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This Thai Beef Salad is a delightful combination of tender grilled steak, crunchy vegetables, and fresh herbs, all tossed together in a zesty Thai dressing. The contrast between the savory beef, the sweetness of the honey, and the tanginess from lime and fish sauce creates an explosion of flavors in every bite.
Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, this salad is not only satisfying but also incredibly refreshing, making it ideal for warmer days or when you crave a healthy, vibrant meal. With the added crunch of peanuts and the fragrance of fresh cilantro and mint, this salad brings a beautiful balance of textures and flavors that will keep you coming back for more.
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Full Recipe:
- 1 lb flank steak
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cucumber, julienned
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon chili flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Preheat grill or stovetop pan over medium-high heat.
- Rub flank steak with olive oil, soy sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Grill or pan-sear for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the desired doneness is achieved.
- Remove the steak from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
- In a large bowl, combine the lime juice, fish sauce, honey, sesame oil, and chili flakes.
- Add the sliced vegetables (bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion) to the dressing and toss to coat.
- Add the sliced beef, cilantro, and mint to the salad and toss again. Garnish with chopped peanuts.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
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Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
The Thai Beef Salad is a flavorful and refreshing dish that balances a tangy, slightly spicy profile with a variety of crisp vegetables and tender slices of steak. With an inviting dressing of lime juice, fish sauce, ginger, garlic, sriracha, and brown sugar, this salad captures the essence of Thai cuisine by marrying the sweet, sour, salty, and spicy elements in a harmonious way.
Overview of Thai Beef Salad
Thai Beef Salad, also known as “Yam Neua,” is a popular Thai dish typically served as a light yet satisfying meal. It features thinly sliced, seared beef, tossed with a medley of fresh vegetables like lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, and mint. These vibrant ingredients are brought together with a dressing that amplifies the bold flavors typical of Thai food.
The salad can be enjoyed as a meal on its own or served alongside other Thai dishes, such as Pad See Ew or Thai Peanut Chicken, for a more complete meal. Its versatility also makes it a great side dish or light dinner, perfect for warm weather or when you want a refreshing yet filling dish. It’s also considered a healthy option, as it’s low in carbohydrates and features plenty of vegetables.
The Dressing – The Heart of the Salad
The dressing is what sets this dish apart. Combining ingredients like lime juice, brown sugar, sriracha, fish sauce, garlic, and ginger, the dressing achieves a dynamic balance of tangy, sweet, spicy, and savory notes. The fresh lime juice adds brightness and acidity, while the fish sauce contributes umami, a key component of many Southeast Asian recipes. Sriracha provides the heat, while brown sugar rounds it out with just a touch of sweetness.
The combination of these ingredients creates a dressing that is as bold as it is refreshing. It complements the beef, making every bite more flavorful while also enhancing the crunch of the vegetables. It’s this dressing that turns a simple salad into an exciting and flavorful experience.
The Beef – Tender and Juicy
For the beef, skirt steak is typically used due to its tenderness and ability to soak up the flavors of the marinade. It’s seared quickly on a hot skillet for about four minutes on each side, which helps create a rich caramelized crust while keeping the inside tender and juicy. The steak is then allowed to rest before being sliced thinly against the grain. This ensures the meat is easier to chew and remains juicy, which is crucial for a salad where the meat is a focal point.
Cutting the beef against the grain is an important step in preparing Thai Beef Salad, as it helps break up the muscle fibers, making the meat more tender. This small technique can significantly improve the texture of the beef, which is particularly noticeable when paired with the crunch of the fresh vegetables.
The Vegetables – Crunch and Freshness
One of the best aspects of Thai Beef Salad is the variety of fresh vegetables used. Ingredients like crisp romaine lettuce, cool cucumber, and juicy grape tomatoes add not only vibrant color but also texture. Red onion adds a bit of sharpness, while the fresh mint and cilantro bring herbal freshness that balances the richness of the beef and the boldness of the dressing.
These vegetables not only make the salad more appealing in terms of taste and texture but also contribute nutritional value. The abundance of fresh produce makes this salad a great option for those looking to eat more vegetables without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction.
Serving Suggestions
While the Thai Beef Salad is delicious on its own, there are a variety of ways to serve it to suit different preferences and occasions. For a heartier version, you can serve the salad over rice or noodles. Adding cold Thai noodles or even a Thai Green Curry Noodle base can turn this salad into a more filling meal. Another option is to create lettuce wraps by wrapping the salad ingredients in large, crisp lettuce leaves—this is similar to the concept behind chicken lettuce wraps.
If you’re serving this dish as part of a larger meal, it pairs wonderfully with other classic Thai dishes. Consider pairing it with a spicy noodle dish like Pad Thai or a curry-based dish like Massaman Curry or Thai Green Curry. The refreshing nature of the Thai Beef Salad offers a nice contrast to heavier dishes, making it a perfect side or accompaniment to any Thai meal.
Customization and Variations
One of the reasons why this Thai Beef Salad recipe is so beloved is its adaptability. While the classic version with skirt steak is the most common, you can easily swap out the beef for other proteins. Grilled chicken, shrimp, or pork would work wonderfully in place of the beef, giving the salad a new dimension while maintaining the dish’s core flavors.
To spice things up, you can adjust the seasoning by adding red pepper flakes or a dash more sriracha for extra heat. If you prefer a milder version, simply reduce the amount of sriracha or omit it entirely. Adding other vegetables like avocado, shallots, or even crunchy peanuts can bring more complexity to the dish, while a sprinkle of fresh cilantro offers an additional burst of herbal flavor.
For those who enjoy a bit of extra tang, mixing a bit of curry powder or curry paste into the dressing can introduce a fragrant, spiced note that complements the other flavors in the salad. This variation is perfect for anyone who loves the deep, rich flavors of Thai curry.
Storing and Making Ahead
Thai Beef Salad is best served fresh, but if you need to prepare it ahead of time, certain components can be made in advance. The beef can be marinated and cooked earlier in the day, and the vegetables can be prepped and stored in the fridge. However, it’s recommended to keep the dressing separate and toss everything together just before serving to maintain the freshness and texture of the salad.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad should be eaten within 2-3 days for optimal freshness. As with any salad, the lettuce will begin to wilt over time, so it’s best to eat it sooner rather than later. The dressing and other components, like the beef, can be stored separately to keep everything fresh for longer.
Conclusion
Thai Beef Salad is a simple yet incredibly flavorful dish that offers the perfect balance of textures and flavors. The combination of tender beef, fresh vegetables, and a bold, tangy dressing makes it an exciting addition to any meal. Whether enjoyed on its own as a light lunch or paired with other Thai dishes for a complete dinner, this salad is sure to satisfy.
The versatility of the recipe allows for endless variations, making it easy to adjust to different tastes and preferences. Whether you’re looking for a spicy kick, a milder flavor, or different proteins, Thai Beef Salad can be tailored to your liking. It’s an easy-to-make, nutritious, and satisfying dish that brings the vibrant flavors of Thailand right to your table.
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Thai Beef Salad
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Description
This Thai Beef Salad is a delightful combination of tender grilled steak, crunchy vegetables, and fresh herbs, all tossed together in a zesty Thai dressing. The contrast between the savory beef, the sweetness of the honey, and the tanginess from lime and fish sauce creates an explosion of flavors in every bite.
Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, this salad is not only satisfying but also incredibly refreshing, making it ideal for warmer days or when you crave a healthy, vibrant meal. With the added crunch of peanuts and the fragrance of fresh cilantro and mint, this salad brings a beautiful balance of textures and flavors that will keep you coming back for more.
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cucumber, julienned
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon chili flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat grill or stovetop pan over medium-high heat.
- Rub flank steak with olive oil, soy sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Grill or pan-sear for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the desired doneness is achieved.
- Remove the steak from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
- In a large bowl, combine the lime juice, fish sauce, honey, sesame oil, and chili flakes.
- Add the sliced vegetables (bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion) to the dressing and toss to coat.
- Add the sliced beef, cilantro, and mint to the salad and toss again. Garnish with chopped peanuts.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes