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Spicy Grilled Beef Salad (Namtok Nuea)

By Sho @ Hungry for Thai on Jan 7th 2025 Sho

Spicy Grilled Beef Salad, or "Namtok Nuea", is a vibrant Thai dish bursting with bold flavors. This salad is an irresistible combination of tender meat, zesty dressing, and aromatic herbs, making it a flavorful centerpiece for any meal.

Spicy Grilled Beef Salad (Namtok Nuea)

Table of Contents

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.

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.

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.

Spicy Grilled Beef Salad (Namtok Nuea)

Spicy Grilled Beef Salad (Namtok Nuea)

Prep time

40 minutes

Cook time

15 minutes

Serves

2

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Ingredients

US Metric

  • Grilled Beef Ingredients

  • Ingredients for Salad Dressing

Calories: 543kcal Total Fat: 14g Protein: 57g Carbs: 53g Sodium: 6034mg

Steps

  • Marinate and Grill the Beef:

    1. Mix the beef with oyster sauce, fish sauce, and palm sugar.

      Mix the beef with oyster sauce, fish sauce, and palm sugar.Mix the beef with oyster sauce, fish sauce, and palm sugar.Mix the beef with oyster sauce, fish sauce, and palm sugar.

    2. Massage the marinade into the meat. Let it rest for 20 minutes.

      Massage the marinade into the meat. Let it rest for 20 minutes.

    3. Grill the beef to your desired level of doneness (medium or well-done, as preferred). Let it cool slightly, then slice the beef into thin pieces.

      Grill the beef to your desired level of doneness (medium or well-done, as preferred). Let it cool slightly, then slice the beef into thin pieces.Grill the beef to your desired level of doneness (medium or well-done, as preferred). Let it cool slightly, then slice the beef into thin pieces.

  • Making the Salad Dressing:

    1. In a pot, combine water tamarind juice, fish sauce and palm sugar.

      In a pot, combine water tamarind juice, fish sauce and palm sugar.In a pot, combine water tamarind juice, fish sauce and palm sugar.In a pot, combine water tamarind juice, fish sauce and palm sugar.In a pot, combine water tamarind juice, fish sauce and palm sugar.

    2. Heat the mixture until it boils, then remove it from the heat.

      Heat the mixture until it boils, then remove it from the heat.

    3. Add chili powder and toasted rice powder to the dressing.

      Add chili powder and toasted rice powder to the dressing.Add chili powder and toasted rice powder to the dressing.

    4. Mix in the sliced grilled beef.

      Mix in the sliced grilled beef.

    5. Squeeze in lime juice and toss everything together.

      Squeeze in lime juice and toss everything together.

    6. Add sliced shallots, chopped coriander, mint leaves, and sliced kaffir lime leaves. Plate and serve immediately.

      Add sliced shallots, chopped coriander, mint leaves, and sliced kaffir lime leaves. Plate and serve immediately.Add sliced shallots, chopped coriander, mint leaves, and sliced kaffir lime leaves. Plate and serve immediately.Add sliced shallots, chopped coriander, mint leaves, and sliced kaffir lime leaves. Plate and serve immediately.Add sliced shallots, chopped coriander, mint leaves, and sliced kaffir lime leaves. Plate and serve immediately.

Nutritional info

% of daily value
protein: 57g
115%
fat: 14g
21%
carbs: 53g
18%
fiber: 8g
33%
saturatedFat: 5g
24%
sugar: 15g
sodium: 6034mg
251%
cholesterol: 143mg
48%

Calorie Breakdown

Protein

219 cal

Fat

120 cal

Carbs

204 cal

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.

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Tagged as:
Beef Egg-free Low Carb Grilled Salad Sour Spicy Traditional