Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner
Easy Steak and Arugula Salad is the perfect quick dinner solution. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the most tender, crispy steak. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Quick High Protein Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce and Burnt Honey Pie with Flaky Oat Crust Recipe.
Why This Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy steak with a tender center
- Fresh arugula and tangy dressing
- Better than takeout in just 20 minutes
- Perfect for meal prep and leftovers
What You'll Need for Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb sirloin steak
- 6 cups fresh arugula
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
- Optional: Sliced avocado
- Optional: Toasted pine nuts
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Sirloin steak: You can also use ribeye, New York strip, or flank steak.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing → See on Amazon
- High-quality olive oil — Enhances the natural flavors of the steak and salad → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner
- Prepare the steak: Season both sides of the steak with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat. Sear the steak for 4-5 minutes on each side for medium-rare. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Make the dressing: Whisk together 1 tbsp olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine arugula, cherry tomatoes, and shaved Parmesan. Top with sliced steak and drizzle with dressing. Toss to combine.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner
- Pro tip: Let the steak rest before slicing to retain its juices.
- Common mistake and fix: If your steak is tough, try using a tenderizing marinade or a different cut of meat.
- Pro tip: For a spicy kick, add crushed red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- Pro tip: To make this salad ahead, prepare the dressing and slice the steak, then store them separately until ready to serve.
Storing & Reheating Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can slice the steak and prepare the dressing up to 1 day ahead.
Freezing Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner
Not recommended for this recipe.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quick side dish, try serving this salad with some crusty bread.
- Best substitution: If you don't have Dijon mustard, you can substitute it with yellow mustard.
- Make-ahead: This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare the dressing and slice the steak up to 1 day ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for meal prep or a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your steak is not cooking evenly, try using a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches the desired internal temperature.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality steak knives — Cleanly slice through tender steak with ease → Check price on Amazon
Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb sirloin steak
- 6 cups fresh arugula
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan
Seasonings
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Sliced avocado
- Toasted pine nuts
Instructions
- Prepare the steak: Season both sides of the steak with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat. Sear the steak for 4-5 minutes on each side for medium-rare. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Make the dressing: Whisk together 1 tbsp olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine arugula, cherry tomatoes, and shaved Parmesan. Top with sliced steak and drizzle with dressing. Toss to combine.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quick side dish, try serving this salad with some crusty bread.
- Best substitution: If you don't have Dijon mustard, you can substitute it with yellow mustard.
- Make-ahead: This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare the dressing and slice the steak up to 1 day ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for meal prep or a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your steak is not cooking evenly, try using a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches the desired internal temperature.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for this recipe.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: You can slice the steak and prepare the dressing up to 1 day ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 370
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 85mg
- Sat. Fat: 7g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner FAQs
You can prepare the dressing and slice the steak up to 1 day ahead. However, the arugula will lose its crispness if dressed too far in advance.
If your steak is tough, try using a tenderizing marinade or a different cut of meat. Also, ensure you're not overcooking the steak.
While you can cook the steak in the air fryer, the arugula will not crisp up well in the air fryer. It's best to cook the steak separately and assemble the salad as instructed.
If you don't have arugula, you can substitute it with spinach or kale. The flavor will be slightly different, but it will still be delicious.
Yes, this salad is naturally gluten-free. Just be sure to check the labels on any additional toppings or dressings you use.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
