Big Mac Salad
Craving a Big Mac but trying to keep things a little lighter? This Big Mac Salad with Homemade Special Sauce satisfies your cravings in a filling, low carb bowl.
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This hearty Big Mac Salad with tangy “special sauce” has all the bold flavors of the fast food classic Big Mac burger—seasoned beef, crisp iceberg lettuce, tangy pickles and onions —but in a satisfying, low-carb bowl. And it comes together quickly and easily!
Why You’ll Love This Big Mac Salad
This isn’t your average salad. Think of it more like a deconstructed burger—juicy, well-seasoned beef, fresh veggies, and the most delicious homemade Big Mac-style dressing. It’s hearty, full of flavor, and super easy to throw together on a busy weeknight. Even better? It’s customizable and perfect for meal prep.
I love adding crispy homemade oven baked fries to round out my salad. But that might just be the Pittsburgh in me. 😁
Whether you’re watching your carbs or just want a fresh, fast dinner the whole family will love, this Big Mac Salad delivers big time.
What You’ll Need
Find the full, printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this post. Read on for more details and tips!
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For the Beef:
- 1 pound lean ground beef – The star of the show, seasoned just right.
- Seasonings- salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
“Special Sauce”:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp dill pickle juice – Don’t skip this! It gives the dressing that classic tang.
- 2 tbsp dill pickle relish
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce – Just a dash goes a long way.
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1–2 tbsp water – To thin the dressing to your desired consistency.
For the Salad:
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 large tomato, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup dill pickles, chopped
- 1 Batch Oven baked fries (optional) – Add these on the side or on top for a fun twist! If you’ve never had fries on your salad, try it! You may never go back.
How To Make It
Make the fries:
Prepare a batch of crispy homemade fries, if desired. You can find the recipe HERE.
Cook the Beef
In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease if needed.
Make the Dressing
In a mason jar or small bowl, combine the mayo, ketchup, pickle juice, relish, mustard, Worcestershire, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir or shake well until creamy. Add 1–2 tablespoons of water to thin it to your preferred consistency.
Assemble the Salads
Divide the chopped lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickles among four bowls or plates. Add oven baked fries to each bowl or serve alongside. Top with the warm ground beef, drizzle generously with dressing, and dig in!
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Tips
- Make it low carb: Omit the tomato or use a low-sugar ketchup in the dressing if you’re tracking carbs closely.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle on shredded cheddar or a few slices of American cheese chopped into squares for even more Big Mac vibes.
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter twist.
- Double the dressing: It keeps well in the fridge for up to a week and is great on burgers or other salads too.
- Serve with oven fries on the side or even in the bowl if you want a “loaded fries” experience!
Make Ahead & Storage
This salad is great for meal prep! Store the beef, veggies, and dressing separately in airtight containers. When ready to eat, just reheat the beef and assemble. The dressing may thicken in the fridge, so give it a stir and a splash of water if needed before serving.
More To Try
- Sloppy Joe Pasta
- Panzanella Salad with Nectarines
- 1905 Columbia Restaurant Salad
- Nectarine Prosciutto Caprese Salad
- One Pan Taco Skillet
- Parmesan Crusted Chicken Caesar Salad
All the flavor, none of the drive-thru
This Big Mac Salad proves that fast food favorites can be reimagined into something fresh and wholesome without losing an ounce of flavor. It’s quick, family-friendly, and so satisfying—you might never crave the real thing again. Make it once, and it’s sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation!
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Big Mac Salad (with Homemade Special Sauce)
Ingredients
Method
- Make the fries: Prepare a batch of crispy homemade fries, if desired.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease if needed.
- In a mason jar or small bowl, combine the mayo, ketchup, pickle juice, relish, mustard, Worcestershire, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir or shake well until creamy. Add 1–2 tablespoons of water to thin it to your preferred consistency.
- Divide the chopped lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickles among four bowls or plates. Add oven baked fries to each bowl or serve alongside. Top with the warm ground beef, drizzle generously with dressing, and dig in!
Yum 😋