I love an entree salad, and whether it is for lunch or dinner this Cheeseburger Salad just hits the spot every time. With all the flavors of a good burger, but lightened up, this is a salad I could enjoy any night of the week. Plus, it is as easy as frying up a few smash burgers, that cook in like 3 minutes, and chopping a few veggies.
Ingredients
Just over a handful of ingredients and you are on your way to creating this delicious salad. What is really great about it is that you can customize this salad to your liking. Swap the thousand island for ranch dressing or add some jalapenos for spice. Any way you like your burger, add it to your salad.
I like to shave the lettuce nice and thin, as well as the red onions. Leave the tomatoes nice and chunky, and toss your favorite pickle in there too.
Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the post, or scroll to the bottom of the post to see the full recipe card with ingredient measurements and instructions.
Method
I start by portioning out my ground beef into 2-ounce balls, then pressing them out into super-thin patties. I actually use my tortilla press to do this, between two pieces of parchment paper. That's how I get really nice thin Smashburger-style patties without the mess on my stove.
Then heat a griddle until it is super hot, and toss on the patties, they will cook in about a minute and a half per side since they are so thin, and leave little to no fat splatter on your stove if you use a lean ground beef. Cook until browned, salting and peppering each side, then finish by melting a little cheese over them.
Now you are ready to build your salad. In a large bowl or plate, add some lettuce, cheddar, red onions, tomatoes, pickles, dressing, and top with the fresh burger patties.
The burgers are small, so top each salad with 2-3 patties as desired. I really love this salad, it makes a great light summer lunch, and it comes together in like 20 minutes.
Notes & Tips
If I am making this for a crowd, after a pool day or festival, I toss all the lettuce and toppings together in a large bowl with the dressing, then fry up and cheese the patties. Serve them on the side and let everyone take what they like, buffet style.
On that note, you can even patty out the burgers up to a day ahead of time, but they are so thin and cook so fast, cook them fresh for best eating.
If you like to make your own sauces or dressings, grab this recipe for Remoulade Sauce, it will give you a real feel of eating a big mac.
Substitutions
Thousand Island makes this salad like a big mac, but you can also use ranch, or simple oil and vinegar. Any of these options are delicious.
Ground turkey or chicken is just as great for burger patties too. And it will lighten up the calorie count even more.
I like to use iceberg for the burger quality, but romaine or butter lettuce would be great options for the salad too. Use whatever is your favorite.
I am a bit of a purist, and I also love me some Tillamook Cheddar, but you can literally use any cheese you like on this salad. Swiss, provolone, parmesan, anything would be great. Even blue cheese.
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📖 Recipe
Cheeseburger Salad
I love an entree salad, and whether for lunch or dinner this Cheeseburger Salad just hits the spot every time & easy for any day of the week!
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- Kosher Salt
- Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
- 1 head Iceberg Lettuce, chopped
- 1 small Red Onion, sliced
- 6 Campari Tomatoes, wedged
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese + more for serving
- Pickle Slices, for serving
- Remoulade Sauce or Thousand Island, as dressing
Instructions
Roll the ground beef into 8, 2-ounce meatballs.
Prepare the lettuce and all topping ingredients before you cook your “burgers”. I get my salads all plated minus the meat so I can serve them just as the patties come off the stove.
Heat a griddle or large skillet on the stove over medium heat, or a gas grill on high.
Smash the meatballs on the griddle with the back of a sturdy spatula, or press them out, season on both sides, and place them on the hot grill.
Cook like smash burgers, seasoning each side with some salt and pepper as they cook.
When cooking on a griddle, they only need 2-3 minutes per side, until a slight crust begins to form. Flip and season, and top with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese.
When cooking on a grill, work hot and fast, just until some grill marks get on the one side, then flip and cheese them. They are small so the goal is to not overcook them.
Place 2-3 mini burgers on top of your prepared salads. Finish with pickles and dressing and serve immediately.
Makes 3-4 salads.
Notes
Notes & Tips
If I am making this for a crowd, after a pool day or festival, I toss all the lettuce and toppings together in a large bowl with the dressing, then fry up and cheese the patties. Serve them on the side and let everyone take what they like, buffet style.
On that note, you can even patty out the burgers up to a day ahead of time, but they are so thin and cook so fast, cook them fresh for best eating.
If you like to make your own sauces or dressings, grab this recipe for Remoulade Sauce, it will give you a real feel of eating a big mac.
Substitutions
Thousand Island makes this salad like a big mac, but you can also use ranch, or simple oil and vinegar. Any of these options are delicious.
Ground turkey or chicken is just as great for burger patties too. And it will lighten up the calorie count even more.
I like to use iceberg for the burger quality, but romaine or butter lettuce would be great options for the salad too. Use whatever is your favorite.
I am a bit of a purist, and I also love me some Tillamook Cheddar, but you can literally use any cheese you like on this salad. Swiss, provolone, parmesan, anything would be great. Even blue cheese.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Stainless-Steel Mixing Bowl Set -
Winco TN46 Blade Steak/Burger Turner4-Inch by 3.75-Inch,Stainless Steel, Brown,Medium -
Victoria 8 Inch Cast Iron Tortilla Press. Tortilla Maker, Flour Tortilla press, Rotis Press, Dough Press, Pataconera Seasoned with Flaxeed Oil, Black - -
Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle With Handles, 20 Inch x 10.5 Inch - One tray
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 549Total Fat: 38gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 135mgSodium: 602mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 3gSugar: 7gProtein: 40g
This is an estimated caloric value, actual numbers may differ based on the ingredients used.
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