Thai Beef Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that perfectly balances savory, sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. Known for its bold and aromatic ingredients, this salad is a delicious fusion of tender grilled beef, crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and a zesty dressing. It’s the perfect combination of textures and tastes, making it an ideal option for a light lunch or dinner, especially on warm days when you’re craving something fresh and exciting.
The star of this salad is the juicy, marinated beef, typically sirloin or flank steak, grilled to perfection and thinly sliced to ensure tenderness. The salad itself is loaded with crunchy vegetables such as cucumber, bell peppers, and carrots, adding a satisfying crunch that complements the richness of the beef. Fresh herbs like cilantro, mint, and Thai basil give the salad an aromatic lift, making each bite refreshing and fragrant.
What truly sets Thai Beef Salad apart, though, is the dressing. Made from fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, sugar, and a touch of chili, the dressing ties all the ingredients together with its complex, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor. It’s the perfect balance of salty, sour, sweet, and spicy—capturing the essence of Thai cuisine in every drop.
This dish is not only a treat for the taste buds but also packed with nutrients, thanks to the fresh vegetables and lean protein from the beef. It’s light yet filling, making it an ideal meal for those looking to enjoy something both healthy and satisfying.
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just craving something different, Thai Beef Salad is sure to impress with its bold flavors and vibrant colors. It’s a dish that transports you straight to Thailand with every bite.
Ingredients
- 150 g beef steak preferably sirloin or ribeye
- 2 cups mixed salad greens such as lettuce and arugula
- 1 small cucumber thinly sliced
- 1 medium tomato sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves chopped
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce for dressing
- 2 tablespoons lime juice freshly squeezed, for dressing
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar for dressing
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce for dressing
- 1 small red chili sliced, for dressing
Instructions
- Preheat a grill or frying pan over medium-high heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Grill the beef for 3-4 minutes on each side or until it reaches your desired doneness. Remove from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
- In a large bowl, combine the salad greens, cucumber, tomato, cilantro, and mint.
- In a small bowl, mix together the fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, and sliced chili to make the dressing.
- Add the sliced beef to the vegetable mixture and pour over the dressing. Toss gently to combine all ingredients.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your Thai Beef Salad.
Nutrition
This salad is amazing! The flavors really pop. Will definitely make again!
So glad you loved it! The dressing is key, huh? Have you tried adding any other veggies?
I thought it was too sour when I made it. Maybe I just added too much lime? 🤷♂️
This was sooo good! The beef was tender and the flavor was bomb. Will make again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! The combination of flavors is amazing. Have you tried it with chicken instead of beef?
It looks good, but I wonder if the fish sauce is too strong? I’m not a huge fan of fishy tastes. I might skip it.
Tasty! I added peanuts for crunch. Can’t believe how easy it was. Definitely a keeper!
I thought it was too sweet from the brown sugar, but my husband liked it.
Too sweet? I think the brown sugar balances out the fish sauce. Could just be you! 😅 Just don’t skip the chili next time!
I totally get what you’re saying! I found it sweet too but my kids loved it! Maybe it’s just a preference? 😊
Yum! I added avocados too, and it was a party in my mouth. Love it!
How can people eat this? Steak and salad don’t belong together. Nasty!
I totally disagree! This salad looks amazing, and the beef makes it more filling. It’s one of my favorites!
But steak and salad are a classic combo! You should definitely give it a try instead of judging it without tasting!
I did not like this recipe. The dressing was too fishy for me. Maybe I did it wrong?
I made this for my friends and they loved it! I added a bit of garlic too. So good!
This is more like a regular salad with a bit of steak thrown on top. Where’s the THAI?
I see your point, but the dressing has Thai flavors. Give it a try! It can be more authentic than it looks!
Absolutely delicious! The flavors are amazing. My family loved it!
I’m so glad your family loved it! This salad is a real crowd-pleaser! 😊
Looks good but I’m not sure about the fish sauce. Is it really that important? 🤔
Quick to make, nice for lunch or dinner. Will make again for sure!
Simple and quick! Perfect for a weekday dinner. Thanks for sharing! 5 stars.
5 stars! The dressing is flavor bomb! Thaaaank you!
What’s fish sauce? Can I use something else? I don’t wanna try that stuff.
Fish sauce gives a umami flavor, but you could try soy sauce or just skip it. It’ll still be good!
It was good, but I feel like the beef was too tough. Maybe I’ll cook it longer next time?
Thai beef salad? More like bland salad with some meat. Not impressed.
Was this supposed to be Thai? I’m not sure this is authentic. I mean, where’s the peanut sauce? 🤔
I’m a bit of a newbie in the kitchen, but this was easy to follow! My family loved it. Thanks for the recipe!
Yuck! I didn’t like the taste of the beef with the salad. Not a good combo for me. 1 star!
Salad? Beef? Sounds weird but actually good.
Yummy!!!
Absolutely loved this salad! The flavors are amazing, just like in Thailand! 5 stars!
Easy and tasty! But I used chicken instead of beef, still turned out yum!
That sounds great! Chicken is a smart swap. I might try that next time!
Honestly, I thought the fish sauce was too strong. I might just use a little less next time. Overall, okay but not my fav.
I get what you’re saying! The fish sauce can be pretty intense. Maybe try coconut aminos instead? It’s a bit sweeter and less salty, might balance things out better!
Didn’t have mint, used parsley instead, it was OK I guess.
Delicious and fresh. Just be careful not to overcook the beef!
Fresh? Really? I always thought salads are just rabbit food. But maybe I’ll give this a try since it has beef.
I always overcook my beef! Thanks for the warning. I’ll try to pay attention this time.
A bit too spicy for my kids. Next time, no chili.
This was absolutely delicious! The flavors were so fresh and vibrant. I didn’t have mint, but it was still great!
I could eat this every day! The mint and cilantro combo is a game changer. Yum!
What is fish sauce??? Is this even real food? Smells funny!
Fish sauce is just part of authentic Thai cooking! It adds a unique umami flavor. Give it a try! 😊
Yum! More lime juice next time!!!
Totally agree! Lime juice makes everything better. Can’t wait to try it again!
More lime? I thought it was fine as is. Don’t wanna drown the flavor. But to each their own!
This was a mess! I burnt the beef and didn’t have lime juice. Oops!
I don’t get why people rave about this salad. It’s just a salad…