Bacon Cheeseburger Salads

These Bacon Cheeseburger Salads are a delicious way to enjoy all the flavors of a classic burger without the bun. There is no bread in this recipe, but you still get plenty of seasoned beef, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, pickles, tomatoes, onions, and a creamy special sauce. It is a satisfying low-carb meal that does not feel like you are missing out on anything.

The salad starts with a generous bed of crisp romaine lettuce. I love romaine because it has a fresh flavor and sturdy texture that holds up well under all of the hearty toppings. However, you can use iceberg, green leaf lettuce, spring mix, or any lettuce you already enjoy.

For the main topping, brown the ground beef in a skillet with a little hamburger seasoning. This gives the meat that familiar grilled-burger flavor and makes it taste like a cheeseburger rather than plain ground beef. Be sure to drain off any excess grease before adding the beef to the salad.

Next comes the bacon. You will need eight slices cooked until crisp and then crumbled into bite-size pieces. I prefer cooking bacon in the oven because it cooks evenly, requires less attention, and makes cleanup easier.

The remaining toppings bring even more classic cheeseburger flavor. Sprinkle on shredded cheddar cheese, chopped dill pickles, juicy tomatoes, and onions. I especially like using crispy fried onions because they add a savory crunch, but thinly sliced red onion is a delicious, fresher alternative.

The finishing touch is a quick homemade special burger sauce that also serves as the salad dressing. It is made with mayonnaise, ketchup, sugar, dill pickle relish, and dried minced onion. The creamy, tangy, slightly sweet sauce ties all of the ingredients together and gives every bite that unmistakable bacon cheeseburger flavor. It is a great weeknight meal.

Ingredients for Bacon Cheeseburger Salad

• MAYONNAISE – Mayonnaise creates the creamy base for the special sauce dressing. It adds richness and helps the sauce coat the lettuce, beef, and toppings evenly.
• KETCHUP – Ketchup adds sweetness, tomato flavor, and tanginess to the dressing. It gives the sauce that familiar burger-style flavor.
• SUGAR – A small amount of sugar balances the tangy ketchup and pickle relish. It helps create a smooth, slightly sweet special sauce.
• DILL PICKLE RELISH – Dill pickle relish adds tangy pickle flavor and a little texture to the dressing. It gives the sauce an extra burst of classic cheeseburger flavor.
• DRIED MINCED ONION – Dried minced onion adds savory onion flavor without overpowering the dressing. Letting the sauce rest for a few minutes helps the onion soften and release more flavor.
• GROUND BEEF – Ground beef makes the salad hearty and filling. Browning it with hamburger seasoning gives it the flavor of a classic grilled cheeseburger.
• HAMBURGER SEASONING (I USE MCCOMICK’S GRILL MATES HAMBURGER SEASONING) – Hamburger seasoning adds savory, smoky flavor to the beef. McCormick Grill Mates Hamburger Seasoning works especially well, but any favorite burger seasoning blend can be used.
• ROMAINE LETTUCE – Romaine lettuce provides a crisp, fresh base for the salad. Its sturdy leaves hold up well under the warm beef, bacon, cheese, and creamy dressing.
• GRAPE TOMATOES (OR CHERRY TOMATOES)- Grape tomatoes add freshness, juiciness, and bright color. Halve them so they are easier to eat and distribute evenly throughout the salad.
• PICKLES (I SLICED SPEARS) – Dill pickles add crunch and tangy flavor. Sliced pickle spears work well, but pickle chips or chopped whole pickles can also be used.
• BACON – Crispy bacon adds smoky, salty flavor and extra crunch. Cook it until crisp, drain it well, and crumble it before adding it to the salad.
• FRENCH FRIED ONIONS OR SLICED RED ONION – French fried onions add a crispy, savory topping, while sliced red onion gives the salad a fresher, sharper onion flavor. Either option works depending on the texture you prefer.
• CHEDDAR CHEESE – Cheddar cheese adds rich, tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the seasoned beef and bacon. Sharp cheddar gives the strongest cheeseburger flavor, but mild or medium cheddar can also be used.

Instructions for Bacon Cheeseburger Salads

In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, ketchup, sugar, dill pickle relish, and dried minced onion until the special sauce is smooth and well combined. Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge while you prepare the remaining salad ingredients. Chilling the sauce gives the flavors time to blend.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and hamburger seasoning, then cook while breaking the meat into small crumbles. Continue cooking until the beef is browned and fully cooked. Drain off any excess grease, then set the beef aside to cool slightly.

Divide the chopped romaine lettuce evenly among four bowls or plates. Top each salad with one-fourth of the seasoned ground beef, grape tomatoes, pickles, crumbled bacon, French fried onions or sliced red onion, and shredded cheddar cheese. Arrange the toppings in sections or rows for a colorful presentation, or scatter them evenly over the lettuce.

Serve the Bacon Cheeseburger Salads immediately with the chilled special sauce spooned over the top or served on the side. This recipe makes 4 salads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the special sauce ahead of time?
Yes. The special sauce can be prepared several hours or even a day in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator and stir it well before serving.

What type of ground beef works best?
Lean ground beef works well because it produces less grease. An 85/15 or 90/10 blend gives the salad plenty of flavor without making it overly oily.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes. Ground turkey or ground chicken can be substituted for the beef. Season it generously so it still has that bold hamburger flavor.

Should the ground beef be served warm or cold?
The beef can be served warm, slightly cooled, or chilled. Letting it cool for a few minutes before adding it helps prevent the lettuce from wilting.

Can I use a different type of lettuce?
Yes. Iceberg, green leaf lettuce, spring mix, or a combination of lettuces can replace the romaine. Choose a sturdy lettuce that can hold up to the heavier toppings.

What other toppings can I add?
Avocado, sliced jalapeños, mushrooms, diced bell peppers, or a fried egg would all be delicious additions. You can customize each salad just like you would a cheeseburger.

Can I leave out the bacon?
Yes. The salad will still have plenty of cheeseburger flavor without it. You could also use turkey bacon or another preferred bacon alternative.

How can I keep the salad from becoming soggy?
Drain the beef well, let it cool slightly, and keep the dressing separate until serving. Add the French fried onions at the last minute, so they stay crisp.

Can I meal-prep these salads?
Yes. Store the lettuce, toppings, beef, and dressing in separate containers. Assemble the salads just before eating for the best texture.

How should I store leftovers?
Keep the salad components separate in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Once everything is mixed with the dressing, the lettuce will soften more quickly.

Is this Bacon Cheeseburger Salad low-carb?
It can be a lower-carb option because it does not include a bun. For fewer carbohydrates, use red onion instead of French fried onions and choose a ketchup with less added sugar.

Tips and Tricks

• Let the beef cool slightly before assembling. Warm ground beef is delicious on the salad, but piping-hot meat can wilt the lettuce. Let it rest for a few minutes after draining.
• Drain the beef and bacon well. Excess grease can make the salad heavy and soggy. Use lean ground beef and place the cooked bacon on paper towels before crumbling it.
• Make the special sauce ahead of time. The dressing tastes even better after chilling for at least 30 minutes. This gives the dried onion time to soften and allows the flavors to blend.
• Keep the toppings separate until serving. For meal prep, store the lettuce, beef, bacon, cheese, vegetables, and dressing in separate containers. Add the French fried onions at the last minute, so they stay crisp.
• Customize each salad like a cheeseburger. Use red onion for a fresh bite or French fried onions for extra crunch. You can also add avocado, jalapeños, mushrooms, or extra pickles to suit each person’s taste.

For more recipes like this, try:

• Glazed Cola Burgers
• Old Fashioned Hamburger Gravy
• Copycat Lasagna Hamburger Helper
• Southwestern Pasta Salad

Recipe adapted from 40 Aprons.