Thailand Yum Nua (Beef Salad)
Yum nua—beef salad—epitomizes the classic Thai philosophy of making balanced dishes with the flavors of salty, sour, sweet, and spicy. The salad can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or even as the main course of a light meal. As a main course, yum nua is often accompanied by jasmine rice.
Recipe Servings: 2–4
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Total Time
25 minutes
Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Kosher
Halal
Ingredients
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 Thai (bird) chile peppers, minced
- 2 Tbsp (30 ml) thinly-sliced lemongrass, crushed after slicing
- 2 Tbsp (30 ml) nam pla (fish sauce)
- 2½ Tbsp (37.5 ml) fresh lime juice
- 1½ tsp (7.5 ml) palm sugar
- ½ Tbsp (7.5 ml) vegetable oil
- 8–10 oz (226–283 g) New York strip steak, about 1½ inches (4 cm) thick
- Salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup (25 g) shallots, thinly sliced
- 3 Tbsp (45 ml) chopped cilantro, stems and leaves
- ¼ cup (5 g) mint leaf, chopped
- 1 medium cucumber, deseeded and sliced
- 4–6 romaine lettuce leaves, for serving
- Cooked jasmine rice, as needed for serving (optional)
Directions
- Crush garlic and chile peppers together against a cutting board using the flat side of a knife to create a paste.
- Whisk together paste, lemongrass, fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar in a small bowl until well combined.
- Set aside.
- Pour vegetable oil into a skillet set over medium-high heat.
- Season steak with salt and black pepper.
- Sear steak in the hot oil on one side and continue to cook for 5–6 minutes.
- Flip steak over and cook for 5 minutes, until medium-rare or medium, as desired.
- Remove steak from heat and let stand on a cutting board for 5 minutes.
- Slice steak very thinly after it has rested.
- Combine beef (including any juices left on cutting board), mint, shallots, cucumber, and cilantro in a large bowl.
- Pour dressing on top of salad, tossing gently to combine.
- Line a serving platter with romaine leaves and pile beef salad on top.
- Serve salad warm with rice, if desired.
For Dressing:
For Steak:
For Salad:
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