Keto Thai Steak Salad

This flavorful recipe for Keto Thai Steak Salad is made with thinly sliced ribeye and a homemade dressing that is tangy, spicy, and easy to make. You’ll love this salad as a great Keto or Whole30 weeknight dinner or a healthy lunch.

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One of the best ways to stick to eating healthy is to make sure there is tons of flavor in your food. This Asian-inspired steak salad checks all the boxes with its homemade dressing that’s filled with Thai flavors coming from the ginger, cilantro, lime, and sesame oil. It’s sure to turn anyone into a lover of salads!

Enjoy this protein-packed salad as a quick lunch or healthy dinner. The ribeye, homemade Asian inspired dressing, and salad toppings can all be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to dig in. Better yet, pack it up and enjoy the salad for weekday lunches!

What steak is best for Asian inspired salads?

• Ribeye – This high quality cut of steak is my favorite for salads because it contains just the right amount of marbling and beef flavor. I’ve perfected the best way to cook a ribeye by cooking it in the oven.
• Filet Mignon – This cut of steak is tender and will melt in your mouth, especially when it’s sliced up on a salad. It’s a little bit on the pricey side but great for special occasions or a dinner party. 
• Flat Iron – This flavorful cut is a great budget-friendly option. You’ll need to marinate it first to make sure it’s tender and not tough.
• Flank Steak – A lean cut of beef that is perfect for salads as it takes on whatever flavor you pair it with. If you’re using this cut, make sure you cook it medium and slice thin. 

Don’t like steak? Try using these proteins to top your salad

• Chicken breast or thighs
• Pork tenderloin
• Sliced leftover pork chops
• Marinated tofu
• Marinated chickpeas

Ingredients you’ll need to make Thai steak salad with homemade dressing

I use my favorite cut of beef, ribeye, in this salad as it contains the best flavor profile and can be cooked easily. Go ahead and cook it fresh or use up the leftover steak already in your fridge.

This is what you need for a keto Thai steak salad:

• Ribeye steak
• Arugula
• Persian cucumber (also known as baby cucumbers)
• Avocado 
• Radishes
• Pickled ginger 
• Green onion 
• Cilantro 
• Sesame seeds
• Lime
• Red Chilies

Dressing ingredients

This keto salad dressing uses fresh ingredients that are easy to find and, when combined, have great flavor. You’ll use it to marinate the steak and dress the salad.

This is what you need:

• Coconut aminos or light soy sauce
• Extra virgin olive oil 
• Toasted sesame oil 
• Lime juice 
• Fish sauce
• Pickled or fresh ginger 

How to make keto Thai steak salad

My protein-packed salad is infused with Asian-inspired flavors and light dressing. Furthermore, most of the elements can easily be made ahead of time so you can enjoy it without rushing.

Here’s how it’s done:

1. Make the dressing: Firstly, chop the pickled ginger into really fine pieces or grate fresh ginger. Mix all of the sauce ingredients together in a bowl and set aside.
2. Prepare the steak: If using raw steak, start by cooking it in the oven (without searing beforehand). Pop the cooked steak in the freezer for 10 minutes and then cut into thin slices.
3. Heat and season the steak: Sauté the pieces of freshly cooked or leftover steak in a pan with some oil. To finish, pour in half of the salad dressing to coat and then set aside.
4. Put the salad together: Lastly, add the arugula to a large bowl and place the pieces of steak on top. Add the avocado, radish, and cucumber before seasoning the salad with sea salt. Top with sesame seeds, pickled ginger, chopped green onions, cilantro, red chilies, and the sauce on the side or tossed.

Recipe tips 

• If you’d like to use leftover steak that’s already been cooked, slice it thinly with a sharp knife. Only heat it for 30 seconds in a pan with the oil and dressing.
• If you’d rather sear the steak, follow my instructions on cooking steak on the stovetop.
• If you’d like to marinate the steak while it’s raw, add it and half the dressing to a freezer safe bag or container. Fully coat it in the salad dressing and let it sit in the fridge for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to cook, discard the excess marinade, pat the steak dry, and cook according to the recipe. 
• If you’re cooking the steak from raw, freeze it for 10 minutes after cooking and slice very thin with a sharp knife. Freezing it will help the steak stay solid enough to get nice thin pieces and is much safer to cut.

Variations

• For a spicy Thai dressing, add in Thai red chilies or your favorite chili sauce.
• Feel free to mix up the toppings by using shredded carrots, cabbage, chopped mint, boiled egg, pickled onions, or adding some chopped peanuts or cashews on top. 
• Use tamari as a gluten-free option if you can’t find coconut aminos or in place of the soy sauce.
• Use any lettuce you prefer as the base of the salad.
• If you aren’t keto, go ahead and make this salad with your favorite noodles or add them on top. 
• Do I have to add fish sauce to the dressing? While fish sauce adds a great flavor, it is not necessary if you don’t want to use it. The dressing will still be delicious!
• What other herbs can I add? Feel free to add any combination of basil, cilantro, and mint to the salad for a fresh taste. 

Can this Keto Thai Steak Salad be made ahead of time?

Parts of this salad can be made ahead of time but it should all be assembled when it’s time to dig in it for the best results:

• Steak: Cook the steak ahead of time and slice it thinly when you’re ready to warm it in a pan with dressing. 
• Dressing: Make this up to 5 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge. 
• Salad and toppings: Keep the chopped toppings in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Storing leftovers

The acid in the salad dressing will wilt the greens, meaning the leftover steak and salad together will likely last 1 day in the fridge. For the best results, keep the dressing on the side and store the salad, steak, and dressing separately.

You’ll love these healthy keto recipes

Try my other keto recipes for every meal of the day:

• Instant Pot Keto Cheeseburger Soup
• Fully Loaded Keto Deviled Eggs
• Easy Tuna Egg Salad
• Keto Bacon Chaffles

If you try this Keto Thai Steak Salad, let me know what you think! Rate and review this recipe in the comments below. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on Instagram @lenaskitchenblog!