Blue Cheese Steak Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Blue Cheese Steak Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
For the Steak
- 1 1/4 pounds sirloin steak, about 1-inch thick
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil, extra virgin
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup, or honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing (Optional)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream, or Greek yogurt
- 2 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons milk, or buttermilk, as needed for consistency
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Salad Assembly
- 8 cups mixed greens, such as spring mix or chopped romaine
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cucumber, peeled and sliced
- 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup pecans, toasted, or candied pecans
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing (if using): In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, crumbled blue cheese, milk (start with 2 tablespoons and add more if needed for desired consistency), Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Prepare the Balsamic Vinaigrette: In a small bowl or jar, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Whisk vigorously or shake until emulsified. Set aside.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Prepare the Steak: Pat the sirloin steak dry with paper towels. Rub both sides with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then season generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Cook the Steak: Heat a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until very hot, about 3-4 minutes. Carefully place the seasoned steak in the hot skillet. Sear for 3-5 minutes per side for medium-rare (internal temperature 130-135°F), or longer for desired doneness. For a 1-inch thick steak, this usually means 4 minutes per side for medium-rare.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
Rest and Slice Steak: Transfer the cooked steak to a cutting board and let it rest for at least 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender steak. After resting, slice the steak against the grain into thin strips.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and sliced cucumber. Add about half of the crumbled blue cheese and half of the toasted pecans.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Dress and Serve: Drizzle the salad with the prepared balsamic vinaigrette (or the creamy blue cheese dressing, or both!) and toss gently to coat. Divide the salad among four plates. Arrange the sliced steak over each salad. Garnish with the remaining crumbled blue cheese and toasted pecans. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Blue Cheese Steak Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
For the Steak
- 1 1/4 pounds sirloin steak, about 1-inch thick
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil, extra virgin
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup, or honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing (Optional)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream, or Greek yogurt
- 2 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons milk, or buttermilk, as needed for consistency
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Salad Assembly
- 8 cups mixed greens, such as spring mix or chopped romaine
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cucumber, peeled and sliced
- 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup pecans, toasted, or candied pecans
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing (if using): In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, crumbled blue cheese, milk (start with 2 tablespoons and add more if needed for desired consistency), Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Prepare the Balsamic Vinaigrette: In a small bowl or jar, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Whisk vigorously or shake until emulsified. Set aside.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Prepare the Steak: Pat the sirloin steak dry with paper towels. Rub both sides with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then season generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Cook the Steak: Heat a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until very hot, about 3-4 minutes. Carefully place the seasoned steak in the hot skillet. Sear for 3-5 minutes per side for medium-rare (internal temperature 130-135°F), or longer for desired doneness. For a 1-inch thick steak, this usually means 4 minutes per side for medium-rare.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
Rest and Slice Steak: Transfer the cooked steak to a cutting board and let it rest for at least 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender steak. After resting, slice the steak against the grain into thin strips.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and sliced cucumber. Add about half of the crumbled blue cheese and half of the toasted pecans.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Dress and Serve: Drizzle the salad with the prepared balsamic vinaigrette (or the creamy blue cheese dressing, or both!) and toss gently to coat. Divide the salad among four plates. Arrange the sliced steak over each salad. Garnish with the remaining crumbled blue cheese and toasted pecans. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 5 min