1-First Step: Prepare Your Ingredients: Begin by chopping your veggies and measuring everything out. Dice 1 cup of tomatoes and slice 1/2 cup of pickles and onions, then shred 2 cups of lettuce and 1 cup of cheese. This mise-en-place makes assembly smoother and helps you adapt for dietary needs, like using vegan cheese if you’re going plant-based.

2-Second Step: Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 1 pound of ground beef. Break it into small crumbles as it browns, which takes about 8-10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and any extras like garlic powder for more flavor. Once done, drain the fat and let it cool this step ensures the beef doesn’t wilt your greens in the Cheeseburger Salad.

3-Third Step: Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 clove minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1 tablespoon vinegar. Stir until smooth, then taste and adjust this dressing is what ties your Cheeseburger Salad together, so feel free to tweak for a low-calorie version with lighter mayo.

4-Fourth Step: Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, layer your shredded lettuce as the base, then add the cooked beef, diced tomatoes, sliced pickles, chopped onions, and shredded cheese. Drizzle the dressing over the top and toss gently to mix everything. For variations, add extras like avocado if you want more veggies, making this Cheeseburger Salad adaptable to different preferences.

5-Fifth Step: Chill and Serve: Let the salad sit in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to let flavors meld, or serve it right away for a warm twist. Aim for a serving size that fits your crowd, and remember the total prep time is around 20 minutes. This final step highlights how easy it is to customize your Cheeseburger Salad for meals on the go. For more salad ideas, check out our pasta salad variations on the site.