Easy Steak Salad with Balsamic Dressing

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Steak salad pairs juicy steak with salad greens, tomatoes, goat cheese, and balsamic dressing for a restaurant-quality lunch or dinner at home!

The best steak salad

Ok, you might think you don't need a recipe for steak salad, and I won't challenge that. But if you are unsure about what simple ingredients you should pair to make a truly gourmet salad right at home, I'm going to say you NEED this recipe.

This salad combination offers the perfect balance of sweet, savory, tangy, bitter, and umami flavors. The flavors, along with several exciting textures, literally make every bite more satisfying than any restaurant salad you'll eat. Pair it with my French bread and you are in comfort food paradise!

Ingredients you'll need

• Spring Mix: This is the refreshing base for the salad. I prefer this variety for convenience, flavor, and texture, but any lettuce can be used.
• Steak: The star of the salad! Use strip steak, ribeye, filet mignon, or tri tip. See grilling instructions in the recipe card. Or, to make fresh, pan-seared steak for this salad, grab my step-by-step instructions on how to cook New York strip and use it for any cut of steak! You can also use air fryer garlic steak bites for this recipe!
• Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet and juicy cherry tomatoes are easy to find no matter what the season.
• Goat Cheese: Creamy and tangy goat cheese lends a luxurious texture and depth of flavor to this salad.
• Red Onion: These add the perfect kick to the salad.
• Cucumber: Cool and crisp cucumbers offer a refreshing contrast and a satisfying crunch.
• Balsamic Dressing: This tangy, creamy vinaigrette is made with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and seasonings. It ties the salad ingredients together in the most satisfying way.
• Fresh parsley: This adds a final touch for a pop of color and flavor.

How to grill steak for steak salad

1. Season the steak with salt, pepper, and any desired seasonings. Rest it at room temperature for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat your grill to moderately high heat.
3. Grill the steak for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare, or adjust cooking time to your preferred level of doneness.
4. Let the steak rest for a few minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
5. Use the grilled steak to top your salad and enjoy!

Ingredient variations

Of course, you can make this steak salad all your own! Use any variety of steak, be it from date night dinner leftovers or grilled steak from a cookout. Swap goat cheese with feta or blue cheese and it's equally divine. Use your favorite dressing if you have it on hand. Homemade croutons and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning are always welcome in this salad. Add other vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, or peas.

Steak salad dressing

My five-ingredient balsamic vinaigrette is our go-to dressing for this salad. It's deliciously tangy and ties together the richness of the steak and goat cheese with the freshness of the vegetables. I always have it on hand and when I run out, it's easy to whip up in a few minutes.

The simple combination of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper becomes a creamy, delectable dressing that makes every bite of this salad shine. In other words, I highly recommend it!

Steak salad recipe tips

• Steak: Cut away and discard any fat pieces, then slice the steak into thin, bite-sized pieces.
• Prep ahead: All components for this salad can be prepped a day or two in advance and refrigerated in airtight containers.
• Dressing and serving: Dress the salad right before serving to prevent the lettuce from wilting. You can even let guests dress their own portions.
• Storage: It's best to finish any dressed salad promptly. However, any salad components that aren't dressed can be refrigerated for a few days.

More salad recipes

• Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
• Lemony Kale Salad
• Mediterranean Orzo Salad
• Greek Chickpea Salad
• Strawberry Salad
• Creamy Cucumber Salad
• Vegetable Quinoa Salad

📖 Recipe