Thai Beef Salad Recipe with Grilled Flank Steak

The perfect bold, zesty Thai salad made even easier than takeout!

There’s nothing like steak on a salad, am I right? It takes any salad up a notch, and this Thai beef salad recipe is proof of that. If you’ve got leftover steak sitting in the fridge, a serious craving for Thai food, or just a good excuse to fire up the grill, this one’s for you. It’s fresh, zesty, and absolutely loaded with flavor and texture in every bite.

Whether you’re making this Thai beef salad recipe as a light summer dinner or a year-round go-to, I promise it delivers every time. Thin-sliced grilled steak, three kinds of lettuce, crisp cucumber, and juicy tomatoes come together with a bold herb-lime dressing that ties the whole thing together. It’s basically your favorite Thai takeout order, made right at home.

Reasons to Love This Thai Beef Salad Recipe

• It’s easy. No fancy techniques here — just grill, chop, toss, and drizzle.
• It’s healthy. Lean flank steak, tons of fresh herbs, and a rainbow of veggies make this feel as good as it tastes.
• It’s naturally gluten free (just double check your soy sauce) and low carb, so it fits into pretty much any way you like to eat.
• It’s bursting with flavor. Cilantro, mint, basil, lime, and soy sauce make a dressing so good you’ll want to put it on everything.
• It’s a great way to use up leftover steak if you happen to have some hanging around.

Ingredients Needed to Make This Thai Steak Salad

Dressing:

• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, more or less to taste
• 2 tablespoons honey

Steak:

• 1 pound lean flank steak
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Salad:

• 3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
• 2 cups baby arugula
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1 medium cucumber, sliced into half moons
• 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise

How to Make This Thai Beef Salad Recipe

1. In a large bowl, combine the green onion, cilantro, mint, basil, lime juice, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and honey. Stir well and set the dressing aside.
2. Preheat your grill to high heat. Rub the flank steak with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill to your desired doneness — I like mine medium, which usually takes about 5 minutes per side. Pull the steak off the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
3. While the steak rests, toss the romaine, arugula, and spinach together in a large bowl. Divide the greens between serving bowls, then top with the cucumber and tomatoes.
4. Slice the steak thin against the grain and lay it over the salad. Drizzle generously with the cilantro-lime dressing, and dig in!

Pro tip: slicing the steak thin is key here. Thin strips soak up more of that punchy dressing and give you the best bite every time.

Ingredient Swaps and Additions

This Thai beef salad recipe is pretty forgiving, so feel free to make it your own:

• Swap the steak. Grilled chicken, shrimp, or even tofu work great if flank steak isn’t your thing.
• Turn up the heat. Add a finely diced jalapeño or Thai red chile to the dressing for extra spice, or just add more red pepper flakes.
• Add crunch. Chopped peanuts or cashews sprinkled on top add a nice textural contrast.
• Bulk it up. Toss in some cooked rice noodles or vermicelli to turn this into a heartier noodle salad.
• Swap the greens. Not a fan of arugula’s peppery bite? Sub in more romaine or even shredded cabbage for a slaw-style crunch.

FAQ: Thai Beef Salad and More

Is this Thai beef salad recipe healthy? Yes! It’s made with lean flank steak, fresh herbs, and plenty of veggies, so it’s naturally low carb and packed with nutrients.

Can I make this Thai steak salad ahead of time? You can prep the dressing and grill the steak ahead of time, but I’d recommend assembling the salad itself right before serving so the greens stay crisp.

What does Thai beef salad taste like? This dressing hits that classic Thai flavor combo — bright and tangy from the lime juice, savory from the soy sauce, and herby from the cilantro, mint, and basil, with a little kick from the red pepper flakes.

Is Thai beef salad the same as Yum Nua? Pretty close! Yum Nua is the traditional Thai grilled beef salad that inspired this recipe, though this version is a slightly Americanized, easy-to-make take on it.

What can I serve with this Thai salad recipe? It’s a full meal on its own, but a side of sticky rice or a light soup rounds it out nicely if you want to stretch it further.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something fresh, flavorful, and just a little different from your usual salad routine, this Thai beef salad recipe checks every box. It’s easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough to serve to guests, and that dressing alone might just become your new favorite. Give it a try and see for yourself!

Similar Recipes

If you loved this Thai beef salad recipe, here are a few more Thai-inspired dishes worth adding to your rotation:

• Thai Chicken Wraps
• Easy Thai Cucumber Salad
• Thai Tuna and Broccoli Salad (pictured above)
• Slow Cooker Thai Curry Soup
• Thai Chicken Veggie Salad with Peanut Dressing 

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