Classic Cheeseburger Salad with Special Sauce
This Classic Cheeseburger Salad has everything you love about a cheeseburger, without the bun! It is loaded with seasoned beef, cheddar cheese, pickles, tomatoes, and a tangy special sauce for a fresh and filling meal.
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 619kcal
Ingredients
Beef
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Special Sauce
- ½ cup (104 g) mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar, or pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Pinch of salt
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk, optional
Salad
- 1 large head iceberg or romaine lettuce, finely shredded (about 8 cups)
- 1 cup (113 g) cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (149 g) grape tomatoes, halved, or diced tomatoes
- ½ cup dill pickle slices, or chopped dill pickles
- ¼ medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 to 2 teaspoons sesame seeds, optional, for garnish
Instructions
Beef
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the garlic powder, salt, and pepper for 8 to 10 minutes, or until no pink remains. Drain any excess grease.
- Set aside to cool slightly. The beef should be warm, not hot, when added to the salad.
Special Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle relish, vinegar or pickle juice, sugar, paprika, and salt until smooth. Add milk, a teaspoon at a time, if needed, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Assemble the Salad
- Add the shredded lettuce to a large bowl. Top with the warm ground beef, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, pickles, and red onion.
- Drizzle the special sauce over the salad and gently toss to coat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Serving: 1portion | Calories: 619kcal