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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, and pickles.
-
Add the ground beef. Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Toss to coat.
-
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
Erika
0Soooo Good! I added a bit of diced onion as well
Lori Kohls
0Can’t wait to try this recipe! I have regular Paprika, not smoked. Will this make a difference in the recipe?
Thank you!
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Lori, It will have a slightly smokey flavor, but it will still be great!
Kym Martin
0Delicious! We make often!!! Thank you for sharing this recipe
Natasha
0Love this recipe. It’s easy and the knock off sauce is spot on!
Lisa
0I just made this last night for me and my fussy fiance. I used one tablespoon of organic maple syrup as the sweetener. The dressing was outstanding. He really loved it and this recipe is a keeper. Thanks!
LLD
0Big Macs don’t have tomatoes 🙂 “Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun.” (No buns for us keto-ers) But tomatoes are a delicious addition to the salad! Maybe McD’s will start adding them!!
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi LLD, Ah, you caught me! Tomatoes are so delicious, how could I not add them? Enjoy 😉
CL
0Just made this and omg! It’s like eating all the sloppy leftovers that fall off when you are eating a Big Mac! Big Mac salad recipe….where have you been all of my life???
Kathy Davis
0Should you wait to mix all together until you actually eat? Will it get soggy if mixed early?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Kathy, If you are using this recipe to meal plan your lunches or dinner, then yes, I would wait to dress the salad until the last minute.
Regina
0So, so good!
I even goofed and added too much liquid to the dressing. Thought it was 2 tbsp vinegar, so to layer flavors I added a tbsp of dill pickle juice AND tbsp of vinegar. When I reread recipe I saw it was only 1 tbsp! ♀️ I thought for sure it was ruined, but it was super forgiving and still so great! The smoked paprika really made it come alive!
I also mixed up the dressing portion of the diced pickles (this time on purpose) by using one tbsp of sweet gherkins (the kind made with splenda) and 1 tbsp dill pickles. This recipe was so refreshingly simple!
People: just throw it in your bowl and eat it!
Thanks so much for creating and sharing!
Jack Harris
0So, I’m a particularly lazy cook in the kitchen so that’s my angle with this question. How much different is this dressing recipe than, say, something like 1000 island dressing with chopped pickles in it? I’ve not tried recreating Big Mac sauce before and I have so many spices in the cabinet which are “one use” wonders so I’m not sure picking up smoked paprika is heavy on my “to do” list. Your thoughts?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Jack, You can certainly use Thousand Island Dressing if you wish. Your salad will still be delicious. The dressing in this recipe is a copycat version of the special sauce you get at the local fast food burger stop, but it will work with whatever dressing you have on hand. As for the smoked paprika, I think it’s a great kitchen staple spice. It’s used in many recipes on this site and gives protein a nice kick without adding any additional heat.
Hope
0Delicious! I’m not on keto. But trying to eat better since I’m in my second trimester and this HIT my craving for burgers. Thanks a bunch!!! ❤
Beth
0Just made this for dinner, it was delicious and tasted just like a Big Mac !
Marlene
0So good you don’t even need the fake sugar.
Ash
0Do you think this would taste just as good with ground turkey? I made this with hamburger and it was fantastic, just looking to cut down the calories 🙂
Wholesome Yum A
0That would be great, Ash!
Vicky Rybarczyk
0This sounds so Delish! I will have to for sure make this!!
Julie
0Hi Maya! As I stated a while ago … my hubby and I LOVE this recipe!!! We are experiencing the beginning of cooler days and I was wondering if this recipe could be adapted to a soup. I can see it being served over a bed of lettuce, but am not sure if you’d recommend heating the dressing. Have you any suggestions?
Wholesome Yum A
0Hi Julie, my best suggestion would be to try my bacon cheeseburger soup instead!
Laura Johnson
0I loved this recipe. Have already made it three times. I even had my nephews try it. And the one that NEVER cooks wanted the recipe. He really like it too.
BAM
0I make this delish salad for family and make it tripled for work to share for special occasions. Everyone loves it even those who are not salad people.
Lisa
0Delicious. I made it New Mexico style and added green chili to the ground beef and some chopped avocado to the salad. This is a family favorite.
Mary Tsamasiros
0I’m eating this right now! I came home after work and was so hungry. I found this recipe on your website, and quickly threw it together. Love the sauce. Thank you so much!
Samantha Rae
0This was better than expected! Who doesn’t love a good greasy burger every now and then? With this recipe you will get the burger without the sacrifice! Highly recommend and will definitely be making this one again.
Michele
0This Big Mac salad was delicious! I have never had a salad with pickles in it but lt’s good! Using grass-fed ground beef always helps flavor and the dressing is really tasty. I ate the whole salad myself ( over a couple of days). It was really easy to make and I’ll be using the dressing for other salads. Thanks Maya!
Julie
0This salad is absolutely wonderful, Maya! I typically run chilly, so cold foods are not a favorite of mine; also, I’m not much of a salad lover. Consequently, I was amazed at how much I loved this recipe! Hubby and I devoured it the first time I made this and within the week I was already making the dressing to have on hand for use in a few days. The recipe is simple (I loved that!), few ingredients (and common ingredients, at that–very good), but soooo delicious!!! thank you so much for this recipe … I can’t wait to make it for our next church’s next potluck!
Linda
0I made the dressing with coconut oil and it turned out VERY thick to the point I could barely spread it, let alone toss it. Any suggestions to make it thinner? I added about 1/4 cup more of coconut oil but no luck.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Linda, This is because coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so even if you melted it, it probably cooled down when mixed with the other dressing ingredients. I recommend using a different oil that’s liquid at room temperature, such as olive or avocado oil, or refined coconut oil that comes in a bottle.
Karen Joy
0Oil??Where is there oil listed in this recipe?Am I missing something?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Karen, The recipe does not call for any oil because the dressing contains mayo. If you were going to make your mayo from scratch, you would need oil. The best oil for making mayo is avocado oil, as it doesn’t solidify at room temperature. I hope this clarifies things.
Crystal
0Not sure what I did wrong, but my dressing just tasted like mayonnaise and mustard.
Wholesome Yum
0Hi Crystal, sorry to hear that. Feel free to add more paprika next time if you need more flavor.
Angie
0Hi
I am not a fan of dill pickles, can I omit and still have a great flavor. I dont want to use sweet as I am a diabetic. Ty
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Angie, Sure, you can skip the pickles if you don’t like them.
Ryvir
0I have been making this every so often for about 2 years. I only just got smoked paprika because I could never justify getting it for just a single recipe. It totally changes the dressing, in a good way. It reminds me a little more of 5 Guys sauce now. I like the smoked better but regular paprika for color was also nice.
Christina
0Thank you so much for this recipe. It has become a weekly staple in our home!
Denise DeBerardino
0Sounds delicious but I don’t want to screw it up! Dill or sweet pickles?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Denise, Either will “work”, but the recipe calls for dill pickles because sweet ones wouldn’t be low carb.
Jennifer
0I have made this before for dinner and is was a big hit! I’m making for a party tomorrow. Can I cook the meat tonight and add it all together tomorrow or is it better fresh?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Jennifer, Yes, you can cook the meat ahead if you’d like. I’d probably lightly fry to reheat it before adding to the salad on the day-of.
Tracey
0Yes dill all the way
Susan
0I made this for my Husband and I It is Wonderful! Tastes just like a Big Mac!! Thank You soooo much! A Great addition to our Keto lunches
AliceaRose
0Wow! So delicious. I cut up an actual hamburger patty since it was hamburger night and it was fabulous. I omitted the tomato and added grilled onion, just personal preference. Can’t wait to make this again.
Anjelica Jones
0How many tbsp would you say are in one serving?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Anjelica, It would be pretty difficult to measure a salad full of green lettuce by the tablespoon. A serving is 1/6 of the entire recipe, so if you divide into 6 parts, it would be 1 of them.
Samantha
0How much is considered a serving? This salad is AMAZING by the way.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Samantha, A serving is 1/6 of the entire recipe.
Chris
0I made this with ground chicken instead of beef and was still awesome.
Dee
0I enjoyed this recipe and my family did also. I used stevia and added 2 bacon strips and pureed all the dressing ingredients together. So yummy!
Crissy
0So good. Thanks so much!!
Jessie
0This was fabulous!! I’ll make it again and it will be even better next time because I made a few mistakes!
Warning to those substituting w/*liquid* monk fruit.. I only added a 1/2 tsp to start, but holy cow, that made my dressing SO sweet, it was almost sickly sweet! I should have just tossed it and started again, but I added vinegar and more paprika. Even it out, and it came out okay. I would steer clear of the liquid version, even 1/4 tsp would be too sweet (it’s good for cocktails and coffee at least!)..
Also, I think prepared yellow mustard is KEY here. I assumed I had some, and for some crazy reason didn’t… So I used dried mustard instead… nope, not the same, guys…
Despite my mistakes, I still tossed it up and I’m lovin’ it ;)! I will make it again!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Jessie! Yes, liquid monk fruit is very concentrated so you’d only need a teeny-tiny amount of it if using that. I’m glad you made it work!
Sherry Weaver
0This is one of our favourites… just realized that I had all the fixings in the fridge so I took out some hamburger from the freezer to make tonight! Dress it up with sauteed muschrooms, pickled jalepenos… whatever you like on a burger. Love love love it… such a treat on KETO.
marcy e mcnally
0I made this tonight for the third time. This time I added onions because well, onions come on a big Mac (I figure you omitted them out of personal taste lol). I know they add a few carbs but I’m not too concerned because it’s not like I’m eating an entire onion lol. This time I also thought of the sesame seed on the bun angle and added some “Everything but the bagel” seasoning.
I also used chopped deli roast beef because I have a problem with ground meats. I hope you don’t mind my taking artistic liberties with your amazing recipe. I just like to play 🙂
Thank you for your awesome recipes, Maya !!!
Barb
0We love this salad. A friend came to visit and she is Keto. She made this for us for dinner one night. I’ve been making it ever since. Made a double batch and brought it to work this past week and it was a big hit. Simple recipe with big taste.
Jessica
0Great recipe! If you like pickles, don’t leave them out. They add a great crunch
Brenda
0What percentage of beef/fat is recommended for this recipe?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Brenda, Any kind you like is fine. I used 85/15.
Shon Glynn
0Also can you substitute erythritol for monk fruit?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Yes, you can!
Shon Glynn
0What exactly does the vinegar do? I ask because the makes me nauseous. But looking forward to trying it, I need a burger in my life and if this will help I’m all for it. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Shon, It’s for balancing flavors and most dressings have it. You could try lemon juice instead if you’d like.
Barb
0This was fantastic! The dressing is spot on (I did use sugar-free sweet relish in the dressing instead of pickles) and I used more seasonings on the ground beef to make it taste more like a cheeseburger. Otherwise followed your recipe.
Claussen pickles have a great crunch which I found to be a nice addition to the salad reminiscent of the crunch of croutons.
Michele Wilson
0Tried this for dinner tonight, SO good! Even my non-Keto husband liked it. I did add a diced avocado because I like that on my burgers
Suzanne Martin
0OMG! This salad is the best salad I have had in a long time. Made it for dinner last night and couldn’t wait to have left overs for lunch today. It was easy and fast to make and the dressing tastes exactly like the sauce on a Big Mac. This is going on my regular low carb rotation!
Ashley
0I am eating this salad right now & it is SOOO good! This will definitely be a recipe that I will make over & over again. All of my kids loved it too, ages 2, 4 & 6. I added avocado & boiled egg to mine. The dressing is spot on 🙂
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am so happy to hear that, Ashley! Thank you!
Antonia
0My husband LOVES this. He is not low carb and eats whatever he wants. I have to shred/mince pickles so my teen son does not realize pickles are in it and skip sweetener of any kind. My husband want this at LEAST once a week 🙂
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am so happy you and your husband enjoyed the salad, Antonia! Have a great day!
Yvonne
0I’m trying this tomorrow. No sugar free catsup?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Yvonne, Hope you like it. You can find a sugar-free ketchup recipe here.