Bacon Cheeseburger Salad

This cheeseburger salad packs all the bold, savory flavors of a classic bacon cheeseburger—crisp lettuce, juicy beef, crunchy pickles, and a tangy “burger sauce” dressing—into a fresh, low-carb bowl.

This cheeseburger salad is a delicious, low-carb twist on a fast food favorite, combining seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, and smoky crumbled bacon for a satisfying meal in a bowl. Topped with a tangy, creamy burger-inspired dressing made from mayo, ketchup, mustard, and pickle juice, it delivers all the bold, savory flavors of a classic bacon cheeseburger—no bun required. Customize it with your favorite toppings like avocado, jalapeños, or extra pickles for added crunch and kick. Perfect for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner, this salad is as hearty as it is refreshing.

Servings

2

Prep Time

20 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Total Time

40 minutes

For the Beef
1 lb ground beef
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional, for flavor)

For the Salad
6 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup diced red onion or pickles (or both!)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 strips cooked bacon, crumbled
Optional: avocado slices or jalapeños

For the Dressing (Burger Sauce Style)
½ cup mayo
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp mustard (yellow or Dijon)
1 tbsp pickle juice or vinegar
1 tsp paprika or smoked paprika
Optional: dash of hot sauce or minced garlic

Preparation

  • Chop the romaine or iceberg into bite-sized pieces and place in a large bowl.
  • Halve the cherry tomatoes.
  • Dice the red onion or pickles (or a mix of both).
  • Shred the cheddar cheese if not pre-shredded.
  • Slice avocado or jalapeños if using.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice (or vinegar), and paprika until smooth.
  • Add optional hot sauce or garlic, then refrigerate dressing until ready to serve.

Cooking

  • Heat a skillet over medium heat.
  • Cook bacon strips until crispy, about 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally.
  • Transfer to paper towels to drain, then crumble once cooled.
  • In the same skillet, add ground beef.
  • Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Cook over medium-high heat for 6–8 minutes, breaking apart, until fully browned and no longer pink.
  • Drain excess fat if needed and keep warm.

Serving

  • Divide lettuce between bowls.
  • Top with tomatoes, onion/pickles, cheddar, and optional toppings.
  • Spoon warm ground beef over the salad.
  • Sprinkle with bacon crumbles.
  • Drizzle with burger-style dressing or serve it on the side.
  • Serve immediately while the beef is hot and the lettuce stays crisp.