Gluten-Free Hamburger Salad

This Gluten-Free Hamburger Salad recipe is made with fresh garlic and onion, succulent tomatoes, and juicy dill pickles. Enjoy “as is” or drizzle your favorite dressing over the top! Literally all four people living under our roof love this recipe. Whaaaaaa??? Yep, it’s true. This recipe is just that good! {GF + DF}

Last summer I saw hamburger salad recipes floating around the Internet, and I remember thinking I wanted to try to concoct a gluten-free version for our family to enjoy. But life got in the way, and it was months later before I started to think again about creating something. 

Now we finally have a Gluten-Free Hamburger Salad recipe in our virtual recipe tin, and it is spectacular. The girls think so, too. The 11-year-old, my fellow picky eater, even said she hopes it’s a recipe we make on the regular. When I finished the shoot, I found both girls hunkered over the counter, forks in hand, nibbling bites of the food I prepared. If that isn’t a resounding endorsement of this salad, then I don’t know what is. Because those girls will straight-up tell me when they don’t like something I’ve made. They keep me humbled and grounded. 🙂

Hamburger seasoned with onion and garlic and topped with tomatoes and juicy dill pickles? Um, yes, please. I’m over here salivating at the mere thought. Thanks a lot, dill pickles. 

But I digress.

One thing I love about this salad is how you can enjoy the benefits of a great-tasting hamburger in the winter without standing over a grill. And, sometimes, I’m in the mood for a really good burger but without the legwork. Gluten-Free Hamburger Salad to the rescue!

Also, you can jazz it up with a salad dressing (I’ve provided a few suggestions below) or just enjoy it by itself. And while this salad is dairy-free, I definitely think you could add shredded cheese to this salad, if you wanted to. The possibilities are endless. Like basically, if it’s a topping you would put on a burger, then there’s a strong chance you can find a way to include it here!

If you’re ready to make a salad that easily doubles as a main dish, then grab your skillet and let’s get our hamburger salads ON!

GLUTEN-FREE HAMBURGER SALAD INGREDIENTS:

I feel like this ingredient list barely scratches the surface! There are so many different toppings you can include with your hamburger salad. But these tasty flavors will get you started!

• Ground chuck. Scrambled, loose-meat style.
• Coconut oil. I add coconut oil to adhere the seasonings to the hamburger. If the hamburger is already high in fat, you may not need as much coconut oil. And if the hamburger starts to dry out while it cooks, then you may need more.
• Seasonings: Sea salt, garlic powder, and onion salt.
• Mix-ins: Diced onion and pressed or minced garlic cloves.
• Toppings: Dill pickle slices and grape tomatoes.
• Lettuce. Butterhead, romaine, iceberg, and even spinach will work. Slice the leaves into bite-sized portions. 

QUICK INGREDIENT NOTES:

• If the acid in tomatoes bothers your gums, then try adding the tomatoes to the hamburger in the skillet once it’s done cooking and is beginning to cool off. The heat may help neutralize some of the acid (although I have no scientific proof of this, it seems to work well in our house). 
• Use garlic salt and onion salt or garlic powder and onion powder or a mixture of whichever flavors you prefer. While these flavors are not all completely interchangeable (they each have their own unique flavor), I think any of them will work here. If you use garlic salt and onion salt, then you may not need as much sea salt.
• I find the ground chuck stays juicier when prepared in a medium-sized skillet as compared to when I prepare it in a larger sauté pan, where it often dries out. 

HOW TO MAKE A GLUTEN-FREE HAMBURGER SALAD:

This is such a quick recipe to throw together. While the hamburger browns, I prepare all the other ingredients! 

1. In a medium skillet, scramble the hamburger. As it starts to brown, add the coconut oil, garlic powder, onion salt, sea salt, diced onion, and pressed garlic.
2. Once the hamburger has browned, remove from heat and stir in the grape tomatoes. Then, using a slotted spoon, transfer the hamburger mixture to a large mixing bowl. Toss with chopped lettuce and top with dill pickle slices and any dressings as desired.
3. Consume within 24 hours. 

DRESSINGS TO PAIR WITH IT:

This Gluten-Free Hamburger Salad tastes delicious and satisfying on its own (that’s how the girls enjoy it). But let’s say you want to include a dressing; here are a few of our favorite dressings!

• Gluten-Free Enchilada Sauce
• Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette
• Gluten-Free Catalina Dressing

Spiriteds, I hope this recipe finds you safe and well. Take care of yourselves. I’m glad you’re here! ❤️

Print