This grilled steak salad recipe is gluten free, keto friendly and the perfect easy low carb dinner recipe. Fewer than 10 ingredients!
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Think you're not a “salad for dinner” type of a person?
My new grilled steak salad recipe might just be the one to change your mind!
With plenty of protein and healthy fats, it's super filling but that's not what takes it over the top. This keto steak salad features SO many great textures. Crunchy walnuts, creamy blue cheese and juicy pomegranate arils come together for a truly delicious (and easy!) low carb dinner recipe.
And hey if you don't eat low carb or you want to serve this to a bunch of hangry carb-loving kiddos, I've got you covered. You could easily add some roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes or serve with a side of crusty bread.
For kids who refuse to eat salad, I recommend serving deconstructed. Give them a small portion of dressed greens with the other toppings on the side so they can pick and choose what they like.
I hope this becomes your new favorite salad!
Grilled Steak Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 5 oz mixed greens
- 1 pomegranate (or 1 bag fresh pom kernels)
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 4 oz blue cheese crumbles
- 1 # beef sirloin
- S&P to taste
For the Vinaigrette:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
For the Salad:
- Cut the pomegranate in half, place first half in a bowl of water in the sink, remove kernels from white pith & strain. Repeat with the second half
- Roughly chop ½ cup walnuts.
- Layer mixed greens, pomegranate kernels, blue cheese crumbles and walnuts.
- Heat grill to med-high (or oven 400 F). Season steak w/ S&P.
- Grill steak ~5 minutes on each side for rare (or more depending on desired of doneness). Allow steak to rest for ~10mins.
- Cut steak against the grain.
- Serve salad w/ steak on top and drizzle with vinaigrette.
For the Vinaigrette:
- Whisk all ingredients together or blend in a blender. Store extra in fridge and bring to room temperature before using.
What's the nutrition like for this keto steak salad?
Mixed Greens (Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, , Folate, Phytonutrients)
Mixed greens are an excellent choice for salad because each type of lettuce offers unique nutritional benefits. With mixed greens, you get a variety, upping the nutritional goodness of your meal! Greens are particularly good for brain health, eyesight, strong bones and healthy blood vessels. Due to its phytonutrients, lettuce is also great for reducing inflammation. Red leaf lettuce, which is often included in mixed greens, is particularly high in these powerful plant compounds.
Pomegranate (Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Potassium, Antioxidants)
In addition to vitamin C and vitamin K, pomegranates are rich in a powerful antioxidant called punicalagins and another highly beneficial plant compound known as punicic acid. Pomegranates are highly anti-inflammatory and may help fight cancer, lower blood pressure and even improve athletic performance.
Walnuts (Vitamin E, Magnesium, Omega-3s, Antioxidants)
Many consider walnuts to be the healthiest nut, in part due to their high antioxidant content. They may help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes, as well as supporting healthy brain function and healthy gut bacteria. They are a true superfood!
Blue Cheese (Calcium, Protein, Fat)
Blue cheese is considered one of the healthier cheeses, in large part due to its particularly high calcium content. Cheese is also an excellent way to add fat to a keto meal like this grilled steak salad recipe.
Beef (Iron, Zinc, Protein, CLA)
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 grain-fed. 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.
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.
Olive Oil (Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Monounsaturated Fats, Antioxidants)
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.
Is this grilled steak salad recipe good for keto meal prep?
Yes! This grilled steak salad recipe is straight from our weekly keto meal prep menus.
To prep ahead, make the balsamic dressing and store in the fridge. You'll need to bring to room temperature before using.
To prep the salad, layer lettuce, pomegranate arils, blue cheese crumbles and walnuts in a large meal prep container. I like to do two layers, so: lettuce, pomegranate, cheese, walnuts, repeat.
On the day of, all you need to do is grill the steak, top each serving with steak and drizzle with balsamic!
Variations – How to Make a Steak Salad for Any Season
In my opinion, there's nothing better than creamy blue cheese with savory steak and sweet & sharp balsamic dressing.
BUT, you can totally mix it up if blue cheese isn't your thing or if you want to vary this easy steak salad recipe for the season.
Here are some of my favorite variations:
- Swap peaches for pomegranate arils in the summer
- Use feta or goat cheese if blue cheese isn't your thing
- OR use diced avocado for a dairy-free boost of healthy fats
- Add cherry tomatoes, cucumbers or fresh corn
- Top your steak salad with fresh herbs like basil, oregano or parsley
- Add pickled onions for a kick
- Switch up the lettuce with spinach or arugula
These substitutions will of course alter the carb count, so if you're going for a keto salad, make sure to account for the differences.
Can you even eat salads on keto?
Yes!
I know there's a perception that all you can eat on keto is meat and cheese. However, I make it a point to include plenty of (low carb) produce on my keto meal plans. Yes – even fruit!
As a chef and dietitian, I feel strongly that including plenty of plants is important for both flavor and health. It takes a bit of strategic planning but I find ways to include low-carb produce in many of our keto recipes. Including salad!
This is just one thing that sets our keto meal plans apart. If you're interested, I'm offering a free trial right now HERE!
What are the best keto salad dressing recipes?
When it comes to the best keto salad dressings, you'll likely want to go with homemade, or a keto-specific option like the ones available on Thrive Market (<< affiliate link). The main thing to watch out for with keto salad dressings is added sugar, which there can be a surprising amount of in many options available in the supermarket!
It's actually quite easy to make your own keto salad dressing, just like the homemade balsamic vinaigrette I share above. Choose any vinegar you like and mix with olive oil in a 1:2 ratio. Feel free to add herbs and spices!
Creamy dressings are also a great choice as they can be an easy way to add fat to a meal.
My Paleo Ranch is a great keto option. It gets its creaminess from coconut milk and has so much fresh flavor. This Salsa Ranch is also an excellent choice. Just make sure to choose a low carb, no sugar added salsa.
And don't be afraid to think outside the box! Chimichurri sauce is high in healthy fats from olive oil and makes an excellent salad dressing, especially when paired with steak.
Want to serve with wine?
This is definitely the kind of salad you could serve for a special occasion like New Year's or Christmas Eve…or even an at-home date night!
If you want to serve this festive salad with wine, I highly recommend checking out Dry Farm Wines. It's pretty much the only wine we drink in the Schaaf household!
I love how it tastes, how good I feel the day after drinking it and, of course, its clean ingredients list. Unlike most wines you'll find at the grocery store, Dry Farm Wines does not have added sugar or additives and is perfect for keto! Let me know what you think if you try it!
More Easy Low Carb Dinner Recipes
If you're looking for more easy low carb dinner recipes, you're in the right place! Here are a few I've been loving lately:
BLT Wraps with Creamy Basil Dressing
Parsley Chicken with Kale & Goat Cheese
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