Big Mac Salad

Name: Big Mac Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 15 oz Store Bought French Fries ((optional, but recommended)); 1 lb Ground Beef; 1 White Onion ((grated)); 2 tsp Onion Powder; 1 tsp Garlic Powder; 1 tsp Kosher Salt; 1/2 tsp Black Pepper; 2 tsp Yellow Mustard; 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce; 1/2 cup Mayo; 2 tbsp Ketchup; 1 tbsp Yellow Mustard; 2 tbsp Relish; 2 tbsp Grated Onion ((from above)); 1 tsp Onion Powder; 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder; 2 tbsp Pickle Juice; 1/4 tsp Sugar; pinch Kosher Salt; 10 oz Romaine Lettuce ((sliced thinly)); 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes ((cut in half)); 1/2 cup Cheddar Cheese ((shredded)); 1/2 cup Pickles ((sliced)); 1/2 White or Red Onion ((diced)); Sesame Seeds ((for garnish))

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Big Mac Salad is a fun take on the fast food favorite, packed with all the classic flavors you love—minus the bun. It’s easy to throw together and makes a great weeknight dinner or meal prep option!
For more salad recipes, try my strawberry spinach salad with poppyseed dressing and cajun chicken caesar salad!

big mac salad in a bowl with french fries and special sauce.

Okay, hear me out—this Big Mac Salad is everything you love about a traditional big mac burger, just without the sesame seed bun and with way more crunch! It’s loaded with seasoned ground beef, crisp romaine lettuce, juicy pickles, melty cheese, and a creamy copycat big mac sauce that ties it all together like magic. Oh, and I also add in some homemade french fries because what’s a burger without the fries?! It’s like fast food glow-up in a bowl. You won’t even miss the drive-thru!

And the best part? It comes together in under 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep for the week.

That tangy sauce soaks into everything just right, giving you that nostalgic flavors of a Big Mac in every bite.

It’s fun, it’s flavorful, and honestly, it just makes salad way more exciting. Grab a fork and dive in—this one’s a keeper!

Big Mac Salad Ingredients
Substitutions and Variations
How To Make Big Mac Salad
Expert Tips
Recipe FAQs
More Salad Recipes
Big Mac Salad Recipe

Big Mac Salad Ingredients

(full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card)

Ground beef adds a rich, savory flavor and hearty texture that mimics the classic burger patty but in salad form. I used 80/20 ground beef, but if you prefer a less fatty meat, you can use lean ground beef as a lighter alternative. Use leftovers to make my homemade hamburger helper next!
We’re going to be grating a white onion into the ground beef as well as using it in the sauce. Grating the onion releases more flavor as well as allowing the onion to seamlessly cook into the beef so that you don’t have big chunks of onion in every bite.
To make it like a true “burger and fries”, I added some french fries on top. I used simple store bought fries to keep it quick and simple. Totally optional but highly recommended!
I use romaine lettuce because it has more nutrients than iceberg lettuce – however, if you love crisp iceberg lettuce, feel free to use it here! That’s what’s used on a classic big mac sandwich, so feel free to use it to create your cheeseburger salad.
Seasonings – in both the dressing and the ground beef mixture, we’re using garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. I also like to sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the ground beef so resemble the sesame seed bun! This is totally optional though.
Yellow Mustard and Worcestershire Sauce both add a tangy sweetness to the beef. Simply stir them in and it makes the ground beef taste like the real thing!
Toppings: I wanted to stick as closely to the toppings of an actual big mac – so we’re doing pickles, cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes), and cheddar cheese. If you’d like, you can also top with additional diced white or red onion.

big mac special sauce ingredients in a bowl - mayo, ketchup, mustard, grated onion, relish, and seasonings.

For the big mac salad dressing, we’re using mayo as the base, then adding in yellow mustard, ketchup, sugar, the seasonings and grated onion from above, and pickle juice.

Substitutions and Variations

Use and ground meat you prefer – ground turkey, ground chicken, even ground bison all work well here.
If you’re not using pickles and don’t have pickle juice on hand, you can use white vinegar instead.
Use sweet potato fries instead of french fries. You can also omit them entirely if you’d like a low carb hamburger salad.
For a low carb big mac salad, omit the french fries from the salad and omit the sugar from the dressing.

How To Make Big Mac Salad

Step 1: Cook french fries according to package instructions. Thinly slice the lettuce and cut the cherry tomatoes in half. Season lightly with a pinch of salt – this ensures flavor in every bite.

Step 2: Grate an onion and place into a medium bowl. Remove 2 tbsps and set aside – this will be for the homemade special sauce.

ground beef in a pan with onion, seasonings, mustard, and worcestershire sauce.

Step 3: Add ground beef and remaining onion to a large skillet over medium heat. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 8-10 minutes, until no longer pink, then add in yellow mustard and worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine, then remove from the heat. Let the meat cool so that it doesn’t wilt the lettuce.

special sauce ingredients mixed together in a bowl.

Step 4: To the bowl with the grated onion, add mayo, ketchup, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, sugar, and pickle juice. Mix together until combined.

up close photo of big mac salad in a serving bowl.

Step 5: Now assemble the salad – add lettuce to a serving bowl and top with the ground beef. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the beef, then add all of the fixings on top – cherry tomatoes, diced white onion or red onion, shredded cheddar cheese, pickles, and french fries (optional but highly recommended). Drizzle the homemade dressing on top and serve.

Expert Tips

Let the Beef Cool Slightly Before Assembling – Warm (not hot) beef won’t wilt the lettuce or melt the cheese. Let it rest for a few minutes after cooking before tossing into the salad.

Dry the lettuce completely using a salad spinner or towel so it stays crisp under warm beef and dressing.

Make It Meal-Prep Friendly – Store components separately in an airtight container. This includes the meat, lettuce, toppings, and sauce. Assemble fresh when ready to eat for a quick lunch or dinner. Storing separately also ensures that best flavor and texture.

If you don’t like raw onions, caramelize the onions on the side and add those on top of the salad instead!

Recipe FAQs

Is Big Mac Sauce the same as Thousand Island dressing?

They’re similar but not the same. Big Mac Sauce and Thousand Island dressing both include mayonnaise and relish, but their flavors differ slightly due to variations in seasoning and proportions.

Can I make Big Mac Salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can! in advance. Make the salad according to the recipe instructions, then store each of the salad components and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Assemble and combine them just before serving to maintain the best texture and flavor.

Can I use a different type of meat instead of ground beef?

Absolutely! You can substitute ground beef with other proteins such as ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternatives like tofu or tempeh. Adjust the cooking time accordingly based on the chosen protein.

Do you eat Big Mac Salad warm or cold?

This depends on personal preference. Some enjoy the salad with warm, freshly cooked ground beef, while others prefer it chilled. If preparing in advance, you can store the beef separately and reheat slightly before adding to the salad, or enjoy it cold.

What type of lettuce is best for Big Mac Salad?

Iceberg lettuce is traditionally used for its crisp texture, closely resembling the actual Big Mac. However, romaine lettuce is a more nutritious alternative that provides a similar crunch. I prefer romaine but you can use whatever you’d like!