This chopped big mac salad is such an easy, delicious and quick lunch or dinner to whip up on a weekday or to prepare for meal prep. It’s full of flavor but still a low carb or keto, Whole30 and Paleo salad recipe that only takes 20 minutes. Plus the only thing you have to really even cook is the beef! Just a little chopping and you’ve got your healthy salad ready to go.
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When trying to eat real, nutrient dense food, eating at fast food places doesn’t always fit the bill. But there’s still no reason you can’t do a quick little recreation of those familiar flavors but with a healthier Whole30 or Paleo spin! What I love best about this big mac salad is the combination of flavors.
The fresh crunchy vegetables and pickles, the juicy meat and the sauce that combines it all together. Of course if you’re not eating strictly Whole30, you can add some shredded cheese to make it more of a cheeseburger salad!
The sauce that really makes this entire Whole30 burger salad come together is the Thousand Island. This is a sugar-free homemade dressing that’s Whole30, Paleo and Keto. To make it, you’ll just need a few spices, tomato paste and Primal Kitchen mayo or make your own mayo, too!
This chopped big mac salad is a good option for meal prep! I typically chop the veggies beforehand but only assemble what I need for a serving a few hours prior before I’m going to eat it to keep the vegetables tasting fresh. These are the silicone to-go salad dressing containers I use (and love). Everyone always asks about them when they see them – they’re so cute! Plus dishwasher, freezer, microwave and TSA friendly!
Other Whole30 Salads You’ll Love:
Asian Sesame Chicken Chopped Salad
Spicy Shrimp Salad & Lime Dressing
PrintChopped Big Mac Salad: Whole30, Paleo, Keto
This chopped big mac salad is such an easy, delicious and quick lunch or dinner to whip up on a weekday or to prepare for meal prep. It’s full of flavor but still a low carb or keto, Whole30 and Paleo salad recipe that only takes 20 minutes. Plus the only thing you have to really even cook is the beef! Just a little chopping and you’ve got your healthy salad ready to go.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 3-4 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Beef:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pickle juice
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
For the Salad:
- 2–3 tablespoons homemade thousand island (or Homemade Special Sauce!)
- 2 hearts of romaine, chopped
- 1 cup halved or quartered roma tomatoes
- 1/3 cup chopped red onion, or as preferred
- 1/2 cup pickles, halved or diced
- Optional chopped green onions or sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat and season with salt and pepper. Halfway through browning, after about 4-5 minutes, begin mixing in the mustard, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, pickle juice, and paprika.
- Once cooked, taste and adjust spices as desired, and then remove from heat.
- Assemble the salads with the romaine, beef, onions, pickles, tomatoes, thousand island and optional sesame seeds or green onion.
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Maria says
Absolutely love this recipe. I ended up subbing ground turkey and it’s just as good. It’s become a weekly staple and my husband told me it tastes just like a Big Mac !
paleobailey says
This is SO great to hear!! Huge praise coming from your hubby! Thank you so much for taking the time to share with me and leave a review! <3 - B
Mary Beth says
I’m new to Whole 30 and would like to know what the nutritional yeast does.
This recipe sounds great! I can’t wait to make it!
paleobailey says
Hi! Nutritional yeast adds a “cheesey” nutty flavor without adding any dairy 🙂
Aimee says
Made this last night and LOVED it. However, I can’t seem to find the nutrition information for this recipe on your site?
Emily says
Would it be weird to dice up some pickles and onions and add them to the thousand Island dressing as well?
paleobailey says
I think that sounds great!
Cassie says
My favorite salad ever!!
paleobailey says
SO happy to hear this! Thank you so much, Cassie! <3 - B
Mindy says
Great Salad! I feel like I’m eating something sinful when I have it. I’ve made it with ground beef as well as ground turkey.
paleobailey says
I’m SO happy to hear this! Thank you so much for coming back and letting me know! And I’m glad to hear it works with turkey too 🙂 <3 - B
Cindy Tanzar says
This recipe is so fun! Thank you for turning an everyday salad into a very memorable meal. The taste is spot on!
paleobailey says
Thank you, Cindy!! I so appreciate you taking the time to come back and let me know you enjoyed it! <3 - B
Ashlee says
Such a great way to enjoy a salad as a meal! I am obsessed with pickles and had never put them on a salad. So good! Such a great way to use Primal Kitchen’s thousand island dressing. Tastes like a Big Mac!
paleobailey says
I’m SO happy to hear this, Ashlee! Thank you so, so much for taking the time to leave your feedback! It’s super appreciated 🙂 <3 - B
Elizabeth Beard says
Loved the ease of this recipe. Has a nice flavor too! Will definitely work into my lunch and dinner rotation!
paleobailey says
This is so great to hear! Thank you so, so much for taking the time to let me know!! <3 - B
Amy says
Such a hit in my house! DELICIOUS!!
paleobailey says
Yes!! I’m SO happy to hear it! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know! It’s so appreciated <3 - B
Maren M says
A really great salad. I doubl the meat, freeze and have later in the month. Made lots of times. Hubby and oldest daughter enjoy it too. Thanks Bailey
paleobailey says
I’m so happy to hear it! Thank you for letting me know about the freezer tip! 🙂
Label reading Paleot says
I am wondering if you could be more specific about the pickles you use in this recipe. Most pickles use sugar in the brine.
paleobailey says
There’s a comment that addresses that already – There are actually a ton of pickle options without sugar.
https://www.target.com/p/organic-kosher-hamburger-dill-pickle-chips-32-fl-oz-simply-balanced-153/-/A-53306707
https://www.target.com/p/mt-olive-simply-pickles-hamburger-dill-chips-24-fl-oz/-/A-53594187
https://www.walmart.com/ip/3-Pack-Heinz-Hamburger-Dill-Chips-Pickles-16-fl-oz-Jar/47229324
https://grocery.walmart.com/ip/Great-Value-Hamburger-Dill-Chip-Pickles-32-fl-oz/378941019
https://products.wholefoodsmarket.com/product/real-pickles-organic-dill-pickles-e967c2
I have yet to find a major grocery store that does not carry multiple options. Sorry to see you rated this recipe 3 stars without even making it!
Tara says
Is there a trick with the printing settings? It leaves off ingredients when I use your print option. Looks delicious! Making it for dinner tonight.
paleobailey says
Hmm I haven’t heard that before. I’ll check it out and see if I can fix it. Thanks for letting me know there’s an issue!! For now, would you like me to email you the recipe? 🙂
Ashley G says
Delicious!
paleobailey says
SO happy you enjoyed!! Thank you!
Krissy says
I love this recipe. I’ve prepped it for lunches for many many weeks now. I never get bored of it!
paleobailey says
I’m so, so thrilled to hear it! Thank you!
Jennifer OKeefe says
I’m not finding pickles without sugar. Do they exist?
paleobailey says
They do! There’s quite a few options at Target, Walmart, any major grocery store. I’m not sure where you’ve looked, but here’s some examples of pickles without sugar:
https://www.target.com/p/organic-kosher-hamburger-dill-pickle-chips-32-fl-oz-simply-balanced-153/-/A-53306707
https://www.target.com/p/mt-olive-simply-pickles-hamburger-dill-chips-24-fl-oz/-/A-53594187
Alexandra says
This is SO good. It is a new favorite, for sure. I feel like I am cheating almost, lol! Thank you for this recipe!
paleobailey says
Amazing!! I’m so happy you enjoyed it :)) <3 - B
Ellie says
This really tastes like a Big Mac ! My husband didn’t even complain that I served him a salad for dinner
paleobailey says
Ha!! A total win! Thank you for letting me know, Ellie!!
Caleigh says
I’m obsessed with this salad and make it every week now! I’m doing the ‘FASTer Way To Fat loss’ program and this is perfect for the low carb days. I’ve tried other hamburger / Big Mac style salad recipes and can confidently say that this is the BEST recipe!
paleobailey says
Oh wow!! Thank you so much for this awesome comment! I’m so glad to hear you love it. Thanks, Caleigh!
Cristi Stewart says
I made this today and it is delicious. I will definitely make again.
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Cristi! Thank you!