best ever. To me, it sounds weird to put pickles in a salad but don’t leave them out, it adds a burst of flavor.
So glad to hear you love this Big Mac Salad recipe, Rachel!