Chopped Big Mac Salad (Cheeseburger Salad)

This Big Mac Salad, or "Burger Bowl," is a tasty, low-carb twist on the classic burger! Made with lean ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, pickles, and thousand island dressing, it captures all the Big Mac flavors while keeping things light. Perfect for a satisfying, guilt-free meal that tastes like a fast-food favorite!

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Below you will find tips, tricks and helpful hints for making this recipe including step by step instructions with pictures. If you would like to go directly to the recipe, scroll down to the recipe card or tap "Jump to Recipe" at the top of the page.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Craving fast food but want to keep it light? This Big Mac Salad is a low-carb twist on a classic! With fresh greens, juicy tomatoes, lean ground beef, and creamy Thousand Island dressing, it’s got all the Big Mac flavor without the carbs. Perfect for family meals or potlucks, this easy salad is both satisfying and energizing. Give it a try—you’ll love how delicious healthy eating can be!

How to Order a Low Carb Big Mac at McDonald’s

When I was following the Keto diet, I found out that instead of a traditional Big Mac, you could order a Bic Mac without the bun. Basically, McDonald’s will put your two hamburger patties in a container with the lettuce and special sauce. That’s when I decided that I wanted to make my own low carb Big Mac salad recipe at home! 

Ingredients

*Ingredient amounts are located in the recipe card at the end of this post.

• Ground Beef: You want ground beef that is labeled 85% lean/15% fat. This provides the perfect balance of flavor and moisture. Ground turkey may be substituted.
• Season Salt, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder: This combo adds the classic Big Mac flavor to the ground beef.
• Ketchup & Yellow Mustard: Also used to flavor the ground beef.
• Lettuce: I used crisp Romaine lettuce, but you could also use iceberg lettuce or spring mix if desired.
• Tomatoes: Use ripe Roma tomatoes for the best flavor. Cherry tomatoes or Grape tomatoes are a good alternative.
• Pickles: I used dill pickles, but you could also use sweet relish or chopped pickles.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds a nice cheesy flavor to the salad.
• Thousand Island Salad Dressing: For that classic Big Mac flavor. Thousand Island dressing adds a delicious creaminess and sweetness to the salad.

How to Make a Big Mac Salad

[Step 1] Begin by spraying a frying pan with non-stick cooking spray. Add the ground beef to the pan, break it up with a spatula and cook over medium-high heat.

[Step 2] As the meat is cooking in the large skillet, sprinkle it with garlic powder, onion powder, and seasoned salt.

[Step 3] When the ground beef is fully cooked, stir in the ketchup and mustard. Set the meat aside.

[Step 4] Wash and chop the romaine lettuce, as well as the fresh tomatoes and pickles.

[Step 5] Add the lettuce to a large bowl and pour the Thousand Island dressing over the top.

[Step 6] Place a lid on the bowl and shake to coat the lettuce with the dressing.

[Step 7] Add the lettuce to the serving bowls and top with the ground beef mixture, chopped tomatoes, pickles, and shredded cheese. Drizzle with more dressing, if desired.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

• Frying Pan
• Spatula
• Chef’s Knife
• Cutting Board
• Salad Spinner

How to Store Leftovers

If you plan to have leftovers for this salad, store the ingredients in separate containers during storage and assemble them when you plan to serve it. Add the dressing when you serve the salad as well. 

How to Layer Big Mac Salad in a Mason Jar

Start with the dressing and add the following ingredients on top in the Mason jar.

• Thousand Island Dressing
• Shredded Cheese
• Seasoned Ground Beef
• Pickles
• Tomatoes
• Lettuce

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use a different type of lettuce? Yes, you can definitely switch out the romaine lettuce for iceberg or spring mix.
• Can I make this salad ahead of time? I would not recommend making this salad too far in advance as the lettuce will become soggy and wilted. Assemble the salad shortly before serving.
• What other toppings could I use? This salad is very versatile and you can get creative with the toppings. Some ideas are croutons, shredded carrots, or even bacon bits! 
• Can this be served as a main dish? Yes, absolutely. This Big Mac Salad is a great option for those looking to reduce their carb intake. It's packed with protein and can easily be served as a main dish.
• Is Thousand Island the same as Big Mac sauce? No, Thousand Island dressing is not exactly the same as Big Mac sauce, but it is similar. It's a creamy and slightly sweet condiment that adds flavor to this salad.
• What is the Big Mac sauce made of? Big Mac sauce is a combination of mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. It's a flavor-packed condiment that's perfect for adding depth to the Big Mac Salad. 
• What are the ingredients in the Big Mac burger? A Big Mac consists of two all-beef patties, lettuce, American cheese, pickles, onions, and a special sauce served on a toasted sesame seed bun.

Other Recipes You Will Love:

• Low Carb Keto Pizza
• Cafe Zupas California Protein Cobb Salad
• Honeycrisp Harvest Salad
• The Best BBQ Chicken Salad

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