Thai Beef Salad Recipe-Thai Special
Thai Beef Salad, also known as Yum Nua, is a refreshing and hearty dish that combines tender grilled beef with crisp vegetables and aromatic herbs. The salad is tossed in a zesty dressing made from lime juice, fish sauce, and chili, offering a perfect balance of savory, sour, and spicy flavors. Common ingredients include sirloin, flank, or rib-eye steak, cucumber, tomato, red onion, cilantro, and mint leaves. Optional additions like roasted peanuts add a delightful crunch. This dish is perfect for a light lunch or a refreshing dinner, capturing the essence of Thai cuisine in every bite.
- Prep Time20 min
- Cook Time5 min
- Total Time25 min
Thai Beef Salad Recipe Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked beef (grilled or seared, thinly sliced; use sirloin, flank, or rib-eye)
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves (optional)
- 1 small red chili, sliced (optional for spice)
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (palm sugar if available)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts (optional for crunch)
Prepare the beef:
Grill or sear your beef until cooked to your liking. Let it rest for a few minutes, then thinly slice it against the grain.
Prepare the vegetables and herbs:
Thinly slice the cucumber, chop the tomato, and slice the red onion. Roughly chop the cilantro and mint leaves.
Make the dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, soy sauce, and vegetable oil until the sugar dissolves.
Assemble the salad:
In a large bowl, combine the sliced beef, cucumber, tomato, red onion, cilantro, and mint. Add the sliced red chili if you like some spice.
Dress the salad:
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring the beef and vegetables are well coated.
Serve:
Garnish with roasted peanuts for added crunch, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Recipe Notes:
Beef Selection: Opt for tender cuts like sirloin, flank, or rib-eye steak for the best texture.
Spice Level: Adjust the amount of red chili to your preference. Removing the seeds will reduce the heat.
Dressing Balance: Taste and adjust the lime juice, fish sauce, and sugar to achieve the desired balance of sour, salty, and sweet flavors.
Herb Variations: Incorporate Thai basil or Thai mint for an authentic flavor profile.
Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare the beef and vegetables in advance, but dress the salad just before serving to maintain freshness and crunch.
