This Crispy Rice Cheeseburger Salad has all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger—ground beef, cheddar, tomatoes, and pickles–with a tangy homemade dill pickle ranch (my new favorite dressing), tossed with crisp lettuce and crunchy baked rice. It is a fresh, fork-ready way to enjoy a cheeseburger–no bun required! If you love the flavors of a classic drive-thru burger, you’ll want to try my other Cheeseburger Salad. It’s packed with a crave-worthy sauce, tangy pickles, and seasoned beef for that familiar, nostalgic taste—minus the bun!
What Is Crispy Rice?
Crispy rice is cooked rice that has been baked or fried until it turns golden brown and crunchy. It adds a crispy texture to dishes, kind of like croutons in a salad. In this recipe, the rice is seasoned and baked for extra flavor!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Rice: The first step in this recipe is to cook the rice. I recommend cooking it at least a day in advance. (Freshly cooked rice holds too much moisture, so it is hard to crisp it up.) It needs to be completely cooled before baking it. The cooled cooked rice will be mixed with melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt before being baked up nice and crispy. I used Jasmine rice, but any short or medium-grained rice works best.
- Ground Beef Mixture: The ground beef mixture is like the meat in a cheeseburger, but instead of making a patty, it’s cooked as crumbled beef. Seasoned with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, it adds that same delicious cheeseburger flavor and texture to the salad, but without needing to form a patty. Ground turkey or ground chicken could also be used. Or, for a meatless salad, leave out the beef.
- Salad: For the salad, I included Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, dill pickles, red onions, and mild cheddar cheese (since this is a cheeseburger salad). If you just want a burger salad, simply leave out the cheese! It will still be delicious!
- Dill Pickle Ranch: The homemade dill pickle ranch dressing gives the salad a creamy, zesty kick that really sets it apart. It pairs perfectly with the pickles in the salad and boosts the flavor of every bite. If you love dill pickles, you’ll want to use this dressing in other recipes, too!
Can You Use Brown Rice Instead Of White Rice For Crispy Rice?
Yes, you can use brown rice instead of white rice to make crispy rice. It might take a little longer to cook and won’t get as crispy as white rice, but it will still work. Brown rice has a chewier texture and a nuttier flavor, which can change the taste a bit, but it’s a healthy option!
Why Is My Crispy Rice Not Crispy?
If your crispy rice isn’t crispy, it might be because the rice is too wet or wasn’t spread out enough on the baking sheet. Make sure to cool the rice before baking and spread it in an even layer. Also, keep an eye on it while baking to avoid burning!
Can You Make The Crispy Rice Ahead Of Time?
Sure, you can get the crispy rice made in advance. Once it’s cooked and crispy, let it cool and store it in an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Just make sure to add it to the salad right before serving to keep it crunchy! If you want to warm it up, reheat it in the oven or air fryer.
Can You Add More Vegetables To The Cheeseburger Salad?
Yes! I love adding extra vegetables to make this salad even better or using the vegetables I have on hand. Bell peppers and cucumbers add a nice crunch, while avocado makes it extra creamy. If you like a little heat, toss in some jalapeños. Feel free to make it your own!
How To Store Crispy Rice Cheeseburger Salad
If possible, keep the ingredients separate when storing the salad:
- Crispy rice: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a couple of days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to crisp it back up.
- Salad ingredients: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, but avoid adding dressing until ready to serve.
- Dressing: Keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
For best results, assemble the salad fresh before serving! I also like the option of putting together a single serving of the salad, just for me!
Crispy Rice Cheeseburger Salad
Ingredients
Crispy Rice
- 2 cups (372 g) cooked white rice*, cooled**
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
Salad
- 2 heads romaine lettuce, about 8 cups, chopped
- 1 cup (113 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (149 g) cherry tomatoes halved
- 6-8 baby dill pickles, sliced
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 recipe (1 ½ cups) dill pickle ranch
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, toss the cooled rice with melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Spread the rice mixture into an even layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25-35 minutes, tossing halfway through, until crispy and golden brown. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Remove rice from the oven, break into small pieces, and set aside.
- To a medium skillet over medium heat, add ground beef, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until no pink remains, 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, make a bed of the lettuce. Add the cheddar cheese, tomatoes, pickles, red onion, ground beef, and crispy rice.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine. Serve immediately.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
Kalejunkie inspires this crispy rice method.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
This is such a fun and delicious twist on a cheeseburger! The crispy rice adds a great crunch. I love it!
Elizabeth
I loved this salad! I have never had crispy rice before, and it was so good in this salad.
Stephanie
The dill ranch really makes this salad special and so good!
Annabelle
This is like eating a cheeseburger, but without the bun. It is great, and I think a lot of people will love it!
Bella
This salad is really good! I like that it filling enough to be the main course. I might have to make some crispy rice just to snack on!
