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Steak Salad Recipe

Steak Salad Recipe for Protein Packed Meals

Juicy sliced steak, crisp vegetables, and a bold homemade dressing turn this fresh steak salad recipe into a satisfying meal that feels hearty without being heavy. You’ll love how quickly it comes together for lunches, meal prep, or easy high-protein dinners.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Rest Time 10 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 Serving
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Steak
  • 1 ½ pounds flank steak or sirloin steak
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Salad
  • 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cucumber, sliced thin
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup corn kernels
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
For the Dressing
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Method
 

  1. Season the steak with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, then let it rest at room temperature while preparing the salad ingredients for even cooking.
  2. Combine romaine, spinach, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, corn, and feta cheese in a large bowl, keeping the avocado separate until serving for the freshest texture.
  3. Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth and fully combined to create the homemade dressing.
  4. Cook the steak in a hot skillet or grill pan for 4–5 minutes per side until browned outside and juicy inside, adjusting slightly for your preferred doneness.
  5. Rest the steak for 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain to keep the meat tender and flavorful.
  6. Assemble the salad with sliced steak and avocado on top, then drizzle with dressing right before serving for the best texture and freshness.

Notes

  • Drying the steak before seasoning helps develop a richer crust because excess moisture prevents proper browning during cooking.
  • Resting the cooked steak before slicing keeps the juices inside the meat instead of running out onto the cutting board immediately.
  • Dressing the salad gradually gives you better control over flavor and prevents the greens from becoming soggy too quickly.
  • Cutting steak against the grain creates shorter muscle fibers, which makes every bite easier to chew and noticeably more tender.