Thai Beef Salad
Thai Beef Salad
Aromatic and Flavorful Thai Beef Salad
Feeling uninspired by food lately? This Thai Beef Salad is a vibrant dish that’s perfect for sparking your appetite! It masterfully balances sweet, salty, and spicy notes, guaranteed to bring your taste buds back to life. The hearty beef combined with fresh, crisp vegetables makes for a satisfying and complete meal. I found this salad to be a delightful way to stay cool and energized, especially during the scorching summer heat. Prepare to elevate your dining experience!
Salad Ingredients- 500g Beef (steak cut or thinly sliced for stir-fry)
- 1/2 Cucumber
- 1 Tomato
- 1/2 Shallot (or red onion)
- 5 Mini Carrots
- 1 stalk Celery
- 2 Tbsp Roasted Peanuts
- 5 sprigs Fresh Cilantro
- 1 cup Lettuce (e.g., Romaine or Iceberg)
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- Pinch of Salt
Thai Dressing Ingredients- 3 Tbsp Fish Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Sugar (brown sugar recommended)
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil (or sesame oil)
- 2 Thai Chilies (or substitute with Serrano peppers)
- 3 Tbsp Lime Juice
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 3 Tbsp Fish Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Sugar (brown sugar recommended)
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil (or sesame oil)
- 2 Thai Chilies (or substitute with Serrano peppers)
- 3 Tbsp Lime Juice
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
1. Cut the beef into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 cm thick). Pat dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper, then let it marinate for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate. This step is crucial for tenderizing the meat and infusing it with flavor.
Step 2
2. Wash all vegetables thoroughly under running water. Dice the cucumber and tomato into bite-sized pieces, removing the seeds from the tomato if desired. Thinly slice the shallot (or red onion). Slice the mini carrots thinly into rounds or julienne them. Chop the celery finely. For the lettuce, tear it into bite-sized pieces and soak in cold water for a few minutes before draining; this will make it extra crisp.
Step 3
3. Now, let’s prepare the vibrant Thai dressing. In a blender or mortar and pestle, combine the fish sauce, sugar, cooking oil, Thai chilies (seeds removed if you prefer less heat), lime juice, and minced garlic. Blend or pound until smooth. If you don’t have a blender, simply whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl until the sugar is dissolved. This homemade dressing is key to the salad’s authentic flavor.
Step 4
4. Heat a heavy skillet or grill pan over high heat. Sear the marinated beef on all sides until nicely browned and slightly charred. Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking until the beef reaches your desired level of doneness (medium-rare to medium is recommended). For well-done beef, sear on high heat initially to lock in juices, then lower the heat and cook slowly until done. Once cooked, let the beef rest for a few minutes before slicing it thinly against the grain. Using a sharp knife will ensure clean slices.
Step 5
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared lettuce, cucumber, tomato, shallots, carrots, and celery. Pour about half of the prepared Thai dressing over the vegetables. Gently toss everything together using your hands or tongs until the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can make the vegetables soggy.
Step 6
6. To serve, arrange the dressed salad mixture attractively on a serving platter or individual plates. Neatly arrange the thinly sliced beef over the top of the salad. Drizzle with the remaining dressing to your taste. Garnish generously with fresh cilantro leaves and chopped roasted peanuts for an added burst of flavor and texture. Enjoy your delicious and refreshing Thai Beef Salad!
