Are you ready to take your caesar salad game to the next level? If you’re tired of the same old chicken caesar salad, it’s time to try something new and exciting. Introducing the Steak Caesar Salad – a delicious and hearty twist on the classic salad that will leave you craving for more.
Your grocery list
Produce
- Romaine lettuce
Meat
- Steak or your choice
Dairy or Deli
- Freshly grated or shaved Parmesan or a block that you can grate or shave yourself
Pantry items
- Croutons
- Caesar salad dressing (store bought or homemade)
Equipment/tools you’ll need
- Cast iron pan (for cooking steak)
- Cutting board and knife
- Cheese grater
- Salad spinner (optional)
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients and considerations for steak caesar salad
To create the ultimate steak caesar salad, you’ll need a few key ingredients:
Steak
When it comes to selecting the steak for your salad, opt for a quick-cooking tender cut like sirloin or ribeye. New York strip is also a choice if you’re feeling a little more luxurious. These cuts of beef are flavorful and tender, making them an excellent choice for a salad. Season the steaks with your favorite steak seasoning, such as Montreal steak seasoning, to enhance the flavors even further.
Croutons
Homemade croutons add a delightful crunch to your salad. If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought croutons as a convenient alternative.
Parmesan cheese
Parmesan is in the caesar salad dressing but a little shaved Parmesan is usually tossed into the salad as well. That takes care of the salt component for this dish.
Romaine lettuce
Romaine hearts, the inner leaves of romaine lettuce, work best for this salad. You can either chop them into short pieces or use bagged romaine lettuce for added convenience.
Caesar salad dressing
While making your own caesar dressing is an excellent option, sometimes time is of the essence. In that case, opt for a good-quality bottled dressing usually found near the produce. Look for dressings that are refrigerated rather than shelf-stable for a more authentic and flavorful experience.
Step-by-step instructions to making a steak caesar salad
Now that you have all the ingredients ready, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of creating your Steak Caesar Salad.
Step 1. Prep the Steak
Start by seasoning the steaks with your desired steak seasoning and let them sit at room temperature to ensure even cooking. Cold steaks tend to cook unevenly, so giving them some time to warm up is essential.
Step 2. Toast the Croutons, if necessary
If you are making your own croutons, coat bite-sized bread pieces in olive oil and Italian seasoning, then spread them on a sheet pan. Toast the croutons in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes, or until they turn golden and crispy.
Step 3. Cook the Steak
Cook the seasoned steaks either on the stove or grill, depending on your preference. The cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the steaks and your desired level of doneness. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach your preferred internal temperature. Let the steaks rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Here’s a full post and recipe for cooking New York strip steaks.
Step 4. Assemble the Salad
While the steaks are resting, it’s time to assemble the salad. Pour the dressing into a large bowl, followed by the lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and croutons. Toss the salad until the dressing coats everything evenly. Slice the steak against the grain into bite-sized pieces and either pile it on top of the salad or toss it in for a more integrated experience.
Step 5. Serve and enjoy!
You can serve the steak caesar salad as is or get creative with presentation. Piling the lettuce on a large platter and placing the sliced steak and other ingredients on top creates an impressive display. Alternatively, you can serve individual portions in bowls, ensuring each bite is a perfect combination of flavors.
What adjustments can I make to my steak caesar salad?
While the traditional steak caesar salad recipe is already fantastic, you can make a few substitutions and shortcuts based on your preferences and time constraints:
- Steak: If you’re not a fan of beef, you can easily transform this into a Chicken Caesar Salad by cooking boneless, skinless chicken breasts with the same steak seasoning.
- Croutons: If making homemade croutons feels like too much effort, store-bought croutons are a convenient alternative that will save you time in the prep process.
- Lettuce: While Romaine hearts are the classic choice, bagged romaine lettuce can be a time-saving shortcut that still delivers great taste and texture.
- Dressing: If you’re short on time, opt for a good-quality bottled Caesar dressing found in the refrigerated section near the produce.
What should I serve with steak caesar salad?
The steak caesar salad is already a satisfying and complete meal on its own, but if you’d like to add some extra elements, there are a few great options:
- Soup: Pair your salad with a bowl of tomato soup, mushroom soup, or another creamy or vegetable soup for a comforting and well-rounded meal.
- Pasta salad: The creaminess of pasta salad pairs well with the seared steak and crispness of the lettuce.
- Grilled cheese: Make a traditional grilled cheese or throw a little steak inside to complement the steak salad with more steak.
What should I do with any leftovers?
If you have any leftover salad that has already been dressed, don’t worry! Romaine hearts are sturdy enough to hold up well, and the salad will still be tasty the next day for a delicious lunch.
Pan Seared Steak Caesar Salad
Equipment
- Cast iron pan
- Cutting board and knife
- Cheese grater
- Mixing bowls
- Salad spinner optional
Ingredients
For the salad
- 1 steak of your choice ribeye, sirloin, New York strip
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Fresh garlic cloves
- Fresh rosemary or thyme
- 1 head of romaine lettuce washed and torn into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup of croutons store-bought or homemade
- ¼ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
For the dressing
- ½ cup of mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
- 2 anchovy fillets or 2 teaspoons of anchovy paste optional
- ¼ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, anchovy fillets (if using), and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
Cook the steak
- Season a room temperature steak generously with salt and pepper. Heat a cast iron pan and 1 tablespoon of oil over high heat. Sear steak for 7 minutes and then flip and continue cooking for 5 minutes.
- Add butter, garlic cloves, and herbs and baste the steak with the melted butter. Let steak rest for 5-10 minutes. Slice against the grain.
Assemble the salad
- While the steak rests, assemble your salad. In a large salad bowl, add the torn romaine lettuce leaves. Drizzle the dressing over the lettuce and gently toss to coat each leaf. Be careful not to overdress the salad; add more dressing if needed. Sprinkle the croutons and grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Serve and enjoy
- Transfer the caesar salad to individual plates or a serving bowl. Top with slices of steak. Serve immediately.
