Spicy Grilled Beef Salad (Namtok Nuea)

☀️🥗 Add this traditional Thai beef salad to your summer recipe lineup!

Tender grilled steak is sliced and tossed in a bold, spicy dressing, then finished with a burst of freshness from Thai herbs.

It’s a flavorful salad that’s perfect for warm weather—light, zesty, and packed with heat.

A steak salad like no other!

The name "Namtok," which means "waterfall" in Thai, poetically describes the juices from the grilled beef "falling" onto the plate as it's sliced, representing the dish's rich, flavorful essence.

Juicy grilled beef is thinly sliced and tossed in a tangy, spicy dressing made with tamarind, fish sauce, lime juice, chili powder, and toasted rice powder.

Creating a perfect balance of savory, sour, and spicy.

Fresh herbs like mint, coriander, and kaffir lime leaves add a fragrant, refreshing touch, while sliced shallots provide subtle sweetness.

What you'll need

• Beef: A tender cut with enough marbling for a juicy texture when grilled.
• Oyster sauce: Adds a savory and slightly sweet umami flavor.
• Fish sauce: A staple in Thai cuisine that provides salty and rich umami notes.
• Palm sugar: A natural sweetener with a mild caramel-like flavor.
• Tamarind juice: Brings a tangy and slightly sour taste to balance the flavors.
• Water: Dilutes the dressing to achieve the right consistency.
• Chili powder: Adds spiciness and a smoky aroma.
• Toasted rice powder: Provides a nutty, roasted flavor and a hint of crunch.
• Lime juice: Gives a fresh, zesty sourness to brighten the dish.
• Shallots: Adds sweetness and a subtle onion-like flavor.
• Coriander: Contributes a fresh, citrusy note.
• Mint leaves: Brings a cooling, herbal fragrance.
• Kaffir lime leaves: Adds a bold citrus aroma and slightly bitter edge.

Why You’ll Love This Spicy Grilled Beef Salad Recipe 🩷

• Authentic Thai flavors in every bite
• Juicy grilled steak marinated to perfection
• Fresh herbs add brightness and aroma
• Zesty, spicy dressing wakes up your taste buds
• Light and refreshing — great for summer meals
• Quick and easy to prepare

How to Cook Spicy Grilled Beef Salad

1. Marinate and Grill the Beef: Mix beef with oyster sauce, fish sauce, and palm sugar. Let it rest for 20 minutes. Grill to your preferred doneness, then slice thinly.
2. Make the Dressing: Heat tamarind juice, fish sauce, and palm sugar until boiling. Remove from heat, then stir in chili powder and toasted rice powder.
3. Assemble the Salad: Add sliced beef to the dressing, squeeze in lime juice, and toss. Mix in shallots, coriander, mint, and kaffir lime leaves. Serve immediately.

What to Serve With

Looking for the perfect sides to round out your meal? Here are some tasty ideas:

🥗 Starter: Cucumber Salad — light and cooling!

🥩 Main Course: Serve alongside sticky rice or jasmine rice to soak up the spicy dressing.

🍛 Side Dish: Try Thai Grilled Corn with coconut and chili powder for a smoky contrast.

🍰 Dessert: Finish your meal with Mango Sticky Rice for a sweet, creamy treat.

Namtok Nuea is often served alongside sticky rice (khao niao), which helps mellow the spiciness and soak up the flavorful dressing.

It’s also accompanied by fresh vegetables, such as cucumber, cabbage, or lettuce, which add crunch and balance the dish.

Some enjoy pairing it with other Isaan favorites like som tam (papaya salad) and grilled chicken (gai yang), creating a complete and satisfying meal.

This dish embodies the communal spirit of Thai dining, where food is shared among family and friends, accompanied by stories, laughter, and the vibrant flavors of Isaan.

Whether served at a street-side stall or a family table, Namtok Nuea continues to be a testament to the ingenuity and heritage of Thai cuisine.

When preparing Spicy Grilled Beef Salad (Namtok Nuea), the amounts of chili powder, tamarind juice, fish sauce, and lime juice can be adjusted to suit your taste preferences.

It's always best to start with smaller amounts and gradually add more as needed.

This allows you to find the perfect balance of spicy, tangy, salty, and sour flavors without overpowering the dish.

Keep tasting as you mix the dressing and adjust according to your liking.

Remember, you can always add more, but it’s harder to fix if you add too much at the start!

This approach ensures your Namtok Nuea is perfectly customized to your palate.