Thai beef salad brings heavenly dish at your own home. A popular dish. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making Thai Beef Salad (Yum Nua):
Ingredients:
- For the Beef:
- 300g beef sirloin or flank steak
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- For the Salad:
- 1 cucumber, sliced thinly
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1-2 tomatoes, cut into wedges
- 1-2 red chilies, sliced thinly (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (optional)
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts (optional)
- 1-2 cups mixed salad greens (optional)
- For the Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar (palm sugar preferred)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Chili flakes 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon water (if needed to adjust consistency)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Beef:
- Season the Steak: Rub the beef with salt, pepper, and a little vegetable oil.
- Cook the Steak: Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the steak for about 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or longer if you prefer it well-done.
- Rest the Steak: Remove the steak from the pan and let it rest for about 5 minutes. This helps retain the juices.
- Slice the Steak: Once rested, slice the beef thinly against the grain.
2. Prepare the Salad:
- Slice the Vegetables: Thinly slice the cucumber, red onion, and chilies. Cut the tomatoes into wedges.
- Combine the Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the sliced vegetables, herbs, and peanuts (if using).
- Add the Beef: Add the sliced beef to the salad bowl.
3. Make the Dressing:
- Mix the Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, and chili flakes. Adjust the seasoning as needed (more lime juice for acidity, fish sauce for saltiness, or sugar for sweetness).
- Taste and Adjust: If the dressing is too strong, add a little water to dilute it.
4. Assemble the Salad:
- Pour the Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad and beef, tossing everything gently to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately, either on its own or over a bed of mixed salad greens.
Tips:
- Marination: If you have time, marinate the beef in some of the dressing for 15-30 minutes before cooking for extra flavor.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of chili to your spice preference. You can also use a milder chili or omit it for a less spicy version.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs like cilantro, mint, and basil add an authentic Thai flavor. Adjust the quantities to your liking.
Enjoy your homemade Thai Beef Salad!
