Air Fryer Steak Salad is a delicious, healthy meal featuring tender, juicy steak paired with fresh greens, veggies, and a tangy dressing. Perfect for a quick and nutritious dinner or lunch.
Air Fryer Steak Salad is a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines tender, perfectly cooked steak with a rich garlic butter sauce, served on a bed of fresh greens and colorful vegetables.
The air fryer ensures the steak remains juicy on the inside with a deliciously crisp exterior, while the garlic butter adds a savory depth of flavor. Tossed with your favorite salad ingredients and a zesty dressing, this dish is a perfect balance of protein, healthy fats, and fresh vegetables, making it an ideal choice for a quick, nutritious meal.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, ready in under 30 minutes.
- Flavorful: The garlic butter marinade infuses the steak with a savory, rich taste.
- Healthy: Packed with fresh greens and veggies, this salad is both nutritious and satisfying.
- Perfectly Cooked Steak: The air fryer gives you juicy, tender steak with a crispy exterior every time.
- Customizable: You can easily add your favorite toppings or swap ingredients to suit your taste.
- Low-Maintenance: Minimal prep work and no need to hover over the stove, just air fry and assemble!
Ingredients Needed
- Steaks Sirloin steaks are tender and flavorful, perfect for grilling or pan-searing.
- Salt: Brings out the natural flavors in the steak and enhances its taste.
- Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth to the seasoning for the steak.
- Garlic powder: Provides a savory, aromatic flavor that complements the steak.
- Dried basil: Adds a hint of earthiness and complexity to the seasoning mix.
- Olive oil: Helps to coat the steak and ensure it cooks to perfection, adding richness.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps the steak develop a flavorful crust when seared.
- Salad: Use fresh romaine lettuce, sliced tomatoes, onions, sliced avocadoes, and feta cheese.
- Dressing: Use homemade cilantro dressing, or your favorite salad dressing.
How To Make Air Fried Steak Salad
Step One: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 C.) Grease the basket or place parchment paper at the bottom, after preheating.
Step Two: Marinate the steak. Add steak, salt, pepper, garlic, basil, and oil to a shallow bowl. Rub both sides of the steaks to marinate. Cover and set aside while the air fryer is heating. Place steak in the air fryer basket and set cook time for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway during the cooking time.
Step Three: Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor. Blend or process until you get a creamy texture. Transfer in a bowl or a jar and refrigerate while preparing salad and steak. In a large salad bowl, add lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, and avocado. Set aside in the refrigerator while preparing the steak. Remove the steak and place it on the salad with 1/2 teaspoon of butter—drizzle the salad with creamy cilantro dressing.
Air Fryer Steak Salad Recipe Tips
- Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure your steak is cooked to your preferred doneness, use a meat thermometer. For medium-rare, aim for an internal temperature of 130°F (54°C), and for medium, aim for 140°F (60°C).
- Rest the Steak: After cooking, let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender steak.
- Customize the Salad: Feel free to add extra veggies or toppings to your salad. Sliced cucumber, red bell peppers, or even roasted sweet potatoes are great additions.
- Make the Dressing in Advance: The cilantro dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This saves time on busy nights and enhances the flavors.
- Season Your Salad: Don’t forget to season your salad with salt and pepper before serving, as it brings out the flavors in the veggies and dressing.
- Grill the Steak Instead: If you don’t have an air fryer, grilling the steak will give it a smoky flavor that pairs wonderfully with the freshness of the salad.
- Add Crunch: For added texture, sprinkle some croutons or toasted nuts (like almonds or walnuts) over the salad before serving.
Storing
- Storing: To store leftovers, place the steak and salad in separate airtight containers. The salad can be kept for up to 1 day, but the steak can last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
- Freezing: It’s not recommended to freeze the salad, as the veggies and dressing may lose their texture. However, the cooked steak can be frozen for up to 3 months if wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Reheating: To reheat the steak, place it in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes until warmed through. For the salad, add fresh veggies and dressing after reheating the steak to maintain its crispness and flavor.
What To Serve With Air Fried Steak Salad
Air Fried Steak Salad pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides to complete your meal. You could serve it with warm, crusty bread or a light, tangy vinaigrette to balance the richness of the steak and creamy cilantro dressing. Roasted vegetables, like sweet potatoes or Brussels sprouts, would complement the flavors and add a satisfying texture. If you’re looking for something lighter, a side of crispy air fryer sweet potato fries or a simple fruit salad would be a great addition, offering both contrast and sweetness to the savory steak salad.
Air Fryer Steak Salad Recipe Faqs
Can I use a different cut of steak for this recipe? Yes, you can substitute the sirloin steaks with other cuts like ribeye, flank, or tenderloin, but cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the steak.
How can I make the steak more tender? Marinating the steak for at least 30 minutes before cooking helps to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor. You can also opt for a meat tenderizer or choose a naturally tender cut.
Can I prepare the salad ingredients ahead of time? Yes, you can chop the vegetables and prepare the cilantro dressing in advance. Just store the dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
How do I cook the steak to my preferred doneness? The cooking times in the recipe yield a medium-rare steak. Adjust the air fryer time to 4-5 minutes per side for medium or 6-7 minutes per side for well-done steak.
Can I use other greens besides romaine or arugula? Yes, feel free to use spinach, mixed greens, or even kale for your salad base.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- AIR FRYER TEXAS TWINKIES
- AIR FRYER PEPPERONI BASIL TOMATO PUFFS
- EASY AIR FRYER FLORENTINE FLAT BREAD PIZZA
- AIR FRYER VEGAN CAULIFLOWER WINGS
- AIR FRYER ROASTED CAULIFLOWER MASH
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Air Fryer Steak Salad
Description
Ingredients
Cilantro Dressing:
- 2 cups cilantro, fresh
- 2 large garlic cloves
- 1 large lemon
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey, add more if needed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, or avacado oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Salad:
- 4 cups Romaine Lettuce, or arugula
- 1 cup tomato, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 large avocado, sliced
Steak:
- 4 7 ounce sirloin steaks
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons butter, unsalted
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 F | 200 C. Grease the basket or place parchment paper at the bottom.
- Prepare The Steak: Marinate the steak. Add steak, salt, pepper, garlic, basil, and oil to a shallow bowl. Rub both sides of the steaks to marinate. Cover and set aside while the air fryer is heating. Place steak in the air fryer basket and air fry for about 3 minutes, then flip and cook the other side for another 3 minutes.
- Make The Dressing: Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor. Blend or process until you get a creamy texture. Transfer in a bowl or a jar and refrigerate while preparing salad and steak.
- Make The Salad: In a large salad bowl, add lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, and avocado. Set aside in the refrigerator while preparing the steak.
- Plating The Steak Salad: Remove the steak, and place it on the salad with 1/2 teaspoon of butter—drizzle the salad with creamy cilantro dressing.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
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