A perfectly cooked steak deserves an equally delicious salad to go with it. While the steak may seem like the star of the show, the salad dressing plays a crucial role in bringing all the flavors together. The right dressing can enhance the flavors of the steak and salad ingredients, taking your meal to the next level.
When browsing the supermarket aisles, you’ll find countless bottled dressings to choose from. But which ones work best for steak salad? We’ve narrowed it down to the top 10 dressings that will make your steak salad shine.
Why Use Salad Dressing?
Before jumping into the dressings, let’s look at why using a dressing is so important for steak salad:
Adds Flavor
The first and most obvious reason is that salad dressing adds a ton of flavor. A plain salad is quite boring on its own. The dressing incorporates new flavors like sweet, tangy, creamy, or spicy to liven things up.
Provides Moisture
Sprinkling some dressing on helps provide much-needed moisture to the salad. Especially with leafy greens, a little liquid keeps things from getting too dry and wilted.
Nutritional Benefits
Many dressings provide nutritional perks like healthy fats, antioxidants, and vitamins. For example, a vinaigrette made with olive oil adds some beneficial unsaturated fats.
Visual Appeal
Drizzling on dressing gives salads more visual pizzazz. The color and sheen makes things more eye-catching and appetizing.
Customization
You can buy or make dressings to match your personal preferences. Like more zip? Whip up a zesty lemon dressing. Want something richer? Opt for a creamy ranch. The options are endless.
Now that you know why dressing is important, let’s get into the top recommended dressings to pair with steak salad.
1. Balsamic Vinaigrette
This classic Italian-style dressing should be a staple in everyone’s refrigerator. It’s easy to make right at home.
The ingredients typically include:
- Balsamic vinegar
- Olive oil
- Dijon mustard
- Garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
Balsamic vinaigrette provides the perfect balance of sweet and tart thanks to the mellow balsamic vinegar. The olive oil gives it a smooth, rich finish. This all combines to make a dressing that pairs perfectly with steak. The tanginess cuts through the richness of the meat.
Feel free to tweak the dressing to your tastes. Add more mustard for extra zip or use red wine vinegar for a different flavor profile.
2. Blue Cheese Dressing
Cool and creamy blue cheese dressing is a match made in heaven for steak salad. The bold, pungent blue cheese crumbles pair divinely with savory steak.
Making homemade blue cheese dressing is simple. Just mix together:
- Crumbled blue cheese
- Sour cream or mayonnaise
- Milk
- Lemon juice
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
The dairy provides a luscious creamy base while the blue cheese kicks things up a notch. The lemon brightens up the rich flavors even more. Drizzle generously over salad greens topped with steak slices.
3. Ranch Dressing
Beloved ranch dressing is an American classic for a reason. Its cool, tangy flavor works well on pretty much any salad combination. The creamy base helps mellow out the robust flavor of steak.
While bottled ranch dressing is handy, try making it yourself for the freshest flavor.
Homemade ranch contains:
- Mayonnaise
- Buttermilk
- Fresh herbs like chives, parsley, and dill
- Garlic
- Onion
- Salt and pepper
- Spices like paprika and mustard powder
Let the dressing chill for a bit so the flavors infuse. Then pour it over your salad for a refreshing ranch flavor in every bite.
4. Honey Mustard Dressing
For those who like a touch of sweetness, honey mustard dressing is a stellar choice for steak salad. The sweet honey balances the slight bitterness of the mustard perfectly.
Honey mustard vinaigrette is easy to whisk up. Just combine:
- Olive oil or vegetable oil
- Honey
- Dijon or yellow mustard
- Vinegar (rice wine, white wine, champagne, etc.)
- Salt and pepper
The honey mellows out the tanginess of the vinegar and mustard. Drizzle as much as you want over greens topped with juicy steak slices and veggie mix-ins. The contrast of sweet and savory is fantastic.
5. Caesar Dressing
Caesar dressing is a classic choice for good reason. Who doesn’t love its cool, tangy flavor? The anchovy and Parmesan give it a savory depth that pairs well with steak.
Traditional Caesar dressing contains:
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Worcestershire sauce
- Anchovy fillets
- Garlic
- Dijon mustard
- Parmesan
- Egg yolk
The raw egg yolk makes it extra creamy. But don’t worry – the acidity from the lemon juice kills any bacteria. Alternatively, you can use pasteurized eggs for safety.
Shower crunchy romaine lettuce with the dressing, parmesan shavings, croutons, and steak slices. It’s a steak Caesar done right.
6. Green Goddess Dressing
Green goddess dressing has a lively herby flavor that’s not just delicious – it’s also gorgeously green! The mix of herbs gives it a fresh taste that pairs perfectly with steak.
To make green goddess dressing, mix together:
- Mayonnaise or sour cream
- Chopped fresh herbs (parsley, tarragon, chives)
- Lemon juice
- Anchovy fillets
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
The mayo or sour cream provides a creamy base. Break out your herb chopper to finely mince the fresh herbs. Their bright flavor really makes the dressing sing.
Give your salad an extra boost of green with this vibrant dressing. It looks as good as it tastes!
7. Creamy French Dressing
French dressing has a reputation for being the boring store-bought stuff. But made from scratch, it’s anything but boring! The creamy version takes things up a notch.
For thick and tangy creamy French dressing:
- Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, or plain yogurt for the base
- Add ketchup for sweetness and color
- Dijon or yellow mustard for zip
- Onion and garlic for aromatic flavor
- Salt, pepper, paprika, and other spices to taste
Drizzle this dressing over greens, tomatoes, onions, croutons, and steak. The rich, creamy texture helps soften the crispy greens.
8. Italian Dressing
Italian dressing has a robust zesty flavor that pairs perfectly with steak. With common Italian spices and herbs, it has tons of flavor without being overpowering.
Make your own with:
- Olive oil
- Vinegar (red wine, balsamic, etc.)
- Onion and garlic
- Dried oregano, basil, parsley, and other Italian herbs
- Salt and pepper
Let the minced garlic steep in the dressing for maximum flavor infusion. The combination of rich oil and acidic vinegar keeps things well-balanced. Sprinkle in some grated Parmesan for even more Italian flavor.
9. Chimichurri Sauce
Chimichurri is a flavor-packed green sauce hailing from Argentina and Uruguay. It makes a fantastic dressing for steak salad thanks to its bright, herby flavor.
Chimichurri sauce contains:
- Finely chopped parsley and cilantro
- Olive oil
- Vinegar (red wine or sherry vinegar work well)
- Garlic
- Optional: jalapeño for a little kick
Vigorously mix everything together to combine the flavors. Spoon chimichurri over salad greens and thinly sliced steak. The vibrant green color is gorgeous against the red meat.
10. Cilantro-Lime Dressing
Last but not least is a bright and tangy cilantro-lime dressing. The lively flavor combos wonderfully with savory steak salad.
Simply mix together:
- Fresh lime juice
- Olive oil
- Chopped cilantro
- Salt and pepper
- Minced garlic or grated ginger (optional)
The lime juice gives it a zippy citrus flavor while the cilantro offers herby freshness. Pour over salad greens, sliced avocado, corn, black beans, and steak. Top with crumbled cotija cheese for even more flavor.
Tips for Making the Perfect Steak Salad
Now that you know the best dressings for steak salad, let’s go over some tips for crafting the perfect salad:
Pick the Right Steak Cut
Choose a steak cut that offers tenderness and flavor. Top sirloin, ribeye, tenderloin, and strip steaks are all great choices for salad. Marinate the steak for extra juiciness and flavor.
Cook Steak Correctly
The cooking method matters when preparing steak for salad. Quick, high-heat cooking yields tender, juicy results. Grill, broil, or pan-sear with a little oil over very high heat.
Let Steak Rest
After cooking, let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to reabsorb so they don’t leak out.
Slice Steak Thinly
For salad, steak should be sliced nice and thin. Aim for 1/4 inch slices cut diagonally against the grain. This makes the meat even more tender.
Use Fresh, Crisp Greens
The base of the salad should be fresh, crunchy greens like spinach, kale, lettuce, or mixed greens. Romaine and iceberg lettuce are great affordable options.
Add Colorful Vegetables
For visual appeal and nutrition, incorporate vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, carrots, broccoli, and snap peas. Roasted veggies also pair nicely.
Include Savory Toppings
Take your salad over the top with tasty toppings like cheese, eggs, bacon bits, avocado, roasted nuts or seeds. Croutons add a nice crunch too.
Dress and Toss Well
Drizzle the vinaigrette or dressing all over and toss thoroughly so everything is evenly coated. Add dressing a little at a time until it reaches the desired taste.
Dressing Up Your Steak Salad
A salad is only as good as its dressing. When creating steak salad, take care to select a dressing that complements and enhances the meaty flavor. Whip up a quick vinaigrette, ranch, Caesar, or other flavorful dressing to make your salad pop.
By following the recommendations above for full-of-flavor dressings and salad building tips, you’ll end up with a stellar steak salad every time. A well-crafted salad with high-quality ingredients is a totally satisfying meal, especially when served alongside a perfected grilled steak.
FAQs
What is the best dressing for a steak salad?
Some top recommended dressings for steak salad are balsamic vinaigrette, blue cheese, ranch, honey mustard, Caesar, French, Italian, chimichurri, and cilantro-lime. These all pair well with the bold flavor of steak.
What kind of salad goes well with steak?
Good salad bases for steak salad include leafy greens like romaine, spinach, kale, arugula, and mixed greens. You can also add colorful vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, carrots, etc.
How should you cook the steak for a steak salad?
Cook the steak over high heat either on the grill or pan-seared in a skillet. This yields a juicy, tender steak. Let it rest 5-10 minutes after cooking before slicing thinly against the grain.
What ingredients make a good steak salad?
In addition to high-quality steak and fresh salad greens, you can add ingredients like cheese, eggs, bacon bits, avocado, roasted veggies, nuts, seeds, and croutons.
Can you use bottled dressing for a steak salad?
Yes, bottled salad dressings like ranch, blue cheese, balsamic, Caesar, etc. work well for steak salads. However, homemade dressings taste freshest.
How much dressing should you use?
Start with about 1-2 tablespoons of dressing per 3-4 cups of salad. Drizzle over the top and toss to coat evenly. Add more to taste if desired.
What cut of steak is best for salad?
Tender, flavorful cuts like ribeye, strip, tenderloin, top sirloin, or filet mignon are best. Marinate for added flavor. Thinly slice across the grain after cooking.
Should steak for salad be served warm or cold?
It can be served either way. Warm steak pairs nicely with crisp cool greens. But chilled steak works too. Just don’t freeze the sliced steak or it may lose texture.
What special equipment is needed?
No special tools needed! Just high-quality steak, greens, veggies, dressing ingredients, and standard kitchen knives and cookware. A grill pan is useful but not essential.
Best Dressings for Steak Salad
Ingredients
- Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Blue Cheese Dressing
- Ranch Dressing
- Honey Mustard Dressing
- Caesar Dressing
- Green Goddess Dressing
- Creamy French Dressing
- Italian Dressing
- Chimichurri Sauce
- Cilantro-Lime Dressing
Instructions
- Cook steak on the grill or stovetop to desired doneness, about 3-5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Let rest 5 minutes then slice thinly.
- Wash and dry the salad greens. Tear into bite-sized pieces if needed and place in a large bowl.
- Slice or chop any vegetables you want to add to the salad. Add to the bowl with greens.
- Add any additional toppings like croutons, nuts, or seeds to the salad.
- Drizzle about 1-2 tbsp of your chosen dressing over the salad. Toss thoroughly to coat. Taste and add more dressing if desired.
- Top the dressed salad with sliced steak. Serve immediately while the steak is still warm.