By: Honey & Habaneros
Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 10 min | Makes: 4–6 servings
Jump to RecipeThis post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Why You’ll Love This Salad 🥗🍔
Skip the bun and dive into a cheeseburger like you’ve never had it before! This Cheeseburger Salad with Retro A1 Dressing takes all the juicy, savory goodness of a classic burger and serves it up in a fresh, colorful bowl. I love using these Pyrex Sculpted Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids — their versatility with hot and cold ingredients and included lids make prepping and storing leftovers a breeze. And for mixing, serving, and keeping the Retro A1 Dressing fresh, these Weck Tulip Jelly Jars are perfect. The crisp veggies and melty cheese make every bite crave-worthy, but the real star is the tangy, bold A1-inspired dressing that ties it all together. It’s hearty, nostalgic, and a little unexpected—perfect for when you want all the flavor of a burger without the carbs.
💡 A Little Retro History
Did you know A1 wasn’t just for steak? Back in the mid-1900s, A1 salad dressings were a thing – you’d find them at salad bars and in cookbooks as a way to bring bold, steakhouse flavor to greens. My aunt used to whip this up back in the day, it was one of my favorite dressings. It’s tangy, zesty, and packed with bold flavor thanks to A1, garlic, and Dijon. Retro, easy, and downright delicious – it’s time to bring this dressing back, and I think you’ll be hooked.
What You’ll Need
- Ground beef – seasoned and browned (sub turkey or chicken if you’d like)
- Lettuce – crisp romaine or iceberg for that burger crunch
- Tomatoes – juicy cherry or diced tomatoes
- Red onion – thinly sliced for bite
- Pickles – go for the good ones (dill, spicy, or bread & butter)
- Shredded cheese – cheddar is classic, but pepper jack or blue cheese works too
- A1 Dressing – see below 👇
Retro A1 Salad Dressing
- 3 tablespoons A1 Steak Sauce
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil – see note
- 1 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
How to make it:
Whisk everything together until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust—more A1 for boldness, more vinegar for tang, more avocado oil for smoothness. That’s it—easy, flavorful, and ready in minutes.
Note: When it comes to the oil, I’ve tested a few and found that avocado oil is my favorite—it’s mild and lets the other ingredients shine. A full-bodied olive oil can sometimes take over the flavor, but if you enjoy that rich taste, go for it! A light-tasting olive oil is another great option if you want a balance that complements rather than competes with the dish.
How to Build the Salad
- Brown and season the ground beef. Drain if needed.
- Chop the lettuce and pile it into bowls.
- Add tomatoes, onion, and pickles.
- Top the salad with the browned ground beef.
- Add your favorite cheese.
- Drizzle with the Retro A1 dressing.
- Serve immediately and enjoy those burger vibes in salad form.
Tips & Twists
- Make-ahead magic: Cook beef and prep dressing in advance. Store in the fridge and assemble when ready.
- Burger bar style: Serve toppings family-style so everyone can customize their own bowl.
- Kick it up: Add French fried onions, bacon bits, avocado slices, or jalapeños if you’re feeling bold.
Final Bite
This salad proves that sometimes the old-school recipes are the best ones. This retro A1 salad dressing turns a simple cheeseburger salad into something crave-worthy, keto-friendly, and totally satisfying.
Have you ever had A1 on salad, or will this be your first time? I’d love to hear your take in the comments.
Cheeseburger Salad w/Retro A1 Dressing 🥗🍔
Course: Lunch, DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4-6
servings10
minutes10
minutes20
minutesIngredients
1 – 2 lbs ground beef – see note for seasonings
2 heads romaine lettuce – chopped
1 head iceberg lettuce – chopped
1 small red onion – sliced
2 tomatoes – chop, slice or dice
4 pickle spears
2 cups sliced or shredded cheese – see note
Favorite croutons – optional
Dressing:
3 tbsp A1 Steak sauce
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon honey – optional
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 small clove of garlic – minced or grated w/microplane
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until cooked through. Season with about ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and a sprinkle of garlic and onion powder (or your favorite seasonings). Taste and adjust as needed.
- While the beef cooks, chop the salad greens (about 3 cups per portion) and chop, slice or dice the tomatoes.
- Thinly slice the onion into rings or half-moons.
- Divide the salad greens among bowls. Top with the seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, onions, your favorite cheese, and pickles.
- For the dressing:
- In a small bowl or jar, combine 3 tablespoons A1 sauce, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar.
- Mince or grate 1 small clove of garlic and add it in.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Whisk (or shake if using a jar) until smooth and emulsified.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Drizzle the salad generously with the Retro A1 dressing and serve right away.
Notes
- Seasoning the Beef: Season the ground beef with about ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and a sprinkle of garlic and onion powder (or your favorite seasonings). Be sure to taste and adjust as you go—everyone’s flavor preferences are a little different.
- Cheese Options: Use your favorite! Cheddar is classic, bleu cheese adds a bold tang, Swiss gives a nutty touch, and pepper jack brings a little kick. Mix and match depending on your mood.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
🛒 Shop This Recipe
| Product | Why I Love It | Affiliate Link |
|---|---|---|
| Pyrex Sculpted Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids | Versatile for hot or cold ingredients, perfect for prepping and storing with included lids | Shop on Amazon |
| Weck Tulip Jelly Jars (6-pack with lids & clamps) | Perfect for mixing, serving, and storing the Retro A1 Dressing; airtight seal keeps it fresh | Shop on Amazon |