Big Mac Salad has all the crave-worthy flavors of your favorite burger in a fresh and hearty bowl. With seasoned beef, lettuce, pickles, and a creamy homemade dressing, this easy recipe comes together quickly for a fun twist on a classic hamburger.
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Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Big Mac Salad
Flavor: Savory, beefy, and well-seasoned, balanced with crisp lettuce, tangy pickles, and a creamy, sweet, and zesty dressing.
Shortcuts: Use prepared croutons, store-bought Thousand Island dressing, pre-shredded cheese, and pre-washed lettuce to get this recipe on the table even faster.
Crowd Tip: Double the beef and dressing and set all the ingredients out in a buffet-style so everyone can build their own bowl just the way they like it.
Total Time: 30 Mins Servings: 4 Salads Cooking Method: Oven/Skillet
Ingredient Notes for Big Mac Salad
- Buns: Sesame buns toasted into croutons give the most true-to-drive-thru flavor, while regular croutons are the quickest and easiest shortcut.
- Beef: Lean beef keeps the salad hearty without getting greasy; drain it before adding to the salad. Turkey can be used, but beef delivers that classic burger flavor.
- Dressing: The dressing is a creamy Big Mac sauce that gets its flavor from a mix of mayo, ketchup, and tangy additions. Dill pickles, onion flakes, vinegar, and a touch of sugar round it out, while a splash of milk helps thin it to the perfect drizzling consistency.
Toppings
- Lettuce: Iceberg lettuce adds extra crispness and that classic burger-style shred, while romaine brings more body and holds the dressing beautifully.
- Pickles: Use crunchy refrigerator dill pickles for the best tang and bite. Relish works in the dressing, but sliced pickles make the best topping.
- Onion: Rehydrated onion flakes give a softer, more classic Big Mac-style onion flavor, while fresh red onion adds a sharper bite and extra crunch.
- Variations:
- Add tomatoes for a fresh cheeseburger feel.
- Add oven bacon for a bacon cheeseburger twist.
- Mix in a splash of homemade BBQ sauce for a smoky backyard burger flavor.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds on top for that burger shop look.
How to Make Big Mac Salad
- Mix the Dressing: Combine all the dressing ingredients and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
- Bake the Croutons: Cut out small croutons from burger buns and bake until crispy.
- Cook the Beef: Season and brown the beef.
- Assemble the Salad just before serving.
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover cooked beef, chopped toppings, croutons, and dressing in separate airtight containers.
- Ground beef will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Dressing will keep for up to 4 days.
Assemble just before serving. Reheat the beef in a microwave or on the stovetop.
Burger Cravings, Fresh Twist
Did you enjoy this Big Mac Salad Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 hamburger buns or 1 cup prepared croutons
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 head iceberg lettuce or romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
- 3 dill pickles sliced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or cubed processed cheese
- ½ cup thinly sliced red onion or 2 tablespoons dehydrated onion flakes*
- seasoned salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons French dressing or Heinz Chili Sauce or ketchup
- 2 tablespoons chopped dill pickles
- 2 teaspoons onion flakes
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1½ teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Mix all dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Refrigerate at least 20 minutes (so the dehydrated onion can soften).
Sesame Croutons
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cut small 1" circles out of a sesame seed bun (or cut into cubes). Lightly spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with little bit of seasoned salt.
- Place the "croutons" on a baking sheet and bake about 8 minutes or until crisp.
Salad Preparation
- Brown ground beef with onion powder and garlic powder until no pink remains. Drain fat and season with seasoned salt and pepper to taste.
- Divide the lettuce evenly between each bowl. Top with beef, pickles, onions, cheese, and croutons.
- Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Notes
- To save on prep time, buy shredded cheese and washed lettuce.
- Sesame seed croutons can be replaced with regular croutons.
- Purchased Thousand Island Dressing can be used instead of homemade dressing.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dinner, Lunch, Salad
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This is a wonderful recipe! Thank you for creating it. Our city has a chain restaurant that serves a similar salad but calls it a Bacon Cheeseburger Salad. No little sesame buns, in fact, no sesame seeds at all, although it does come with regular croutons, and it is also served with Thousand Island dressing. When I do make this salad, I will put a few of the different dressings on the side since I prefer Hidden Valley Ranch dressing, while some in my family prefer the Thousand Island dressing, and others like Marie’s Brand, Blue Cheese dressing, so that’s why I will have to serve the dressing on the side. I am happy to be able to now make your version, but adding chopped tomatoes and cooked & crumbled bacon as your tips suggested. I can’t wait to make this favorite restaurant salad but with your measurements and your suggestions for easily made sesame croutons now at our home. My family will be thrilled!!! By the way, I have already preordered your cookbook and am anxiously waiting for September of this year, which is next month actually, when it will be released. Thank you again, Holly, for all your wonderful recipes and cooking and baking tips!! I use them all the time!!
So glad you enjoyed it, Marie!
very yummy! healthier version of the big Mac favorite!
I agree! It’s so delicious.
Delicious! A wonderful dinner for a hot summer night
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Donna!
I added chopped bacon to make it a bacon cheeseburger salad! So good! Every last bite is gone. SWP Employee
I just done making the Bag Mac Salad. I am going to one big salad for my church’s fellowship. Which my church has the first Sunday of every month. I am going to salad together tomorrow so nothing will get soak up. I love the Big Mac burger. But I do not like lettuce and tomatoes on burgers and sandwiches
So glad you enjoyed it, John!
While not really tasting like a “Big Mac” (except for the thousand island dressing), it was still worthy of 5 stars — quick, easy & tasty. Very nice for a summer dinner. Hubby definitely wants to have this in our rotation meals. Rather than sprinkling the rehydrated onions on top of the salad, I stirred it directly into the cooked meat mixture after removing it from the heat. That way,It infused nicely into the meat. Oh, and really enjoyed the homemade croutons!
I gotta make this, & SOON! A Big Mac sandwich was my favorite lunch when I was a working gal. I’m now a stay-at-home wife & mom, so I haven’t had one in quite a while, since we don’t frequent fast-food joints very often. What a treat this is going to be, especially for me! Thanks Holly
You’re welcome! All the taste and memories come back for me!