Bacon Cheeseburger Salad

A deconstructed bacon cheeseburger over a bed of lettuce instead of a bun.

This Bacon Cheeseburger Salad captures all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger in a fresh, satisfying meal. Seasoned ground beef is cooked to perfection and served over a bed of green and butter lettuce, topped with crispy bacon bits, tangy pickles, and diced red onion for crunch. A blend of ketchup, yellow mustard, and whole grain mustard adds a zingy kick, while shredded cheddar cheese melts over the warm beef, making this salad a delicious favorite for burger lovers and salad fans alike.

Servings

2

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Total Time

35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 6 slices bacon (slightly frozen for easy cutting)
  • Green leaf lettuce and/or butter lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/4 cup red onion, diced
  • 2 medium-sized dill pickles, sliced
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Ketchup, for drizzling
  • Yellow mustard, for drizzling
  • Whole grain mustard, for drizzling

Seasoning

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Louisiana Cajun seasoning

Instructions

Prepare the Bacon

Stack the bacon slices and cut them into 1-inch pieces. In a cold skillet, add the bacon pieces and turn the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 minutes until browned and crispy. Remove the bacon pieces to a bowl lined with paper towels to drain excess grease, leaving a thin layer of bacon fat in the skillet.

Cook the Beef

In the same skillet, add the ground beef and cook until browned. Season with salt, black pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Continue cooking until the beef is thoroughly cooked and crumbled.

Assemble the Salad

Divide a blend of green leaf and butter lettuce between two serving dishes. Evenly distribute the cooked beef mixture over the lettuce in both dishes. Top with crispy bacon pieces, diced red onion, and sliced dill pickles. Drizzle yellow mustard, ketchup, and whole grain mustard over each salad. Finish with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese.

Serving

Serve immediately and enjoy the cheeseburger-inspired salad!

Stack the 4 slices of bacon together (slightly frozen best) and slice across into about 1 inch pieces.

Dice about 1/4 cup red onion

Add the bacon pieces to a cold skillet and turn heat to med-high.

Cook while stirring occasionally about 6-8 minutes or until browned.

Remove bacon from the pan into a small bowl with a paper towel to soak up some grease.

 Pour the excess fat from the skillet but keep a layer without wiping.

Add the ground beef and cook until browned.

Stir in the salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Simmer on low until cooked through and crumbled.

Layer two serving dishes with a blend of green leaf and butter lettuce. Spread the ground beef mixture over both plates.

Sprinkle the bacon pieces over the beef. Sprinkle the diced red onion and sliced pickles. Squirt a light layer of yellow mustard, whole grain mustard, and ketchup evenly over top. Shred a light layer of cheddar cheese over top.