Chopped “Big Mac” Salad: A Healthier Twist on a Classic Favorite

By Dr. Cindy Tanzar

Craving the flavors of a classic Big Mac but want to keep it light and healthy? Look no further than this delicious Chopped “Big Mac” Salad! This fun and tasty salad brings all the beloved flavors of your favorite fast-food burger into a nutritious and satisfying meal. Packed with fresh ingredients and healthy toppings, it’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.

Why You’ll Love This Big Mac Salad

This recipe replaces the traditional burger with ground beef, paired with fresh veggies, sharp cheddar cheese, and a zesty 1000 Island dressing for a satisfying crunch. Just a note: make sure to use dill pickles instead of sweet ones to keep the added sugars at bay. An added bonus? It’s easy to make and can be customized to suit your personal preferences!

Servings: Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Beef:

• 1 Tbsp avocado oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 Tbsp prepared yellow mustard
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp pink Himalayan salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dill pickle juice

For the Salad:

• 5-6 Tbsp 1000 Island Dressing
• 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup red or sweet onion, diced
• 1/2 cup dill pickles, diced or halved
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Prepare the Beef: In a small bowl, combine the yellow mustard, garlic powder, pink Himalayan salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and dill pickle juice. Mix until well combined.
2. Cook the Ground Beef: Heat the avocado oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and allow it to brown on one side. Flip the beef and then add the mustard mixture. Stir to combine, and continue cooking until the meat is fully browned and cooked through. Once done, remove from heat and set aside.
3. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, diced onion, and dill pickles. Toss gently to mix the ingredients.
4. Dress the Salad: Drizzle 5-6 tablespoons of 1000 Island Dressing over the salad. Adjust the amount according to your taste preference.
5. Serve: Portion the salad onto individual plates and top each serving with a generous scoop of the cooked ground beef mixture. Finally, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top.

Meal Prep Tip

At this point, you can either make a full family-sized salad using the entire pound of ground beef or create an individual serving. If you prefer single servings, use 1/4 of the ground beef mixture for one salad and save the remaining beef for easy reheating for lunches throughout the week!

Final Thoughts

The Chopped “Big Mac” Salad is a fantastic way to satisfy your cravings while still keeping your meals healthy and balanced. Enjoy the flavors you love without the guilt, and feel free to customize with your favorite toppings or extra veggies. Perfect as a light lunch or dinner, this salad is bound to become a regular in your meal rotation. Enjoy every delicious bite!