This tasty Big Mac Salad combines all the flavors of the iconic burger in salad form, with seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, onion, cheddar cheese, pickles, and special sauce dressing. It’s so tasty that you won’t even miss the bun.
You are going to love this easy and filling salad. It will remind you of everything you love about the Big Mac, right down to its classic sauce. It’s perfect for a hot summer night or a pool party. If carbs are not an issue, serve with loaded baked potatoes, sweet potato fries, or air-fryer potato wedges.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Ground beef: Use ground beef with a little fat. Fat is what gives the beef flavor.
- Lettuce: I use a combination of romaine (because it is sturdy and healthy) and iceberg lettuce, because it is the traditional lettuce on the Big Mac.
- Tomatoes: Grape or cherry tomatoes, cut in half. But you can use any sun-ripened, meaty tomato.
- Onion: Red onion or sweet yellow onion.
- Cheddar cheese: Use any cheddar, such as mild, sharp, or extra sharp.
- Pickles: Any type of pickle will work, but dill pickles are traditional.
- Sesame seeds: They are optional but recommended.
- White vinegar: You can substitute apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.
How to Make Big Mac Salad
This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.
Stir the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, minced onion, yellow mustard, vinegar, and paprika in a medium bowl.
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat and drain any excess fat. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. In a medium, dry skillet over medium-high heat, add the sesame seeds and cook until golden brown and fragrant, shaking the skillet several times. Pour the sesame seeds into a small bowl to stop the cooking process.
Add the lettuce, ground beef mixture, tomatoes, red onion, cheddar cheese, and dill pickles to a large bowl. Sprinkle with a couple of teaspoons of toasted sesame seeds. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat.
Preparation Tips
- As you can see from the skillet, there is a little chopped onion in the ground beef. I had a little leftover from another recipe that I did not need, so I tossed it in there.
- Chop the lettuce into about 1/2 inch wide strips and then chop again in the other direction into large bite-sized pieces.
- If preparing ahead of time, use all Romaine lettuce (it will hold up better) and refrain from adding the dressing until ready to serve.
What to Serve With Big Mac Salad
- Soup: vegetable soup, minestrone soup, or potato leek soup.
- Sandwich: cucumber sandwich, tomato sandwich, or black bean burger
- Appetizer: potato skins, blooming onion, mozzarella sticks, or fried green beans
More Salad Recipes
Big Mac Salad
Ingredients
For the Big Mac Salad
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
- 1 medium head Romaine lettuce chopped
- ½ head iceberg lettuce chopped
- 1½ cups halved grape tomatoes
- ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup chopped dill pickles
For the Secret Sauce Recipe
- ¾ cup mayonnise
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons minced onion
- 1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Stir the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, minced onion, yellow mustard, vinegar, and paprika in a medium bowl.
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- In a medium, dry skillet over medium-high heat, add the sesame seeds and cook until golden brown and fragrant, shaking the skillet several times. Pour the sesame seeds into a small bowl to stop the cooking process.
- Add the lettuce, ground beef mixture, tomatoes, red onion, cheddar cheese, and dill pickles to a large bowl. Sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds. Drizzle with the dressing and toss to coat.
Notes
- As you can see from the skillet, there is a little chopped onion in the ground beef. I had a little leftover from another recipe that I did not need, so I tossed it in there.
- Chop the lettuce into about 1/2 inch wide strips and then chop again in the other direction into large bite-sized pieces.
- If preparing ahead of time, use all Romaine lettuce (it will hold up better) and refrain from adding the dressing until ready to serve.
Karen
Tried this Big Mac Salad the other night and I’m obsessed. It legit tastes like the real deal, but without the guilt. That sauce? Game changer. This one’s totally going in my regular dinner lineup!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Karen! So glad that you liked it.
Renata
What a great idea to make a salad based on a famous burger. It was delicious and perfect for us. Thank you, Beth!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Renata!
Stephanie
It’s literally SO GOOD. It’s my new go-to meal.
Marley
Oh wow, I had never tried a big mac salad before, and it certainly hits all the spots. Yummy!
Catalina
This Big Mac salad totally hit the spot! It has all the flavors I crave without the guilt. The dressing is spot-on. I could eat this every day!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Catalina! Me too!
Katie Crenshaw
It is so hot outside that I am on a summer salad kick. I made this and it turned out perfect. It is filling, tasty, and easy to make. I loved it.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Katie! I am so glad that you liked it.
Beeb
This was so good! I loved all the Big Mac flavor. It’s the best salad I’ve ever made.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Beeb!
Ben
Aww, yeah. That’s what I’m talking about. This is how you can get me to eat a salad!
Paula
Incredible salad recipe made after the iconic burger! Loved this one, so creative, and a much healthier way to enjoy these flavors 🙂
Beth Pierce
So happy that you liked it, Paula!
Maria
I made this last night and we are forever lovin’ it. I can’t wait to make it again!