Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner
Craving a quick, healthy dinner? This Easy Steak and Arugula Salad is perfect. After making it many times, I’ve perfected the seasoning for the steak and the tangy vinaigrette. The peppery arugula and the juicy steak strips make this salad irresistible. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Recipe for Easy Dinner and Easy Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze.
Why This Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Tender, juicy steak strips
- Peppery arugula and tangy vinaigrette
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Better than takeout!
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 arugula
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 red onion
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp honey
- Optional: Lemon wedges
- Optional: Shaved Parmesan
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Steak: Sirloin is recommended, but you can use ribeye or flank steak as well.
- Arugula: Also known as rocket, it has a peppery flavor that pairs well with the steak.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Gives the steak a perfect sear. → See on Amazon
- Good quality olive oil — Makes a big difference in the flavor of the vinaigrette. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner
- Prepare the steak: Season the steak with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat, add a drizzle of olive oil, and sear the steak for 4-5 minutes on each side until it reaches your desired doneness. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Prepare the vinaigrette: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine arugula, sliced steak, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and crumbled feta. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner
- Cooking tip: Let the steak rest before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the steak. It will become tough and dry. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
- Time-saving tip: You can prepare the vinaigrette ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Nutrition tip: To make this salad even healthier, you can add some cooked quinoa or farro to make it a complete meal.
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 refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The vinaigrette can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Freezing Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner
Not recommended for this salad.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary, as the salad can be enjoyed cold. Microwave: Not recommended, as the microwave can wilt the arugula and make the steak tough.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some sliced jalapeños to the salad.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the arugula with spinach or kale if you prefer.
- Make-ahead: The salad is best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator until ready to assemble.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If the vinaigrette separates, simply whisk it again before using.
Want to level up this recipe?
Meat thermometer — Ensures the steak is cooked to your liking and prevents overcooking. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb sirloin steak
- 6 cups arugula
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 red onion
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta
Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp honey
Optional Toppings
- Lemon wedges
- Shaved Parmesan
Instructions
- Prepare the steak: Season the steak with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat, add a drizzle of olive oil, and sear the steak for 4-5 minutes on each side until it reaches your desired doneness. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Prepare the vinaigrette: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine arugula, sliced steak, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and crumbled feta. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some sliced jalapeños to the salad.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the arugula with spinach or kale if you prefer.
- Make-ahead: The salad is best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator until ready to assemble.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If the vinaigrette separates, simply whisk it again before using.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for this salad.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary, as the salad can be enjoyed cold.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended, as the microwave can wilt the arugula and make the steak tough.
- Make ahead: The vinaigrette can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 32g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbs: 13g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- 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
It's best to assemble the salad right before serving to prevent the arugula from wilting. However, you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator.
Overcooking the steak can make it tough and dry. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and ensure you don't overcook it.
Yes, you can add other vegetables like sliced bell peppers, cucumbers, or avocado to make the salad even more filling and nutritious.
This salad is hearty enough to be a main dish, but you can serve it with some crusty bread or a side of garlic bread if desired.
While arugula is typically a spring vegetable, you can find it year-round in most grocery stores. This salad is perfect for any time of year and can be a cozy, hearty meal in the winter.
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!
