Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

This balsamic steak salad is an easy and delicious salad featuring juicy steak, pickled onions, avocado, cucumber, and the perfect homemade balsamic vinaigrette. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and can be made AIP.

A bowl filled with balsamic steak salad.

There’s nothing like a hearty salad when you’re craving something fresh! Chicken on salads is a bit overdone, and honestly, steak is just as good if not better.

This grilled balsamic steak will get you out of any salad rut, and add lots of fresh vegetables to your day! With arugula, steak, pickled onions, cucumber, and avocado, this salad is the perfect balance of fresh, peppery, and savory. It’s made without any cheese and is the perfect paleo salad.

The Ingredients for the Balsamic Steak Salad

  • Sirloin Steak. You can also use NY strip steak.
  • Arugula. I love the peppery flavor of arugula in salads like this, but you can also use spinach.
  • Quick Pickled Onions. This recipe is a favorite salad topping of mine! You can use them lots of other ways as well, but they’re amazing on salad. I like to add two large forkfulls, but measure with your heart!
  • Balsamic Vinegar, Olive Oil, Dijon Mustard, Salt, and Pepper. These ingredients form the dressing.
  • Balsamic Vinegar, Coconut Aminos, Garlic Powder, Salt, and Pepper. To marinate the steak.
  • Avocado and Cucumber. These add to the delicious flavor of the steak, arugula, and pickled onions!

 

All the ingredients for balsamic steak salad.

How to make the Balsamic Steak Salad

  • Prepare the salad dressing and set it aside.

The dressing for balsamic steak salad.

  • Marinate the steak, by combining the marinade in a shallow bowl. Add the steak and toss to coat. Set in the fridge for 30 minutes to marinate. 
  • Grill the steak. Lightly grease a grill pan (or outdoor grill) and preheat to medium heat. Add the steak and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until medium-rare. Remove from the heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
  • Assemble the salad. Prepare the salad by adding the arugula to a large plate. Top with the steak, cucumber, avocado, and pickled onions. Drizzle with dressing and serve more on the side. 

Can you make this salad with a different protein?

You can for sure make this salad with chicken, or even a fish like salmon if you prefer that.

Can you make this salad ahead of time? How do you store it?

It’s definitely best fresh if you can manage that! however, you can make the steak ahead of time and store all of the ingredients separately, and assemble when you’re ready to enjoy.

What other toppings can you add to this salad?

If you tolerate cheese, this salad would be great with blue cheese! It would also be great with tomato, and gluten-free croutons.

Pouring dressing onto the balsamic steak salad.

You’ll also like…

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Balsamic Steak Salad

  • Author: Michelle
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
Print Recipe

Description

This balsamic steak salad is an easy and delicious salad featuring juicy steak, pickled onions, avocado, cucumber, and the perfect homemade balsamic vinaigrette. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and can be made AIP.

Ingredients

Scale

For the dressing

  • 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard (omit for AIP)
  • Salt and pepper to taste (omit pepper for AIP)

For the steak and marinade 

  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tsp coconut aminos
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper (omit pepper for AIP)
  • 10 oz sirloin steak

For the salad

Instructions

  1. Add the ingredients for the dressing to a glass jar and shake well. Alternatively, you can add it to a bowl and whisk it until combined. Set in the fridge while you prepare the rest of the salad.
  2. To marinate the steak, combine the 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, coconut aminos, and seasonings in a shallow bowl. Add the steak and toss to coat. Set in the fridge for 30 minutes to marinate. Remove from the fridge and allow to sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes.
  3. Lightly grease a grill pan (or outdoor grill) and preheat to medium heat. Add the steak and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until medium-rare. Remove from the heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes before thinly slicing. 
  4. Prepare the salad by adding the arugula to a large plate. Top with the steak, cucumber, avocado, and pickled onions. Drizzle with dressing and serve more on the side. 

Notes

All nutrition facts are estimated and will vary.

  • Prep Time: 30
  • Cook Time: 10
  • Cuisine: Global

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 674
  • Fat: 51.4g
  • Carbohydrates: 21.4g
  • Fiber: 5.6g
  • Protein: 34.2g

Keywords: balsamic steak, steak salad

Recipe by Michelle, Unbound Wellness. Photos by Ashleigh Scott