Bacon Cheeseburger Salad

I am one of those people who craves a hamburger every now and then. It’s one of my ‘low lights’ that comes on every once in a while. I have also noticed lately that it’s about time for something new in salad-land. Since entree salads became a ‘thing’ in the 1990s, we as a nation have cycled through taco salad, Caesar salad, Cobb salad…the list goes on and on. Wondering what came next I decided to try a bacon cheeseburger in salad form. Made with lean ground beef, center-cut bacon, and a lower fat thousand island/burger sauce dressing (only 3 ingredients!), this salad is low carb, high protein, and not as high in fat as you would think. Make this for a tasty lunch, or dinner on a weeknight when you need a change of pace. Serves 4.

• 

• 

• 

Ingredients:

For the salad:

• 12 oz. torn romaine, or lettuce of your choice
• 1 lb. lean ground beef,
• 1 teaspoon hamburger seasoning (optional but very tasty, I like Weber)
• 8 slices center-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 roma tomato, thinly sliced
• 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced (optional)
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup diced red onion
• Pickles, grilled onions, or any other hamburger toppings that are personal favorites

For the dressing:

• 1/2 cup light mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
• 1/4 cup water

Directions:

1. In a medium skillet, brown hamburger meat over medium-high heat, and add seasoning.
2. Assemble salad ingredients on 4 separate plates, and add a hot hamburger.
3. Mix dressing ingredients in a small bowl, then spoon dressing ingredients over salad. Enjoy!