This delicious Bacon Cheeseburger Salad is a quick and easy way to enjoy all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger in a healthier, lighter form. Packed with crispy croutons, juicy grilled patties, and savory bacon, it’s the perfect balance of flavor and crunch. Plus, it’s easily customizable with your favorite toppings!
Recipe Ingredients:
- 3 sesame seed buns, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) salted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck steak
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 slices yellow American cheese, cut into quarters
- 3 hearts romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup dill pickle slices plus 1/4 cup pickle juice from the jar
- 1 pound cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced into rings
- 6 slices cooked bacon, halved widthways
- Thousand Island dressing, for serving
How To Make Bacon Cheeseburger Salad?
- Preheat the oven and prepare croutons: Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Toss the cubed buns in a medium bowl with melted butter, then spread them on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes until toasted.
- Preheat the grill: Preheat your grill on medium heat.
- Prepare the beef patties: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well, then form into 12 patties.
- Grill the patties: Place the patties on the grill and cook for about 2 minutes on the first side until browned. Flip the patties, top each with a quarter slice of cheese, and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Prepare the salad base: While the burgers are cooking, roughly chop the romaine lettuce and place it in a large bowl. Add most of the pickles, tomatoes, and red onion (reserve a little for garnish). Drizzle with pickle juice, then season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Toss well to combine.
- Assemble the salad: Just before serving, top the salad with the cooked burger patties, croutons, and bacon. Garnish with the remaining pickles, tomatoes, and red onion. Drizzle with Thousand Island dressing and serve immediately.
Recipe Tips:
- Don’t Overcook the Patties: To keep the burgers juicy and tender, avoid cooking them too long. Aim for around 2 minutes per side, and top with cheese just before they finish grilling.
- Make Homemade Croutons: Using buttered, toasted sesame buns for croutons adds a crispy, flavorful touch that store-bought croutons can’t match. Don’t skip this step!
- Season the Salad Well: Be generous with the salt and pepper when tossing the lettuce, as it enhances the flavors of the entire salad. The pickle juice adds a tangy kick, so don’t skimp on it!
- Chill the Bacon: For extra crunch, let the cooked bacon cool before adding it to the salad. This will prevent it from getting soggy when mixed with the other ingredients.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, use fresh romaine lettuce, ripe cherry tomatoes, and crunchy dill pickles. Freshness is key to making this salad shine!
How To Store Leftovers?
Let any leftover Bacon Cheeseburger Salad cool to room temperature. Then, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories:395
- Total Fat:27 g
- Saturated Fat:12 g
- Carbohydrates:16 g
- Dietary Fiber:3 g
- Sugar:5 g
- Protein:23 g
- Cholesterol:86 mg
- Sodium:693 mg
Check out More Recipes:
Bacon Cheeseburger Salad
Description
This delicious Bacon Cheeseburger Salad is a quick and easy way to enjoy all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger in a healthier, lighter form. Packed with crispy croutons, juicy grilled patties, and savory bacon, it’s the perfect balance of flavor and crunch. Plus, it’s easily customizable with your favorite toppings!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare croutons: Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Toss the cubed buns in a medium bowl with melted butter, then spread them on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes until toasted.
- Preheat the grill: Preheat your grill on medium heat.
- Prepare the beef patties: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well, then form into 12 patties.
- Grill the patties: Place the patties on the grill and cook for about 2 minutes on the first side until browned. Flip the patties, top each with a quarter slice of cheese, and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Prepare the salad base: While the burgers are cooking, roughly chop the romaine lettuce and place it in a large bowl. Add most of the pickles, tomatoes, and red onion (reserve a little for garnish). Drizzle with pickle juice, then season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Toss well to combine.
- Assemble the salad: Just before serving, top the salad with the cooked burger patties, croutons, and bacon. Garnish with the remaining pickles, tomatoes, and red onion. Drizzle with Thousand Island dressing and serve immediately.
Notes
- Don’t Overcook the Patties: To keep the burgers juicy and tender, avoid cooking them too long. Aim for around 2 minutes per side, and top with cheese just before they finish grilling.
- Make Homemade Croutons: Using buttered, toasted sesame buns for croutons adds a crispy, flavorful touch that store-bought croutons can’t match. Don’t skip this step!
- Season the Salad Well: Be generous with the salt and pepper when tossing the lettuce, as it enhances the flavors of the entire salad. The pickle juice adds a tangy kick, so don’t skimp on it!
- Chill the Bacon: For extra crunch, let the cooked bacon cool before adding it to the salad. This will prevent it from getting soggy when mixed with the other ingredients.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, use fresh romaine lettuce, ripe cherry tomatoes, and crunchy dill pickles. Freshness is key to making this salad shine!
Bacon Cheeseburger Salad