• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Everyday Shortcuts
  • Recipes
  • DIY Projects
  • Travel
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • DIY Projects
  • Travel
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • DIY Projects
    • Travel
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes

    Big Mac Salad

    Published: May 13, 2023 · Modified: Jun 14, 2023 by Alison · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe

    This Big Mac Salad is a mouthwatering twist on the classic burger, featuring ground beef, crisp lettuce, tangy pickles, and homemade Big Mac sauce!

    Big Mac Salad in a bowl

    If you’re in the mood for a Big Mac but want to skip the bun, try the Big Mac Salad instead!

    It’s a lighter version of the classic sandwich that tastes just as good, especially when you use homemade Big Mac Sauce.

    Not only is this salad easy to assemble and perfect for a light lunch, it’s also a great way to meal prep for the week ahead. My family loves this salad and makes it several times a month.

    And if you’re watching your calorie intake, the Big Mac sandwich can pack a whopping 590 calories. But with the Big Mac Salad, you can significantly cut down on calories by skipping the bun and using 96% lean ground beef.

    Plus, it’s low-carb, keto-friendly, and gluten-free, making it a healthier option that will keep you feeling full and satisfied.

    Big Mac salad with sesame seeds

    Why You’ll Love This Big Mac Salad Recipe

    • Quick and easy to make
    • Leaves you feeling full and satisfied
    • A healthier version of fast food
    • Easy to customize

    What Goes in a Big Mac Salad?

    • Ground beef
    • Homemade Big Mac sauce
    • Shredded iceberg lettuce
    • Tomatoes, diced
    • Red onions, sliced
    • Shredded cheese
    • Dill pickle chips
    • Sesame seeds (optional)

    Recipe Variations

    • If you don’t have time to make homemade Big Mac sauce, you can use Thousand Island dressing.
    • Can swap ground beef for ground chicken, turkey or pork.
    • Can use a other kinds of lettuce besides iceberg lettuce such as romaine.
    • Add bacon crumbles for extra crunch and flavor.

    How to Make a Big Mac Salad

    Step 1: Cook the ground beef. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat and cook until no longer pink. Drain grease and set aside to cool slightly.

    Step 2: Make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for Big Mac sauce using this homemade recipe.

    Step 3: Prep the toppings. Cut red onions and tomatoes. Add toppings into individual bowls for easy assembly.

    Step 4: Assemble the salad. Add lettuce, ground beef, tomatoes, onions, cheese, pickles and Big Mac sauce. Toss to combine. Sprinkle sesame seeds over top and enjoy.

    how to assemble a big mac salad

    How to Store

    Place leftover ground beef in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and store toppings in separate containers.

    Recipe Tips

    • For less servings, cut this recipe in half. For more servings, double the recipe.
    • Keep it light and lean by using lean ground beef.
    • Make ahead for a salad on the go. Prep and store in individual containers in fridge. Grab and go for a quick lunch.
    big mac salad with big mac sauce

    FAQs

    Can I make Big Mac salad in advance?

    Yes, you can make this salad up to a day in advance. Prep all the toppings ahead of time and store in individual containers. Cook ground beef and allow to cool and place in an airtight container in fridge. When ready to serve, take everything out of fridge and assemble.

    Can I add other toppings to this cheeseburger salad?

    Yes, you can customize it with whatever toppings you would like on it.

    Is Thousand Island dressing the same as Big Mac sauce?

    No they are not the same. Thousand Island dressing has ketchup in it and Big Mac sauce has does not have ketchup.

    Is this a hot or cold salad?

    The choice is up to you and can be enjoyed with warm or cold ground beef.

    More Delicious Salads

    • Grinder Salad
    • Crunchy Asian Ramen Noodle Salad
    • Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
    • Berry Chicken Salad

    Recipe

    Big Mac Salad

    EverydayShortcuts.com
    This Big Mac Salad is a mouthwatering twist on the classic burger, featuring ground beef, crisp lettuce, tangy pickles, and homemade Big Mac sauce!
    No ratings yet
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Main Dishes
    Cuisine American

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 lbs. Ground beef
    • Homemade Big Mac sauce or Thousand Island Dressing
    • 1 bag Shredded iceberg lettuce
    • 2 large Tomatoes or 4 Roma tomatoes diced
    • 1 Red onion sliced
    • 1 bag of Shredded cheese
    • Dill pickle chips
    • Sesame seeds optional

    Instructions
     

    • Step 1: Cook the ground beef. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat and cook until no longer pink. Drain grease and set aside to cool slightly.

      Step 2: Make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for Big Mac sauce using this homemade recipe.

      Step 3: Prep the toppings. Cut red onions and tomatoes. Add toppings into individual bowls for easy assembly.

      Step 4: Assemble the salad. Add lettuce, ground beef, tomatoes, onions, cheese, pickles and Big Mac sauce. Toss to combine. Sprinkle sesame seed over top and enjoy.

    Nutrition Disclosure

    Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

    Tried this recipe?Tag @everydayshortcuts or use #everydayshortcuts on Facebook, TikTok or Instagram to let us know!

    More Recipes

    • Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes
    • Pepperoni Pizza Sliders
    • 4th of July Cheesecake
    • Bomb Pop Cookies
    FacebookTweetPin

    Alison is a wife and mother of three who embraces the simple life, finding joy in easy recipes, DIY projects, life hacks, and her passion for travel. Learn more about me!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Alison McFadden

    Welcome to Everyday Shortcuts, where I share delicious and simple recipes that anyone can cook, practical household tips and clever shortcuts to help simplify your everyday life. 

    More about me →

    Popular

    • 8 Easy Chicken Freezer Meals in One Hour

    • Crock Pot Coca-Cola Baby Back Ribs

    • My 3 Day Egg Fast Experience and Weight Loss

    • Copycat White Castle Sliders

    Holiday Recipes

    • Snowman Cheese Ball

    • Jingle Juice Recipe

    • Grinch Puppy Chow

    • Blood Bag Cocktails

    Footer

    Everyday shortcuts as seen on logos

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy
    • About Me

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Press & Media
    • PR Friendly

    Alison McFadden is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    Copyright © 2025 Everyday Shortcuts. All Rights Reserved

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required