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    Home » Lunch

    Thai beef salad (Nam Tok, 'waterfall beef')

    August 7, 2018 by Caroline's Cooking

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    Thai beef salad (Nam Tok, 'waterfall beef') - Nam tok, a traditional Thai beef salad, is primarily meat and herbs rather than 'salad' ingredients, but it's full of delicious fresh flavors you'll love. Easy to make, it's fresh and perfect for lunch or as an appetizer. #Thaifood #Thaibeefsalad #namtok #asianrecipe #glutenfree

    When you think of a Thai beef salad, you might think of Thai flavors in with your typical lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes. However the traditional 'waterfall beef', nam tok, is much simpler. It has less 'salad' but is packed with delicious flavor, and is easy to make too.

    Jump to Recipe
    Thai beef salad (Nam Tok, 'waterfall beef') on plate decorated with herbs

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    I don't think I'm alone in being a bit of a fan of Asian salads. So many have such wonderful flavors, balancing sourness, heat and sometimes sweet as in the classic green papaya salad. Even ones that might look more like Western salads have a twist, like the dressing on Luang Prabang salad (Laos salad).

    Both were firm favorites on our trip to Thailand and Laos many years ago. Especially in the heat of the day, the freshness, with that bit of spice, was just what you needed.

    Thai beef salad (Nam Tok, 'waterfall beef') viewed from overhead

    Then there are salads that are more meat than 'salad' like chicken larp, and this nam tok, 'waterfall beef'. They might not fit in with what many would typically call a salad since the only greens are herbs, but they really are worth getting to know as the flavors are wonderful.

    Just like chicken larp, this Thai beef salad makes a great lunch, for example, or have it alongside a few other side dishes to make a fuller meal. I've drawn on this recipe from Eating Thai Food as my base for what you see here.

    herb and onion base for salad

    What's in a traditional Thai beef salad?

    This salad has the classic combination of:

    • chili,
    • fish sauce,
    • lime,
    • fresh herbs,
    • grilled beef,
    • onion.

    There's really not much more to it than that, but there is one more addition that you really can't miss: ground toasted rice. It might sound a bit strange and hardly worth the effort, since there's just a little, but it adds such an amazing crunch that really makes the salad.

    toasting rice in skillet

    How to make Thai beef salad

    Since the steak doesn't take long to cook, it's best to get everything else ready first. Chop up your herbs and toast and grind your rice.

    Then once the steak is ready, slice it up, put in with the herbs and add in the dressing ingredients. Toss and serve with the ground rice on top.

    adding lime to beef slices and herbs underneath

    This Thai beef salad has lots of punchy flavor as well as a lovely freshness from the lime and herbs. It doesn't take long with just a short cook and bit of chopping.

    It might be missing lettuce, but this meaty salad is definitely not missing any deliciousness. And I can definitely see us having it many more times over the summer and beyond.

    plate of Thai beef salad (Nam Tok, 'waterfall beef') with herbs on front of plate

    Try these other meaty salads:

    • Vietnamese chicken salad
    • Maple soy marinated steak salad
    • Breakfast salad with bacon and egg
    • Plus get more ideas on the lunch recipes archives.
    plate of Thai beef salad (nam tok) with herbs in front
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Thai beef salad (Nam Tok, 'waterfall beef')

    This Thai beef salad is more beef than 'salad' but it's packed with wonderful flavors and easy too. A great lighter lunch or appetizer.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time25 mins
    Course: Appetizer/Starter, Lunch
    Cuisine: Thai
    Servings: 2 (or more as smaller appetizer)
    Calories: 402kcal
    Author: Caroline's Cooking
    SaveSaved!

    Ingredients

    • 2 shallots
    • 2 scallions spring onions
    • ½ cup mint roughly chopped (chopped volume, a medium bunch)
    • ½ cup cilantro coriander, roughly chopped (chopped volume)
    • 1 chili
    • 2 tablespoon rice (note: uncooked)
    • 1 lb beef sirloin steak
    • 2 tablespoon fish sauce
    • 1 ½ limes or 2 if small - juice only

    Instructions

    • Thinly slice the onions and scallions and roughly chop the mint and cilantro. Cut the chili in a small dice, removing the seeds, and put all of the chopped ingredients in a bowl.
    • Gently toast the rice in a dry skillet/frying pan until it is is gently brown. Grind it up with a pestle and mortar so that it's relatively fine. 
    • Grill the steak to your liking - I recommend rare/medium rare - then let it rest a couple minutes before thinly slicing. Add the beef to the bowl with the herbs and onions. Add the fish sauce and lime juice then toss everything in the bowl. Serve topped with the ground crunchy rice.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 402kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 54g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 133mg | Sodium: 1554mg | Potassium: 1186mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1080IU | Vitamin C: 55.9mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 5.5mg

    See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store. 

    See more Farmers Market-inspired recipes:

    • Blackberry Cantaloupe Salad by Palatable Pastime
    • Fresh Corn Salsa by Kate's Recipe Box
    • Grilled Peach Napoleons with Easy Bavarian Cream by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
    • Individual Peach Oatmeal Crisps by Cookaholic Wife
    • Pasta with zucchini, Summer Squash, and Sausage by Karen's Kitchen Stories
    • Sicilian Potato Salad by Jolene's Recipe Journal
    • Spicy Bok Choy by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
    • Zucchini Dip by A Day in the Life on the Farm

    Remember to pin for later!

    Thai beef salad (Nam Tok, 'waterfall beef') - Nam tok, a traditional Thai beef salad, is primarily meat and herbs rather than 'salad' ingredients, but it's full of delicious fresh flavors you'll love. Easy to make, it's fresh and perfect for lunch or as an appetizer. #Thaifood #Thaibeefsalad #namtok #asianrecipe #glutenfree
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    1. Kiran Jamal

      December 05, 2019 at 11:56 am

      what is the white stuff sprinkled at the top?

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        December 05, 2019 at 5:52 pm

        It's the ground, toasted rice

        Reply
    2. Christie

      August 11, 2018 at 7:27 pm

      5 stars
      SO much flavor! It looks so hearty and delicious for any night of the week.

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        August 13, 2018 at 10:29 pm

        Thanks, it is definitely full of flavor!

        Reply
    3. Kate

      August 07, 2018 at 8:32 pm

      I can't wait to make this!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        August 11, 2018 at 10:17 am

        Enjoy, it's packed with flavor!

        Reply
    4. Karen

      August 07, 2018 at 3:44 pm

      How interesting using the uncooked rice! The flavors in this salad sound heavenly.

      Reply
    5. Sue Lau

      August 07, 2018 at 10:24 am

      Looks great. I'd probably set myself on fire adding a few bird chillies to that- we are growing them this year. I'd hoped for dragon chilies but these are the tiny ones. I almost have enough to make a jar of sambal which a spoonful would be welcome on this salad to me too. Reminds me a lot of the Vietnamese shaking beef. I love that one too.

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        August 07, 2018 at 8:20 pm

        Our neighbors are growing chilis and have offered us some, I may have to make this again and add some in, it could definitely take it (though great either way).

        Reply
    6. Wendy Klik

      August 07, 2018 at 6:48 am

      This sounds lovely. I am thinking of perhaps adding the lettuce and cukes for a main dish salad.

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        August 07, 2018 at 8:17 pm

        Thanks, you certainly could indeed do that 🙂

        Reply

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