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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Ashley C. says
My husband took one bite of this and says, “this is Whole 30?!!” It tastes so good he was questioning how healthy it really is lol. You totally nailed it with this one! It definitely tastes like Big Mac and satisfied cravings for unhealthy drive thru burgers. I already know this is going into the rotation. Love how quick and easy it is to make, even with doing the homemade special sauce. Yum!
Laura says
Delish! Tasted like a Big Mac without the guilt! How many calories are in a serving?
Tatiana says
Our whole family loved this, even our pickiest eater asked we make it again. It has been printed and added to our binder of family favorites.
Colleen says
This is so delicious! I never would’ve thought to combine these particular things, so thank you for coming up with such a clever recipe. I made it as written and it was perfect. Added hemp seeds in addition to the sesame seeds simply because I love them. I haven’t had a Big Mac in probably 15 years – I stopped eating fast food that long ago because there are way too many other delicious things in the world! Oh, and because I want to live, lol – and I have to say I would take this over that any day!
paleobailey says
Oh this is so great to hear!! Thank you so much, Colleen! Really appreciate you giving it a try and taking the time to leave a review! Hemp seeds sound fantastic, too!
Lucia Beaulieu says
I’m not sure why it has taken me so long to find this salad. Whole30 has me craving McDonald’s almost weekly, and holy cow this salad tames that craving! I subbed the beef for ground turkey and used the premade Whole30 Special Sauce from Thrive Market. I will be adding this to the weekly meal prep rotation from now on. Now, the only issue I’m having is finding something to curb the fry dipped in chocolate milkshake craving. 🙂
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you so much for giving it a try and taking the time to come back and leave a review! It’s so appreciated! Love that special sauce, too!! <3 – B
Emmily says
Oh my gosh…. I think I have to eat this for every meal from now on haha SO GOOD
paleobailey says
I’m so happy you enjoyed it!! Thank you so much! <3 - B
K Crab says
I made this salad a while back using the homemade sauce recipe and now it’s missing! Where can I find that part of the recipe??! It was delicious! I’m not interested in buying the dressing…
paleobailey says
This recipe? https://www.wholekitchensink.com/homemade-special-sauce/ It’s linked in the recipe card and the post, or you can click this one! 🙂
Kristine says
I love this recipe! I make it somewhat often but it is now my go-to for potlucks and picnics when i know there likely won’t be anything else gluten and dairy free. At least I know that I have one thing I can have! I don’t tell anyone it’s healthy and folks always love it! My spin on it for dinner is to add cubed roasted potatoes so it’s like I get my french fries too! So yummy! I always make my own dressing though but today might save time and try Primal Kitchen’s version.
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you enjoy it!! It’s one of my favorites 🙂 LOVE the cubed potato idea, too. Thank you so much!!
Erin Neutz Hoon says
Best salad ever!!! My husband and I make this at least twice a month if not weekly!
paleobailey says
Ahh I love this!! SO happy you both love it! It’s one of my go-to salads so I’m glad to hear this! <3 - B
Elizabeth Labrecque says
Made this for dinner last night and it was a huge hit. My husband said it tasted just like eating a big Mac but much better for you. Thanks so much for the amazing recipe. Will definitely make this again
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you both enjoyed it!! Thank you so much for giving it a shot!