Description
Thai Beef Salad, or Yam Nua, is a vibrant and bold dish that marries savory, spicy, sour, and sweet flavors. Grilled beef is tossed with crisp veggies, fresh herbs, and a tangy lime-fish sauce dressing. It’s a quick, healthy, and satisfying meal that brings a delicious balance of hot, cold, juicy, and crunchy — perfect for a light dinner or a refreshing lunch.
Ingredients
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1 lb beef steak (sirloin, flank, or ribeye)
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4 cups romaine lettuce or mixed greens
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1 cucumber, thinly sliced
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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1 small red onion, thinly sliced
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½ cup fresh mint leaves
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¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
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¼ cup Thai basil (optional)
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3 tbsp lime juice
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2 tbsp fish sauce
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1 tbsp sugar (palm sugar or brown sugar)
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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2–3 fresh chilies (bird’s eye or red chili), chopped
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2 tbsp olive oil or neutral oil
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Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Marinate the Beef – Season steak with salt, pepper, and a touch of oil. Let it rest while you prepare the salad.
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Make the Dressing – In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, minced garlic, and chopped chilies. Adjust to taste.
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Grill or Sear the Beef – Cook steak to your preferred doneness (medium-rare is traditional). Let it rest for a few minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
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Prepare the Salad – In a large bowl, combine greens, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, mint, and cilantro.
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Assemble the Salad – Add the sliced beef to the salad, pour the dressing over, and toss gently to coat.
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Serve – Transfer to a platter or individual plates. Garnish with extra herbs or chili slices if desired.
Notes
Adjust the spice level by varying the amount of chili in the dressing.
Use fresh herbs generously for the most authentic Thai flavor.
For a more filling meal, serve over rice noodles or jasmine rice.
Add roasted peanuts or cashews for a crunchy texture.
This dish is best served fresh, though the components can be prepped ahead of time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling + Tossing
- Cuisine: Thai
Keywords: Thai beef, healthy salad, fresh herbs, spicy salad, grilled beef salad