Description
Cheeseburger Salad with Special Sauce is a light and healthy twist on the classic cheeseburger, combining juicy seasoned ground beef, sharp cheddar cheese, fresh lettuce mix, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and tangy dill pickles. Tossed with a creamy, flavorful special sauce made from mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, garlic powder, and vinegar, this quick and easy salad is perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep while satisfying your burger cravings without the heaviness of a bun.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 cups lettuce mix (romaine and leafy greens)
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced
- 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup dill pickles, diced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Special Sauce Ingredients
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp vinegar (apple cider or white)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, crumble in the ground beef, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Drain excess fat if necessary to keep the salad light.
- Prepare the Special Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, garlic powder, and a splash of vinegar until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste; this sauce brings the classic cheeseburger flavor to your salad.
- Chop and Assemble the Salad Ingredients: Wash and chop the lettuce, slice the tomatoes and onions, and dice the pickles. Spread the greens evenly on a large plate or bowl, then evenly distribute the cooked beef, vegetables, and shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
- Drizzle and Toss: Pour the special sauce over the salad and gently toss everything together to ensure every bite has a balanced hit of savory beef, crunchy veggies, melty cheese, and creamy sauce.
Notes
- Use fresh greens for the best texture and refreshment.
- Add the special sauce gradually to avoid sogginess.
- Serve immediately to prevent wilting of greens.
- Optionally, toast diced pickles in the skillet briefly for a warm, tangy twist.
- Season ground beef well with salt, pepper, and optionally garlic or onion powder for extra flavor depth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salads
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg