Thai Beef Salad
A vibrant warm salad with charred beef, fresh mint, cilantro, and lime dressing. Ready in 20 minutes with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Servings
- 2
- Calories
- 340
- Protein
- 38g
Ingredients
- ¾ lb beef sirloin or flank steak
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 whole red Thai chili, thinly sliced
Instructions
- 1
Pat the beef dry with paper towels to remove surface moisture, which helps it char better when cooked.
- 2
In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice and fish sauce until combined, then set the dressing to the side.
- 3
Roughly chop the mint and cilantro leaves into pieces about the size of your fingernail, keeping them separate.
- 4
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers and slides quickly when you tilt the pan, about 90 seconds.
- 5
Place the beef in the hot skillet and cook without moving it for 3 to 4 minutes until the bottom develops a dark golden-brown crust the color of a pecan shell.
- 6
Flip the beef and cook the other side for another 3 to 4 minutes until equally browned, aiming for medium-rare doneness.
- 7
Transfer the beef to a cutting board and let it rest for 3 minutes so the juices stay inside the meat when you slice it.
- 8
Slice the beef against the grain (perpendicular to the long muscle lines) into 1/4-inch-thick strips, cutting straight down through the meat.
- 9
Pour the lime-fish sauce dressing into the warm skillet and scrape up any stuck-on brown bits from the bottom using a wooden spoon, about 10 seconds.
- 10
Return the sliced beef and any accumulated juices to the skillet and toss everything together for 30 seconds so the beef absorbs the warm dressing.
- 11
Transfer the dressed beef to a serving plate, then scatter the mint, cilantro, and sliced chili on top in a single layer.
Tools you’ll need
- 12-inch stainless steel or cast iron skillet
- cutting board
- sharp chef's knife
- small bowl
- whisk or fork
- wooden spoon
- paper towels
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