A fast, flavor-packed salad that tastes like your favorite fast food burger—without the bun! Loaded with seasoned beef, cheese, pickles, and creamy dressing, it’s the ultimate weeknight no-cook dinner or meal prep star.
🕒 Quick Recipe Summary
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Dietary Tags: Gluten-Free | High-Protein | Low-Carb Option
🛒 Ingredients
6 cups iceberg lettuce, chopped
1½ lbs lean ground beef, cooked and drained
1½ cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded
1 cup Roma tomatoes, diced
1 cup red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup dill pickles, diced
Thousand Island dressing, to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Build the Base
Place the chopped iceberg lettuce in a large salad bowl or serving platter.
2️⃣ Add the Beef
Sprinkle the browned, drained ground beef evenly over the lettuce.
3️⃣ Layer the Toppings
Top with shredded cheese, tomatoes, sliced red onions, and diced pickles.
4️⃣ Dress and Serve
Drizzle Thousand Island dressing over the top right before serving. Toss or serve layered for presentation.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Meal prep: Pack salad ingredients in containers with dressing on the side. Great cold lunch!
Low-carb option: Use sugar-free Thousand Island dressing and skip croutons or bun-style add-ins.
Make it a wrap: Wrap salad ingredients in a low-carb tortilla for a handheld version.
💡 Tips & Variations
Swap the beef: Try ground turkey or plant-based meat for variety.
Dressing tip: Mix Greek yogurt + ketchup + relish + mustard for a lighter homemade version.
Extra crunch: Add crushed baked tortilla chips or air-fried onions on top.
🔎 Nutrition & W-W Points (per serving, estimated for 6 servings)
With standard Thousand Island dressing (2 tbsp):
Calories: ~390 | Protein: ~25g | Carbs: ~8g | Fat: ~28g
W-W Points:
➡️ 9 Points (with full-fat Thousand Island)
➡️ 6 Points (with fat-free dressing)
➡️ 5 Points (using 96% lean ground beef and light cheese)
💡 Adjust the dressing and cheese portions to reduce points further. Use the W-W app for precise tracking based on your brand.
✅ Gluten-Free Notes
✔️ Naturally gluten-free—just check your dressing for any additives.
✔️ For Whole30 or Keto, use compliant dressing and grass-fed beef.
❓FAQs
Q: Can I serve this warm?
A: Yes! Warm beef over cool lettuce makes a great contrast—just serve immediately so the lettuce doesn’t wilt.
Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
A: Absolutely—just skip the cheese or use your favorite dairy-free shreds.
Q: What’s a homemade dressing option?
A: Mix:
¼ cup light mayo
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp diced pickles or relish
½ tsp mustard
Pinch of paprika + splash of vinegar
📝 Final Thoughts
This cheeseburger salad is fast, family-friendly, and endlessly customizable. All the flavor of your favorite drive-thru order—no bun, no regrets. 🍔🥗