Free: Healthy 5-Ingredient Meals Ebook
Get It NowI’m not big on fast food these days, but I do have fond memories of rare stops at McDonald’s as a kid. And every once in a while, I still get a craving for it. That’s when I know to get creative in the kitchen! I developed this 20-minute Big Mac salad recipe (or simply cheeseburger salad) on one such occasion on a whim, and it was so good that it became a permanent staple in my family. Now we can all enjoy the same flavors at home, all the time — and so can you!
Why You’ll Love My Big Mac Salad Recipe
- Tastes like a Big Mac in salad form – This dish combines the best vibes of the classic cheeseburger with the crisp freshness of a salad. I also gave it a Mickey D’s upgrade with my sweet, creamy (dreamy!) copycat Big Mac sauce (just like my casserole version of this burger). It’s as satisfying as it sounds!
- Simple, natural ingredients – Anyone that knows me knows how passionate I am about clean eating, so the processed ingredients at the drive-through are a no-go! My hamburger salad uses fresh, simple staples instead. You get all the best parts of a Big Mac, without the unnecessary “stuff”.
- Healthier alternative – This salad is naturally low carb, keto friendly, gluten-free, and just simply packed with protein and vegetables. You’ll feel so much better about eating it!
- Ready in 20 minutes – You can whip up this easy, healthy dinner in just 20 minutes! I make it for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, and even meal prep it for lunch.
- Tried and tested recipe – This Big Mac salad is one of my oldest, most popular low carb salad recipes, with hundreds of reviews from readers! So don’t take my word for it. 😉
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for my Big Mac salad recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Cheeseburger Salad:
The main ingredients for this salad are very similar to what you’d find in a Big Mac:
- Ground Beef – I usually use 85/15 lean ground beef, but you can opt for lean ground beef (90/10) or more flavorful 80/20. Feel free to swap in ground turkey or ground chicken for something lighter.
- Romaine Lettuce – McDonald’s uses iceberg lettuce, but I prefer romaine for extra nutrients. You can opt for iceberg if you prefer, or use other greens, like spinach or arugula.
- Tomatoes – I used chopped Roma tomatoes for this recipe, but I also often use cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, which my kids like better. You can also omit the tomatoes altogether, as a traditional Big Mac sandwich doesn’t have any.
- Cheddar Cheese – McDonald’s uses processed cheese on their burgers, but I’m using shredded cheddar for this salad. (Real food only around here!) You can omit it for a dairy-free option.
- Dill Pickles – For a salty contrast and crunchy texture. You can also add diced or sliced red onions for even more crunch!
- Sesame Seeds – Instead of a sesame seed bun (can you hear the song in your head?), I like to garnish with sesame seeds for the same flavor. I actually forgot to include them in my first version of Big Mac salad and it was still amazing, so don’t worry if you don’t have any.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper – For seasoning the beef.
Big Mac Sauce:
Let’s be real — the key to this hamburger salad is the Big Mac salad dressing, a.k.a special sauce! This version is a lot like my sugar-free Thousand Island dressing, but without the ketchup. (McDonald’s doesn’t use ketchup in theirs, either, but if you want to add it, feel free to add a couple tablespoons of my sugar free ketchup.)
- Mayonnaise – I use my own avocado oil mayonnaise when I can, but store-bought works as well (this is my favorite store-bought brand).
- Pickles – Use dill pickles and dice finely. You can also use sweet pickle relish instead, but beware that this will have added sugar or corn syrup.
- Mustard – I used classic yellow mustard, but you could use Dijon instead, or even keto honey mustard if you like extra sweetness.
- Vinegar – Adds tang to the dressing. My recipe calls for white vinegar, but apple cider vinegar also works well.
- Smoked Paprika – Adds a subtle smokiness and that signature color. Regular sweet paprika would also work.
- Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend – The sauce at the fast-food joint is loaded with sugar (and corn syrup), but I sweeten mine with Besti instead. It dissolves better than other sugar substitutes, and doesn’t leave an aftertaste or gritty texture. Regular powdered sugar works from a recipe standpoint, but I can’t recommend it because the whole point of this Big Mac salad is to make it better for you!
How To Make Big Mac Salad
This section shows step-by-step photos together with the instructions, to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Brown the meat. Add the ground beef to a large skillet. Break apart with a spatula, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until no longer pink. (I don’t usually need to drain it using 85/15 beef, but you may need to if yours is 80/20.)
- Blend the dressing. Combine the mayo, pickles, mustard, vinegar, smoked paprika, and powdered Besti in a blender. Puree until smooth. Adjust sweetener to your taste. Refrigerate until ready to use — it tastes best cold!
- Assemble the cheeseburger salad. Add the lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, and pickles to a salad bowl.
- Add the beef, dressing, and garnish. Top the salad with ground beef crumbles, then drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. Don’t forget the sesame seeds for garnish if you have them.
Tips About The Dressing
- You can adjust the consistency. I like the salad dressing on the thicker side, almost like a sauce, but if it’s too thick for you, you can thin it out with water or oil and puree again.
- Use a whisk if you don’t have a blender. I prefer to blend the dressing, because it makes it super smooth without separate pickle pieces. If you want it more chunky or don’t have a blender, you can just mince the pickles super fine and whisk with the other ingredients instead.
- Try aromatic spices for more flavor. All my healthy recipes have 10 ingredients or less (not including salt and pepper), and so does this Big Mac salad. That’s why I limited the ingredients in the dressing to the most crucial ones. But when I want a more complex flavor, adding 1/4 teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder tastes great!
- The dressing gets better with time. If you can make it in advance, I recommend it! The flavors develop even more after a couple hours (or longer) in the fridge.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days, preferably with the dressing stored in a separate container. If you already added it, the salad will only be good for 1 day.
- Meal prep: I’m a big fan of this Big Mac salad for my meal prep lunches! Chop the pickles, tomatoes, and lettuce, precook the ground beef, and make the sauce. Just store in separate containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, and assemble just before eating. If you don’t mind the beef cold, you can even make individual salads in jars (see my mason jar salad post for general instructions).
More Meal Salad Recipes
In many ways, this Big Mac salad reminds me of my popular taco salad. It’s another light salad version of a carb-heavy classic that still has the same flavors — and is hearty enough to be a meal on its own. If that’s your thing, you’ll like these other salads that serve up dinner with minimal cooking:
My Favorite Tools For This Recipe
- Large Skillet – One of my faves! It has lasted for years and browns ground beef for this hamburger salad quickly, without sticking.
- Blender – This high-powered blender is one of my go-to kitchen appliances, and it gets this dressing silky smooth.
Big Mac Salad (Cheeseburger Salad)
This Big Mac salad recipe (cheeseburger salad) is an easy low carb meal in 20 minutes! All the flavors of the drive-thru, but much healthier.
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them.
Salad:
Dressing:
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Add the ground beef to a large skillet over medium-high heat. (You can add a little oil if needed.) Break apart with a spatula and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and moisture has evaporated.
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Meanwhile, puree all the dressing ingredients in a blender. If dressing is thicker than you like, thin out with water or oil and puree again. Adjust sweetener to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
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In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, and pickles.
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Add the ground beef. Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Toss to coat.
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Garnish with sesame seeds if desired.
Did You Like It?
Leave a rating to help other readers, or get the recipe sent to your inbox.
Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 1/2 cups
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂
405 Comments
Rachel
0My husband and I eat this salad at least once a week. It is our favorite recipe! Thank you!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I love to hear that, Rachel! Thank you!
Rachel
0Maya, keep the lc recipes coming! I am going to try your fudge next.
Thank you!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you so much, Rachel! Hope you love it!
Becky
0Love love love this salad! Thank you so much!!!
Barb
0This is one of my favorite salads! I vary only a little from the recipe as written. I don’t use any sweetener, I omit tomato and replace with some chopped onion and I use pickle juice rather than white vinegar. I make this very often!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am so happy to hear that, Barb! Thank you!
Chilli Rodriguez
0Delicious! I used Turkey instead of Beef, I also melted a couple slices of American cheese over the turkey, added a couple teaspoons of red onion to dressing. This is the best alternative to one of my most favorite burgers! Thank you for sharing. PS. For sweetener I used Powdered Monkfruit. I find this to not have a after taste
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thanks for sharing with us, Chilli!
Nicole
0Are you using dill or sweet pickles ?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Nicole, I use dill pickles do avoid the sugar in sweet pickles.
Suzanne
0I’m super new to keto and this is a fantastic idea. I’ve been trying to figure out how to keep my husband happy on this plan, and he’s going to LOVE this! Thanks.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am so happy you liked the salad, Suzanne! Have a great day!
Karra Christensen
0Is this really meant for just one person? I’m weighing out my romaine and it seems like a lot?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0There are 6 servings in this recipe, Karra! Thanks for stopping by!
Sherry
0Yummy! I also add chopped grilled onions to the ground beef! So good!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Great idea, Sherry! I am glad you liked it! Please come back again soon!
Tracey
0Oh my best ever salad thank you!!!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am so happy to hear that, Tracey! Thanks for stopping by!
Tracey
0This was amazing, thank you for sharing it!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am so happy you liked it, Tracey! Thanks for stopping by!
Kelly
0This recipe is so delicious and it quenches my Hamburger fetishist.. Thank you!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am glad you liked it, Kelly! Thanks for stopping by!
Deb Banaszkiewicz
0Great recipe!! Loved it. Do you know what 1 serving is? Is it a cup or more? Thanks!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I’m so glad you liked it, Deb! A serving is 1/6 of the entire recipe.
Cheryl
0This was so good ! OMG YUMMM!
I’ve been eating low carb for a few months now and was really craving a big mac. This fixed that. I love your recipes. Nom Nom Nom.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am so happy to hear that, Cheryl! Please come back again soon! Have a nice day!
Kimberlea Hollenbach
0Thanks so much for the great recipe. We really enjoyed it, and i was happy it kept with my keto diet. The recipe was well written and easy to follow, while having an element of fun and cheerfullness. Thanks for sharing!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I love to hear that, Kimberlea! Thanks for stopping by!
Ami
0I have tried two different versions of this recipe. That basically means I made two different dressings! THIS is the dressing! I feed three boys and this was an exceptionally easy way to serve salad for dinner. This recipe couldn’t be easier!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am so happy to hear that, Ami! Please come back again soon! Have a nice day!
Linda
0I tweaked your recipe a little when I made it today. I basically made my usual salad then I added cooked ground turkey and cheese. He only eats ranch dressing. I also threw in the pickles. Anyway we absolutely love it! Thanks so much for the great recipes!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am so happy you liked the salad, Linda!
Monica
0Do you serve the meat hot or cold? Was thinking of taking this to a potluck so I could eat healthy on the keto diet. Will it taste good if the meat is cold?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Monica, It’s better hot, but you could do either way.
Jamie Enfinger
0This salad was AMAZING!! My favorite hamburger from McDonalds is a Big Mac and it tasted JUST like it!! Kudos to you! It was Awesome! 🙂
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Yay! I love to hear that, Jamie!
Winifred R Coyle
0I can’t wait to try this recipe. My grandchildren love big macs and this will probably interest them too. I think the prices for fast food is way too high for my budget. You can eat at a normal restaurant or dinner for the same price and the food is probably healthier for you in the long run.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Yes, I agree, Winifred! I hope you and your grandchildren enjoyed the salad!
Savanna
0Hi! I love this recipe but was wondering if the nutrition serving information included the dressing? If so, If I did not use the dressing…what would be the nutrition servings then?
Sorry for the overload, I am new to the keto diet!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Savanna, I’m so glad you love the recipe! Yes, the nutrition info includes the dressing. I don’t have it offhand without the dressing, but you can enter your ingredients into an online calculator if you’re omitting things from the recipe.
Susan Marie
0I had a version of this before. But I made this recipe and it was so delicious and satisfying. Very easy too. I will make it again!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am so happy you liked the salad, Susan Marie! Thanks for stopping by!
Denise
0My salad was awesome tasted pretty close to Big Mac I used Hellmanns avocado oil mayo was yummy!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am so happy you liked the salad, Denise! Thanks for stopping by!
Tamarah
0Winner!!! This is definitely a keeper! My family loved it too. The only thing I did differently was to add some onion powder. Wonderful recipe and like you I don’t miss the bread!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Tamarah! That’s awesome that the whole family enjoyed it.
JoAnn
0This sauce is delish! Forgot vinegar and left out sweetener. Doubled it and was perfect for my family with left overs for lunch!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0That is awesome, JoAnn! Thanks for stopping by!
Ellpell
0Absolutely love this recipe! Even my low carb family members were going wild over this. Tonight will be the fourth time making it, I usually triple the recipe, that’s how fast it goes
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am so happy the salad was a hit!
Sandra Witkowski
0I have made this salad several times. My husband and I just LOVE it- It really taste just like a big mac. I keep the sauce separate so left overs dont get soggy plus I double it. My husband likes his meat hot so I keep that separate also. Everything else is mixed. It really is the best keto or not salad ever.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am so happy to hear that, Sandra! Thanks for stopping by!
Heather
0Hi, any tips on seasoning the beef? salt and pepper just seems so bland to me. Taco seasoning maybe?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Heather, You can if you want. I don’t think a Big Mac has additional spices. You could definitely add taco seasoning, it would be more like a taco salad. Try it with my easy taco seasoning recipe.
Kerry
0I season the meat with Montreal steak seasoning and minced onion while it’s browning. Tastes just like a burger to me!
Sherry Namburi
0All time favorite salad!!! Sauce is just like big mac sauce and even goes great with grilled ck strips when we ran out of beef.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Yay! I love to hear that, Sherry! Thanks for stopping by!
Christine Castaneda
0One of my favorite salads. It literally tastes like I’m eating a Big Mac. Thank you!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I love to hear that, Christine! Thanks for stopping by!
Kaitlin
0I was very disappointed with this mac sauce. I first tried with lite mayo because I’m on WW. Tasted horrible, so I tried with real mayo and it wasn’t much better. I had such high hopes for this recipe because the reviews were so convincing!! I had this bookmarked for about a month until I could finally get around to buying swerve from Amazon. Now I need to visit McDonald’s to satisfy my craving.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Kaitlin, Sorry that it wasn’t for you. I’d love to hear your feedback on what tasted off to you. Did you make any changes to the recipe?
Rachel
0This is the way I make the dressing. I don’t measure, so, put a blob of mayo (I use Dukes), some yellow mustard, and a splash of pickle juice in a bowl. Mix it up, use a lettuce leaf to test the flavor. I think it’s great without a sweetener.
If you want a more “Big Mac” taste, use some thousand island dressing. Or mix it in with the other stuff, and give that a try. Just adapt it to your taste.
I don’t like salads, and I love this one!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you for sharing, Rachel! I’m glad you love the salad.
Stephanie
0My dressing unfortunately just didn’t have the taste of the sauce it should. I don’t know why mine didn’t turn out right.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Stephanie, Sorry that the dressing didn’t work for you! I’m happy to help troubleshoot if you can be more specific about what seems off to you. Is it the sweetness, tanginess, saltiness, or something else?
Lisa
0How many oz is a serving?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Lisa, Unfortunately I don’t have the serving size by weight. If you want to find out, you can weigh the entire recipe and divide by the number of servings.
Angela
0I’ve just had this for my tea omg it was amazing, will definitely be making again thanks for the recipe .
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am so happy you liked it, Angela! Have a great day!
Cynthia
0I made this yesterday. INCREDIBLE. I used stevia for the sweetener and kept playing with the dressing until it was just right. Such a great recipe. Thanks!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I love to hear that, Cynthia! Have a great day!
Patti
0So delicious! I made this for the second time tonight! And like many others my man is not a fan of salad but he loves this! Was actually the one that requested it. This time I put the burgers on the grill on a very low temperature for a little while to get the grill taste on them before finishing in a pan. Is delicious as a leftover too!!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you so much, Patti! I’m glad you both enjoyed it.
Jodi
0OH MY GOODNESS! This is my first time commenting on a post but this is AWESOME!! It tastes just like a Big Mac but BETTER! THANK YOU for sharing this. Made it tonight and me and the hubby LOVE IT!! I could eat this every night!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I love to hear that, Jodi! Thanks for stopping by!
Debby
0Thanks so much for posting this recipe. It is mine and my husband favorite and we both enjoy it so much!!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am so happy you and your husband liked it, Debby!
Karen Rowan
0This is sooo yummy! Better than a Big Mac for me!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I love to hear that, Karen! Thanks for stopping by!
RLSCM
0The whole family loved this recipe. I couldn’t get over how much the dressing tasted like Big Mac sauce. As soon as I combined it with the ground beef, it smelled just like a Big Mac. We added some sesame seed, as one review suggested. I love that we can now enjoy a delicious burger without the extra carbs and sugar of the bun!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I love that it was a hit with the whole family! Have a great day!
Shannon
0I can’t wait to try this I have high blood sugar I miss my pasta and big Mac thanks
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I hope you like it, Shannon! Have a great day!
Becky
0This was delicious! i just made it for my husband and I for lunch. I loved it and so did he! Big Macs are his favorite and with us doing Keto, it’s not something we’re eating! The only problem I had is, I definitely ate more than a serving!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Becky! I think it makes a perfect lunch! I sometimes have a couple servings of this salad, too.
sherry
0Did you use sweet or dill pickles?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Sherry! You can use whatever pickles you’d like, but dill pickles have less carbs than sweet pickles. I hope that helps!
Sheila
0Do you have to use a sweetener? I’m on Common Sense Keto and we cannot have any kind of sweeteners.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Sheila, No you don’t have to. I think it would still be good if you just omit it.
Melissa
0Hi there how many servings does this recipe make?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Melissa! There are 6 servings in this salad. I hope you like it!
Kristi Block
0Delicious! Thanks so much! I made it with cubes of fried extra-firm tofu instead of the meat, and it was still delicious! Tomorrow for lunch, I’ll try the salad again, but with with egg and avocado! I also sprinkled it with some smoky, salty baked coconut chips I made last week to give it a deeper flavour and some added crunch! So good. Keto takes a bit of creativity for vegetarians, but it’s totally do-able, and this recipe worked really well. Thanks again!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Kristi! What a great idea to use tofu! I need to try that next time! Have a great day!
Megan
0Amazing! Thank you for the recipe. Is the nutritional information for the salad and the dressing combined or just the salad? Thanks!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Megan! The nutrition info includes both the salad and dressing together.
Kimberly
0Thank you, I am excited to try your recipe!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Kimberly! Let me know what you think of it!
Kim
0We loved it! Made it 3 times so far. I posted a picture
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Love that! Thank you Kim!
Jacque
0This salad was amazing. Crushed my desire for a Big Mac!!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Jacque!
Allison
0Can you use swerve instead for the sweetener?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Allison, Yes, you can. Just make sure it’s the confectioner’s version so that the dressing is smooth; granulated would make it grainy.
Nick
0Do you have nutrition facts on the dressing?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Nick, I don’t have that information readily available but if you put just the dressing ingredients into a nutrition calculator that should give you your answer.
Teri
0How many saturated fats per serving?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Teri, I don’t have nutritional info beyond what is on the recipe card. If you need more details, I recommend entering the specific ingredients you used into an online calculator.
Cindy Wade
0Love this salad. I use stevia for sweetener in the dressing – a little goes a long way. Great family recipe. Oh and I do leave out pickles. We are not pickle fans at my house.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Cindy!
Kathy
0I have made several iterations of Big Mac salad, and without question, this is our favorite. No need to try any others now I found this recipe. It is the dressing that elevates it to greatness. Great recipe! Thank you.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Kathy!