Big Mac Salad
A hearty entree salad that tastes like a classic Big Mac sandwich -- including the "special sauce" dressing!
Servings 4 people
Calories 776kcal
Ingredients
SESAME SEED BUN CROUTONS
- 4 stale sesame seed hamburger buns, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
SPECIAL SAUCE DRESSING
- ½ cup mayonnaise (we like Duke’s brand)
- 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
FOR THE SALAD
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 head iceberg lettuce or Romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese or American cheese
- ½ of an onion, thinly sliced (use white onion, sweet onion, yellow onion, or red onion – whichever you like)
- ¼ cup dill pickle slices, or more to taste
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
MAKE THE CROUTONS
- Preheat oven to 350°F. On a large, rimmed baking sheet, toss together the olive oil and cubed buns. Sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toast in the oven until golden brown and crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Cool completely; store in an airtight container for 3-4 days or use immediately.
MAKE THE DRESSING
- In a small bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together all of the dressing ingredients. If the dressing is too thick, gradually whisk in a little bit of water until it reaches the desired consistency. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. The dressing will keep in the fridge for at least 1 week.
COOK THE GROUND BEEF
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper. Cook until the beef is no longer pink (breaking up the meat as it cooks), about 5-7 minutes. Drain off excess grease. Set the meat aside to cool slightly while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
ASSEMBLE THE SALAD
- Place the lettuce in a large bowl. Add the tomatoes, cheese, onion, and dill pickles. Add the croutons and ground beef. Toss with some of the dressing, to taste. Serve immediately with extra dressing on the side.
Notes
- To make it more of a low-carb meal, omit the croutons.
- Add cooked, crumbled bacon or roasted, crispy potatoes for even more flavor and texture.
- Bulk up the meal with extra veggies. Feel free to adjust the quantities of each ingredient to suit your preferences. For instance, add extra lettuce, double the tomatoes, or use even more pickles if you like it tangy.
Nutrition
Serving: 1/4 of the salad and dressing | Calories: 776kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 55g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 1083mg | Potassium: 776mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1354IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 324mg | Iron: 5mg