This delicious strawberry steak salad is loaded with fresh berries, almonds, feta and arugula, topped with seared steak, and drizzled with a balsamic vinaigrette! A fast and easy week-night dinner.
I am a total sucker for a 'big salad' - like this minty Summer Couscous Salad and this protein-packed Caprese Chicken Quinoa Salad. But this strawberry steak salad is one of my favorite salads of all time!
There is just so much goodness packed in there: sweet berries, peppery arugula, tangy balsamic, and salty feta. Plus it's ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes!
There's no need to heat up the entire home by turning on the oven for this satisfying salad. Perfect for summer, the steak is quickly cooked on the stove and then paired with light and fresh berries and peppery arugula. Balsamic vinaigrette adds bite to balance the sweet and savory flavors, creating a complex and delicious dinner in just one salad bowl!
Reasons to love this strawberry steak salad
- uses light, seasonal produce - perfect for summer
- it is an absolute flavor bomb of sweet, savory, and salty deliciousness
- ready to enjoy in less than 30 minutes
Recipe video
Wondering how this steak salad comes together? Watch this 1-minute video to see how easy it is to prep! You can find more recipe videos on my YouTube channel.
Don't forget to pin this post and save it for later!
Let's talk ingredients!
Here's what you need for this recipe:
Would you like to save this?
- steak - use your favorite cut! Beef tenderloin is pictured, but I've also made this with sirloin tip in the past.
- greens - I love the peppery flavor that the arugula brings, but spinach or kale would also work well.
- berries- raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries are pictured, but use whatever is cheap and in season
- feta cheese - for that perfect hint bit of saltiness
- slivered almonds - adds a terrific crunchy texture to the salad
- balsamic vinaigrette - balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sugar, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper pair perfectly with the sweet berries and salty feta
Tips for cooking the perfect steak
This strawberry steak salad is great for a quick dinner that requires little prep time! Here are some tips for getting the perfect cook on your steak:
- Pan- when it comes to cooking steak, a cast iron skillet is where it's at. A grill will also work.
- Steak prep - bring the steak to room temperature, and get your cast iron skillet to a high heat (oil nearly smoking) before adding the steak
- Doneness- a digital thermometer is the best way to make sure the steak has reached the proper temperature; you want between 130-135 ยฐF for medium rare
- Resting- after cooking, be sure to allow your steak to rest 5-10 minutes before slicing into it in order to have the juiciest steak possible
- Meal Prep- leftovers of this salad do not keep well for meal prepping, but you can make the vinaigrette up to one week in advance and keep in an airtight container in the fridge
Find my favorite kitchen toolsย in my shop!
What goes well with strawberry steak salad?
I recommend enjoying with garlic bread, crispy grilled potatoes, or sweet potato fries.
Can I cook the steak on a grill?
Absolutely - this steak salad recipe is perfect for making on the barbecue in the spring and summer!
Use a high heat (500ยฐF) and cook the steak 3-4 minutes on each side, depending on desired temperature.
Looking for more salads?
- Black Bean and Corn Salad
- Kale, Barley, and Feta Salad
- Kale Caesar Salad
- Sweet Potato and Wild Rice Salad with Chili Lime Vinaigrette
- Chopped Chickpea Salad
- Cobb Salad
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Strawberry Arugula Salad with Steak & Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
Steak
- 4 steaks of your choice (Beef tenderloin pictured)
- steak seasoning (Montreal Steak Spice was used in the photos)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Salad
- 6 cups arugula
- 6 oz raspberries (1 cup)
- 6 oz blueberries (1 cup)
- 1 cup strawberries (sliced)
- ยฝ cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- ยผ cup slivered almonds
Balsamic Vinaigrette
- ยผ cup balsamic vinegar
- ยผ cup olive oil
- 3 teaspoons sugar
- ยฝ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper
Instructions
Steak:
- Season steak and allow to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes.
- Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium high heat. Wait until the oil is very hot, it will be shimmering.
- Add the steak to the pan, do not touch it. Cook for 5 minutes, flip, and cook for another 3 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 130-135ยฐF (for medium rare).
- Transfer the steak to a plate and allow to rest for 5 minutes before cutting into strips.
Salad
- While the steak rests, combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.
- Shake together all vinaigrette ingredients in a small shaker, then pour over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
To Serve
- Divide the salad into 4 bowls, and top with steak.
Would you like to save this?
Tips:
Video
Nutrition Information
© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Sandra Remson says
Instructions are missing ...Season steak. I also added red onions which I love. Otherwise it was delicious. If I can't get berries I love apples or pears. Blue cheese or pepitas also work.
Denise says
Updated, thanks Sandra ๐ Glad you enjoyed!
plasterer bristol says
Lovely, top marks for this. Tastes great. Thanks.
Simon
Maureen says
Absolutely stunning! Everything here is perfect. The flavors, the steak and the vinaigrette! This will be one of my favorite salad dishes. Yummy!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
This salad sounds so good, I love berries!! It's perfect for summer. I have to say, living in the desert I actually kind of miss humidity! But it definitely does a number on the hair. ๐ I love that episode of Friends!!
Denise says
You are too kind, Jessica, thanks so much!
Denise says
Michelle, I have to admit that I rarely eat steak, but on top of a lighter salad, it is so good! Thanks for stopping by ๐
katie says
What a beaut of a salad Denise! Love all that steak, my hubby would love this ๐
Denise says
Thanks, Katie!
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says
What a beautiful salad! I love the flavor combos of the meaty steak with the fresh berries and the salty cheese. This sounds fantastic! I only wish I could have it delivered to me ๐
Denise says
Ha ha, thanks, Shelby!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
That's too funny that your husband claims to know the water buffalo from Crocidle Dundee! That was one of my favorite movies when I was little. I would definitely miss the seasons, too! This salad looks just perfect, Denise! I love the steak and berry combo. Sounds so fresh and delicious!
Denise says
Ha ha, I know, right? Who 'knows' a water buffalo?! Thanks, Gayle!
Danielle says
I think berry season is definitely my favorite too. I've been eating salads like crazy with strawberries and blueberries, so this definitely looks like something I would love! That steak on top looks delicious!
Denise says
I love throwing berries in a salad, especially the good fresh spring berries! Thanks, Danielle!
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
I hate humidity but don't mind the heat. But it would be hard for me to trade the change of seasons.
Arugula and steak are amazing together. I bet the berries are super nice with this salad.
Denise says
I've never eaten much arugula, but it was totally appropriate with the steak/berry/balsamic combo. Thanks, Kathy!
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
True confession: I have Monica hair every day, unless I curl it with a curling iron. Another confession: I love steak prepared in a skillet instead of on the grill. This salad's another winner! P.S. I went to bed with visions of those mocha meringues in my head last night. ๐
Denise says
I guess if I'm being perfectly honest, I also have some pretty bad Monica hair, and have to use a straightener. Ha! Thanks, Andrea!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Here in California we don't have very dramatic seasons. Except at the Farmers Market! Right now they have so many wonderful berries to choose from. Makes me very happy. I love this salad! I planted a ton of arugula in my garden, can't wait to use it to cook this up : )
Denise says
Hope you get lots of arugula, Natalie! You are going to be one busy gardener/chicken momma from the sounds of things ๐
Ami@NaiveCookCooks says
Such gorgeous pictures Denise!! Drooling and wish I was having this for lunch!
Denise says
Thanks so much, Ami!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert says
I'm so excited for berry season! This salad is gorgeous. Love how colorful it is.
Denise says
Thanks, Jen! I am so excited for all sorts of summer produce, but berries are definitely at the top of my list!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
Oh, berry season would DEFINITELY be missed by this girl right here. ๐ I don't even want to THINK about how meaningless life would be without berry season. LOL. This salad combines pretty much all the things I looooove this time of year, and wowee is it gorgeous! Pinned. ๐
Denise says
Ha ha Sarah, you are so dramatic! But I do love berry season (clearly). Thanks, lady!
April @ Girl Gone Gourmet says
Monica-hair!! I love a Friend's reference ๐ Beautiful salad - I agree about the grilling thing, especially with burgers. I always prefer a burger cooked in a cast iron skillet - helps keeps it juicy!
Denise says
Canadian Netflix finally got Friends and I have been re-watching them....such a trip down memory lane!
Thanks, April!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
Denise - As much as I get tired of New England winters, I really can't see myself living somewhere without falling maple leaves or the first snow in December. I'm a New England girl through and through. Speaking of, berry season makes the top of my list of favorite times of the year. Last year was my first time picking strawberries and I was in love. They're so much tastier right off of the stem! What a gorgeous salad.
Denise says
I agree with you, Erin! I am not a huge winter fan, but I just need changing seasons in my life!