Big Mac Salad (Cheeseburger Bowls)

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Craving a burger but not the bun? This Big Mac Salad (aka cheeseburger bowl) is everything you love about a classic drive-thru burger, just reimagined in a way that actually makes you feel good after eating it. It’s fast, satisfying, and ridiculously tasty, especially with the homemade special sauce that pulls the whole thing together!

Big mac salad in a white bowl topped with dressing.

If you’ve ever torn apart a burger and eaten it with a fork, this Big Mac salad is exactly what you need. We’re talking seasoned ground beef, sharp cheddar, crunchy pickles, and crisp romaine, topped with a creamy, punchy sauce that brings serious nostalgia. It’s like eating a Big Mac that is actually good for you!

Whether you’re trying to cut back on carbs, looking for a weeknight dinner idea, or just want to switch up your salad game, this one checks all the boxes. Let’s get started!

Nikki’s Recipe Rundown

Taste & Texture: All the flavor of your favorite burger—savory beef, tangy pickles, and that iconic special sauce, no bun needed!
Ease: Quick to prep, cooks in one pan, and comes together in under 30 minutes.
Pros: Crowd-pleasing, customizable, and a fun way to up your salad game.
Considerations: Assemble just before serving so the lettuce stays crisp!
Repeat Worthy: Definitely—this one’s in regular rotation when we want something hearty but still fresh and nutritious.

Nikki in the kitchen with key lime tarts on the counter.

Ingredients Needed for Cheeseburger Bowls

Ingredients needed to make big mac salad in a labeled photo.

Olive Oil: Just a bit to get the beef going in the skillet.
Ground Beef: 85/15 or 90/10 works well, keeping it flavorful but not greasy.
Spices: You will need garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to season up the meat to perfection!
Romaine Lettuce: Romaine is crisp and sturdy, perfect for holding up to warm beef and creamy sauce!
Cherry Tomatoes: For a pop of tangy flavor. You can use chopped Roma tomatoes or any tomatoes you have on hand for this recipe. If you’d like, you can omit these as they aren’t traditional in a Big Mac burger.
Red Onion: Thinly sliced for that sharp, crunchy bite.
Dill Pickle Chips: They add that tangy crunch that makes this feel like a real burger.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: McDonald’s uses a processed cheese, but I like to add shredded cheddar to put the cheese in this cheeseburger bowl!

For the Sauce

Mayonnaise: The creamy base for your sauce! You can use regular mayo or light if you prefer.
Ketchup: For a little sweetness to balance the tang.
Dill Pickles + Pickle Juice: Briny, bold, and essential to the “Big Mac” vibe.
Yellow Mustard: Adds a bit more tang and rounds out the sauce flavor.

Variations and Substitutions for a Ground Beef Salad

Meat: Swap the beef for ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter or vegetarian twist.
Spice Level: Make it spicy with a dash of hot sauce or pickled jalapeños in the sauce.
Add-ins: Feel free to mix up the toppings according to what you personally like on your burger. Avocado, jalapeño, crispy onion, or even roasted potatoes would work well—the options are endless!
Handheld Version: Turn this big mac salad into a wrap with a large tortilla or lettuce cups for a handheld version!

How To Make Easy Burger Bowls

✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!

Step 1 | Prep the Meat

In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper and mix together with clean hands or a large spoon.

Ground beef in a bowl with seasoning on top.

Warm the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add in the seasoned ground beef and brown, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Remove from heat and drain any excess oil.

Step 2 | Make the Big Mac Sauce

Prepare your sauce by combining the mayonnaise, ketchup, diced pickles, pickle juice, and yellow mustard in a small bowl and mix well.

Side by side photos of mixing together the big mac salad dressing ingredients.

Step 3 | Assemble & Enjoy

Assemble your bowls by starting with a bed of lettuce, then your ground beef, and topping with the cherry tomatoes, red onion, dill pickle chips, shredded cheese, and drizzle with your sauce.

Overhead shot of assembled big mac salad in a white bowl.

Recipe Tips

Chop the lettuce into small pieces for better bites. Smaller pieces mean you get a little bit of everything—beef, pickle, cheese, and sauce—in each forkful, which makes the salad way more satisfying.
Make the sauce ahead to deepen the flavor. Even just 30 minutes in the fridge helps the ingredients meld, giving it that classic Big Mac sauce taste. It also makes weeknight prep faster if the sauce is already done.
Let the beef cool slightly before assembling. If the meat is too hot, it can wilt the lettuce and make everything soggy. Letting it sit for a few minutes keeps your salad crisp and fresh.

Fork with a bite of big mac salad on it with the salad below it.

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Recipe FAQs

Can I use iceberg lettuce instead of romaine?

Absolutely. Iceberg gives that classic fast food crunch if that’s your thing!

What if I don’t like pickles?

You can leave them out, but they really add that burger flavor. Try adding sliced cucumbers for crunch without the brine.

What seasoning is in a cheeseburger bowl?

Here, we season the ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to just give it an extra layer of savory flavor!

Can burger patties be used instead of ground beef?

Absolutely, it just depends on your preference. Using ground beef can help when mixing all the ingredients to ensure you’re getting some of everything in every bite, but burger patties are also an option for this recipe.

Hand drizzling the big mac salad dressing on the salad in a white bowl.

Storage

Storage: It is best to store the components separately if possible. The ground beef and special sauce will keep for up to 4 days in the fridge. Assemble just before serving to keep the lettuce crisp. If you’re storing leftovers, try to keep the sauce on the side!

Meal Prep: This is perfect for meal prep. Pre cook the ground beef, chop the pickles, tomatoes, and lettuce, and store the ingredients in separate containers in the fridge for 3 -4 days.

What to Serve with a Big Mac Salad

This Big Mac salad is hearty enough to stand on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, you can try serving it with classic burger sides like sweet potato fries, tater tots, or baked potato wedges.

It would also go great with corn on the cob, baked beans, or potato salad. For something fresh and sweet, try pairing it with a Mexican fruit salad on the side.

Other Recipes to Try

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Big Mac Salad (Cheeseburger Bowls)

Nikki’s Recipe Rundown