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Home / Recipes
30 minutes
4.75 from 31 votes
21 Comments

Easy Thai Steak Salad

Jump to RecipePrint Recipe
  • 186
by: Joanna Cismaru
10.01.20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This Easy Thai Steak Salad is a super quick meal to prepare! It’s loaded with veggies and features a grilled Thai-inspired marinated sirloin steak. A must try salad if you’re looking for something healthy but also to satisfy those tastebuds! 

thai steak salad on a black platter garnished with red thai chilis

I know we’re all trying to eat healthier now, and although we do our best I understand it can be pretty boring! But it really doesn’t have to be, and this recipe proves it! So today, I give you a simple, fresh salad with a beautifully marinated steak and homegrown herbs – healthy, delicious, and not boring!

The thinly sliced meat, crunch of the cucumbers and the heady aroma of mint and cilantro tossed with a sweet, salty and spicy Thai-inspired homemade dressing will be sure to satisfy anyone’s tastebuds. It’s all about homemade elements today you guys! I’m a big believer that they are  key ingredients in most recipes, trust me homemade is always the way to go!

Anyone who knows me knows I love Thai food – there is just something about the way this cuisine uses the freshest ingredients and incorporates some seriously bold flavors! Today the homemade dressing and marinade are combinations of some of my favorite Thai spices, like ginger and red Thai peppers, along with soy sauce, fish sauce, and a citrusy zest. It’s going to be a real treat!

Ingredients

Marinade:

  • Soy sauce – I always recommend a low sodium option.
  • Molasses – For some sweetness.
  • Ginger – One of my favorite Thai spices!
  • Garlic – Use as much or little as you like.
  • Red Thai chili pepper – Chopped.
  • Lime juice – Lemon juice also works if it is all you can find!
  • Steak – I am using an 8 oz sirloin steak.

Dressing:

  • Coconut oil – You are welcome to use olive oil if that’s what you have on hand!
  • Soy sauce – Again, I like that low sodium option!
  • Fish sauce – Although it may not sound appealing, it is a key ingredient in this homemade dressing! If it really isn’y your thing, you can use a bit of extra soy sauce as a substitution.
  • Brown sugar – For sweetness.
  • Thai chili pepper – Chopped.
  • Lime juice and lime zest – Lemon will also work.

Salad:

  • Lettuce – I used a leafy green lettuce for this recipe but you are welcome to use any lettuce of your choice!
  • Red bell pepper – Sliced into long strips.
  • English cucumber – Sliced, please!
  • Herbs – Today I am using fresh cilantro and fresh mint.
  • Peanuts – Chopped – this is optional or you can use another nut of your choice, for that extra crunch factor.
a bouquet of fresh herbs such as mint, cilantro, parsley

How To Make Thai Steak Salad

You may want to complete step 1 of this recipe ahead of time as this allow your steak to marinate anywhere from 4 hours to overnight.

  1. Create marinade: In a small bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients, except the steak! Pour the marinade into a ziploc bag, place the steak inside and close tightly. Use your hands to lightly toss the bag and gently massage the steak for only a couple minutes. Place in the fridge to marinate for up to 4 hours or overnight – the longer it marinates the better!
  2. Create dressing: In another small bowl, mix together all of the dressing ingredients and whisk until well incorporated.
  3. Grill – Grill the steak, using whichever cooking method works best for you. I enjoy a medium-rare steak, so I cooked it for about 7 minutes on each side. When finished let the steak cool for 10 minutes, then cut into slices across the grain.
  4. Assemble salad – In a large bowl, combine the salad ingredients and give it a little toss. Next, pour the homemade dressing over the salad and toss it again.
  5. Serve – Arrange salad on a plate or serving dish and top with steak slices. To garnish, sprinkle with peanuts or a herb of your choice, and enjoy!

How To Cook Steak

When it comes to steak, you’re really only going to prepare it one of two ways: reverse sear or hot and fast.

  1. Reverse sear: The reverse sear method is best when cooking thicker steaks. This process requires you to bring the steak up to temperature on a grill or cast iron pan at low heat, and then quickly searing it at high heat to finish it off. This method gives you more control over how the interior of the steak cooks so you can achieve that perfect medium-rare on the inside and beautiful brown crust on the outside.
  2. Hot and fast: This requires quickly searing the steak over direct heat, depending on the thickness you may only need to sear for a minute or 2. Then you’ll want to remove it from direct heat and place it on indirect heat, allowing it to cook internally to your desired doneness.
a sirloin steak cut into thin slices on a cutting board

What Is Fish Sauce?

Fish sauce is a condiment in liquid form that comes from krill or other fish that have been coated in salt and fermented for up to two years. It is an extremely popular staple for seasoning in Southeast and East Asian Cuisine. I love fish sauce for it’s earthy and savory flavor, and it pairs incredibly well with soy sauce!

What is The Best Cut Of Steak To Use

Well if you didn’t know that I live in Canada’s “cattle country”, now you do! We have some beautiful and tasty beef here in the province of Alberta, and I find a way to enjoy most cuts of beef! Today I am using a sirloin steak, which is a top, rear cut, but there are other cuts of beef you are welcome to use. Here are some other suggestions:

  • Strip loin – Comes from the same loin as a sirloin but is known to be a more tender cut.
  • Flank – A lower abdominal cut of meat, it is a lean cut and good for grilling.
  • Ribeye – Probably the best cut of beef, also one of the most expensive, for grilling – it’s tender, juicy and known to be the “king of all steaks”.

Other Vegetables You Can Add

You can get creative with this Steak Salad! Here are some additional ingredients you may want to include in yours:

  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Red Onion
  • Avocado
  • Bell peppers
  • Black beans
  • Corn
  • Hard boiled eggs

How To Store Leftovers

If you know you may be storing leftovers – use your dressing accordingly. The Thai steak salad will last longer in the fridge, up to 5 days, if it is undressed – no one wants a soggy salad! To store undressed salad, place in a large bowl, drape with paper towel to help collect moisture, and cover with plastic wrap.

closeup of thai steak salad on a black platter

Looking For More Delicious Salad Recipes? Try These:

  • Asian Chopped Chicken Salad
  • Black Bean Corn Avocado Salad
  • Summer Salad with Herbed Ricotta
  • Kale Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette
  • Thai Chicken Salad
  • Greek Salad
  • Cowboy Pasta Salad
  • Mushroom Arugula Warm Salad

Looking for more recipes? Follow on… My Newsletter Pinterest Facebook Instagram

thai steak salad on a plate

Easy Thai Steak Salad

4.75 from 31 votes
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 30 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 2
Print Pin Rate
This Easy Thai Steak Salad is super quick to prepare and loaded with veggies and a grilled marinated sirloin steak featuring Thai flavours. A must try salad for the summer, you won't regret it.

Equipment

  • Glass Mixing Bowl Set (3 piece)

Ingredients

Marinade

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce low sodium
  • 2 tablespoon molasses
  • 1 tablespoon ginger minced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 Thai red chili pepper chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 8 ounce sirloin steak

Salad Dressing

  • 2 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 3 tablespoon soy sauce low sodium
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 Thai red chili pepper chopped
  • 2 teaspoon lime zest or from 1 lime
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice

Salad

  • 4 cups lettuce chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper sliced in long strips
  • 1/2 English cucumber sliced
  • 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
  • 1/4 cup mint chopped
  • 2 tablespoon peanuts chopped (optional)
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • In a small bowl add all the marinade ingredients (minus steak) and whisk well. Pour the marinade in a ziploc bag, add steak and close the bag and toss around a bit. Place in the fridge and let the steak marinate for 4 hours or overnight. The longer it marinates the better it will taste.
  • Prepare the dressing, by mixing all dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisking well.
  • Grill the steak to your preferred doneness, I prefer mine medium, so for medium I usually leave it 7 minutes per side. Let the steak rest for 10 minutes after you grilled, then slice the steak across the grain.
  • In a large bowl toss the lettuce, pepper, cucumber, mint and cilantro together then pour the dressing over and toss well. Arrange the salad on a platter and place the sliced steak over the salad, then top with chopped peanuts.

Recipe Notes

  1. Prep time does not include time to marinate the steak.
  2. If you know you may be storing leftovers – use your dressing accordingly. The steak salad will last longer in the fridge, up to 5 days, if it is undressed – no one wants a soggy salad! To store undressed salad, place in a large bowl, drape with paper towel to help collect moisture, and cover with plastic wrap.
  3. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 529kcal (26%)Carbohydrates: 46g (15%)Protein: 34g (68%)Fat: 25g (38%)Saturated Fat: 15g (94%)Cholesterol: 69mg (23%)Sodium: 2201mg (96%)Potassium: 1510mg (43%)Fiber: 6g (25%)Sugar: 31g (34%)Vitamin A: 3602IU (72%)Vitamin C: 156mg (189%)Calcium: 149mg (15%)Iron: 6mg (33%)
Course:Lunch, Salad
Cuisine:Thai
Keyword:steak salad, thai food, thai steak salad
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!
  • 186
  • 2

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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Comments

  1. Carol O. says

    May 9, 2021 at 6:55 am

    You talk about fish sauce for this recipe, yet it’s not included in the ingredients?

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      May 9, 2021 at 10:25 am

      It’s under the salad dressing ingredients.

      Reply
  2. Phoebe says

    October 18, 2020 at 11:12 am

    5 stars
    Easy to make. Delicious and refreshing! Will be added to my dinner menu on a regular basis!

    Reply
  3. Susan Weisbarth says

    August 10, 2020 at 3:33 pm

    5 stars
    Love this recipe. It’s become a family favorite. My daughter requested it as her birthday dinner. Thank you.

    Reply
  4. Dolores Beaudoin says

    August 25, 2019 at 8:19 am

    5 stars
    I’ve printed several of your recipes today and I just know that I will love each and everyone of them going by the ingredients. I love Asian recipes and I will definitely try all of them! Thanks so much!

    Reply
  5. Alice says

    May 21, 2019 at 7:28 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Jo,
    Made this salad for dinner tonight and it was delicious! I think the mint and cilantro really make it!
    Thanks Jo!
    Alice

    Reply
  6. Juan Carlos says

    May 20, 2019 at 10:00 am

    Buen día Jo. no dejo de saborear tan ricas y variadas recetas mmmmmm, las de pollo o de albondigas que delicia…. gracias saludos cordiales desde México

    Reply
    • Nicole Beaulieu says

      May 21, 2019 at 10:39 am

      Gracias, Juan!

      Reply
  7. baby names says

    July 16, 2018 at 6:55 am

    It looks so good! Can’t wait to try this recipe!

    Reply
  8. sabrina says

    June 18, 2018 at 3:36 pm

    5 stars
    what beautiful photographs, enough to make me very hungry, especially though, love the Thai flavors that are, to me, very different, thank you

    Reply
  9. Kevin Smith says

    May 20, 2018 at 7:30 pm

    I made this for supper for my wife and daughter tonight…..absolutely delicious!

    I opted to leave off the chopped peanuts only because my daughter doesn’t care for them. I also added fresh basil to the cilantro/mint combination, for no other reason than I had some.

    This was a smash hit with the whole family, and will definitely make regular appearances this summer.

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      May 22, 2018 at 10:30 am

      Glad you liked it, this is what I love to hear!

      Reply
  10. Jill says

    January 7, 2018 at 9:52 am

    Is there an oil other than coconut that would work just as well for the salad dressing? 🙂

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      January 7, 2018 at 10:10 am

      You can always use olive oil. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Senika @ Foodie Blog Stalker says

    July 8, 2015 at 5:24 pm

    Yes! Love this! Tomorrow’s post is my version of grilled steak and I CANNOT WAIT to make your salad and add my leftover beef to it – YUMMERS!

    Reply
  12. Nagi@RecipeTinEats says

    July 8, 2015 at 3:05 pm

    5 stars
    I CHALLENGE YOU!!! Australian steaks are the BEST!! Well, second to Japan cause any country that hand massages their cows deserves the top prize. 🙂 So I’ll happily make this with the best steak in the world because I LOVE thai beef salad, as you know.

    You’ll se my version next week!!! N x

    Reply
    • jo says

      July 8, 2015 at 4:33 pm

      They hand massage their cows? This I gotta see! 🙂 Can’t wait to see your version. Great minds, Nagi, great minds 🙂

      Reply
      • Mike Condon says

        November 6, 2016 at 3:18 pm

        I never had Australian or Nagi beef. I have to try it sometime.

      • Fenne Kieken says

        November 6, 2016 at 8:48 pm

        I hope you do and let us know how you like it when you do. Thanks for following Jo Cooks, we appreciate it very much

  13. mila furman says

    July 8, 2015 at 9:46 am

    JO MAJOR YUMS! And I love this marinade! Skirt steak is one of the easiest and tastiest cuts to grill. And good for you for grilling on your own…I’m the grill master in our house… so no ONE goes near my grill without my permission 🙂

    Reply
    • jo says

      July 8, 2015 at 10:59 am

      LOL That’s so awesome. Girl grilling power!

      Reply

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I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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