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This Burger Salad tastes like a Big Mac in a bowl, but even better. This salad is so flavorful and delicious, you won’t even miss the bun!
Like a Big Mac in a Bowl
I first started making these burger bowls a couple of summers ago when I was trying to cut back on carbs, and to my surprise, I didn’t even miss the bun (really!). Anytime we grilled burgers, I would break mine up into a bowl and turn it into a salad instead.
Then I started adding my Big Mac sauce, and that’s when things really got good. Eventually, I realized I could skip the grill altogether and make it right on the stovetop, which made this an easy weeknight go to. Now it is one of the very few salads my husband actually asks for, and if you know him at all, you know that is really saying something. Air fry up some of our Crispy Air Fryer French Fries and you’ve pretty much got yourself a #1 Combo Meal, but better!
🩷 Erica
Key Ingredients
- Ground beef – I use lean ground beef but you can also use ground turkey or even ground chicken if you prefer.
- Seasonings – To season the beef I use ketchup, mustard, garlic powder, and onion powder along with some salt and pepper.
- Onions – I like to sauté the onions so they get nice and caramelized but you can also do raw onion. If you want to keep the onion raw, go for white or red onion.
- Lettuce – I like to use chopped romaine but any bed of lettuce will work.
- Cheese – I use sharp shredded cheddar but your favorite shredded cheese will also work great.
- Pickles – I get dill chips and cut them up because it’s easy and the flavor it just right. I also like to pat them dry so it doesn’t make my salad soggy.
- Tomatoes – Cherry or grape tomatoes work best here. I cut them in half so they are easier to eat. In salads I never use a whole tomato and cut it up because it makes the salad too watery and seeps into the other ingredients.
- Big Mac sauce – You can use the Big Mac sauce from the recipe below that includes mayo, ketchup, relish, and other seasonings or you can just buy it from the store (see next paragraph).
Switch Up The Sauce
If you don’t want to bother making the Big Mac sauce, Walmart actually has a dupe that tastes exactly like it. No joke, this is the closest thing I have found to Big Mac sauce anywhere. If I’m not feelin’ the Big Mac vibe, sometimes I will use a different dressing altogether and top my salad with our restaurant ranch dressing recipe (so good!) or even just a little drizzle of BBQ sauce.
How to Make a Burger Salad
- First, combine the sauce ingredients (if using), cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Brown the beef with mustard, ketchup, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper. Break up the beef as it browns. Remove the beef from the skillet, cover with foil, and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the diced onion and cook until soft, golden, and lightly caramelized, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Divide the chopped romaine evenly between serving bowls.
- Spoon the warm, seasoned beef over the lettuce, then top with the cooked onions, shredded cheddar, tomatoes, and pickles.
- Top it all off with some Big Mac sauce, or serve the sauce on the side. Enjoy immediately while everything is warm and fresh.
Expert Tips
Melt some cheese in with the beef: I like doing this to make it taste more like a cheeseburger. You can use shredded cheese or honestly, I love using good ol’ American cheese over the beef when it’s done cooking. Just cover, and set aside until the cheese melts. It makes it so good!
Try it with Bacon: Make it a bacon cheeseburger salad by adding some cooked and crumbled bacon over the top!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. This burger salad is naturally low carb, and it can be keto-friendly with a few simple tweaks. Use full-fat cheese, choose a low-sugar ketchup or mustard, and make sure your sauce is keto-approved. Leave out sweet toppings and stick with classic burger add-ins like pickles and onions.
You can prep most of the ingredients ahead of time, but I recommend assembling it right before serving. I like to cook the beef and onions in advance and store them separately in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat the beef and build your salad fresh so the lettuce stays crisp.
The Big Mac style sauce is my favorite because it really gives you that classic burger flavor but you can also use Thousand Island or Ranch dressing.
More High Protein Meals
Have you tried this Burger Salad? I’d love to hear what you think! Drop a comment below and let me know how you liked it. And don’t forget to take a pic and tag us on Instagram @favoritefamilyrecipes! 📸🥗🍔
Burger Salad
Ingredients
For the Burger Salad:
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 8 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup chopped dill pickles
- 1 cup Big Mac sauce (see below) , you can also use Ranch dressing or Thousand Island dressing
Big Mac Sauce (Optional):
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise, I like to use Best Foods (aka Hellmann's) or Duke's
- 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper
Instructions
For the Burger Salad:
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with mustard, ketchup, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper. Cook until browned, then drain if needed. Cover with a lid and set aside to cool slightly.
- Heat butter over medium heat until melted. Add diced onion and sauté until softened, golden, and lightly caramelized (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat.
- Place 2 cups chopped Romaine lettuce in each bowl.
- Spoon warm seasoned beef over the lettuce in each bowl, then add grilled onions, shredded cheddar, tomatoes, and pickles.
- Spoon Big Mac sauce over the top (or serve it on the side). Serve immediately.
Big Mac Sauce (Optional)
- Combine all ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes so the flavors blend and the color deepens.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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