Easy Cheeseburger Salad with Special Sauce Dressing
Forget the limp lettuce and the soggy bottom bun; this cheeseburger salad recipe brings the steakhouse to your kitchen table! It’s all the savory, seasoned goodness of a flat-top burger (complete with melty cheddar, the sharp bite of red onion, and plenty of dill pickles) tossed in a creamy “special sauce” that’ll make you want to swear off the takeout window for good.
The All-American Flavor of a Burger, No Bun Required!
I’ve always said that the best part of a backyard cookout isn’t necessarily the bun, but the combination of that savory, seasoned meat and all your favorite burger toppings. While I love a good sourdough roll as much as the next person, sometimes you want all that Big Mac flavor without feeling like you need a nap afterward.
This puppy’s got all of it: the crunch of iceberg lettuce, the bite of red onion, and a seriously delicious dressing that’ll have you licking the spoon. It’s a great way to use up that pound of beef in the fridge, and honestly, even the kids won’t complain! (Don’t quote me on that)
If you’re a fan of these “deconstructed” favorites, you have to try my Fiesta Taco Salad for another easy, bowl-style dinner!
Now to the good stuff!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground beef
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Diced pickles
- Diced red onion
- Croutons
- Mayonnaise
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Pickle juice
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
Tips for the Perfect Burger Bowl
- Drain the Fat: After browning your beef in a large pan, make sure to drain the excess grease. You want the flavor of the beef, but you don’t want a soggy salad!
- The Temperature Balance: Let the meat cool for just 2-3 minutes before adding it to the greens. You want it warm enough to create slightly melty cheese, but not so hot that it wilts the lettuce into a sad puddle.
- Crunch Factor: If you aren’t watching carbs, croutons are great, but some folks around here swear by serving this with a side of French fries, some delicious Parmesan Oven Fries, or even crushing a few potato chips on top.
- Go Leaner: This is a great recipe for substitutions. Feel free to use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter profile.
How to Make Cheeseburger Salad
1. Brown the Beef
Set a large pan over medium-high heat. Add your lean ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until no pink remains and the edges are slightly browned.
2. Whisk the Special Sauce
While the meat cooks, grab a small bowl. Whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, dijon mustard, and that secret ingredient: pickle juice. This creates a special sauce dressing that ties the whole cheeseburger salad together.
3. Prep the Veggies
Chop your romaine lettuce and halve those cherry tomatoes. Thinly slice the red onion. If you find raw onions too sharp, soak the slices in cold water for 5 minutes first to take the “sting” out.
4. Assemble the Bowls
Divide the greens between two large bowls. Layer on the warm beef, followed by a generous helping of shredded cheddar. Top with your favorite toppings: the dill pickle chunks, onions, and tomatoes.
5. Dressing and Garnish
Drizzle that creamy dressing over the top. If you’re feeling extra, add a few croutons or even some caramelized onions if you have the time!
Storing Leftovers
Usually, salads are tricky to store, but if you have leftovers, store the cooked beef and the burger sauce in separate airtight containers in the fridge. The beef will stay tasty for up to 3 or 4 days, and the dressing keeps well for about a week.
Don’t dress the salad until you’re ready to eat! Nobody likes soggy lettuce. When you’re ready for round two, just reheat the beef for a few seconds in the microwave, pile it onto fresh greens, and drizzle your chilled dressing right on top.
Ingredients
- ½ lb ground beef
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 3 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup diced pickles
- 2 tablespoons diced red onion
- ½ cup croutons
Burger Sauce Dressing
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- ½ tablespoon mustard
- ½ tablespoon pickle juice
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease and let it cool slightly.
- In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients until smooth.
- Divide the lettuce between two bowls and top with cooked beef, tomatoes, cheese, pickles, red onion, and croutons.
- Drizzle with burger sauce dressing and toss lightly before serving.