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    You are here: Home » Meal Type » Salads » Healthy Steak Salad (Keto or Whole30)

    Healthy Steak Salad (Keto or Whole30)

    January 19, 2021 By Danielle Esposti Leave a Comment

    May contain affiliate links.See our Privacy Policy and disclosure.

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    Pinterest image for a steakhouse style steak salad.
    Pinterest image for a keto steak salad recipe.
    Pinterest collage for a keto steak salad recipe.
    Pinterest collage for a steakhouse style steak salad.

    If salad isn’t the first thing to pop in your head when you crave a decadent dinner, Healthy Steak Salad is about to move in rent free. Reimagine your salad game with tender, juicy sirloin on a bed of fresh, crisp greens, dressed up with all your favorite salad veggies and a homemade vinaigrette. Keto and Whole30 variations in the recipe below!

    Steak salad with roasted potatoes and avocado in a tan salad bowl on a cement background with a small pitcher of balsamic dressing.
    Jump to:
    • What’s the Best Steak for Steak Salad?
    • Tips for Making Perfect Steakhouse-Style Steak at Home
    • Times and Temperatures for Seared Steak
    • Whole30 Steak Salad
    • Keto Steak Salad
    • More Healthy Dinner Worthy Salads
    • Recipe


    We’re just about 3 weeks into the new year which means that if you’re one of the millions of people who are 3 weeks into a new diet, you’re probably about to hit a wall. I don’t mean the “I need a donut” wall. (Pfft. That’s like the 3 day mark.) I mean the “Hear me, please, refrigerator gods, and send me something other than chicken breast (or tuna fish or eggs or maybe even solid food in any form)” wall.

    We’ve all been stuck in that rut because cooking on a restrictive diet is, well, restrictive. You can’t just nuke some pizza rolls and pretend it’s lunch. (Although, if you’re on that diet and have discovered health benefits the rest of us don’t know about, please share with the rest of class.)

    Whether you’re trying Whole30 or paleo or keto or going grain-free, you’re going to find yourself missing out on a lot of the grab-and-go foods that made life easy. So we plan, prep, schedule and hopefully learn to tolerate (or, if you’re lucky, love) carrot sticks instead of Oreos, so that we can live long enough to love Oreos another day.

    This is why it’s so important to splurge where you can. And if steak isn’t a splurge, well… I don’t know how else to help you fancypants, cause I’m not made of enough money to recipe test lobster for a week. Steak Salad is a perfect way to gussy up your salad routine (which you know you have because salad is always the easiest go-to) and reward yourself for making it 3 weeks without that donut. Way to go, champ!

    Want more salad options? Yes, yes you do! Click here to view a whole bunch of crave-able dinner salads.

    Seared sirloin steaks in a cast iron skillet.

    What’s the Best Steak for Steak Salad?

    Choose a well-marbled cut that will cook quickly. We used sirloin, but you could substitute for strip steak or ribeye as well.

    Tips for Making Perfect Steakhouse-Style Steak at Home

    • Pat the steak dry using paper towels or a cotton kitchen towel. A steak will help avoid steaming ensure a browned crust.
    • Bring the meat up to room temperature for even cooking. Remove packaging, pat dry, then place on a plate; usually 30 minutes will do the trick.
    • Get that skillet sizzling! Wait until it starts smoking to ensure it’s at the right temperature (AKA screaming hot).
    • Always check temperature using an instant read thermometer for accurate results.
    • Top with butter while resting. This is a little trick I learned back in the dark ages (my early 20’s) when I was working in restaurants. A little butter adds just one more rich layer of flavor to steak.
    • Remember, resting generally adds about 5°F to the cook time, so take this into account when checking the internal temperature.
    • Always slice steak against the grain for the most tender bites.

    Times and Temperatures for Seared Steak

    Cooking times will vary base on the cut and thickness of your steaks. To cook to your desired temperature most accurately, always use an instant read thermometer inserted into the center of the steak.

    • 3-4 minutes per side:  for RARE, or until the thermometer registers 110-115°F (final temperature after resting will register around 120°F).
    • 5-6 minutes per side:  for MEDIUM RARE, or until the thermometer registers 120-125°F (final temperature after resting will register around 130°F).
    • 6-7 minutes per side:  for MEDIUM, or until the thermometer registers 125-130°F (final temperature after resting will register around 135°F).
    • 8-10 minutes per side:  for MEDIUM WELL, or until the thermometer registers 135-140°F (final temperature after resting will register around 145°F).
    A collage showing the base for steak salad, with two different dietary accommodation platings - keto and whole30.

    Whole30 Steak Salad

    • Serve with roasted fingerling potatoes and skip the crumbled blue cheese.
    • Swap the vinaigrette for my Whole30 Ranch Dressing if you’re craving something creamy.

    Keto Steak Salad

    • Skip the potatoes; garnish with crumbled blue cheese
    • Balsamic vinegar will add some to your carb count, so be mindful. Go easy on the dressing or skip the vinaigrette altogether – use your favorite keto dressing or try my keto-friendly Whole30 Ranch Dressing.

    More Healthy Dinner Worthy Salads

    • Whole30 BLT Chicken Salad
    • Steak Fajita Salad
    • Chicken Caprese Salad
    • BLT Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing
    • Chicken Shawarma Salad
    Side view, steak salad in a tan salad bowl with sirloin steak, blue cheese, avocado, and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette.

    Did you make this Healthy Steak Salad? I’d love to know how it turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.

    While you’re at it, let’s be friends – follow me on Pinterest and Instagram for the latest and greatest.

    Recipe

    Whole30 or keto steak salad in a tan salad bowl with a gold fork - seared sirloin, avocado, salad greens, blue cheese or roasted potatoes, and balsamic dressing.

    Healthy Steak Salad (Whole30 or Keto)

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    Author: Danielle Esposti
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    Don't get stuck in an unsatisfying salad trap! Gussy up your greens with savory sirloin and crispy potatoes for a filling family meal. Sear your steak in a cast iron skillet while your potatoes are roasting. While the meat is resting, prep your base and homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Serve warm steak and potatoes on cool, crisp veggies and serve immediately.
    Prep Time: 10 mins
    Cook Time: 35 mins
    Total Time: 45 mins
    Servings : 4 salads
    Calories: 533

    Recommended Equipment

    • Cast Iron Skillet

    Ingredients

    • 2 12- oz sirloin steaks
    • Kosher salt, to taste
    • Ground pepper, to taste
    • 12 oz fingerling potatoes, halved lengthwise (whole30 only)
    • 2 tsp olive oil
    • 1 head romaine, chopped
    • ½ head radicchio, chopped
    • 1 english cucumber, sliced
    • 8 radishes, sliced
    • ½ pint cherry tomatoes, halved
    • 1 avocado, sliced
    • 4 tbsp blue cheese crumbles, keto only
    • 1 tbsp butter or ghee

    Balsamic Vinaigrette

    • 4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
    • 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 tsp dijon mustard
    • Pinch sea salt
    • Pinch ground pepper

    Instructions

    • Pat the steak dry, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Set onto a plate to come to room temperature for 15-30 minutes.
      Two raw sirloin steaks seasoned with salt and pepper coming to room temperature on a grey plate.
    • Heat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Make the dressing. Combine the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, mustard, salt, and pepper in a small lidded jar; shake vigorously until emulsified. Alternatively, combine ingredients in a one-cup glass measuring cup or small bowl and whisk until emulsified.
    • Whole30 only. Toss the fingerling potatoes with the olive oil, ½ tsp kosher salt, and ½ tsp ground pepper. Spread evenly over the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, cut side down. Transfer to the oven and roast until golden brown on the outside and tender on the inside, 20-22 minutes.
      Fingerling potatoes on a baking sheet before and after being roasted in the oven.
    • Heat a cast iron skillet until smoking. Add the steak and sear 5-6 minutes per side for medium rare, or until an instant read thermometer registers 125-130°F using an instant read thermometer. Remove from heat and top each steak with a ½ tbsp butter. Rest 10 minutes.
      Side view, two seared sirloin steaks in a cast iron skillet.
    • While the steak rests, make the salad base. Toss the romaine, radicchio, cucumbers, radishes, and tomatoes. Divide evenly between 4 plates, then top each with one quarter of the avocado.
      Steak salad salad base tossed in a bowl - romaine lettuce, radicchio, tomatoes, cucumbers, and radishes.
    • Keto only: divide the blue cheese between the 4 plates.
      Keto steak salad base with avocado and blue cheese crumbles added to the bowl.
    • Whole30 only: divide the roasted potatoes between the 4 plates.
      Whole30 steak salad base with avocado and roasted potatoes added to the bowl.
    • Slice the steaks against the grain, then divide between the plates. Drizzle with vinaigrette and serve immediately.
      Healthy steak salad with roasted potatoes and avocado in a tan bowl with a gold fork.

    Notes

    • Nutrition card information reflects Whole30 options/add-ons.
    • Keto nutritional information:  423 calories; 26g fat; 5g net carbs; 38g protein.

    Nutrition Information

    Serving: 1salad, Calories: 533kcal (27%), Carbohydrates: 38g (13%), Protein: 40g (80%), Fat: 25g (38%), Saturated Fat: 8g (40%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 98mg (33%), Sodium: 106mg (4%), Potassium: 361mg (10%), Fiber: 6g (24%), Sugar: 6g (7%), Vitamin A: 9% (9%), Vitamin C: 43% (43%), Calcium: 3% (3%), Iron: 26% (26%)
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @oursaltykitchen or tag #oursaltykitchen!
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    Disclaimer: This post and the recipe card may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

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    Filed Under: Grilled Steak, Keto, Main Dishes, Paleo, Salads, Whole30 Dinner Recipes, Whole30 Recipes

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