This Big Mac Salad is a lighter, keto-friendly twist on the classic burger—minus the bun, but packed with all the flavor. With seasoned beef, crisp lettuce, cheddar, pickles, and a creamy special sauce, it’s quick, satisfying, and perfect for lunch or dinner.
This one is a hit year-round, but it’s especially popular during warmer months when you want something light but still filling. It’s also a great go-to for summer potlucks, BBQs, or when you’re trying to stay on track after the holidays.
This salad was inspired by another favorite recipe on my site and pairs perfectly with my Simple Antipasto Skewers. Both are easy, flavorful, and guaranteed crowd-pleasers.
To keep it low-carb or keto, just use a sugar-free Thousand Island dressing. Skip the sesame seeds if needed, or spice it up with jalapeños or hot sauce. You can also swap in ground turkey if beef’s not your thing.
Ingredients
- Lettuce is a crisp and refreshing base for the salad.
- Lean ground beef is cooked and seasoned to deliver classic burger flavor.
- Cheddar cheese is shredded for a rich and melty texture.
- Dill pickle slices add a tangy crunch to every bite.
- Red onion is thinly sliced for a sharp, savory kick.
- Thousand Island dressing is creamy and tangy, perfect for tying it all together.
- Sesame seeds are optional, for a hint of nutty flavor on top.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Easy Big Mac Salad
Start by browning the ground beef in a pan over medium heat. Break it apart as it cooks and make sure there's no pink left. Once it’s done, set it aside to cool slightly while you prep the rest.
While the beef is cooking, chop the lettuce into bite-sized chunks.
Slice the red onion. Set them aside for layering.
Grab a 9x13 casserole dish and spread the chopped lettuce evenly across the bottom.
Next, add the browned ground beef on top, then sprinkle over the shredded cheddar cheese.
Layer on the pickle slices and red onion so you get a bit of tang and crunch in every bite.
Drizzle the Thousand Island dressing over everything. If you’re going for a low-carb or keto version, choose a sugar-free dressing.
Finish it off by sprinkling sesame seeds on top for that classic Big Mac touch!
That’s it! Your Big Mac Salad is ready to serve. If you’re making it ahead, just pop it in the fridge until it’s time to dig in.
Hint: For the best flavor, let the cooked beef cool slightly before layering—it helps prevent the lettuce from wilting and keeps everything crisp.
Substitutions & Variations
- Ground meat: Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Dressing: Use sugar-free Thousand Island for a keto-friendly version. You can also try a low-carb burger sauce or make your own!
- Pickles: Use chopped dill pickles or pickle relish if you don’t have slices.
- Cheese: Feel free to mix in Monterey Jack or pepper jack if you want a little kick.
- Spice it up: Add sliced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce for heat.
- No sesame seeds? You can skip them or replace with crushed keto-friendly crackers for crunch.
💭Crucial Success Tips
Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt and flavor. Pre-shredded cheese often has a coating that can change the texture. Also, let your beef cool slightly before layering it over the lettuce so it doesn’t wilt everything. And don’t skip the pickles—they’re the secret to nailing that Big Mac taste.
FAQ
Very! It tastes like a cheeseburger in a bowl—kids love it when you let them build their own!
Yes! The beef adds a warm contrast, but you can chill everything if you prefer a cold salad.
Absolutely—just make sure your dressing has no added sugar and double-check your pickle and cheese labels.
Big Mac Salad That’s Quick and Healthy
A low-carb, flavor-packed salad with seasoned beef, crisp lettuce, cheese, pickles, and creamy dressing—everything you love about a Big Mac, minus the bun.
Ingredients
- 1 head of lettuce
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup sandwich dill pickle slices
- ½ red onion, sliced
- ½ cup thousand island dressing, plus more to top individual servings with if desired (use sugar free to make this a low carb/Keto recipe)
- ½ teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Start by browning the ground beef in a pan over medium heat. Break it apart as it cooks and make sure there's no pink left. Once it’s done, set it aside to cool slightly while you prep the rest. While the beef is cooking, chop the lettuce into bite-sized chunks.
- Slice the red onion. Set them aside for layering.
- Grab a 9x13 casserole dish and spread the chopped lettuce evenly across the bottom.
- Next, add the browned ground beef on top, then sprinkle over the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Layer on the pickle slices and red onion so you get a bit of tang and crunch in every bite.
- Drizzle the Thousand Island dressing over everything. If you’re going for a low-carb or keto version, choose a sugar-free dressing.
- Finish it off by sprinkling sesame seeds on top for that classic Big Mac touch! That’s it! Your Big Mac Salad is ready to serve. If you’re making it ahead, just pop it in the fridge until it’s time to dig in
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 453Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 637mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 4gSugar: 7gProtein: 32g
How to Store Easy Big Mac Salad
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the dressing separate if you haven’t mixed it in yet. If already dressed, it’s best eaten within a day for the freshest texture.
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