Introduction: Cheeseburger Salad
It's a cheeseburger that's good for you because it's a salad!
I mean, salad is ok, but it's not very filling. Cheeseburgers are good, but they're not very healthy. What's a person to do?! The answer, once considered, is obvious. Marry the best of both worlds with this ultimate cheeseburger salad - the best thing to happen to salad since croutons and Baco-s* bacon bits.
This recipe came about as a result of creating the Hamburger guide. I was joking with Randofo about what I could contribute to it, and decided on a cheeseburger salad. Not a salad with cheese and hamburger, a la taco salad, but a salad with tiny islands of crouton-like cheeeburgers.
I did not know Rachel Ray had done it first. She is obviously a genius, and I'm pleased that we have the same ideas about food. But there's nothing as frustrating as finding out your idea was scooped. . . two years before you thought of it.
My recipe was only slightly different, but this is my Instructable, so you're getting that one, and I hope you enjoy the technique pictures that Rachel Ray obviously does not love you enough to provide.
*Bacon bits would take this salad to the extreme, and I can't believe I didn't think about it until now. Bacon Cheeseburger Salad, please. Yes, thank you.
Step 1: Ingredients
My favorite cheeseburgers are made with:
- 1 lb minced beef
- 1/2 small chopped onion
- Worcestershire or steak sauce to taste
- Steak seasoning (or salt & pepper) to taste + a dash (I always like more than I think I will)
- CHEESE! I used a sharp Irish cheddar
- 1 lb beef
- 1/2 packet onion soup mix (yum!!)
My salad consisted of:
- Chopped Romaine lettuce
- Tiny tomatoes
- Chopped yellow pepper
- Pickles, cause I love burgers with pickles!
I looked up a mustard vinaigrette which went a little something like this:
- 1/4 cup mustard (I prefer honey mustard)
- 3T vinegar - I used apple cider for its mellow sweetness, but balsamic would be a good choice too
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Step 2: Make Tiny Burger Patties
Assemble the ingredients of your favorite hamburger.
Shape burger into tiny balls and flatten them.
Wasn't that fun and easy?!
Step 3: Fry Into Tiny Cheeseburgers
Preheat a pan over med-high heat.
Fry those little guys for about 3 min. per side. Don't skimp here unless you love rare burgers. Then skimp.
Slice your cheese into tiny-cheeseburger-sized pieces, and apply to tiny burgers.
Put a lid on your pan to help them get nice and melty.
Once cooked, drain those babies on some paper towel or your salad will get gree-see!
Step 4: Make Salad
Chop up your salad ingredients and assemble.
I like to to rough chop my lettuce into manageable pieces - not too small, not more than a mouthful.
Then I top the bowl of lettuce with the heavier items which could otherwise get lost altogether - sliced tomatoes, peppers, and pickles.
Sliced onion would be great too if you're someone who likes raw onion on your burger. You'll have plenty left from making the beef patties!
Step 5: Make Salad Dressing
I like to keep around empty bottles for making homemade dressing.
Mix together your ingredients and shake shake shake!
(A funnel will greatly assist in this step if you're using a small-mouthed vessel)
Step 6: Behold the Marvel of Cheeseburger Salad
Top your beautiful salad with your glorious islands of cheeseburger croutons.
Drizzle heavily with dressing - this is no time to go light on the dressing! I mean, there are cheeseburgers in your salad!
This makes an impressive party salad, and is fun to assemble into perfect bites on your fork. Or go total picnic-style and eat this salad with your grubby little hands. Greazy fun for everyone!
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30 Comments
12 years ago on Introduction
turned out great, even without the cheese!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
That is crazy. How did it go over?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
better than expected (:
11 years ago on Introduction
(its great to see so much salad in that BTW schoch!)
11 years ago on Introduction
wow hamburger salad!
i love homemade hamburgers so this must be great
(hamburger is Australian, etc for cheeseburger! LOL)
12 years ago on Introduction
I've started doing this as a healthy alternative, it definitely gives you the great taste of a burger plus instead of feeling fat and guilty afterward you feel full and know you ate a bunch of veggies as well!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Uh, It's actually worse than just eating a cheeseburger. It is an extremely common misconception that eating a salad or drinking a diet soda makes everything healthy, when, in fact, it makes everything much worse.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Just curious, How does it make everything much worse?
11 years ago on Introduction
I'm a vegetarian, but I know my friends and family would love this! I'll make it, but in my portion, I'll sub out mini-homemade veggie patties. This sounds so freaking awesome!
12 years ago on Introduction
Awesome. Well done. Bravo.
12 years ago on Introduction
looks delicious :] it looks good enough to eat in the pictures
12 years ago on Introduction
well, don't mind me, I'm just looking at the pictures and drooling...lool
12 years ago on Introduction
Insanely good!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
What a compliment, from someone who knows her food!!
12 years ago on Introduction
cheeseburger cheeseburger cheeseburger
12 years ago on Introduction
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
And there's only one thing to accompany this:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Velveeta-Cheese-Fudge-aka-Trailer-Truffles/
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I would suggest a dandelion wine, or anything by Boone's Farm.
12 years ago on Introduction
That's awesome!
Now if only they had their own mini buns stuck to them with the cheese...