Description
Spicy Thai beef salad (yum nua) brings sizzling flavors from Bangkok’s street kitchens, blending tender grilled meat with zesty herbs and tangy dressing. Fresh ingredients dance together, creating a light yet bold meal that will transport you straight to Thailand’s culinary heart.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound beef
Herbs and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons minced lemongrass
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 1/4 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing by mincing garlic and jalapeño in a small bowl, blending with lime juice, fish sauce, lemongrass, brown sugar, and red chili flakes.
- Taste and fine-tune the dressing, adjusting seasonings as needed for balanced flavor. Set aside.
- Toast uncooked rice in a small frying pan over medium heat, stirring constantly until golden brown, approximately 10 minutes.
- Allow toasted rice to cool slightly, then grind into a coarse powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, searing steak for about 5-6 minutes on each side until medium-rare.
- Transfer steak to a cutting board, letting it rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine sliced steak, shallots, mint, and cilantro in a medium bowl, capturing any meat juices.
- Pour prepared dressing over the meat mixture, gently tossing to ensure even coating.
- Sprinkle toasted rice powder over the salad, tossing to distribute evenly.
- Create a bed of lettuce on a serving plate, garnishing with cherry tomatoes and cucumber slices.
- Spoon dressed beef mixture atop the prepared lettuce base.
- Serve immediately while flavors are fresh and vibrant.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting jalapeno and chili flake quantities, allowing personalized spice experiences for different palates.
- Toast rice carefully to prevent burning, watching color change and stirring consistently for perfect nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
- Select high-quality, tender beef cuts like sirloin or flank steak to ensure maximum tenderness and optimal flavor absorption.
- Consider gluten-free adaptation by using tamari instead of fish sauce and confirming rice powder’s gluten-free status for sensitive diets.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 30 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1600 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg