After a string of slightly random small-time jobs, at even smaller companies right out of college, I was a wee bit overjoyed to get my first corporate gig.
I know that sounds strange, but after a position where, at 21 and with a marketing degree, I was put in charge of accounting for an entire company, this transition was reason to celebrate. An HR department! Rules! Regulations! No cleaning up after an office cat I was allergic to!
BLERG.
Not to mention the cafeteria. A big, wide-open cafeteria with options. Options! Between the soup, salad, sandwich, and hot bars, a grill, snacks, and everything in between, the co-worker who showed me around my first day on the job practically had to pop my eyeballs back into their sockets after giving me the tour.
It wasn’t long before I learned what the most popular dish at the cafeteria was, judging by the length of the lunch line every time it appeared on the menu: Sizzling Salads.
Your choice of crisp salad toppings tossed with dressing, and sizzling steak or chicken, made to order on the spot. The combo of cold and hot was out of this world, and the 20+ minute wait while the 2 chefs behind the line furiously assembled, sizzled, and served each salad was totally worth it.
While it’s been years since I left the company, I can still enjoy their sizzling salads kicked up with far-east flavors like soy, ginger, and garlic, then topped with sauteed steak and onions, by making Sizzling Asian Steak Salad at home.
You will love this quick fix meal, featuring a steak marinade and salad dressing that can both be made a couple days ahead of time. It’s an entree salad that is not only incredibly flavorful, but filling AND husband-approved (minus the onions, of course!)
Start the Sizzling Asian Steak Salad with the ultra-flavorful steak marinade. Inside a plastic bag, combine 2 Tablespoons each low-sodium gluten-free Tamari or soy sauce (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce)Â and extra virgin olive oil.
Followed by 1 minced garlic clove and 2 teaspoons brown sugar.
Then 1 Tablespoon mirin. Mirin is a sweet Japanese cooking wine which I’ve used on the blog before in both Broccoli Beef, and Homemade Yoshinoya Beef Bowls (omg I could go for 12 of those right now.) Sherry would work as a substitute, or a little sugar mixed with white wine.
Squish the marinade ingredients together to combine, then add an 8oz strip steak (or whatever steak you like) cut into bite-sized pieces. Let the steak marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
Note: I forgot to cut my steak up before popping it in the marinade, so I did it before cooking.
While the steak is marinating, get the salad dressing ready. Most of the ingredients here are also used in the marinade, and the mirroring of flavors is fantastic. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 Tablespoons each extra virgin olive oil and low-sodium  gluten-free Tamari or soy sauce (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce.)
Add 2 teaspoons honey, and 1 Tablespoon lime juice.
Followed by 2 teaspoons fresh ginger and 2 garlic cloves that have been microplaned or minced.
Like I mentioned, both the marinade and salad dressing can be made a couple days ahead of time, which makes throwing this salad together extra quick and easy on a hectic weeknight.
When the steak is marinated to your liking (I gave mine about 45 minutes) toss 1/2 small sliced red onion into a hot skillet with the steak then saute for 3-4 minutes, or until it reaches your preferred level of doneness. I like mine rare, bay-bee!
Remove the steak and onions to a plate then set ’em aside for a sec while you put the salad together.
Simply combine 6-8 cups baby spinach in a large bowl with 1 pint halved grape or cherry tomatoes, then toss with the prepared dressing.
Add the sizzling steak and onions on top, sprinkle with some chopped green onions, then serve!
Sizzling Asian Steak Salad
Equipment
- 1 large skillet
Ingredients
For the steak marinade:
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons low-sodium gluten-free Tamari or soy sauce dish will not be GF if using soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon mirin
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic pressed or minced
- 8 oz strip steak cut into bite-sized pieces
For the salad dressing:
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons low-sodium gluten-free Tamari or soy sauce dish will not be GF if using soy sauce
- 4 teaspoons honey
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- 2 cloves garlic pressed or minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger microplaned or finely minced
For the salad:
- 1/2 small red onion thinly sliced
- 6-8 cups baby spinach or other lettuce
- 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes sliced in half
- 1 green onion chopped
Instructions
- Combine steak marinade ingredients in a plastic bag then squish to combine. Add steak pieces then marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Meanwhile, whisk together salad dressing ingredients in a small bowl then set aside in the refrigerator.
- Heat a non-stick sprayed skillet over medium-high heat then add onions and marinated steak. Saute for 3-4 minutes, or until steak is done to your liking. Remove to a plate and set aside. In a large bowl, toss baby spinach with cherry tomatoes and pre-made dressing, then divide between two plates. Top with hot steak and onions, then sprinkle with green onions and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
The marinade makes each bite of steak melt like buttah in your mouth, and the dressing is zingy as heck! Garlicky and gingery, with a little sweet and salty action goin’ on from the honey and soy sauce. Yumm!
The red onions get nice and sweet during their quick saute, and a fresh burst of flavor from the tomatoes is just perfect. Pair with a nice loaf of Italian bread and butter for a complete and filling meal. Enjoy, guys! (Comma necessary.)
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Workout of the Day: 30 Minute, 3.05 Mile Treadmill Workout
Briana S. 11.28.2012
This was delicious! And a good pick me up since I’m still in the “string of small-time jobs” phase of my post-grad life. Thanks for giving me hope and some delicious leftovers for lunch tomorrow! :)
Bad Blogging 11.18.2012
[…] Sizzling Steak Salad […]
Tina 11.09.2012
I believe I also worked at the company you speak of, and I had forgotten all about the sizzling salads! I am going to have to make this! I really miss those salads! I have loved all of the recipes I have tried from your site.
Sarah 11.08.2012
Thanks for posting this! It has me wishing that today was Sizzling Salad day in the cafeteria. “Old Fashioned Meatloaf with Rich Onion Gravy” isn’t, um, even close. :(
Megan 11.08.2012
My husband and I made this for dinner last night. OMG..I inhaled it, and then got mad at my hubby for throwing out the rest of the dressing! We still had more steak and spinach..what was he thinking?!? This will definitely be a staple in our house from now on!
Iowa Girl Eats 11.12.2012
Hahaha, come on, hubby! ;)
Emily (More Than Just Dessert) 11.06.2012
Ooooh, I LOVE steak and am always looking for way to eat more veggies with it. Perfect combo here!
Ed 11.06.2012
That looks soooo tasty and easy too…love the big chunks of steak…totally guy friendly!
Tracy 11.06.2012
Were you really in charge of accounting as a marketing major? Did you hate it?
Iowa Girl Eats 11.06.2012
Yes – it was totally messed up and I got out 3 months later, thank goodness!
Lauren 11.06.2012
Mmmm, looks tastey – I love the idea of a hearty salad like this one. Also just had to send out a giant THANKS because in a recent post you mentioned MukLuks. I had never heard of them before, and have since invested – best slippers ever! May even be purchasing a second pair for my mom’s Christmas gift.
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe 11.06.2012
This looks so easy and so flavorful! I am a big fan of meal size salads – they make me feel reeeaaalllyyy healthy and they taste good too! :)
Rachael {SimplyFreshCooking} 11.06.2012
I’m going to have to eat this for lunch ASAP! Always looking for new salad ideas! :)
Jess 11.06.2012
Oh my, I need to try this!
Steve Perry 11.06.2012
Anything asian or asian flavor I’m in.looks great. I made Bens chicken,bacon,rice bowl last friday not bad,good job thank Ben for me,
She Ran.She Worked.She Conquered. 11.06.2012
YUM! That looks amazing…literally just copied the ingredients onto my grocery list for the week
Natalie McIlwain 11.06.2012
The previous company you speak of still has the sizzling salads, I actually got one last week :) However, your salad looks a bit more appealing!
stephanie@cookinfanatic 11.06.2012
This looks wonderful and omg I need to make those beef bowls again, made them last year and adored them!!! I’ll take 12 too please and thank you :)
Lauren 11.05.2012
You know I’m all about salads! Anything with the word “sizzling” in it has to be good. :)
Amy M 11.05.2012
Looks so good! I made a steak last night for my husband and he was very happy…especially since lunch was a light vegetable bisque ….that I have to admit kind of looked like baby food.
Katie @ Blonde Ambition 11.05.2012
I was just thinking about how, after Halloween week and eating all.the.candy, I need a salad for dinner tonight. I might just have to make this with some chicken I have waiting at home!
Blog is the New Black 11.05.2012
As always, looks terrific! Glad you are now full-time recipe developing because we all win! (PS- would love to hear how you made that decision!) ;)