Description
The Smash Burger Salad is a hearty, low-carb dish that delivers all the classic flavors of a smash burger — seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, pickles, cheddar cheese, and a tangy special sauce — in salad form, no bun required.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 6 cups iceberg or romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup dill pickles, sliced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- For the dressing (burger sauce):
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup (sugar-free if keto)
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp pickle juice
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- Optional: hot sauce to taste
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula.
- Season the beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until browned and crispy on the edges.
- While the beef cooks, prepare the salad base: chop lettuce, halve cherry tomatoes, slice red onion and pickles.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, garlic powder, paprika, and hot sauce if using to make the dressing.
- Assemble the salad by placing lettuce in bowls or plates.
- Top with cherry tomatoes, red onion, pickles, shredded cheddar cheese, and cooked beef.
- Drizzle with the burger sauce and serve immediately.
Notes
Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.Avocado slices add extra creaminess and healthy fats. Pre-cooked burger patties can be chopped and used instead of ground beef.Swap cheddar with pepper jack or American cheese for variety.Keep components separate for meal prep; assemble fresh for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
