The Best Steak Salad Recipe – with Blackberries & Almonds!

This is the best steak salad recipe, especially for spring or summer! The brightness of the blackberries perfectly complements the savory steak.

I love salads, especially in the warmer months. However, I need a salad to be fairly substantial if it's going to serve as a main dish. For me, that means it needs to include plenty of protein and healthy fats. I don't want to be hungry again an hour later!

This steak salad with blackberries and almonds definitely checks those boxes. Plus it offers a variety of textures, making it super tasty and satisfying. If you think your family won't go for salad for dinner, I urge you to give this one a try. They just may surprise you!

You can of course cook the steak on the grill if you like but I've included instructions for the best way to cook flank steak indoors because I know not everyone loves grilling or has time to fire up the grill on a busy weeknight.

Make sure to check out my tips for how to make great homemade balsamic dressing as well. Homemade salad dressing definitely takes this to the next level!

 

What makes this a healthy steak salad?

Every ingredient in this recipe contributes to the nutrition of this healthy steak salad! It's high in protein, contains healthy fats from the almonds and olive oil and offers plenty of vitamins from the produce. Here are some of the nutritional highlights:

Olive Oil (Oleic Acid, Vitamin E, Iron, Copper, Calcium)

Due to the type of fat it contains, olive oil may reduce inflammation. It also reduces the risk of Alzheimer's, stroke and heart disease. Make sure to get high quality extra virgin olive oil, as it retains more antioxidants and nutrients.

Balsamic Vinegar (Antioxidants, Probiotics)

Made from grape juice, balsamic vinegar contains antioxidants that may help lower cholesterol. It also contains probiotics that are good for healthy digestion.

Beef (Iron, Zinc, B Vitamins, Selenium, Niacin, Phosphorus)

Particularly high in iron and zinc, beef also contains vitamin B6, vitamin B12, selenium, niacin phosphorus and, of course, lots of high quality protein. Grass fed beef is up to 500% higher in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) than conventional. CLA may help reduce the risk for some types of cancer and type 2 diabetes. Grass-fed beef also contains up to 5 times as many Omega-3s as conventional beef.

Arugula (Calcium, Potassium, Folate, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin A)

As with all types of greens, arugula offers substantial nutrition and, in particular, may help prevent and fight cancer. In addition to being full of vitamins, arugula also offers a lot of fiber.

Blackberries (Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Manganese, Antioxidants)

Due to their mix of vitamins, blackberries are great for your immune system, collagen formation and blood sugar regulation. Like other berries, blackberries likely also support brain health due to their antioxidants. Finally, blackberries are one of the lowest carb fruits!

Almonds (Magnesium, Vitamin E, Potassium, Calcium)

High in magnesium, vitamin E and potassium, almonds are good for your heart and also help lower LDL cholesterol. One serving of almonds also has as much calcium as 1/4 cup of milk!

Tips on the Best Way to Cook Flank Steak Indoors

Grilling steak is a classic way to maximize its flavor but it's by no means the only way to cook a delicious steak. Here's the best way to cook flank steak indoors:

• Don't forget to season: In this recipe, you just use salt and pepper on the steak but that simple step is essential! I talk more about my philosophy on using salt here but, basically, I believe that if you eat plenty of produce and minimal processed foods, you do not need to be afraid to salt your food. (Of course speak to your physician if you're unsure of how much salt you should eat personally, as there are medical conditions that necessitate limited salt.)
• Always sear: I know it's an extra step but, trust me, searing your steak before finishing in the oven not only maximizes flavor, it locks in moisture as well. Make sure your pan is nice and hot before adding the steak to sear.
• Finish in the oven: You can read more about it here but basically, finishing steak in the oven results in more even cooking and less chance of overcooking. Plus it's hands-off, giving you a chance to finish assembling your salad!

How to Meal Prep the BEST Steak Salad Recipe (No Soggy Lettuce!)

I feel like salads are often overlooked when it comes to meal prep. To me though, there are two important reasons to meal prep salads:

1. It's WAY more likely you'll eat more greens throughout the week if you've prepped a salad ahead of time.
2. Prepping salad ahead of time encourages you to experiment with different combinations instead of just grabbing the greens and topping with a bottled dressing. This makes for tastier salads (which in turn means you'll eat more salad).

That said, no one likes soggy lettuce. The key is to avoid mixing any “wet” ingredients like salad dressing or chopped tomatoes until you're ready to enjoy your salad. You can still prep these items ahead, just store separately.

I also like to layer my salad ingredients when I make them for meal prep so the salad is pre-mixed when I get a serving.

For this particular salad, mix the salad ingredients and make the dressing ahead of time but cook the steak right before serving for best results.

Our weekly gluten free and paleo meal plans always include a meal prep salad so make sure to check those out with our free trial if you want more delicious prep-ahead salad recipes!

How to Make Homemade Balsamic Dressing

I honestly believe that if everyone knew how EASY it is to make homemade salad dressing, no one would buy the bottled stuff. Homemade dressings are not only way tastier, they also tend to be much more nutritious. You have the freedom to select a high quality oil. Furthermore, when you use high quality oil and vinegar, there's no need for the sugar that's loaded into so many bottled options.

To make homemade balsamic dressing, all you need to do is mix 2 parts olive oil with one part balsamic vinegar. You can simply whisk the oil and vinegar together but if you want a creamy balsamic, definitely try blending in your blender or food processor to emulsify.

If you want to get creative, experiment with adding one of the following:

• Fresh herbs like basil or thyme
• Minced garlic (make sure to store the dressing in the fridge if you do this)
• A small squirt of dijon mustard for a kick

If you want to experiment with more homemade salad dressings, check out my lemon herb vinaigrette or my dairy free ranch dressing.

I want more healthy dinner salad recipes!

I hear ya! I'm always on the lookout for dinner-worth salads that will actually keep us full, especially in the summer!

Here are a few of my favorites:

All About the Prep Dish Super Fast Meal Plans

What comes to mind when you think about quick weeknight dinners? Takeout? Frozen pizza? A quick pasta with jareed marinara?

Nothing against those options, but they do get a little boring after a while. That's why I created our weekly Super Fast meal plans! To provide a much tastier, healthier alternative for those who want to eat GOOD food without spending hours in the kitchen every day. This steak salad recipe came from our weekly Super Fast meal plans! Easy doesn't have to mean boring or unhealthy.

Every week Prep Dish subscribers receive 4 meal plans: Gluten Free, Paleo, Low Carb and Super Fast. The Super Fast meal plan features 5 healthy, FAST dinners. It doesn't just include the recipes either, but also has detailed meal prep instructions so you can prep ahead for delicious, healthy dinners all week.

If you'd like to learn more about our Super Fast meal plans, you can read about them here. OR, sign up below for a free trial and try them out for yourself!