Cheeseburger Salad with Pickled Onions and Avocado
A deconstructed cheeseburger salad packed with seasoned ground beef, creamy avocado, tangy pickled onions, and melted cheddar for a satisfying keto meal. This american-inspired keto (keto, low carb) ready in about 25 minutes pairs 80% lean ground beef, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 540 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, 80% lean ground beef
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 medium, diced ripe avocado
- 1 small, thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp erythritol or other keto sweetener
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup, chopped dill pickle slices
Instructions
- Step 1: To quick-pickle the onions, combine 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tbsp erythritol in a small saucepan; bring to a simmer and pour over 1 thinly sliced small red onion in a jar. Let sit for at least 20 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 lb ground beef seasoned with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper; cook for 7-8 minutes, breaking apart, until browned and cooked through.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese into the hot beef until melted and combined.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp mustard and 2 tbsp mayonnaise to create a creamy dressing.
- Step 5: In a large serving bowl, toss 6 cups mixed salad greens with the dressing, then top with the cheesy ground beef, 1 diced medium ripe avocado, chopped 1/4 cup dill pickle slices, and drained pickled onions.
- Step 6: Serve immediately for a fresh, savory, and satisfying keto salad.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cheeseburger Salad with Pickled Onions and Avocado take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cheeseburger Salad with Pickled Onions and Avocado?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep 80% lean ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cheeseburger Salad with Pickled Onions and Avocado?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cheeseburger Salad with Pickled Onions and Avocado for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Cheeseburger Salad with Pickled Onions and Avocado keto?
Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
