Big Mac Salad
Dive into this irresistible Big Mac Salad that puts a fun twist on a classic fast-food favorite right at your own home.
This hearty recipe features ground beef, crisp lettuce, melty cheese, and our copycat Big Mac Sauce, bringing you all the flavors of a Big Mac without the bun!
This recipe offers a quick and delicious way to enjoy all the taste of a Big Mac without the bun.
Big Mac Salad Recipe Highlights
- Homemade take on a fast food classic
- Easy to make, needing only a few minutes and common pantry ingredients
- Sauce can be adapted to suit personal preferences (spicier, sweeter, more tangy)
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Can be served in sandwiches, wraps, or dip
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
LETTUCE – You choose Romain or iceberg lettuce.
BEEF – I like lean ground beef and choose either 85/15 or 90/10. They strike a good balance between being leaner and still being very flavorful. Here, I’m using 85/10. But if you are avoiding red meat, you could also use ground turkey or ground chicken.
TOMATOES – Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes both work.
PICKLE CHIPS – If you don’t have pickle chips, you can slice a dill pickle instead.
MAYONNAISE – Creamy and rich, mayonnaise provides the perfect foundation for the dressing.
MUSTARD – Delivers a slight tang and sharpness, cutting through the creaminess.
KETCHUP – I understand that ketchup is controversial. But I like that little bit of ketchup in this special sauce because it balances the sauce and gives it some extra depth.
SWEET RELISH – Sweet pickle relish adds a tangy-sweet note, balancing the rich, creamy elements and providing a burst of flavor.
VINEGAR – Brings necessary acidity, brightening the sauce and tying all the flavors together. I opted for apple cider vinegar, but you can also choose to use white vinegar.
SPICES – Here, we’ll use a combination of garlic, onion powder, and paprika. You can add salt and black pepper, but I don’t feel it’s necessary because we also get a decent amount of seasoning from the sweet relish.
SUGAR – A dash of sugar balances the tangy flavors.
RELATED RECIPE
TACO SALAD – A flavorful medley of seasoned beef, crispy lettuce, and zesty toppings, perfect for a quick, satisfying meal.
How To Make A Big Mac Salad
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- DRESSING – Combine all ingredients and whisk until smooth.
- SALAD – Cook ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Add garlic and onion powder and drain excess grease
- ASSEMBLE – Make a bed of lettuce, place the cooked beef on top, and garnish with onions, tomatoes, pickle chips, and shredded Cheddar cheese. Pour the salad dressing on top and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Recipe Success Tips
SEASON WELL – Season your beef well while cooking; this will make a significant difference to the overall flavor of the dish. You might notice that I am adding seasoning to the sauce but also to the beef; this adds a lot of flavor without being overpowering.
DRESSING – Add the dressing just before serving to prevent the lettuce from becoming soggy.
GET CREATIVE – Feel free to add your own toppings to customize your salad to your liking. Bacon, hot chili peppers, or avocado could be fun toppings.
Leftovers and Storage
STORE – Keep any Big Mac Salad leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
FREEZE – Unfortunately, this salad doesn’t freeze well due to the fresh lettuce and the dressing.
EXPERT TIP – Separate Components: If you anticipate leftovers, consider storing the ground beef, lettuce, and sauce separately. This keeps the lettuce fresh and prevents it from getting soggy.
More Easy and Delicious Salad Recipes
Serving Ideas
CRISPY FRIES – A side of crispy French fries or sweet potato fries can complement this salad, providing a delightful contrast of textures.
FRESH BREAD – Warm, soft homemade bread can be served alongside this salad for a more fulfilling meal.
SLICED AVOCADO – For a bit of creaminess and additional healthy fats, consider adding some sliced avocado to the salad.
More Easy and Delicious Ground Beef Recipes
Big Mac Salad (Copy Cat Recipe)
Ingredients
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet relish
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Salad
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 8 cups Romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ medium red onion sliced
- 2 tablespoons pickle chips
- 1 cup Cheddar shredded
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds optional, toasted if so desired see notes for instructions
Instructions
Dressing
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until smooth.
Salad
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and onion powder. Stir until well combined and the meat has fully cooked. Drain any excess grease, remove from heat, and set aside.
- In a large bowl, arrange the lettuce, top with the cooked ground beef, and garnish with tomatoes, onions, and pickle chips.
- Top with Cheddar cheese and sesame seeds. Drizzle the dressing over the salad, toss to combine, serve and enjoy.
Notes
Toasting Sesame Seeds:
No matter which option you choose, you will need to monitor the sesame seeds closely because they can burn easily. OPTION 1: STOVE TOP – In a hot skillet over medium heat, stir sesame seeds for 2-3 minutes for uniform browning. OPTION 2: OVEN – At 325º Fahrenheit, roast seeds on a sheet for 4-5 minutes until golden.Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.