The Easy Big Mac Salad Recipe: Burger Flavor Without the Bun

Crafting a tasty big mac salad brings restaurant-style flavors right to your kitchen table.

Layers of crisp ingredients mirror the iconic burger’s legendary profile.

Familiar flavors dance across your plate with delightful creativity.

Lettuce, pickles, and seasoned ground beef create a delectable deconstructed classic.

Crumbled bacon and special sauce add mouthwatering depth to this playful dish.

Perfectly portioned and incredibly satisfying, you can enjoy all the burger goodness without the bun.

Dive into this easy recipe that promises maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Why Big Mac Salad Is So Popular

• Deconstructed Classic: Transform the beloved Big Mac into a fresh, lighter salad that keeps all the iconic flavors without the heavy burger bun.
• Quick Weeknight Dish: Whip up this protein-packed meal in minutes with simple ingredients that are easy to find in most kitchens.
• Crowd-Pleasing Customization: Swap ingredients or adjust portions to suit different dietary needs, making it perfect for picky eaters or large family gatherings.
• Low-Carb Champion: Enjoy the full Big Mac experience without the extra carbohydrates, ideal for those following keto or low-carb eating plans.

Ingredients List for Big Mac Salad

• Ground Beef: Lean meat that gives the salad its classic Big Mac flavor.

• Lettuce: Crisp and fresh base for the salad.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Bright and juicy little bites.
• Onions: Sharp and crunchy vegetable.
• Pickles: Tangy and classic Big Mac ingredient.

• Shredded Cheese: Creamy and melty topping for extra richness.

• Salt: Simple seasoning for enhancing beef flavor.
• Black Pepper: Spicy and aromatic seasoning.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base for the signature sauce.
• Ketchup: Sweet and tangy sauce component.
• Yellow Mustard: Sharp and zippy sauce ingredient.
• Pickle Relish: Tangy and sweet sauce addition.
• White Vinegar: Adds a subtle acidic note to the sauce.
• Paprika: Warm and slightly sweet spice for color and flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Savory and aromatic seasoning for depth.

Big Mac Salad Prep Instructions

Step 1: Brown Ground Beef

Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef until it turns a rich, golden brown color.

Break down the meat into small crumbles as it cooks to ensure even browning.

Step 2: Season and Drain Beef

Sprinkle salt and pepper over the cooked beef.

Transfer the meat to a colander to drain excess fat, then let it cool down to room temperature.

Step 3: Prepare Salad Base

• Crisp lettuce, chopped
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Diced pickles
• Finely chopped onions
• Halved cherry tomatoes

Step 4: Craft Big Mac Sauce

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients until they blend into a smooth, creamy mixture.

The sauce will tie all the flavors together perfectly.

Step 5: Combine and Dress Salad

Gently fold the cooled ground beef into the prepared vegetable mix.

Drizzle the homemade Big Mac sauce over the salad and toss everything together, ensuring each ingredient gets coated with the delicious sauce.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the salad immediately for the freshest taste.

If you’re preparing ahead, you can refrigerate it and enjoy it chilled.

The flavors will continue to meld together, making it even more delicious.

Smart Big Mac Salad Cooking Tips

• Experiment with different ground meat types like turkey or plant-based alternatives for diverse dietary preferences.
• Adjust Big Mac Sauce ingredients to control tanginess and creaminess by gradually adding each component and tasting.
• Keep lettuce crisp by adding it just before serving and storing sauce separately to prevent wilting.
• Prepare components separately and combine right before eating to maintain fresh textures and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Ensure ground beef is completely cooled before mixing into salad to prevent wilting and maintain salad's crisp texture.

Save and Reheat Big Mac Salad Properly

• Store leftover Big Mac Salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. Keep the sauce and salad components separate to prevent sogginess.
• Place ground beef, lettuce, and other ingredients in different sealed containers to maintain freshness and crispness.
• Warm the ground beef gently in a skillet over medium heat or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through. Avoid overheating to prevent dryness.
• When ready to eat, reassemble the salad with fresh lettuce and drizzle with Big Mac Sauce for the best texture and flavor.

Best Pairings for Big Mac Salad

• Crisp Beer Pairing: Select a light, refreshing lager like Budweiser or Miller Lite that complements the rich beef and tangy sauce without overpowering the salad's delicate flavors.
• Zesty Red Wine Match: Choose a medium-bodied Pinot Noir with bright acidity to cut through the salad's richness and enhance the meaty, pickled elements of the dish.
• Citrus Mocktail Companion: Blend fresh lemonade with a splash of sparkling water and mint leaves to create a refreshing non-alcoholic drink that balances the salad's robust taste profile.
• Pickle-Friendly Soda Option: Opt for a classic cola like Coca-Cola, which mirrors the salad's tangy pickle notes and provides a sweet counterpoint to the savory ground beef.

Ways to Switch Up Big Mac Salad

• Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap Version: Replace the salad base with large lettuce leaves, creating a handheld, carb-free alternative that maintains the classic Big Mac flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles, impossible meat, or grilled tofu to create a meatless version while keeping the signature sauce and toppings.
• Keto-Friendly Edition: Eliminate high-carb ingredients like tomatoes and onions, increase cheese quantity, and use a homemade sugar-free sauce to align with ketogenic dietary requirements.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, particularly checking the sauce ingredients and using gluten-free pickles and cheese to accommodate those with gluten sensitivities.

FAQs

• What is Big Mac Salad?

A deconstructed version of the classic Big Mac burger transformed into a fresh, low-carb salad that captures all the iconic flavors without the bun.

• Is this recipe keto-friendly?

Yes, by removing the burger bun and using ground beef, cheese, and vegetables, this salad is perfect for those following a low-carb or keto diet.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is a lean alternative that works great in this recipe and provides a similar taste and texture.

• How can I make this salad more filling?

Add extra protein like bacon bits, additional cheese, or some sliced hard-boiled eggs to increase the salad’s satiety and nutritional value.

Big Mac Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Culinary magic meets iconic Big Mac flavors in this deconstructed salad that brings classic burger excitement to your plate. Crisp lettuce, tangy sauce, and perfectly seasoned ingredients combine for a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheddar cheese

Vegetables and Produce:

• 8 cups (240 grams) chopped lettuce
• 1 cup (150 grams) sliced pickles
• 1/2 cup (75 grams) diced onions
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) sliced cherry tomatoes

Big Mac Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) ketchup
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) onion powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) paprika
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat a skillet and sizzle ground beef over medium heat, breaking it into crumbly fragments until it achieves a rich golden-brown color.
2. Sprinkle the meat with a pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper, ensuring even seasoning throughout the protein.
3. Remove skillet from heat and carefully drain any excess liquid fat, then transfer the seasoned beef to a cooling surface.
4. While the meat rests, gather a spacious mixing vessel and layer crisp, verdant lettuce as the foundational element.
5. Scatter vibrant shredded cheese across the lettuce landscape, creating a creamy backdrop.
6. Introduce tangy, sliced pickles and finely chopped onions to provide textural contrast and zesty undertones.
7. Gently disperse halved cherry tomatoes throughout the salad for bursts of juicy freshness.
8. Craft the signature Big Mac Sauce by whisking together complementary condiments until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
9. Once the ground beef has cooled to room temperature, cascade it over the prepared vegetable medley.
10. Drizzle the luscious sauce across the salad, then tenderly toss ingredients to ensure comprehensive coating.
11. Serve immediately to maintain optimal crispness, or seal and refrigerate for a quick, satisfying meal later.

Notes

• Customize the meat by using lean ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier alternative.
• Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure balanced flavor and texture in every bite.
• Prepare sauce and chop ingredients ahead of time to streamline meal preparation and reduce cooking stress.
• Store leftovers separately to maintain crisp lettuce and prevent soggy salad, mixing components just before serving.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 496
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 785 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg