Description
This Big Mac Salad recipe delivers all the iconic flavors of the classic fast-food burger in a fresh, low-carb salad form. Featuring seasoned ground beef, crisp iceberg lettuce, shredded cheddar, crunchy pickles, and a creamy, tangy special sauce, this salad is a quick and delicious alternative to the drive-thru favorite. Ready in just 23 minutes, it's perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (85/15)
- 1 large head iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
- 1/4 cup finely diced white onion
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
Special Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sugar-free ketchup
- 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Break it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat and let the beef cool slightly.
- Make Special Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sugar-free ketchup, dill pickle relish, yellow mustard, white wine vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika until smooth and well combined.
- Prepare Vegetables: Chop the iceberg lettuce, finely dice the white onion, and chop the dill pickles to get all vegetables ready for layering the salad.
- Assemble Salad: In a large serving bowl or individual plates, layer the chopped lettuce first, then top with the cooked ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, diced onions, chopped pickles, drizzle the special sauce over the top, and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
- Serve or Store: Serve the Big Mac Salad immediately for best texture and flavor. Alternatively, store the components separately in airtight containers for meal prep and assemble just before eating.
Notes
- Using 85/15 ground beef provides a good balance of flavor and fat content for browning.
- To save time, toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- For a lower calorie version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt in the special sauce.
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but components can be prepped ahead and refrigerated separately to prevent sogginess.
- Feel free to add a sliced hard-boiled egg or extra veggies like tomatoes or cucumbers for more variety.
