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About This Recipe
You ever get hit with an intense craving for a nice, big cheeseburger? 😂 I know I sure do! Sometimes the juicy sandwich on a warm, toasted, crunchy bun is just what I need. But sometimes we also need to keep meals low carb or pack more volume.
I wasn’t willing to sacrifice that delicious, meaty flavor. That’s why I created this fantastic Cheeseburger Salad! It’s basically a deconstructed burger without the bread, and it’s so easy to make and super customizable.
And when that hunger really hits, you can pack it with more protein and yummy toppings without having the bread fill you up. It’s basically a backyard barbeque in a bowl or on-the-go!
For this Cheeseburger Salad recipe, I just used simple ground beef because I honestly prefer the taste and it’s less work.
I also paired it with my Skinny Special Sauce which is absolutely out of this world, with creamy delicious flavor, and is so easy to throw together. It tastes just like In-and-Out Burger’s Special Sauce.
If you want another good, hearty salad check out my Warm Steak and Potato Salad or Healthy Taco Salad! I also highly recommend my Chicken Caesar Salad for another lightened-up classic!
Why You’ll Love This Cheeseburger Salad
- Seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, chopped romaine, and my goodness, the special sauce! It hits all the flavor spots!
- Just like a big, juicy cheeseburger, but with fewer carbs and calories.
- So easy to prep and throw ingredients together for a quick lunch or dinner!
- Super customizable! Add more or less beef or a different protein seasoned to your preference. You can also switch up the toppings however you like!
- Seriously just SO GOOD!
- Ground beef – I used 93/7 lean ground beef.
- Steak seasoning – Or other seasoning of choice. I used Weber’s Chicago Steak Seasoning.
- Chopped romaine lettuce – I buy the pre-packaged kind because it makes this salad easy to throw together!
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Red onions
- Tomatoes
- Bread and butter pickles – I used Mt. Olive No Sugar Added Bread and Butter Pickles.
- Skinny Special Sauce – I love this sauce, y’all! And I know you will, too. It’s my copycat In-and-Out Burger’s Special Sauce!
How To Make
- In a large skillet, add beef and steak seasoning. Cook on medium heat until browned, breaking into pieces as you go. When done, remove from heat and set aside.
- Add romaine lettuce to a large bowl. Top with ground beef, cheese, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and Skinny Special Sauce, if desired.
Can I meal prep this Cheeseburger Salad?
For best tips on how to store these for meal prep, check out my Meal Prep Cheeseburger Bowls recipe. It’s the same cheeseburger salad, but just in to-go form!
Can I use a different dressing instead of the Skinny Special Sauce?
Of course! That is why I didn’t include the dressing in the nutritional information. You can choose to add your own if you would like. I will say though, the Skinny Special Sauce is so yummy 😉
Can I make this Cheeseburger Salad in advance?
You can go ahead and cook the ground beef and cut the onions so you have all the ingredients prepped and ready to go! Store them in separate containers in the fridge. (Let the beef cool completely first.) Then, pull everything out when you’re ready to assemble.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
Cheeseburger Salad with Skinny Special Sauce
Ingredients
To Make the Ground Beef:
- 1 lb. 93/7 ground beef
- 1 Tbsp steak seasoning
To Assemble the Salad:
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce (170g)
- 1/3 cup cooked ground beef (75g)
- 2 Tbsp reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese (14g)
- 1/2 cup medley tomatoes (90g) halved – or cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup red onions (30g) thinly sliced
- 1 oz. no-sugar-added bread and butter pickles (28g)
- 2 Tbsp Skinny Special Sauce* (30g) optional
- Fresh ground pepper optional
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Instructions
- In a large skillet, add beef and steak seasoning. Cook on medium heat for about 5-7 minutes or until browned, breaking into pieces as you go. Remove from heat and set aside. You will have 4-5 servings of beef here.
- Add romaine to bowl. Top with beef, cheese, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and Skinny Special Sauce, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
