Big Mac Salad | YumAndJoy

Big Mac Salad

This Big Mac Salad brings all the iconic flavors of your favorite fast-food burger into a delicious, guilt-free salad. With seasoned ground beef, crispy lettuce, tangy pickles, cheddar cheese, and a creamy Big Mac-style sauce, it’s a low-carb, satisfying meal ready in just 25 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Low-carb and guilt-free: Enjoy all the flavors of a Big Mac without the bun.
  • Quick and easy: Perfect for busy weeknights, ready in just 25 minutes.
  • Customizable: Add or omit toppings to suit your preferences.
  • Packed with flavor: The Big Mac dressing ties it all together with a tangy, creamy touch.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Salad:

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cracked pepper
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 6 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup sliced dill pickles
  • ¼ cup diced yellow onions
  • Sesame seeds for garnish

For the Big Mac Sauce:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons sugar-free ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons dill relish
  • 2 teaspoons mustard
  • 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika

Directions

To Make the Salad:

  1. Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
  2. Season the Beef: Stir in salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix well and set aside.
  3. Assemble the Salad: Divide the chopped lettuce between 4 salad bowls (about 1 ½ cups per bowl). Top with cheddar cheese, diced onions, sliced pickles, and the seasoned beef.

To Make the Big Mac Sauce:

  1. Whisk the Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sugar-free ketchup, dill relish, mustard, white vinegar, onion powder, and paprika until smooth.

To Serve:

  1. Drizzle and Toss: Drizzle about 3 tablespoons of Big Mac sauce over each salad. Toss gently to combine.
  2. Garnish: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and add extra pickles if desired. Serve immediately.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: 4 salads
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes

Variations

  • Protein swap: Use ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based meat alternative instead of ground beef.
  • Add crunch: Sprinkle with crumbled bacon or crushed pork rinds for extra texture.
  • Spicy twist: Add jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing for some heat.
  • Make it dairy-free: Use dairy-free cheese or omit it altogether.
  • Vegetarian option: Replace the beef with seasoned black beans or lentils.

Storage/Reheating

  • Storage: Store the salad components and Big Mac sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheating: Reheat the cooked beef in a skillet or microwave before assembling the salad.

FAQs

1. Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, prep the components ahead of time, but assemble and add the dressing just before serving to keep the salad fresh and crisp.

2. Can I use store-bought Big Mac sauce?

Absolutely! If you’re short on time, a store-bought version works well.

3. What’s the best lettuce for this salad?

Romaine or iceberg lettuce work best for their crisp texture and mild flavor.

4. Is there a substitute for sugar-free ketchup?

Regular ketchup can be used, but it will slightly increase the sugar content.

5. How do I keep the salad from getting soggy?

Keep the dressing and salad components separate until you’re ready to serve.

6. Can I add more toppings?

Definitely! Cherry tomatoes, avocado, or shredded carrots would complement this salad nicely.

7. What’s a good alternative to sesame seeds?

You can skip them or use toasted sunflower seeds for a similar effect.

8. Is this recipe keto-friendly?

Yes, this recipe is low-carb and keto-friendly, especially when using sugar-free ketchup.

9. Can I double the recipe?

Yes, easily double the ingredients to make a larger batch for meal prep or a crowd.

10. What can I serve with this salad?

Serve it alongside a cup of soup, roasted vegetables, or low-carb bread for a complete meal.

Conclusion

This Big Mac Salad is a delicious, low-carb way to enjoy the flavors of a fast-food favorite. With its seasoned beef, crisp lettuce, tangy pickles, and creamy Big Mac dressing, it’s a satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare and customizable to your tastes. Make this salad a regular in your meal rotation for a quick, flavorful, and guilt-free option!

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Big Mac Salad

Big Mac Salad


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  • Author: asma
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Big Mac Salad delivers all the classic flavors of your favorite fast food burger in a healthier, low-carb version. Featuring seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, tangy pickles, and a creamy Big Mac sauce, it’s a quick and satisfying meal ready in just 25 minutes!


Ingredients

Units Scale

 Salad:

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp cracked pepper
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 6 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup sliced dill pickles
  • 1/4 cup diced yellow onions
  • Sesame seeds (for garnish)

For the Big Mac Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup
  • 2 tbsp dill relish
  • 2 tsp mustard
  • 2 tsp distilled white vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika

Instructions

To Make the Salad:

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart as it browns. Drain excess fat.
  2. Season the cooked beef with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir well to combine.
  3. Divide the chopped lettuce evenly into 4 salad bowls, about 1 1/2 cups per bowl.
  4. Top the lettuce with shredded cheddar cheese, diced onions, sliced pickles, and seasoned ground beef.

To Make the Dressing:
5. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sugar-free ketchup, dill relish, mustard, white vinegar, onion powder, and paprika until smooth and creamy.

Assemble the Salad:
6. Drizzle about 3 tablespoons of Big Mac sauce over each salad. Toss gently to combine.
7. Garnish with sesame seeds and extra pickles, if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Serve the salad in individual bowls for customizable toppings like pickles and onions.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute the cheddar cheese with a vegan alternative.
  • The Big Mac sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Salad, Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
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