How to Make this Delicious Big Mac Salad Recipe?

Eating healthy doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavour. If you’re a Big Mac fan but want something lighter, this Delicious Big Mac Salad Recipe delivers all the iconic taste without the bun. In this recipe breakdown, you’ll learn how to make a big mac salad that’s keto-friendly, easy to prep, and crazy satisfying.

We’ll dive into the big mac salad ingredients, guide you through a step-by-step process, offer tips for customizing your salad to fit your lifestyle (including Weight Watchers and TikTok trends), and even share a homemade big mac salad dressing recipe that brings the whole thing together. Whether you’re here for a healthy weeknight dinner, viral social trend, or just curious if a salad can actually taste like a burger—you’re in the right place.

At CookTune, our mission is to bring vibrant, easy recipes into your kitchen. From flavor-packed salads to global comfort foods, our guides focus on practicality and taste. Looking for inspiration? Try this spicy twist on a classic salad or our summer Cobb salad loaded with herbs.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Big Mac Salad Ingredients Breakdown

Core Ingredients That Bring the Burger Flavor

Creating a Big Mac Salad Recipe that truly mimics the flavor of a classic Big Mac starts with the right base ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need for that iconic taste:

• 1 lb Ground Beef (85/15) – Gives the salad a juicy, savory bite that mimics the burger patty.
• 1 Large Head Iceberg Lettuce, Chopped – Crisp and cool, it provides the perfect crunchy base.
• 2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Adds creamy richness and balances the beef.
• 1/2 Cup Chopped Dill Pickles – Offers sharp, vinegary tang just like the burger.
• 1/4 Cup Finely Diced White Onion – Brings that raw bite and crunch.
• 2 Tablespoons Sesame Seeds, Toasted – Evokes the iconic sesame seed bun—without the carbs.

Together, these ingredients bring you a full burger experience in salad form.

{
“Description”: “This Big Mac Salad is a low-carb, high-protein twist on the fast-food favorite—featuring seasoned ground beef, shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese, dill pickles, onions, and a creamy special sauce. Perfect for keto and gluten-free diets.”,
“Ingredients”: “

• 1 lb ground beef (85/15)
• 1 head iceberg lettuce
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
• 1/4 cup finely diced white onion
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup
• 2 tbsp dill pickle relish
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• 1 tsp white wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp paprika

“,
“Instructions”: “

1. Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar-free ketchup, dill pickle relish, yellow mustard, white wine vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika until smooth to make the special sauce.
3. Chop the iceberg lettuce, white onion, and dill pickles.
4. In a large bowl or on individual plates, layer the chopped lettuce, cooked ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, diced onions, chopped pickles, and drizzle with the special sauce.
5. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for added crunch. Serve immediately or store components separately for meal prep.

“,
“Notes”: “

• Use romaine lettuce for added crunch if preferred.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
• For meal prep, keep sauce and toppings separate until ready to serve.
• Double the sauce if you like extra dressing.

Print

The Special Big Mac Salad Dressing Recipe

No Big Mac Salad is complete without its signature special sauce, and it’s surprisingly simple to make at home. This big mac salad dressing recipe is creamy, tangy, and sugar-free, making it perfect for keto, low-carb, and Weight Watchers eaters.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
• 2 Tablespoons Sugar-Free Ketchup
• 2 Tablespoons Dill Pickle Relish
• 1 Teaspoon Yellow Mustard
• 1 Teaspoon White Wine Vinegar
• 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1/4 Teaspoon Paprika

Pro tip: Whisk everything until smooth and refrigerate for 10 minutes before serving—it helps meld the flavors.

Optional Add-Ons and Customizations

Want to get creative with your big mac salad healthy version? Try these upgrades:

Add-On	Benefit
Avocado slices	Adds creamy healthy fats
Cherry tomatoes	Boosts freshness and color
Turkey or plant-based meat	Makes it lighter or vegetarian
Hot sauce	For a spicy twist
Crumbled bacon	Not traditional, but crowd-pleasing

These additions help make your big mac salad recipe fit your lifestyle, whether you’re looking to reduce carbs, add more veggies, or just switch things up.

How to Make Big Mac Salad (Step-by-Step Instructions)

Step-by-Step Cooking and Assembly Guide

Making this Big Mac Salad Recipe is super straightforward and takes under 30 minutes. It’s designed to be easy, quick, and meal-prep friendly.

1. Brown the Ground Beef
Start by adding 1 lb of ground beef (85/15) to a skillet over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spatula and cook until fully browned—about 6–8 minutes. Once done, drain the fat and let it cool slightly.

2. Prepare the Special Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the Big Mac salad dressing:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp sugar-free ketchup
• 2 tbsp dill pickle relish
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• 1 tsp white wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp paprika

Set it aside or chill for richer flavor.

3. Chop the Veggies

• Dice 1 head of iceberg lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
• Finely chop 1/4 cup white onion.
• Slice 1/2 cup dill pickles.
• Shred 2 cups cheddar cheese, if not pre-shredded.

4. Assemble the Salad
Use a large serving bowl or individual bowls to layer:

• Lettuce
• Cooked beef
• Cheese
• Onions
• Pickles
• Special sauce (drizzle or toss)
• Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds on top

Tips for Making Big Mac Salad Easy for Meal Prep

This salad holds up incredibly well for weekly meal prep. Here’s how to make it work for you:

Prep Tip	How It Helps
Store ingredients separately	Keeps lettuce crisp and beef juicy
Use airtight containers	Prevents sogginess and smell transfer
Portion beef and cheese in advance	Speeds up weekday assembly
Pack sauce separately	Avoids limp lettuce

Bonus hack: Make extra sauce—it goes great with grilled veggies or lettuce-wrapped burgers.

Looking for inspiration? Try this refreshing Cobb salad recipe to rotate your weekly meals without boredom.

Is Big Mac Salad Keto, Healthy, and Weight Watchers Friendly?

How to Make Big Mac Salad Keto-Friendly

Yes, the Big Mac Salad Recipe is already a solid base for keto lovers, but you can tighten it up even more with smart swaps.

Here’s how to lock in that low-carb magic:

• Use full-fat mayo and cheese: Avoid low-fat versions with added sugars or starches.
• Choose sugar-free ketchup: This keeps net carbs in check without compromising the flavor.
• Skip onions if you’re ultra low-carb: While they add crunch, they also add sugars.
• Check your pickles: Use dill pickles with no added sugar.

This transforms the Big Mac Salad Keto into a high-fat, moderate-protein, ultra-low-carb meal that’s perfect for your macros.

Making a Healthier Big Mac Salad Without Losing Flavor

The beauty of this big mac salad healthy version is flexibility. Want to lighten it up? Here’s how:

Swap This	For This
Regular mayo	Greek yogurt or avocado mayo
Ground beef	Ground turkey or lean beef
Cheddar cheese	Reduced-fat or vegan cheese
Iceberg lettuce	Romaine, spinach, or kale
Full sauce	Drizzle lightly or use vinaigrette base

You’ll reduce saturated fat and calories without sacrificing the creamy, tangy flavors everyone loves.

Big Mac Salad Recipe Weight Watchers Modifications

If you’re following Weight Watchers, the Big Mac Salad can work beautifully with a few changes to reduce SmartPoints:

• Use 99% lean ground turkey instead of beef.
• Swap regular cheese for a WW-friendly shredded cheese.
• Make the dressing with light mayo or nonfat Greek yogurt, and halve the portion.
• Measure everything to avoid overdoing high-point items like cheese and sauce.

With these tweaks, you’ll get all the fast food flavor—without the fast food guilt.

Don’t miss our spicy chicken salad alternative that also fits low-carb and WW lifestyles.

Big Mac Salad TikTok Trends and Reddit Hacks

How TikTok Made Big Mac Salad a Viral Star

It started with a simple concept: “Big Mac taste, no bun, no guilt.” TikTok creators quickly fell in love with the idea of the Big Mac Salad Recipe for its crunch, simplicity, and camera-ready appeal. The trend took off with:

• Chopped salad close-ups: Users love the ASMR-style slicing of pickles, onions, and lettuce.
• Sauce drizzle shots: The creamy, orange sauce being poured in slow motion is a visual magnet.
• Quick meal-prep videos: 60-second transformations from raw to “ready” captivate busy followers.
• Split-screen taste tests: Creators pair their reactions with side-by-side comparisons of real Big Macs.

The result? Millions of views and remixes, with every variation under the sun—from spicy versions to lettuce wrap bowls.

Reddit’s Genius Big Mac Salad Ideas and Meal Prep Tips

If TikTok brings the entertainment, Reddit brings the wisdom. On forums like r/Keto, r/MealPrepSunday, and r/WeightWatchers, users dive deep into optimizing the salad for different goals. Some of the most upvoted hacks include:

• Freezing cooked ground beef in pucks for easy portion control
• Using pickle juice in the dressing to enhance tang without added sugar
• Switching to butter lettuce or arugula for extra flavor
• Adding a splash of hot sauce for a spicy McChicken-style version
• Layering in Mason jars for grab-and-go salads that stay fresh all week

You’ll find whole threads breaking down macros, portioning advice, and even regional ingredient swaps (looking at you, jalapeño relish fans).

Reddit users also rate this salad high for family-friendly dinner nights, with kids loving the flavor and parents loving the healthy switch-up.

How to Serve, Store, and Meal Prep Big Mac Salad Like a Pro

Serving Suggestions for Big Mac Salad

The beauty of the Big Mac Salad Recipe is its versatility. It can be served fresh from the skillet or prepped in advance without sacrificing flavor. Here are a few ways to serve it up:

• As a layered bowl: Start with a lettuce base and layer toppings in rows for a colorful, Instagram-worthy presentation.
• As a tossed salad: Combine everything in a large bowl and mix with dressing just before serving for a traditional feel.
• As lettuce wraps: Spoon the salad into large romaine or iceberg leaves for a handheld, bun-free burger experience.
• As a party platter: Set up a DIY salad bar with bowls of lettuce, beef, pickles, cheese, and sauce so guests can build their own.

Want to take it further? Pair your salad with sparkling water, grilled veggies, or low-carb fries for a fully satisfying fast-food-style meal—without the fast-food regrets.

Best Practices for Storage and Leftovers

Proper storage keeps your Big Mac Salad easy to enjoy over several days. Here’s how to do it right:

Component	Storage Tip	Shelf Life
Cooked beef	Store in airtight container, refrigerate	Up to 4 days
Chopped lettuce	Wrap in paper towel, seal in zip bag	3–4 days
Special sauce	Store in a glass jar	1 week
Assembled salad (undressed)	Store in container with compartments	3 days

Never pre-dress the full salad unless you’re eating it immediately. The sauce will wilt the lettuce and dull the crunch.

Make-Ahead Meal Prep Tips

If you’re planning ahead, this recipe is a weekday savior. Here’s how to make meal prep fast and foolproof:

• Cook beef in bulk: Double or triple the batch and freeze portions.
• Use compartment meal prep containers: Keep ingredients separate until serving.
• Prep once, eat three times: Chop veggies and mix dressing in advance.
• Rotate greens: Try spinach, arugula, or shredded cabbage to change it up each day.

This approach makes big mac salad meal prep not just easy but craveable. You’ll look forward to lunch instead of dreading it.

Big Mac Salad Nutrition Facts and Diet Compatibility

How Many Calories Are in a Big Mac Salad?

A standard serving of the Big Mac Salad Recipe (with full-fat beef and regular dressing) packs in about 450 to 550 calories. That might seem high for a salad, but remember—you’re replacing an entire burger (and bun) with real food that’s filling, low in carbs, and high in protein.

Here’s a rough breakdown per serving:

Nutrient	Estimated Amount
Calories	500 kcal
Protein	30g
Fat	38g
Carbs	6–9g net
Fiber	2g
Sugars	2g

Note: Macros vary depending on the cheese used, dressing portion, and whether ingredients like onions or pickles are sweetened.

Is This Big Mac Salad Recipe Keto-Friendly?

Absolutely. The Big Mac Salad Keto version keeps net carbs low by skipping the bun and using sugar-free condiments. Ground beef, cheddar cheese, and full-fat mayo deliver the fat your body uses for fuel on a ketogenic diet.

Stick to:

• Sugar-free ketchup
• Dill pickles (no sugar)
• High-fat dressing with zero added sugar

Net carbs stay under 10g per serving, which is perfect for most keto goals.

Is Big Mac Salad Good for Weight Watchers?

Yes—especially with smart substitutions. Here’s how you can make it work within your Weight Watchers (WW) points:

• Use lean ground turkey or extra-lean ground beef
• Swap mayo for nonfat Greek yogurt
• Use light shredded cheese
• Go light on the sauce or use a dijon vinaigrette alternative

Depending on your program color (blue, green, purple), one serving could range between 4 to 7 points, but always check your WW app for precision.

Is Big Mac Salad Healthy?

“Healthy” means different things to different eaters. For most people, yes—this is a healthy Big Mac Salad because it’s:

• High in protein
• Low in refined carbs
• Made from whole, real ingredients
• Packed with satisfying fats (or can be lightened up easily)

This salad fits beautifully into low-carb, gluten-free, diabetic-friendly, and high-protein diets.

Big Mac Salad Recipe FAQs (Reddit + TikTok Edition)

Big Mac Salad Hacks and Flavor Twists You Need to Try

Burger-Inspired Variations Worth Making

Once you’ve mastered the classic Big Mac Salad Recipe, it’s time to have fun with creative spins. Here are some flavor twists that bring new life to the original without losing what makes it great.

Twist	What to Add
Bacon Mac Salad	Add crispy bacon bits for smoky crunch
Southwest Big Mac Salad	Toss in black beans, corn, and chipotle mayo
Big Mac Taco Bowl	Serve over crushed low-carb tortilla chips
Spicy Firecracker Version	Mix sriracha or hot sauce into the special sauce
Cheeseburger Pasta Salad	Sub lettuce for spiralized zucchini or keto pasta

Each version keeps the Big Mac Salad healthy and exciting—even picky eaters or meal-prep pros will love these options.

Quick Fixes for Common Mistakes

Even a simple salad can go sideways. Here are fast fixes to ensure every bowl tastes just right:

• Too salty? Add more lettuce or a pinch of sugar-free ketchup to balance it.
• Too dry? Add extra sauce or a splash of pickle juice for moisture and zing.
• Not tangy enough? A drop of vinegar or mustard does the trick.
• Beef tastes bland? Season it with onion powder, garlic, salt, and pepper during cooking.
• Lettuce getting soggy? Always add dressing right before eating, not before storing.

Crowd-Pleasing Party Serving Ideas

Want to impress at your next picnic or potluck? Make your Big Mac Salad TikTok-style with these fun ideas:

• Salad bar station: Let guests build their bowls with toppings and sauces
• Slider salad shooters: Serve mini portions in small clear cups for bite-size eats
• Mason jar salad stacks: Layer dressing at the bottom, then toppings, and lettuce last—flip to eat
• Skewer it!: Thread pickles, cheese cubes, lettuce, and grilled beef onto skewers for “salad kabobs”

These creative serving ideas turn your low-carb salad into a conversation starter—no one misses the bun.

Final Thoughts on the Big Mac Salad Recipe

Whether you’re chasing flavor or macros, the Big Mac Salad Recipe delivers a delicious win on every front. It satisfies fast food cravings with real ingredients, keeps carbs low, and is endlessly customizable for keto, Weight Watchers, meal preppers, and even picky eaters.

Discover great ideas like the Mexican Cauliflower Rice recipe—it’s low-carb, full of flavor, and pairs perfectly with any meal plan.

You now know how to:

• Choose the best big mac salad ingredients
• Whip up the perfect big mac salad dressing recipe
• Customize it for TikTok-worthy flair or Reddit-approved prep tips
• Store it right, track macros, and tweak it to match your diet

It’s more than a recipe—it’s a lifestyle salad that brings nostalgic taste with modern health in mind.

Don’t miss our crunchy spicy chicken salad variation and the viral-worthy Cobb salad with double dill ranch to expand your weeknight rotation.