Yum Nua – Spicy Thai Beef Salad Recipe

This refreshing spicy Yum Nua Thai Beef Salad recipe ticks all the boxes – it’s super healthy and packed full of flavour. So grab some thinly sliced beef, crisp salad veggies, and a handful of dressing ingredients and you’ll be ready to whip up your own Yum Nua Thai Beef Salad in no time. 

Why We Love This Recipe

When we’re looking for that perfect blend of healthy ingredients, heaps of flavour and quick prep time… Thai cuisine is where it’s at!

There’s something so intensely satisfying about the balance of spicy + sour + salty flavours married to soft, tender beef, aromatic herbs and refreshing veggies all dressed up in one gorgeous salad bowl.

I mean, how can you not feel healthy just looking at this colourful salad? 

What is Yum Nua Thai Beef Salad? 

Spicy and savoury with a hint of sweetness, this Thai beef salad is guaranteed to set your mouth watering! Also known as Yum Nua [sometimes spelt yam nua or yum neau], this popular salad can usually be found in and around Bangkok and other parts of Thailand.

What You’ll Need

First up – the beef: Today we’re using thin veal steaks cooked medium rare, but you can use any cut you prefer.

For the salad ingredients, we turn to fresh mint and coriander leaves, spring onions, red onions, tomatoes, and (if you can find them) seedless cucumbers. (This just helps to stop the salad dressing from being watered down, but it’s no big deal if you use regular cucumbers instead. )

Thai Beef Salad Dressing

For the sauce, you’re after 6 main ingredients:

• Lime juice
• Fish sauce
• Lemongrass
• Garlic
• Sugar – palm sugar, raw sugar or brown sugar will do the job
• Birds eye chilli(s) – use as much or as little as you like

The result is a flavour packed salad that is tender and juicy, crunchy and aromatic and super refreshing all at once.

How to make Yum Nua Thai Beef Salad

• First up, heat the oil in a frying pan over high heat. Season your steak with salt and pepper, then pop it in the pan. Sear for two minutes each side or until cooked to your liking. Set aside to cool before slicing into small strips. 
• Assemble your salad ingredients as artfully or messily as you like. You can do this in a large mixing bowl or straight into your serving bowls according to your preference. 
• In a small mixing bowl whisk together all of your dressing ingredients and give it good stir to allow the flavours to meld. Pour as much or as little dressing as you like!

Yum Nua – Spicy Thai Beef Salad

Tips

• Keeping the sauce separate is perfect for keeping the salad fresh if you want to take it as a work lunch.
• Have a high heat for the steak as it will cook fast and will help to seal in the flavours and keep it juicy and tender.
• For the ultimate flavour-punch, you could choose cook your beef over a charcoal grill for extra succulent flame-grilled flavour. 

FAQs

Do I have to use beef?

You can replace the beef with any protein that suits your taste – why not try chicken or tofu!

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Definitely, you can enjoy the salad hot or cold. Just leave out the dressing until you’re ready to eat for ultimate freshness.

How long will Thai beef salad last in the fridge?

We’d recommend eating this within a day or two, otherwise the lettuce, mint and coriander will begin to get soggy and it won’t be the best experience at that stage!

Variations & Substitutes

• Left over roast beef is a great substitute for steak if you need to use it up. Just remember to cut it into strips.
• While we didn’t use onion in our recipe, you can add thinly sliced onion or shallots for extra flavour.
• No fresh chillis on hand? Replace with a 1/4 tsp of chilli powder, or however much you like to get the dish to your spice level.

Serve as a main dish with fluffy jasmine rice, or on its own as a light and refreshing snack.

After more Thai deliciousness? Try these:

• Choo Chee Chicken 
• Larb Gai (Chicken Salad)
• Crispy Thai Spring Rolls
• Miang Kham

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