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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
Whiteflower
0My family loved this salad! But, my son pointed out that a Big Mac does not have tomatoes.
It made no difference, we loved it as was, and will be a repeat meal in the summer.
But, I do have to ask – why tomatoes? Thanks!
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi, Ah, you caught me! Tomatoes are so delicious, how could I not add them? Enjoy 😉
Adele
0Love this recipe!
Ajpunky
0This was so good. We are on a low carb diet and this was the best way to eat an hamburger. The dressing was spot on. Thank you.
Ika
0This is sooooo good, my teenage son said the dressing is just like the real thing. I added a little bit of sriracha for a spicy kick. My husband also loves it. And because it’s an easy recipe, I will definitely make this again. Thank you!
Diana
0Whether I make this whole recipe or not I always make extra sauce as I am the only one who eats Keto and my family LOVES it. I been asked to make the sauce every time I make burgers.
Dave
0I used no mayo,but fresh fruit,what a splendid big Mac salad,thank you😘
Cassi
0This salad was SO good!!!! Nothing like a burger without feeling bloated or guilty afterwards!! I will 100% be making this again!
Charles
0I have made this for my wife and daughter both loved it. I have passed the recipe on to others who also reported that it was GREAT.
Thank you for sharing this.
Charles B.
Megan Jones
0Can I use powdered Monkfruit as a sweetener?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Megan, Yes, you could use powdered Besti.
Megan Jones
0What kind of pickles do you use in the salad and/or dressing?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Megan, You will want to use dill pickles.
Wyn
0If I have leftover dressing, how long will it keep in fridge?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Wyn, This will last in the fridge for up to 5 days.
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0Dear Maya,
This recipe is incredibly delicious. My husband was raving and told me to be sure to make it again soon. We are beginning Keto dieters and have suddenly found food to be tasty again. Who knew – remove the sugar and put back the fat and things just taste great and worth eating. Each new recipe we try is a hit.
Thanks so much for your hard work in creating and updating this website. My Doctor daughter suggested I try KETO as a way to better manage my diabetes and was she ever right. I shared this website with her and some of my friends. This is a great place to find good food.
Melissa Dodson
0Made this over the weekend for a quick lunch, it was so full of flavor! Tastes just like a big mac without the carbs, not missing the bun at all!!!!
Matt
0I have made this 3 times this week. VERY VERY GOOD. Going to try the taco salad next I think. Thank you for the great keto recipes.
Wayne Hatley
0Hi, I plan to try this but was wondering why onions weren’t on the list of ingredients? Thanks!
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Wayne, Onions provide a few extra carbs. Feel free to add them if that is your preference.
Sheila
0I guess I refrigerate the leftovers. Won’t it get bad when heated up?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Sheila, I would eat the leftovers cold.
Aw
0I’ve made this several times now. My family LOVES IT. Tastes just like a Big Mac but better. ❤️.
-A
Diane B
0Oh my goodness. This was so good. And to cut calories and fat, I did the following. I used “light” Miracle Whip and Monk Fruit/Splenda for sweetener in the sauce. I also used Ground Sirloin and Kraft fat free shredded cheddar cheese to cut out the fat. I diced up pickle spears and threw those in with shredded lettuce so to get the pickle taste with each bite. The whole thing really did taste like a Big Mac without the bun. So delicious.
Priscilla Sanchez
0This recipe was delicious. I didn’t even need to make the dressing. It was so good and satisfying without the dressing.
Debbie Welch
0I have been looking for something like this since my doctor suggested no more breads for me. I love Big Macs but this is even better and I can’t wait to try this!
Sarah P
0How big are the servings?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Sarah, A serving size would be 1/6 of the entire recipe.
CJ
0I cannot wait try this salad!!
Joann
0What type of pickles? Dill or bread and butter.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Joann, This recipe includes dill pickles.
Iamsweet
0Hello cannot wait to try this!! Question tho, are the pickles sweet pickles or dill pickles? Thx
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi, They are dill pickles.
Patricia
0Excellent “McD” Salad. Thank you!! 🙂
Margaret
0This was surprisingly good. So much good flavor despite the few ingredients. Made more than I expected, but so good.
Sophia Mathews
0Very informative and useful tips with excellent presentation. Looking forward to lots more articles about it. Thanks for sharing ideas and such an informative article.
Kristine
0This is so tasty. I am going to have this for tomorrow as well!
Penny
0Excellent recipe! My husband who is a picky eater even liked it.
Jessica jordan
0Can I omit the pickles? I hate pickles 🤢
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Jessica, Yes, you can omit the pickles.
Penny
0Made this tonight and it was awesome! Truely had “big Mac” flavour and was quick to throw together. Will make again
KetoGirl
0Love this
Suzanne Dunlap
0Can Thousand Island dressing be used in place of the sauce?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Suzanne, Yes, you can do that!
Heather Jackson
0Mmmmm!! Delicious salad recipe. A go to favourite!!
Kellie
0This salad deserves a slow clap….soooo yummy!!!!
Carey
0Love this! A biweekly meal for us – delicious!!
Evelyn
0Very tasty! The special sauce is easy and fantastic!! Will include it in my meals often.
Bonnie
0I made this in the afternoon… in refrig now waiting for girls nite out… I tasted it and it did taste like a Big Mac… thanks for a delicious salad.
Natasha
0This salad happens very frequently in our house!!! I just love it!
Lorena
0By far my favorite keto salad is so yummy and delicious I just don’t add pickles because I don’t like them lol
Shirley
0Sounds yummy. I’m wondering how would you reheat any leftovers?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Shirley, This salad is actually quite delicious cold! If that’s not your thing, then you can quickly sautee it to warm through.
Karen
0I’ve made this before and instead of crumbling the meat, I made half-dollar size burgers. Easy to reheat by taking them out and microwaving for a few seconds.
Donna M
0We have each person individually make their salad like a buffet. Then for leftovers, you only need to reheat the meat if you chose to or you can eat it cold as the last person suggested. I made this twice so far and my husband and I love it.
Dom64
0Delicious recipe. Added a bit of cucumber instead of the pickles in the salad. Upgraded the cheese… I’ll be making it again. For sure it is better than having a big mac. And takes care of any desire for fast food. Thanks, Maya. Love all of your recipes that I have tried so far. You make keto very interesting for me.
SharkBite
0Awesome recipe! So much hate cause Big Macs don’t have tomatoes… But, if they were a salad, then I’m sure they would.
I followed the recipe almost exactly. The only changes I made was thinning the dressing a bit with a couple of splashes of EVOO & Avocado oil, adding some toasted sesame seeds, cut down on the salt in order to add some Montreal steak seasoning to the ground beef, used 1 tbsp monk fruit/erythritol sweetener for the dressing, and added a lil sugar-free ketchup on top the salad for a finishing touch.
So good!!! I ate half the recipe myself, and was stuffed! I know I ate a ton, but this is a super filling salad! I usually never feel full from a salad, but I just kept feeling fuller and fuller after this one. I’ll definitely be adding this recipe to my recipe book. Thank you!!!
SharkBite
0Forgot to mention I also sautéed some diced onion with the ground beef. Onions are a must have for burgers (burger salads) IMHO. <@:)
Aya
0I never EVER comment, but this was just amazing. So quick, so easy, and guiltless. Thank you Maya. You’re a hero!
Gina
0I make this all the time, it’s so delicious! I’ve added a couple tablespoons Montreal steak seasoning and about half an onion to the meat while cooking. Adds a little bit of carbs but it’s next level for sure!
Denise
0This was very good . We will be making this again!
Jason D Miller
0I actually made this for myself but my very picky grandmother said it was better than a big mac. She had two bowls which is amazing because we struggle to get anything down her that is not sweets.
Mickey D
0Looks great!! Thx. Will try.
Sounds A bit like a Whopper with cheese.
Which is what I do. … try this…
By medium size mild Italian, beef, chicken or turkey meatballs from the grocery store. They usually come in packs of six. Flatten them out to a small burger size patty. Fry them on a heated skillet pan. While that’s goin on, in a large pasta bowl, add: garden salad or Romain lettuce mix, shredded cheddar cheese, onion, sliced half tomatoes, chopped tangy dill pickle, swirl in mayo, I also add a bit of blue cheese dressing for some zip!!
When patties are almost done, top with shredded cheddar combo, takeoff pan and slice into finger size. Put two of these (Patties) on top of your salad mixture and finally, swirl in sugar free Heinz ketchup on top of everything. Amazing !! Simple and fast because the fresh meatballs are ready for you.
I’ve been fast food tinkering for decades now. Have a million tricks. It’s all low carb GI.
When you go thru your drive thru. Here’s the rules: no bun (take it off and feed your dog in the back!) No ketchup. No fries. And order water.! Yew ha. Done!!
Anne Ciraulo
0Loved this recipe! The dressing was a very nice compliment. We’re not pickle fans, so I left those out. Will definitely make this again. Thanks for all your wonderful recipes! I’ve tried a bunch of them, and they’re all great!
Geoffry Berryman
0Was not a fan of the dressing. I think following the recipe but just topping with thousand island would work really well though! Not sure what that does for calories/carbs however.
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Geoffry, That sounds great! I have a great recipe for Thousand Island Dressing here. Feel free to enter the recipe into an online recipe calculator to get an accurate view of the nutrition with Thousand Island Dressing.
Lisa
0Hi,
I’m making this recipe right now! I’m just noticing the lack of diced onions in the recipe, and I know that Big Mac’s have onions on them. No one has mwntioned this in the reviews. Were onions omitted on purpose?
Thanks!
Lisa
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Lisa, Onions provide a few extra carbs. Feel free to add them if that is your preference.
JUDY THODAY
0In the original Big Mac…there’s no tomatoes..substitute onion for tomatoes!!
Susan
0Absolutely delicious! Used the dill pickle relish for pickles💕
Rich Hvizdos
0Really Appreciate this article, can I set it up so I get an update sent in an email when there is a fresh post?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you so much, Rich! Yes, definitely! You can sign up for my newsletter here – I’ll send you a free keto food list to start and notifications about my new recipes in my newsletter afterward.
Daphne
0Excellent! I will be making this again!