Don’t quit your diet just yet, because you can now enjoy everything you love about your favorite drive-thru in salad form! That’s right, the Big Mac Salad is just what it sounds like – all of the most crave-able parts of the burger, sans bun, tossed together in a leafy salad.

A large white salad bowl is filled with Big Mac salad.


Big Mac Salad

Remember growing up when you could eat a whole Big Mac with fries and a Coke and not have a care in the world? While I can still put away some fast food, my tummy definitely prefers salads to greasy drive-thru burgers nowadays! However, that doesn’t mean my McDonald’s cravings ever magically disappeared. I still want to sink my teeth into two all beef patties with special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions – just without the bun!

I know what you must be thinking already, and that’s about the sauce. How could you ever call something a Big Mac without the special Big Mac sauce?! Well, I’ve developed a recipe that I’m proud to call a darn close (if not exact) copycat of the real deal! No need to run through the drive-thru and ask for sauce, because you can make it at home with just 4 simple ingredients (yes, really) and use it as your salad dressing.

Even if you’re not on a diet right now, this salad is a great lunch or dinner that the whole family will love. It’s also a wonderful way to get your kids to eat some veggies! I know kids notoriously hate salads, but when you call it a Big Mac salad, just watch… Their interest will be piqued. Every bite of this easy to make salad tastes just like a Big Mac without the bun, so if you’re low-carb, it’s perfect for you! And even if you’re not, you’ll love it just the same.

A small bowl of sauce is placed next to a salad that is being drizzled with sauce.

How to Make Big Mac Salad

You won’t believe how quickly and easily this salad comes together! It’s perfect for making in a time crunch.

  1. Heat. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat.
  2. Cook the beef. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until no longer pink, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain off the fat and return the pan to the heat.
  3. Make it flavorful. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
  4. Keep warm. Remove from the heat and keep warm.
  5. Assemble the salad. Arrange the romaine on a large platter. Top with the ground beef, tomatoes, onion, cheddar cheese and pickles.
  6. Make the Mac sauce! Whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard and pickle relish.
  7. Drizzle. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and sprinkle with the sesame seeds.
  8. Chow down! Serve your Big Mac salad immediately, and enjoy!
A small white ramekin is filled with orange Mac sauce.

Variations to Try

While I love this Big Mac salad just the way it is, there are quite a few ways to customize it to best fit your needs!

  • I used ground beef to get the most authentic hamburger taste, but you could opt for any other type of ground meat as well. Ground chicken, turkey, pork, or even a plant-based alternative will all work here.
  • Romaine lettuce is my go-to base for this salad as it’s what’s used on a real Big Mac. With that being said, you could always use kale, arugula, or iceberg lettuce instead. The options are pretty limitless with what greens to use, but just keep in mind that romaine lettuce is the most Big Mac-ish!
  • Using your own homemade concoctions like Refrigerator Dill Pickles and Homemade Ketchup are easy ways to elevate this salad. While you can certainly use everything store-bought, I like to toss in little homemade touches if I have time.
A big mac salad has been drizzled with homemade dressing.

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A large white salad bowl is filled with Big Mac salad.

Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad Recipe

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Better than take out, Big Mac Salad is hearty and tasty….a great way to keep those carbs in check without sacrificing flavor.
5 from 1 vote
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Ingredients

For the Salad:

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • 3 heads romaine lettuce, torn into pieces
  • 1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes, cut in half
  • 1/4 cup diced red onion
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup dill pickle slices
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

For the Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish

Equipment

  • skillet

Instructions 

  • Heat a large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until no longer pink, approximately 8-10 minutes.
  • Drain off the fat and return the pan to the heat.
  • Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
  • Remove from the heat and keep warm.
  • Arrange the romaine on a large platter.
  • Top with the ground beef, tomatoes, onion, cheddar cheese and pickles.
  • Whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard and pickle relish.
  • Drizzle the dressing over the salad and sprinkle with the sesame seeds.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Best if served soon after assembling.
Leftover sauce is fantastic on sandwiches, burgers or to top baked potatoes.
Calories: 458kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 32g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 89mg, Sodium: 907mg, Potassium: 738mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 2604IU, Vitamin C: 11mg, Calcium: 137mg, Iron: 4mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Dinner, lunch
Cuisine: American