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Lena's Kitchen

Lena's Kitchen

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Home » Keto Meals

Keto Thai Steak Salad

Posted: January 8, 2021 by lena gladstone | Updated: March 19, 2024

521 shares

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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Large grey bowl with chopsticks filled with arugula, avocado, cucumber, steak, and vegetables.

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!

Individual small bowls filled with vegetables and ingredients for Asian salad. Large bowl with salad in the middle.

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
Raw steak on paper, vegetables, and individual bowls with ingredients for Asian salad

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 
Large grey bowl with chopsticks filled with arugula, avocado, cucumber, steak, and vegetables.

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.
Large grey bowl with chopsticks filled with arugula, avocado, cucumber, steak, and vegetables. Small bowls with salad ingredients on the side.

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. 
Close up of large grey bowl with chopsticks filled with arugula, avocado, cucumber, steak, and vegetables.

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.

Large grey bowl with chopsticks filled with arugula, avocado, cucumber, steak, and vegetables.

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!

Keto Thai Steak Salad

3.8 from 10 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 5 minutes mins
Total Time: 15 minutes mins
Servings: 2 servings
Author: Lena Gladstone
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
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.

Ingredients

Keto Thai Steak Salad

  • 1 ribeye steak, sliced thinly
  • 3 cups arugula
  • 2 small Persian cucumber (A.K.A. baby cucumber), thinly sliced
  • 1 small avocado, sliced
  • 4 radishes, thinly sliced
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp pickled ginger
  • 2 green onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
  • ½ tbsp sesame seeds
  • ¼ lime, juiced
  • ½ small red chili, thinly sliced

Thai Dressing

  • 2 tbsp coconut aminos, or 1/2 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tsp sesame oil
  • ½ lime, juiced
  • ½ tsp fish sauce
  • 1 ½ tbsp pickled ginger, finely chopped or 1/4 in fresh ginger grated finely

Instructions

Dressing

  • Chop the pickled ginger into really fine pieces or grate the fresh ginger. Mix all of the sauce ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside.

Steak

  • Finely slice the beef, pop it in the freezer for 10 minutes so it’s easier to slice. TIP: you can use leftover cooked steak, just slice it thinly with a sharp knife.
  • Bring a pan to high heat and add in the olive oil and beef. Sauté for about 30 seconds to 1 minute per side. If using cooked beef, only cook for 30 seconds per side. Add half of the sauce to the pan and reserve the rest for salad dressing.

Assembling the salad

  • Add the arugula to a bowl and top with the steak.
  • Slice the avocado, radish, and cucumber. Add to the bowl, season with sea salt, and top with sesame seeds. Add the pickled ginger. Top with chopped green onions and cilantro and serve the sauce on the side for dipping or toss with salad.

Notes

Making 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.
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian
Keyword: asian, gluten free, healthy salad, keto, keto dinner, lunch, ribeye, salad, steak

Nutrition

Calories: 627kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 542mg | Potassium: 1180mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1171IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 111mg | Iron: 4mg
Large grey bowl with chopsticks filled with arugula, avocado, cucumber, steak, and vegetables.
521 shares

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Reader Interactions

3.80 from 10 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Reviews
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Comments

  1. K Dejan

    at

    5 stars
    OMG – so yummy and flavorful. Easy to make and stitched ‘salad night’ up a notch. Will definitely make this one again!

    Reply
    • lenaskitchen

      at

      Karin, I am so thrilled this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! I love this salad so much, great flavors and so quick to throw together too.

  2. Veronika

    at

    Super delicious salad! I recommend everyone to try it!

    Reply
    • lenaskitchen

      at

      Veronika, I am so happy that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try!

  3. Sveta

    at

    5 stars
    It’s such a delicious healthy salad! Flavours are amazing thanks to all the greens & the dressing! Perfect for keto diet! Definitely making it again.

    Reply
    • lenaskitchen

      at

      Sveta, this makes me so happy that you enjoyed the recipe. It’s definitely one of my favorites that I make over and over.

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Welcome, glad you’re here!

Hi, I’m Lena Gladstone, the recipe developer and food photographer behind Lena’s Kitchen. Here you will find approachable food recipes to share with the whole family. Keto friendly, weeknight dinners all made with fresh ingredients. Click here to learn more!

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