Leftover Steak Salad

Why you’ll love this recipe:

Don’t let leftover steak go to waste! Instead, transform it into a delicious meal that tastes brand new like I do with this easy leftover steak salad recipe!

Crisp lettuce, fresh veggies, and juicy leftover steak combined with olive oil and balsamic dressing for a light and healthy way to enjoy yesterday’s hearty steak dinner. 

• Easy – This is a meal you can have on the table in well under 30 minutes! There’s nothing to cook, and you’ll barely dirty any dishes!  
• Texture – Tender steak mixed with crunchy veggies is an irresistible combination. 
• Customizable – Get creative with this recipe, and add your favorite salad toppings!

This fresh and simple salad is perfect for lunch or dinner. While I enjoy serving it throughout the summer grilling season, it’s a satisfying meal year-round!

Key Ingredient Notes:

• Steak – Several cuts of steak work well in steak salad. Popular choices include strip steak, ribeye, flank steak, or sirloin steak. All of these cuts are full of flavor and can be cooked to your desired doneness before being sliced and added to the salad.
• Lettuce – Any lettuce or mixed green can be used. However, crisp and sturdy lettuce varieties like romaine, iceberg, or butter lettuce are best. They provide a good base for the salad and hold up well with the weight of the steak and other toppings. 
• Cherry tomatoes – They’re naturally sweet and add juicy little pops of flavor! 
• Avocado – Ripe avocado gives the salad an amazing creamy texture. 
• Cucumber – I prefer English cucumbers, but any type of cucumber will work.  
• Red onion – Compared to other onion varieties, red onions are often considered milder with a touch of sweetness. They also add a beautiful purple color!
• Feta cheese is included for its sharp, salty flavor and to add more creaminess to balance out the crunch of the veggies. 
• Fresh herbs elevate the overall taste of the salad.  
• Extra virgin olive oil is used as the base of the salad dressing and helps meld all the salad ingredients together.   
• Balsamic vinegar adds a sweet and tangy flavor to the salad dressing. 
• Salt enhances the flavors in the salad and balance out the acidity in the dressing. 

How to make this steak salad recipe:

Before you begin, slice the leftover steak into thin strips, and chop your fresh veggies. If you want you can slightly heat the steaks on a skillet, but cold steak is just fine.

1. Make the dressing

• Whisk the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and salt in a small bowl. 

2. Assemble the salad

• Combine the lettuce, cherry tomatoes, avocado, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, and fresh herbs in a large bowl.
• Add the sliced steak and drizzle the dressing on top.  

3. Serve:

• Toss all of the ingredients together until well combined.
• Serve the leftover steak salad immediately, and enjoy!

Time-Saving Tips:

• Slice your steak into thin strips when it’s first cooked. This way, your steak is ready to go when you assemble your salad! 
• Chop your vegetables in advance, and store them separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Not only will your veggies be ready to eat, but you’ll also have extras for other meals throughout the week. 
• Save yourself some prep time by purchasing washed and ready-to-eat greens. 

Make-Ahead Tips:

• The salad ingredients can be fully assembled in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days, making this an excellent meal prep recipe! 
• If you’re making this steak salad recipe ahead of time, store the dressing in a separate container, and pour it over the salad just before serving.

Steak Salad Variations:

Many delicious toppings can complement a steak salad. Feel free to get creative, and experiment with different flavors and textures.

• Vegetables – Try adding roasted vegetables like bell peppers or asparagus, sweet corn, caramelized onions, and sliced radishes.
• Fruit – Add fresh berries like blueberries or strawberries for a touch of sweetness.
• Croutons – For added crunch! You can’t go wrong with homemade croutons, but store-bought croutons are delicious too! 
• Cheese – Use goat cheese or blue cheese in place of feta cheese. 
• Nuts and seeds – Sprinkle some pepitas, sunflower seeds, toasted sesame seeds, or sliced almonds onto the salad for added texture.   

Storing Tips:

Salad greens do not keep well once they’ve been tossed with dressing. It’s best to eat this salad while it’s fresh! 

Steak Salad FAQs:

More Steak Recipes:

• Red Wine Marinated Grilled Steak Skewers
• Leftover Steak Fried Rice
• Leftover Steak Pad Thai
• Smothered Steak