The cheeseburger salad—it’s like a backyard cookout in a bowl, right? Juicy beef, crisp lettuce, tangy pickles, all drizzled with a sauce that’s a hug for your taste buds. I remember making this on a whim one summer, thinking it was a weird idea, but now it’s a staple.
Steps
- Prepare the dressing by combining mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, cider vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt, and freshly cracked pepper in a bowl. Mix until smooth and set aside.
- Thoroughly rinse the Romaine lettuce and cut it into 2-inch pieces. Drain well and set aside.
- In a bowl, mix ground beef with seasoning salt using your hands until well combined. Divide the meat into four portions, then further divide each portion into four small balls, flattening them into mini burger patties.
- Heat a non-stick skillet with a little cooking oil over medium heat. Cook the mini patties until they are browned on each side, about 3-5 minutes per side. Once cooked, set them on a paper towel-lined plate and continue cooking the remaining patties.
- While the burgers cook, thinly slice the red onion, cut the tomato into wedges, and shred the cheddar cheese.
- To assemble the salads, place 1/4 of the chopped Romaine lettuce in each of four bowls. Top with sliced onion, shredded cheddar, tomato wedges, and 3-4 mini burger patties.
- Finish by drizzling the prepared dressing over each salad and enjoy your Cheeseburger Salad.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon relish (sweet or dill)
- 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Freshly cracked pepper to taste
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 2 hearts of Romaine lettuce
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 large tomato, cut into wedges
- 2 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
Nutritional Values
Calories: 2285.32kcal | Carbohydrates: 69.92g | Protein: 97.12g | Fat: 186.12g | Sodium: 3373.92mg | Fiber: 26.52g
FAQ
- What is the Animal Sauce Dressing in the Cheeseburger Salad?
- The Animal Sauce Dressing is inspired by the dressing used on In-and-Out Burgers and is similar to Thousand Island dressing. It combines mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. If you prefer not to make it yourself, you can substitute it with store-bought Thousand Island dressing.
- Can I customize my Cheeseburger Salad?
- Absolutely! One of the best aspects of the Cheeseburger Salad is its versatility. You can enhance it with various toppings typically found on burgers, such as caramelized onions, blue cheese, avocado, sautéed mushrooms, or bacon. Feel free to get creative with your additions.
- How do I prepare the mini burger patties for the salad?
- Start by mixing the ground beef with seasoning salt. Divide the mixture into four portions, then further divide each portion into four small balls. Flatten these balls into mini burger patties and cook them in a skillet with some oil until browned on each side, which takes about 3-5 minutes per side.
- What are the nutritional details of the Cheeseburger Salad?
- A single serving of the Cheeseburger Salad contains approximately 571.33 calories, with 17.48g of carbohydrates, 24.28g of protein, and 46.53g of fat. The sodium content is around 843.48mg, and it provides 6.63g of fiber.
- Where can I find more salad recipes like this one?
- If you’re interested in exploring more salad recipes, you can visit the Salad Recipe Archives, which offer a variety of tested and delicious options to try.
Tips
- For a quick and easy dressing, you can use store-bought Thousand Island instead of making the homemade animal sauce dressing, as they are very similar in taste.
- Make sure to thoroughly rinse and drain the Romaine lettuce before chopping it into pieces to ensure a fresh and crisp base for your salad.
- When forming the mini burger patties, ensure the seasoning salt is evenly mixed into the ground beef for consistent flavor throughout.
- Feel free to customize your cheeseburger salad with additional toppings like caramelized onions, avocado, or bacon to make it your own unique dish.
Equipment
- Non-stick skillet – for cooking the mini burger patties.
- Mixing bowls – for preparing the animal sauce dressing and mixing the ground beef.
- Chef’s knife – for chopping lettuce, slicing onions, and cutting tomatoes.
- Cutting board – for preparing vegetables.
- Salad bowls – for assembling and serving the salad.
