10 Steak Salads for a Well-Rounded Meal That’ll Leave You Full and Happy
The only way to eat your greens.
It’s an experience we’ve all had before: You order a salad as the “healthier” option, spend 30 minutes digging through the roughage, and leave the restaurant feeling peckish, only to overeat an hour or two later. While salads are typically loaded with veggies, in some cases, they lack that special something needed to leave the table fully satisfied. This doesn’t mean you have to abandon your commitment the idea of a salad, though. With the right approach, you can still get in your daily dose of greens, and you won’t have to deal with (or begrudgingly accept) a rumbling belly.
Thankfully, there are plenty of hearty salads out there, but one of the best selections for maximum satiation is none other than a steak salad, which Ree Drummond strongly supports. “There's nothing much better to me than a delicious salad with sliced steak over the top,” she says. By garnishing a bed of greens with a cut of sizzling beef for a steak dinner, you’ll add a sizable portion of protein to your meal, so you’ll feel fuller for longer. A lot of the steak salad recipes that we’ve rounded up also feature crunchy add-ons like nuts, bacon, or croutons for added texture, plus colorful veggies for an extra burst of freshness. Some even spotlight a starchy supplement like pasta or potatoes. Of course, everything is tossed in a dressing that perfectly complement the ingredients.
Whether you’re looking for an easy lunch option, a lighter dinner idea, or creative ways to make the most of leftover steak, these steak salad recipes are both hearty and healthy. No matter which one you make, you’ll benefit from the nutritional boost, but you won’t leave the table feeling hungry. From tangy Asian-inspired creations to decadent French-flavored concoctions, these recipes will give you a whole new appreciation for salads, and they’ll completely transform the way you prepare a bowl of greens—for good!
Steak Frites Salad
Healthy eating is all about balance, so why not pair your steak salad with a side of fries? In Ree’s take on steak frites, the classic French bistro combination is served over mixed greens and drizzled with a silky Hollandaise sauce.
Get Ree’s Steak Frites Salad recipe.
Kale Caesar Salad with Steak
There’s nothing like a crisp kale Caesar, but topping it with steak makes it all the better! This steak salad is complete with buttery croutons and a garlicky, tangy dressing that breathes new life into the tender leafy greens.
Get Ree’s Kale Caesar Salad with Steak recipe.
Chile-Lime Steak Salad
The base of this steak salad might be simple, but the tangy dressing and crushed roasted peanuts turn the nutrient-dense mix of romaine, cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions into a sweet, spicy, and nutty delight.
Get Ree’s Chile-Lime Steak Salad recipe.
Seared Steak with Sesame Noodle Salad
Yep, seared steak can even elevate pasta salads! In this 30-minute recipe, tender noodles are paired with purple cabbage and thinly sliced cucumbers, coated in a garlicky, earthy dressing, and topped with juicy steak.
Get Ree’s Seared Steak with Sesame Noodle Salad recipe.
Garlic Butter Steak with Warm Spinach Salad
Thanks to a 10-ounce cut that’s charred on the grill and smothered in garlic butter, steak is certainly the star of this salad! But with greasy bacon bits and caramelized mushrooms, the salad is anything but sparse and boring.
Get Ree’s Garlic Butter Steak with Warm Spinach Salad recipe.
Steak and Bacon Salad with Chipotle Dressing
Piled high with sizzling steak, crispy bacon, fried onions, crumbly blue cheese, and toasted pecans, this salad will make you forget you’re eating a salad at all. The creamy, smoky dressing doesn’t hurt, either!
Get Ree’s Steak and Bacon Salad with Chipotle Dressing recipe.
Ginger Steak Salad
This steak salad packs on double the flavor, thanks to a mouthwatering steak marinade and zingy salad dressing. Since the sauces do all the work, you’ll just need leafy greens and green onions for the base.
Get Ree’s Ginger Steak Salad recipe.
Chipotle Steak Salad
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or planning a family meal, you can’t go wrong with Ree’s chipotle steak salad. Strips of flank steak are layered over mixed greens and fresh veggies and drizzled in a silky, spicy dressing.
Get Ree’s Chipotle Steak Salad recipe.
Big Steak Salad
If you crave something classic, Ree’s big steak salad is a crowd-pleasing pick. You’ll find fried onions, candied pecans, and a tasty dressing that’ll make your taste buds dance. Since this recipe is a bit more involved, consider saving it for when company comes by.
Get Ree’s Big Steak Salad recipe.
Beef Noodle Salad Bowls
This steak salad recipe is technically more steak (and noodles) than salad, but it’s not one to overlook. It comes together in 20 minutes with a spicy sesame-ginger vinaigrette that might just become your new favorite dressing.
Get Ree’s Beef Noodle Salad Bowls recipe.
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