Name: Big Mac Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 6 cups chopped iceberg lettuce; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles; 1/4 cup diced onion; 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved (optional)); 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 2 Tablespoons ketchup; 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard; 2 Tablespoons sweet pickle relish; 2 Tablespoons finely chopped dill pickles; 1 teaspoon white vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

My easy Big Mac Salad has everything you love about the drive-thru, minus the guilt and the wait. I’ve been making this on repeat because my homemade special sauce is next-level, and it’s on the table in 20 minutes flat. Seasoned beef, cheddar, crisp iceberg, and that tangy sauce make this the one salad my family actually gets excited about!

A large bowl of Big Mac Salad with ground beef, cherry tomatoes, shredded cheese, chopped pickles, and dressing, surrounded by bowls of cherry tomatoes, pickles, and forks on a white surface.

Big Mac Salad Bowls

There are nights when I want the flavors of a cheeseburger but don’t want to deal with buns, fries, or a drive-thru line. This Big Mac Salad has become one of my favorite quick dinners because it’s filling, easy, and made with ingredients I almost always have on hand.

Of course, a Big Mac Salad wouldn’t be complete without the special sauce. While some versions use bottled Thousand Island dressing, I make my sauce from scratch with a blend of mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish, dill pickles, and a few seasonings. It ties the whole salad together and gives it that classic Big Mac flavor people love.

If you’re looking for other entree salads, be sure to try my Chinese Chicken Salad and California Spaghetti Salad recipes.

Why My Big Mac Salad Bowl Recipe is the Best

On the table in 20 minutes – The beef cooks in one pan, the sauce comes together in one bowl, and the whole thing is done before you would even make it through a drive-thru.
Real burger flavor throughout the salad – I season the ground beef with garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper for flavor in every bite.
Feeds the whole family – I use a whole pound of beef, a head of iceberg, and just a handful of pantry staples, which makes it one of the best budget-friendly dinners.

Big Mac Salad Ingredients

Ingredients for Big Mac Salad includes a glass bowl with mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, dill pickles, white vinegar, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder iceberg lettuce, Worcestershire sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, dill pickles,cherry tomatoes, sesame seeds, sits on a white surface next to a bowl of cooked ground beef and a striped cloth.

Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe. Scroll down to the full recipe card for the specific amounts.

For the Salad

Ground beef – The hearty foundation of the salad.
Salt – Enhances the flavor of the beef.
Black pepper – Adds mild seasoning and depth.
Garlic powder – Gives the beef a savory boost of flavor.
Worcestershire sauce – Adds richness and helps create that classic burger taste.
Iceberg lettuce – Provides the crisp, crunchy texture that works best in this salad.
Shredded cheddar cheese – Adds creamy, sharp flavor that pairs perfectly with the beef.
Dill pickles – Bring the tangy bite that every Big Mac-inspired recipe needs.
Onion – Adds crunch and savory flavor.
Cherry tomatoes – Optional, but they add freshness and color.
Sesame seeds – The finishing touch that mimics a sesame seed bun.

For the Dressing

Mayonnaise – Creates the creamy base for the sauce.
Ketchup – Adds sweetness and classic burger flavor.
Yellow mustard – Provides tang and balance.
Sweet pickle relish – Delivers the signature sweetness found in special sauce.
Dill pickles – Add texture and extra pickle flavor.
White vinegar – Brightens the dressing.
Paprika – Adds mild warmth and color.
Onion powder – Boosts savory flavor.
Garlic powder – Completes the flavors in the dressing.

Substitutions or Variations

Want a lighter option? Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken.
Prefer extra crunch? Add sliced cucumbers or shredded cabbage.
Out of iceberg lettuce? Romaine works well and holds up nicely under the warm beef.
Want an even more authentic burger flavor? Use diced American cheese instead of cheddar.

How To Make Easy Big Mac Cheeseburger Salad

Here are my step-by-step instructions so you can make this recipe with ease. For the full, printable recipe with amounts and temperatures, scroll down to the recipe card below.

A glass bowl with mayonnaise, chopped pickles, mustard, and spices sits on a white surface next to a bowl of cooked ground beef for Big Mac Salad recipe

Cooked ground beef in a frying pan on a white marble surface, perfect for a Big Mac Salad Recipe, with a striped towel partially visible at the top left corner.

Whisk together all of the dressing ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Refrigerate while you cook the beef.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking the meat apart as it cooks, until browned and cooked through.
Drain any excess grease and let the beef rest for a few minutes.

A white bowl filled with chopped iceberg lettuce for Big Mac Salad Recipe sits on a light marble surface next to a striped cloth

A bowl of Big Mac Salad containing sections of ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped pickles, diced onions, halved cherry tomatoes, and lettuce on a white surface.

Divide the chopped lettuce among four bowls or spread it across a large serving platter.
Top with the warm beef, cheddar cheese, pickles, onion, and tomatoes if using.
Drizzle with the special sauce and finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Serve immediately.

A bowl of Big Mac Salad with ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, pickles, and dressing, surrounded by small bowls of cherry tomatoes, pickles, cheese, and sliced pickles.

Make the dressing in advance – Even 10 minutes of resting time allows the flavors to come together and the sauce will taste noticeably better.
Let the beef cool for 2 to 3 minutes – This prevents the super-hot beef from wilting the lettuce the moment it hits the bowl.
Drain the beef really well – Extra grease in the bowl will water down the dressing and make the lettuce soggy faster than anything else.

Big Mac Salad FAQs

Is This Recipe Low Carb?

The salad itself is naturally low carb. The only thing to watch is the dressing, since ketchup and sweet relish contain a small amount of sugar. If you are following a strict low carb diet, you can use sugar-free ketchup and a low-sugar relish with very little impact on the flavor.

How Do I Keep the Lettuce from Getting Soggy?

Two things help the most. First, let the beef cool slightly before adding it to the bowl. Second, always add the dressing right before serving rather than tossing everything together in advance.

Is This Salad Good For Meal Prep?

It is great for meal prep. For the best results, store the lettuce, toppings, cooked beef, and special sauce separately. When you’re ready to eat, simply assemble the salad and add the dressing to keep everything fresh and crisp.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate – Store the cooked beef and the dressing separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Keep the lettuce and toppings separate until you are ready to serve, so nothing gets soggy.
Freeze – The cooked and seasoned ground beef can be frozen in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using. The dressing and fresh vegetables do not freeze well and should always be made fresh.
Reheat – Reheat the beef in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, or microwave it in 30-second intervals until warm. Assemble the salad with cold fresh toppings right after so the contrast of warm beef and cold crisp lettuce stays intact.