Ultimate Cheeseburger Salad Delight
Discover the Ultimate Cheeseburger Salad Delight, a refreshing twist on the classic burger experience! This vibrant salad combines seasoned ground beef, rich cheeses, and fresh garden veggies atop crispy romaine leaves, creating a perfect balance between savory and fresh flavors. The addition of crunchy, buttery croutons and tangy pickles elevates this dish to a new level, making it not just a meal, but a feast for the senses. Ideal for hot summer days or for serving guests at your next gathering, this salad is simple to prepare and packed full of taste. Ree Drummond’s spin on this Pampered Chef favorite will leave everyone raving about this uniquely satisfying salad.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground beef
2 lbs (browned and drained)
Ketchup
1/3 cup (none)
Yellow mustard
1 teaspoon (none)
Dijon mustard or spicy mustard
1 tablespoon (none)
Barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons (none)
Hamburger buns
4 whole (cut into 1-inch cubes)
Butter
1/2 cup (melted)
Romaine lettuce or green leaf lettuce
2 heads (torn into pieces)
Sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup (torn into pieces)
Roma tomatoes
4 whole (diced)
Dill pickle spears
8 whole (cubed)
Red onion
1 whole (sliced)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat, using a wooden spoon to break it into small pieces. Once browned, drain any excess fat.
2
Return the skillet to low heat, then mix in the Dijon mustard, yellow mustard, ketchup, and barbecue sauce. Stir thoroughly to combine, and adjust seasonings to taste. Cover with foil to keep warm.
3
Meanwhile, prepare the croutons by cutting the hamburger buns into 1-inch cubes. In another skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over low heat. Add the bun cubes and toss gently to coat them in the melted butter.
4
Toast the bun cubes in the skillet for 10-12 minutes, adding remaining butter gradually to ensure even coating, until all cubes are golden and crispy.
5
To assemble the salads, arrange six plates and start with a generous layer of torn romaine lettuce on each plate.
6
Top each salad with one-sixth of the beef mixture, followed by a generous sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese.
7
Add diced roma tomatoes, cubed dill pickles, and thinly sliced red onions over the top.
8
Finish with a scattering of warm buttery croutons around each plate.
9
Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Cheeseburger Salad Delight!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Cheeseburger Salad Delight?
It is a refreshing twist on a classic burger experience that combines seasoned ground beef, rich cheeses, and fresh garden vegetables on a bed of crispy romaine lettuce.
What ingredients are in the beef mixture?
The beef mixture consists of 2 lbs of ground beef, ketchup, yellow mustard, Dijon or spicy mustard, and barbecue sauce.
How do I prepare the homemade croutons?
Cut 4 hamburger buns into 1-inch cubes and toast them in a skillet with 1/2 cup of melted butter for 10-12 minutes until golden.
What kind of lettuce should I use?
You can use either 2 heads of romaine lettuce or green leaf lettuce torn into bite-sized pieces.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
The instructions suggest arranging the ingredients across six plates, making it a 6-serving meal.
What kind of cheese is recommended for this salad?
One cup of sharp cheddar cheese, torn into pieces, is recommended for the best flavor.
How do I cook the ground beef?
Brown the beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, then drain the fat.
Is the beef mixture served hot or cold?
The beef should be served warm; the instructions recommend covering it with foil to maintain heat until assembly.
How should the tomatoes be prepared?
Use 4 roma tomatoes and dice them before adding them to the top of the salad.
Are pickles included in the recipe?
Yes, 8 whole dill pickle spears should be cubed and scattered over the top of the salad.
How should the red onion be added?
One whole red onion should be thinly sliced and placed over the top of the other ingredients.
What size should the bun cubes be for croutons?
The hamburger buns should be cut into approximately 1-inch cubes for the best texture.
Can I use spicy mustard instead of Dijon?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of either 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard or a spicy mustard substitute.
Is this recipe suitable for summer gatherings?
Absolutely, it is tagged as a summer recipe and a picnic favorite due to its refreshing nature.
What is the origin of this recipe version?
This version is Ree Drummond’s spin on a popular Pampered Chef favorite.
How do I ensure the croutons are crispy?
Toast them for 10-12 minutes in butter and add the butter gradually to ensure an even, golden coating.
What order should I assemble the salad in?
Start with lettuce, add the beef, then the cheddar cheese, followed by tomatoes, pickles, onions, and finally the croutons.
How much butter is used for the croutons?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of melted butter to be used during the toasting process.
Is this a quick meal to make?
Yes, it is categorized under quick meal and easy cooking tags for those who need a fast dinner option.
Can I use different types of pickles?
The recipe specifically calls for dill pickle spears to provide a tangy, classic burger flavor.
Does the recipe include barbecue sauce?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce are mixed into the cooked beef to add depth of flavor.
Should the salad be served immediately?
Yes, it is best served immediately to enjoy the contrast between the warm beef and cool vegetables.
What makes this salad healthy?
It uses fresh garden vegetables like roma tomatoes, onions, and lettuce as a base instead of a heavy bun.
Can I use pre-made croutons?
While you could, the recipe emphasizes the flavor of homemade croutons made from buttery toasted hamburger buns.
What type of tomatoes are used?
The recipe specifies 4 whole roma tomatoes for their firm texture and flavor.
Do I need to season the beef?
The beef is seasoned with a combination of ketchup, mustards, and barbecue sauce after browning.
How do I drain the fat from the beef?
Once the beef is browned, carefully pour off any excess fat from the skillet before adding the sauces.
How do I prepare the lettuce?
The lettuce should be torn into pieces rather than chopped to provide a rustic texture for the salad.
What is the flavor profile of this dish?
It offers a balance of savory beef, tangy pickles, sharp cheese, and sweet-tangy sauces with a buttery crunch.
Is this recipe easy to scale up for guests?
Yes, you can easily increase the amounts of beef and toppings to serve more people at a gathering or party.