Thai Beef Salad is a fresh and vibrant dish that combines tender grilled beef with crisp vegetables, all topped with a zesty, tangy dressing. This salad perfectly balances savory, sweet, salty, and sour flavors, with a hint of spice. It’s a quick, healthy, and customizable dish that can be enjoyed on its own or served with rice or noodles for a more filling meal. Ideal for a light lunch or dinner, this Thai-inspired salad is sure to become a favorite.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 1 lb flank steak or sirloin (or your preferred cut of beef)

• 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, lettuce, or spinach)

• 1 cucumber (julienned)

• 1 carrot (julienned)

• 1/2 red onion (thinly sliced)

• 1/2 red bell pepper (julienned)

• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)

• 1/4 cup fresh mint (chopped)

• 1/4 cup roasted peanuts (optional, for garnish)

For the Dressing:

• 2 tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce for a non-fish option)

• 2 tbsp lime juice

• 1 tbsp honey or palm sugar

• 1 tsp rice vinegar

• 1–2 tsp chili garlic sauce or fresh red chili (adjust to taste)

• 1 garlic clove (minced)

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Directions

1. Cook the Beef: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper, then grill for 4-6 minutes on each side, or until it reaches your desired doneness. Let the beef rest for 5 minutes before slicing it into thin strips against the grain.

2. Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, lime juice, honey, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, minced garlic, sesame oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to your preference.

3. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the salad greens, cucumber, carrot, red onion, red bell pepper, cilantro, and mint. Toss gently to combine.

4. Add the Beef: Add the sliced beef on top of the salad.

5. Drizzle with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss everything together gently until evenly coated.

6. Serve: Garnish with chopped roasted peanuts (if using) and serve immediately for the freshest flavor.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 350 kcal

• Sugar: 6g

• Sodium: 700mg

• Fat: 22g

  • Saturated Fat: 14g

  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g

• Carbohydrates: 14g

  • Fiber: 2g

• Protein: 32g

• Cholesterol: 65mg

The Beef: Grilled to Perfection

The centerpiece of the Thai Beef Salad is, of course, the beef. Flank steak or sirloin are ideal cuts for this dish because they are flavorful, tender when cooked properly, and easy to slice thinly against the grain. Grilling the beef adds a smoky depth that complements the bright, fresh vegetables and tangy dressing. Seasoning the beef simply with salt and pepper before grilling ensures that the natural flavor of the meat shines through without overpowering the other elements of the dish.

Grilling the beef over medium-high heat allows it to cook quickly while retaining its juices, resulting in a juicy, tender texture. After grilling, it’s essential to let the beef rest for a few minutes before slicing it into thin strips. This resting period helps the juices redistribute, ensuring that each bite is as flavorful as possible.

The Fresh Vegetables: Crunch and Color

The vegetables in this salad provide both texture and vibrant color, making the dish as visually appealing as it is tasty. The crispness of the cucumber, carrot, and red bell pepper adds a refreshing contrast to the savory beef, while the thinly sliced red onion offers a mild sharpness that complements the richness of the grilled meat. The salad greens—whether arugula, lettuce, or spinach—create a fresh, leafy base that ties everything together.

The fresh cilantro and mint, when added to the salad, not only enhance the flavor with their aromatic notes but also contribute a burst of freshness that balances the richness of the beef. These herbs are quintessential in Thai cuisine, providing that distinct bright, herbaceous flavor that elevates the dish.

The Dressing: Tangy, Sweet, and Spicy

The dressing is where the magic happens in Thai Beef Salad. It is a harmonious blend of fish sauce (or soy sauce for a non-fish version), lime juice, honey, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, garlic, and sesame oil. This combination creates a flavorful dressing that’s tangy from the lime, slightly sweet from the honey, savory from the fish sauce, and spicy from the chili garlic sauce. The sesame oil adds a nutty undertone that ties everything together.

Adjusting the level of chili garlic sauce allows you to control the heat, making it as mild or spicy as you like. If you prefer a spicier salad, you can add fresh red chilies or extra chili garlic sauce. The dressing is designed to enhance the natural flavors of the salad, with each ingredient complementing the others to create a vibrant, well-rounded dish.

Assembling the Salad

Once the beef is grilled and the dressing is prepared, assembling the salad is quick and easy. Begin by combining the fresh salad greens, cucumber, carrot, red onion, red bell pepper, cilantro, and mint in a large bowl. Toss the vegetables gently to combine, ensuring an even distribution of color and texture.

Then, add the sliced grilled beef on top of the salad. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss everything together gently. The dressing will coat the vegetables and beef, infusing the salad with its bright, zesty flavors.

Garnishing the Salad

For an added touch of flavor and texture, garnish the Thai Beef Salad with chopped roasted peanuts. The peanuts provide a nice crunch and a nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients. They also add a bit of richness to the salad, balancing the freshness of the herbs and vegetables. While not essential, the peanuts add a lovely finish to the dish.

Serving Suggestions

Thai Beef Salad can be enjoyed on its own as a light lunch or dinner, or you can pair it with rice or noodles for a more substantial meal. The salad’s fresh, bold flavors make it an excellent side dish for an Asian-inspired spread. If you prefer, you can also serve the salad as a starter or appetizer for a larger meal. The flexibility of this dish makes it perfect for a variety of occasions, whether you’re preparing it for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.

Nutritional Information and Considerations

Each serving of Thai Beef Salad is packed with protein (32g), making it a filling and satisfying meal. With only 350 calories per serving, it’s a healthy option that’s low in carbohydrates (14g) and provides a good amount of healthy fats (22g), primarily from the sesame oil and peanuts. The salad is also a good source of fiber (2g), which helps with digestion and satiety.

The sodium content is relatively high (700mg), mainly due to the fish sauce and soy sauce, so if you’re watching your sodium intake, you can use a low-sodium soy sauce or adjust the amount of fish sauce. The dish is naturally gluten-free, and it’s easy to customize by adjusting the level of sweetness, saltiness, or spiciness to suit your preferences.

Conclusion

Thai Beef Salad is a perfect balance of fresh, crisp vegetables, tender grilled beef, and a tangy, spicy dressing that brings all the flavors together in harmony. Whether you enjoy it as a light lunch or pair it with rice or noodles for a heartier meal, this salad is both flavorful and nutritious. The vibrant colors and diverse textures make it a visually appealing dish that’s sure to impress, while the bold flavors offer a satisfying eating experience. With its quick preparation and customizable flavors, this Thai-inspired salad is bound to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation.