Name: Big Mac Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (halal) – Choose lean beef for a healthier option, or use ground chicken or turkey as an alternative.; 4 cups chopped Romaine lettuce – For a crisp base that’s similar to the Big Mac’s lettuce.; ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese – Adds that creamy, cheesy flavor that complements the beef.; ¼ cup pickles, chopped – The signature tang of pickles is essential in making this salad taste just like a Big Mac.; ½ small red onion, thinly sliced – Adds a bit of crunch and mild sweetness to balance the flavors.; 2 tablespoons olive oil – For cooking the beef.; 1 tablespoon mustard – A key flavor in the Big Mac sauce.; 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (halal-certified) – Use a good quality mayo for the best texture and taste.; 1 tablespoon ketchup (halal-certified) – Adds a touch of sweetness to the sauce.; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar – For acidity and depth of flavor in the dressing.; 1 teaspoon garlic powder – For that extra kick of flavor.; 1 teaspoon onion powder – To enhance the savory taste of the sauce.; Salt and pepper to taste – Season according to your preference.; Fresh parsley (optional) – For garnishing the salad for a fresh pop of color.; Ground Beef: For this recipe, you’ll use halal ground beef to stay in line with halal dietary guidelines. The beef provides the meaty, savory foundation of the salad, making it satisfying and flavorful.; Romaine Lettuce: Romaine is crisp and refreshing, which pairs beautifully with the other salad ingredients, giving you a fresh, crunchy base.; Cheddar Cheese: Adds richness to the salad, giving it a smooth, creamy taste that mimics the cheese on a Big Mac.; Big Mac Sauce: The homemade sauce with mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, vinegar, and seasonings is what makes this salad truly stand out and gives it that signature Big Mac flavor.; Pickles: The addition of pickles offers a crunchy, tangy contrast that perfectly complements the savory beef and creamy sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef (halal) – Choose lean beef for a healthier option, or use ground chicken or turkey as an alternative.
4 cups chopped Romaine lettuce – For a crisp base that’s similar to the Big Mac’s lettuce.
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese – Adds that creamy, cheesy flavor that complements the beef.
¼ cup pickles, chopped – The signature tang of pickles is essential in making this salad taste just like a Big Mac.
½ small red onion, thinly sliced – Adds a bit of crunch and mild sweetness to balance the flavors.
2 tablespoons olive oil – For cooking the beef.
1 tablespoon mustard – A key flavor in the Big Mac sauce.
2 tablespoons mayonnaise (halal-certified) – Use a good quality mayo for the best texture and taste.
1 tablespoon ketchup (halal-certified) – Adds a touch of sweetness to the sauce.
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar – For acidity and depth of flavor in the dressing.
1 teaspoon garlic powder – For that extra kick of flavor.
1 teaspoon onion powder – To enhance the savory taste of the sauce.
Salt and pepper to taste – Season according to your preference.
Fresh parsley (optional) – For garnishing the salad for a fresh pop of color.

Ingredient Highlights

Ground Beef: For this recipe, you’ll use halal ground beef to stay in line with halal dietary guidelines. The beef provides the meaty, savory foundation of the salad, making it satisfying and flavorful.
Romaine Lettuce: Romaine is crisp and refreshing, which pairs beautifully with the other salad ingredients, giving you a fresh, crunchy base.
Cheddar Cheese: Adds richness to the salad, giving it a smooth, creamy taste that mimics the cheese on a Big Mac.
Big Mac Sauce: The homemade sauce with mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, vinegar, and seasonings is what makes this salad truly stand out and gives it that signature Big Mac flavor.
Pickles: The addition of pickles offers a crunchy, tangy contrast that perfectly complements the savory beef and creamy sauce.

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the Salad Ingredients:

Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 7-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set the cooked beef aside to cool slightly.
Chop the Vegetables: While the beef is cooking, chop the Romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place it in a large salad bowl. Thinly slice the red onion and chop the pickles into small pieces. Set the vegetables aside.
Shred the Cheese: If you’re using a block of cheddar cheese, shred it using a box grater or food processor. You’ll need about ½ cup of shredded cheese for the salad.

Prepare the Big Mac Sauce:

Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir everything together until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.

Assemble the Big Mac Salad:

Combine the Salad Ingredients: In the large salad bowl with the chopped lettuce, add the cooked ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped pickles, and sliced red onion. Toss everything gently to combine.
Dress the Salad: Drizzle the Big Mac sauce over the salad and toss everything again to ensure the salad is evenly coated with the sauce. You can add more sauce if you like it extra creamy!

Serve:

Garnish and Serve: If desired, sprinkle some fresh parsley over the top of the salad for added color and freshness. Serve immediately and enjoy your Big Mac Salad with all its Big Mac-inspired flavors!

Prep Time: 10minutes
Cook Time: 15minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4
Calories: 450
Fat: 30g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Protein: 30g