Thai Beef Salad (Yum Nua) Recipe

Introduction

Thai Beef Salad, or Yum Nua, is a vibrant and refreshing dish bursting with bold flavors. This salad balances savory grilled steak with zesty lime dressing, fresh herbs, and crunchy vegetables, making it perfect for a light yet satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 1 clove garlic
• 1 jalapeno (halved)
• 1 lime (juiced)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons minced lemongrass (tender white core only)
• 1 1/4 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon red chile flakes
• 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 1-inch thick New York strip steak (9 to 10 oz.)
• 2 tablespoons uncooked jasmine rice (or other white rice)
• 2 medium shallots (thinly sliced)
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves (roughly chopped)
• 3 tablespoons roughly chopped cilantro leaves and stems
• Lettuce of your choosing
• Cherry tomatoes (halved)
• Cucumbers (sliced)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the dressing by mincing the garlic and one jalapeno half. Place them in a small bowl along with thin rings of the remaining jalapeno half, lime juice, fish sauce, lemongrass, brown sugar, and red chile flakes. Stir well and taste. Adjust by adding more lime juice, fish sauce, or sugar if needed. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Make the rice powder by toasting jasmine rice in a dry frying pan over medium-high heat. Stir frequently until the grains are golden and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Let cool, then grind into a coarse powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
3. Step 3: Cook the steak by heating oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear one side until dark brown, about 5-6 minutes, then flip and cook another 5-6 minutes for medium rare. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly and cutting into bite-sized pieces.
4. Step 4: In a medium bowl, combine the sliced beef with any juices, shallots, mint, and cilantro. Stir the dressing again, then pour it over the salad ingredients. Toss gently to combine.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle the ground toasted rice over the salad and toss once more. Serve over a bed of lettuce with cherry tomatoes and cucumber slices for a fresh, crisp finish.

Tips & Variations

• Use flank or sirloin steak if New York strip is not available; just adjust cooking time accordingly.
• For extra heat, add more fresh chili or increase the red chile flakes in the dressing.
• Swap jasmine rice for brown rice if you prefer a nuttier flavor in your toasted rice powder.
• Include thinly sliced red onion or bell peppers for additional crunch and sweetness.

Storage

Store leftover salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the steak gently if desired, then toss with fresh greens and dressing just before serving to keep the salad crisp.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this salad vegetarian?

You can omit the steak and add grilled tofu or mushrooms for a vegetarian version, keeping the bold dressing and fresh herbs for full flavor.

What’s the purpose of the toasted rice powder?

Toasted rice powder adds a unique nutty flavor and a subtle crunchy texture that enhances the salad’s authenticity and complexity.

Thai Beef Salad (Yum Nua) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 130 reviews

A vibrant and refreshing Thai Beef Salad (Yum Nua) featuring tender seared New York strip steak tossed with a tangy and spicy dressing, fresh herbs, toasted rice powder, and crisp vegetables, making a perfect light and flavorful meal.

• Author: zara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Thai

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dressing

• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeno, halved (one half minced, one half sliced into thin rings)
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons minced lemongrass (tender white core, outer leaves removed)
• 1 1/4 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon red chile flakes

Steak and Rice Powder

• 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 New York strip steak, 1-inch thick (9 to 10 oz.)
• 2 tablespoons uncooked jasmine rice (or long or short grain white rice)

Salad

• 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed and roughly chopped
• 3 tablespoons roughly chopped cilantro leaves and stems
• Lettuce of your choosing (for serving)
• Cherry tomatoes, halved (for serving)
• Cucumbers, sliced (for serving)

Instructions

1. Make the dressing: Mince the garlic and one jalapeno half, then place in a small bowl. Add the sliced jalapeno rings, lime juice, fish sauce, minced lemongrass, brown sugar, and red chile flakes. Stir well, taste, and adjust the seasoning with extra lime juice, fish sauce, or sugar as desired. Set aside.
2. Prepare the rice powder: Heat a small frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the uncooked jasmine rice and toast it, stirring frequently, until golden brown and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Allow the toasted rice to cool for a few minutes, then grind it into a coarse powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
3. Cook the steak: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the New York strip steak on one side until well browned, about 5 to 6 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until dark brown and the steak reaches medium-rare doneness, about another 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the steak from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing thinly, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
4. Assemble the salad: In a medium bowl, combine the sliced beef along with any juices from resting, sliced shallots, chopped mint, and chopped cilantro. Stir the dressing once more and pour it over the beef mixture. Gently toss to combine.
5. Add rice powder and vegetables: Sprinkle the toasted rice powder over the salad and toss again gently. Serve the beef salad over a bed of your chosen lettuce alongside halved cherry tomatoes and sliced cucumbers for a fresh and vibrant presentation.

Notes

• Toasting the rice adds a nutty flavor and crunchy texture to the salad.
• Adjust the jalapeno quantity to control the heat level of the dressing.
• Allowing the steak to rest before slicing helps retain its juices.
• The salad can be served with additional fresh herbs like Thai basil if desired.
• For a gluten-free version, ensure your fish sauce is gluten-free.

Keywords: Thai beef salad, Yum Nua, Thai salad, beef salad with herbs, toasted rice powder salad, Southeast Asian cuisine