This Big Mac Salad is one of my favorite quick dinners when I want something that feels like fast food but is still homemade and easy to throw together. It has seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, cheddar cheese, red onion, and a creamy Big Mac-style sauce that gives every bite that familiar burger flavor.
This Big Mac Salad has all the familiar flavors of a Big Mac, but served in a fresh, low-carb bowl instead of a bun. You still get the seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, cheddar cheese, pickles, tomatoes, onion, and that creamy Big Mac-style sauce that makes everything taste like a burger.
I make this when I want something that feels like fast food but is still homemade and easy to throw together. It’s hearty, satisfying, and ready in about 20 minutes, which makes it perfect for busy nights, quick lunches, or meal prep.
The only thing we’re skipping is the regular bun to keep it lower in carbs. If you still want that burger feel, you can serve this salad with my keto buns, which have only 2g net carbs each.
And honestly, the sauce is the best part. It’s creamy, tangy, slightly sweet, and full of that classic burger flavor. I also use a similar Big Mac-style sauce in my Smash Burger Tacos, so if you love that kind of flavor, this salad is another easy way to enjoy it.
Why You’ll Love This Big Mac Salad
All the Big Mac flavor, no bun needed – You get seasoned beef, lettuce, pickles, cheddar, onion, and creamy special sauce in every bite.
Ready in 20 minutes – The beef cooks fast, and the rest is just chopping and mixing.
The sauce makes it – The creamy pickle-mustard dressing gives the salad that classic burger flavor.
Great for meal prep – Cook the beef and make the sauce ahead, then assemble the salad when you’re ready to eat.
Easy to customize – Use ground beef, turkey, or chicken, add bacon, change the cheese, or keep the toppings simple.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be surprised to discover that you can prepare a highly delicious Keto Big Mac Salad with just a few easy ingredients that are super common:
- Ground beef – I like using 85/15 ground beef because it has enough flavor without making the salad too greasy. If you use fattier beef, drain the excess fat after cooking.
- Lettuce – Iceberg lettuce gives the best crunch and feels closest to a burger bowl, but romaine also works well.
- Tomatoes – Fresh tomatoes add juiciness and color. Cherry tomatoes or diced garden tomatoes both work.
- Pickles – Use crisp dill pickles, preferably without added sugar if you want to keep the salad low carb. The pickles are important because they give the salad that classic Big Mac-style flavor.
- Cheddar cheese – Shredded cheddar adds richness and color. You can also use American-style cheese, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack.
- Red onion – Slice or dice it very thin so it adds flavor without overpowering the salad.
- Mayonnaise – This is the base of the Big Mac-style sauce. Use a mayo you like because the flavor comes through.
- Pickle relish – Adds tang and a little sweetness. Choose sugar-free relish for a keto-friendly version.
- Yellow mustard – Gives the sauce that classic burger-style tang.
- Paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder – These simple seasonings add depth to the sauce.
This low carb big mac salad is similar to my favorite taco salad that’s also loaded with beef and healthy greens.
How To Make Big Mac Salad
This Big Mac Salad comes together in about 20 minutes, and the steps are very simple: make the sauce, cook the beef, chop the toppings, and assemble everything in a big bowl.
Make the Big Mac sauce
Start by mixing the mayonnaise, pickle relish, mustard, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl. I like making the sauce first so it has a few minutes to sit while the beef cooks. This helps the flavors come together and gives the salad that classic burger-style taste.
Cook the ground beef
Add the ground beef to a skillet over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper, then cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
I like using 85/15 ground beef because it has enough flavor without making the salad greasy. If there’s too much fat in the pan, drain the excess before adding the beef to the salad.
Prepare the salad ingredients
While the beef cooks, chop the lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and red onion. Shred the cheddar cheese if you’re not using pre-shredded cheese.
For the best texture, use crisp lettuce like iceberg or romaine, and chop everything into bite-sized pieces so every forkful has a little beef, cheese, pickle, lettuce, and sauce.
Assemble the Big Mac salad
Add the lettuce to a large bowl, then top with the cooked ground beef, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, pickles, and red onion. Drizzle with the Big Mac sauce and toss gently until everything is coated.
Serve right away while the beef is still warm, or keep the ingredients separate if you’re making this for meal prep. This keeps the lettuce crisp and the salad fresh.
My Tips for the Best Big Mac Salad
- Use crisp lettuce – Iceberg is my favorite here because it gives the salad that classic burger crunch.
- Don’t skip the pickles – Pickles and relish are what make the sauce and salad taste like a Big Mac-style bowl.
- Drain the beef if needed – You want the beef flavorful, not greasy.
- Make the sauce ahead – Even 10–15 minutes in the fridge helps the flavors come together.
- Keep ingredients separate for meal prep – Store lettuce, beef, toppings, and sauce separately so the salad stays fresh.
Meal Prep and Storage
This salad is best assembled right before serving, but the ingredients are great for meal prep.
Store the cooked beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store the sauce separately in a jar or container for up to 5 days. Keep lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onion, and cheese separate so everything stays fresh.
When ready to eat, reheat the beef if desired, then assemble the salad and add the sauce just before serving.
I don’t recommend freezing the assembled salad, but you can freeze the cooked ground beef for up to 2 months.
Easy Variations
Use a different protein – Ground turkey, ground chicken, or chopped burger patties all work.
Add bacon – Crispy bacon makes it even more flavorful.
Make it spicier – Add jalapeños, hot sauce, or pepper jack cheese.
Turn it into a burger bowl – Add avocado, cucumber, or extra pickles.
Serve with keto buns – If you want the full burger feeling, serve it with toasted keto buns on the side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Big Mac Salad keto?
Yes, it can be keto-friendly if you use low-carb ingredients, sugar-free relish, and no bun. Always check the labels on pickles, relish, ketchup, and mayonnaise if using them.
What is Big Mac sauce made of?
This homemade Big Mac-style sauce is made with mayonnaise, pickle relish, mustard, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Can I make Big Mac Salad ahead of time?
Yes, but store the ingredients separately. Cook the beef and make the sauce ahead, then assemble the salad right before eating.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes. Ground turkey or ground chicken both work. You may want to season them a little more because they are milder than beef.
How do I keep the salad from getting soggy?
Keep the dressing and warm beef separate from the lettuce until serving. Add the sauce right before eating.
What lettuce is best for Big Mac Salad?
Iceberg lettuce is my favorite because it’s crisp and gives the salad that classic burger crunch, but romaine also works.
Looking for More Keto Salad Recipes? Try these:
- Creamy Broccoli Salad with Bacon
- Best Easy and Healthy Tuna Salad – Keto & Low Carb Recipe
- Easy Keto Chicken Salad Recipe
- Easy Italian Caprese Salad Recipe
Big Mac Salad – Keto Cheeseburger Salad Recipe
Description
Ingredients
Big Mac Sauce
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp dill pickle relish
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 2 tsp sweetener optional
- 1 tsp white wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet, add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook on medium-high heat until browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
- Make the Big Mac Sauce – In a medium bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients until combined. For a thinner dressing, add one tablespoon of water and mix well.
- Assemble the Salad: Into a large bowl, add lettuce, chopped tomatoes, dill pickles, onion slices, shredded cheddar cheese, and cooked ground beef. Top with the Big Mac Dressing and toss to combine. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use 85/15 ground beef for flavor without too much grease.
- Drain excess fat after cooking if needed.
- Iceberg lettuce gives the best crunch, but romaine also works.
- Use sugar-free relish and pickles if keeping the recipe keto.
- Make the sauce ahead so the flavors have time to blend.
- For meal prep, store beef, sauce, and vegetables separately.
Nutrition information is shared to make meal planning easier. Values are estimates and can vary depending on the ingredients, brands, and serving sizes used. Learn more in my nutrition policy.
Just wondering how long this dressing would last in the fridge? Now that its bbq burger season it would be great to keep some made up on hand..thank you!
It should keep well in the fridge for about 5 days in an airtight container or jar. I love the idea of making a batch for burger season, it’s so nice to have ready for quick burger bowls, lettuce wraps, or dipping fries.
Just give it a good stir before using, and if it smells off or the texture changes, I’d make a fresh batch.