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Cheeseburger Salad with Special Sauce

Cheeseburger Salad with Special Sauce
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The Cheeseburger Salad with Special Sauce is a fresh, lighter take on classic cheeseburger flavors. Combining juicy seasoned ground beef, sharp cheddar cheese, crisp romaine lettuce, ripe tomatoes, tangy pickles, and a creamy tangy special sauce, this salad offers all the comfort of a cheeseburger without the bread. Quick to prepare and highly customizable, it’s a satisfying, guilt-free meal perfect for weeknights or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein & Dairy

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Vegetables & Fresh Produce

  • 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
  • 2 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
  • 1/2 cup sliced pickles (dill or bread-and-butter)
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

Special Sauce

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp pickle juice
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Seasonings

  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef until browned and no longer pink, breaking it apart for even texture. Season with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.
  2. Prepare the Special Sauce: In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, pickle juice, paprika, and garlic powder until smooth and creamy. Chill until ready to use.
  3. Chop the Vegetables: Roughly chop the romaine lettuce, dice the tomatoes, slice the pickles, and thinly slice the red onion to prepare for assembling the salad.
  4. Assemble the Salad: Spread the chopped lettuce as the base in a large bowl or platter, evenly sprinkle the cooked beef over it, then add tomatoes, pickles, and red onions. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
  5. Drizzle with Special Sauce: Generously drizzle the special sauce over the salad. Toss gently if desired to coat all ingredients evenly. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting and fresher taste.
  • Do not overcook the beef to keep it juicy and tender.
  • Chill the special sauce for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
  • Serve the salad immediately to maintain crispness and freshness.
  • Add bacon bits for an extra smoky crunch that enhances the cheeseburger flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheeseburger salad, special sauce, ground beef salad, healthy burger salad, low carb burger salad, gluten free salad

Find it online: https://elenaglam.com/cheeseburger-salad-with-special-sauce/