Healthy, meaty, and memorable—treat yourself to a filling and delicious steak salad!
I’m sure that I’m not the only one who loves a good salad bar. When I’m looking for a new restaurant to check out, a good salad bar is certainly a good reason to get me in the door. Rows of fresh greens, chickpeas, carrots, dressings, and fresh tomatoes are always delicious—but if you’re like me, you also pile on the fun and filling options like ham and croutons. In this recipe, the shining star is the perfectly cooked flank steak. More than a side, steak salad becomes a complete meal for even the most discerning eater.
You’ll love having the rich, flavorful meat of the steak with the crisp selection of vegetables. The dish combines flank steak—cooked to your liking with mixed greens, tomatoes, avocado, onion, and a homemade dressing. Sweet, salty, filling, and delicious, the steak salad is nutritious and delicious for lunch or dinner. Good on its own or with other sides, you’ll be happy you splurged on a little extra for your salad. The sear from the steak meeting the crunch of the vegetables is always a winning combination.
If you’re looking for other unique options for your next salad, check out our selections including Lentil Salad, Chef Salad, or Wedge Salad. Never be bored with your salad again by mixing easy recipes with unexpected flavors and balanced textures.
Flank Steak – The Trendy Cut
In recent years, flank steak has become popular for many quick and easy recipes. Flank steak comes from the abdominal region of the cow and tends to be a bit tougher than traditional cuts of steak. It also is more affordable, making it a great and approachable option for steak recipes. The flank steak is a versatile cut of meat and works in dishes ranging from toppings for nachos to seared meat on sandwiches to fajitas.
High in protein and generally low in fat, the cut of steak works well with a variety of dietary restrictions. Some find that marinating the flank steak prior to cooking can help with its tougher texture. When selecting your cut, be sure to check for bright red colors and avoid any cut that has started to grey or brown in the packaging. Flank steak can be prepared in various ways, including sous vide, on the stovetop, or in the oven. Today, our recipe calls for a hot grill or skillet for your flank steak.
FAQs & Tips
How to Make Ahead and Store?
If you’re looking to prolong the life of your salad, you can keep all ingredients separate in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When ready, combine all items, including the dressing, and serve. It’s best to wait to cut the avocado until the day of use to prevent browning. If the salad is already prepared, it is safe to keep it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. However, I suggest eating it the next day because the greens will wilt, and the avocado will brown over time.
How Can I Keep My Steak Juicy?
To help your steak keep its juiciness, you’ll always want to slice your meat thinly and against the grain. Likewise, before cutting, you should allow your meat to rest for at least five minutes. Since flank steak tends to be a tougher cut of meat, these measures can go a long way in maintaining the meat’s natural flavors and juices.
Is This Paleo and Keto Friendly?
Yes! This recipe uses Paleo diet-friendly ingredients, including steak, mixed greens, and avocado. The balance of high protein and low carb also makes this dish mostly keto-friendly, aside from the honey, which can be omitted from the dressing. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
The great part of steak salad is that it is truly an all-in-one dinner or lunch! You can serve this salad as part of an upscale dinner party or just a party of one on a quiet weekend night. With just 30 minutes, you’ll be on your way to this savory and satisfying dish! Since you have your vegetables and meat taken care of, if you are looking to add a side of carbs, perhaps try a nice slice of Irish Soda Bread.
Another popular salad includes french fries on top known as a “Pittsburgh-style” salad with steak. You can add them on top of the side with our classic French Fries recipe.
Steak Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 avocado sliced
- 1/4 red onion thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp honey
- 1/3 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Season the flank steak with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Grill the steak for about 5 minutes on each side or until it reaches the desired doneness. Let it rest for 5 minutes and then slice thinly.
- In a large bowl, combine mixed salad greens, cherry tomatoes, sliced avocado, and red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, and olive oil to create the dressing.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Top the salad with sliced steak and serve immediately.
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