The Best Thai-style Beef Salad Recipes

If you crave a refreshing dish bursting with flavors, Thai-style beef salad is the perfect choice. Known as "Yam Nua," this salad combines tender beef with vibrant vegetables and a zesty dressing. Here are the best Thai-style beef salad recipes to tantalize your taste buds.

1. Classic Thai Beef Salad

This classic recipe features marinated grilled beef served over a bed of fresh vegetables.

  • Ingredients:
    • 300g of sirloin steak
    • 1 cup of mixed salad greens
    • 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
    • 1 carrot, julienned
    • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
    • 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
    • Juice of 2 limes
    • 1 tablespoon of sugar
    • Fresh herbs (mint and cilantro) for garnish
  • Instructions:
    • Grill the sirloin steak to your preferred level of doneness.
    • Let the steak rest before slicing it thinly.
    • In a bowl, mix fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar to create the dressing.
    • Toss the salad greens, cucumber, carrot, and red onion together.
    • Top the salad with sliced beef and drizzle with the dressing.
    • Garnish with fresh herbs and serve immediately.

2. Spicy Thai Beef Salad with Mint

This version adds a spicy kick and a refreshing mint flavor, making it a vibrant option for warm days.

  • Ingredients:
    • 400g of flank steak
    • 2 cups of arugula
    • 1/2 cup of mint leaves
    • 1 red chili pepper, sliced (adjust to taste)
    • 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
    • 3 tablespoons of lime juice
    • 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon of palm sugar
  • Instructions:
    • Grill the flank steak until medium-rare, then let it rest before slicing it thinly.
    • In a large bowl, combine arugula, mint leaves, and bell pepper.
    • In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, soy sauce, palm sugar, and chili.
    • Add the sliced beef to the salad and pour the dressing on top.
    • Toss gently and serve chilled.

3. Thai Beef Salad with Noodles

Add a filling component to your salad with this noodle variant, perfect for a light lunch or dinner.

  • Ingredients:
    • 200g of beef (your choice of cut)
    • 150g of rice noodles
    • 1 cup of chopped lettuce
    • 1/2 cup of shredded cabbage
    • 1 carrot, grated
    • 1/4 cup of roasted peanuts
    • 3 tablespoons of fish sauce
    • Juice of 1 lemon
    • 1 tablespoon of chili sauce (optional)
  • Instructions:
    • Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions and set aside.
    • Grill or pan-fry the beef to your liking, then slice thinly.
    • In a bowl, mix lettuce, cabbage, carrot, and noodles.
    • In another small bowl, whisk together fish sauce, lemon juice, and chili sauce.
    • Add beef and dressing to the salad, toss well, and sprinkle with roasted peanuts before serving.

4. Tropical Thai Beef Salad

This recipe incorporates tropical fruits for a unique twist on traditional flavors.

  • Ingredients:
    • 250g of beef fillet
    • 1 cup of pineapple, diced
    • 1/2 mango, sliced
    • 2 cups of spinach
    • 2 tablespoons of lime juice
    • 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
    • 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
  • Instructions:
    • Grill the beef fil