Vietnamese Beef Watercress Salad (Printable)
Tender beef meets crisp watercress in this vibrant Vietnamese-style salad with tangy dressing.
# What You Need:
→ Beef
01 - 10 oz beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced
02 - 1 tbsp soy sauce
03 - 1 tbsp fish sauce
04 - 1 tsp sugar
05 - 1 tbsp vegetable oil
06 - 1 clove garlic, minced
07 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Salad
08 - 3.5 oz fresh watercress, washed and trimmed
09 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
10 - 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
11 - 1 large carrot, julienned
12 - 10 cherry tomatoes, halved
13 - 2 tbsp roasted peanuts, chopped
14 - 1 small bunch fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
15 - 1 small bunch fresh mint, leaves picked
→ Dressing
16 - 3 tbsp fish sauce
17 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
18 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
19 - 1 tbsp sugar
20 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
21 - 1 small red chili, finely sliced (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Combine the sliced beef with soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, oil, minced garlic, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and let marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - Whisk together the fish sauce, lime juice, rice vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, and chili in a small bowl. Stir continuously until the sugar completely dissolves.
03 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over high heat. Sear the marinated beef for 2-3 minutes per side until just cooked through. Remove from heat and let rest for a few minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine watercress, red onion, cucumber, carrot, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and mint. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
05 - Add the sliced beef to the salad mixture. Pour the dressing over the top and toss gently to coat all ingredients. Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkle with chopped peanuts, and serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The contrast between searing hot beef and crisp cool watercress creates magic in every bite
- This salad comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like something you would order at a restaurant
02 -
- Letting the beef rest after cooking keeps it juicy instead of drying out
- Toss the salad with dressing right before serving so the watercress stays crisp
03 -
- Slice your beef as thin as possible against the grain for the most tender texture
- Taste and adjust the dressing before adding it to the salad since fish sauce brands vary in intensity