If you're craving the classic taste of a cheeseburger without the carbs, a low-carb burger salad is the perfect solution. It takes all the best parts of a burger—a juicy beef patty, fresh veggies, and a tangy special sauce—and serves them over a bed of crisp greens.1 It's a quick, satisfying, and delicious meal that's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a simple lunch.

Low-Carb Burger Salad with Creamy Special Sauce

Yields: 4 servings

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • For the Salad:

    • 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)2

    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

    • ½ teaspoon onion powder

    • Salt and black pepper, to taste

    • 8 cups mixed greens

    • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

    • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese3

    • 1 cup chopped pickles

    • ½ red onion, thinly sliced4

  • For the Creamy Special Sauce:

    • ½ cup mayonnaise (full-fat)

    • 2 tablespoons sugar-free ketchup

    • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

    • 1 tablespoon pickle relish (sugar-free)

    • ½ teaspoon paprika

Instructions

1. Cook the Ground Beef

  1. Season: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef. Break it up with a spoon and season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

  2. Cook: Cook the beef for 7-10 minutes, or until it is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease.

2. Prepare the Salad

  1. Chop Veggies: While the beef is cooking, prepare your salad by washing and chopping the mixed greens, halving the cherry tomatoes, and slicing the red onion.

  2. Assemble: In a large bowl or on four separate plates, layer the mixed greens. Top with the cherry tomatoes, shredded cheddar, chopped pickles, and sliced red onion.

3. Make the Creamy Special Sauce

  1. Whisk: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar-free ketchup, Dijon mustard, pickle relish, and paprika until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

4. Combine and Serve

  1. Add Beef: Top each salad with a portion of the hot, cooked ground beef.

  2. Drizzle with Sauce: Drizzle the creamy special sauce generously over the top of each salad.

  3. Serve immediately.

Pro-Tips for a Perfect Salad

  • The Right Meat: A ground beef with a higher fat content (like 80/20) will give you a juicier and more flavorful "patty."

  • Customize Your Toppings: Feel free to add your favorite burger toppings, such as avocado, bacon bits, or a sliced hard-boiled egg for extra protein.

  • Make It Ahead: You can prepare all the salad components ahead of time and store them in separate containers. When you're ready to eat, simply cook the beef and assemble the salad.

  • The Sauce is Key: The creamy special sauce is what truly gives this salad its burger flavor. A sugar-free version keeps it low-carb without sacrificing taste.