Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner
Easy Steak and Arugula Salad is a quick and healthy dinner ready in just 20 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the trick to cook the steak perfectly every time. The crispy steak, fresh arugula, and creamy avocado make this salad irresistible. Jump to Recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Orange Teriyaki Turkey Medallions Recipe and Easy Mediterranean Tuna Salad Recipe for Quick Dinner.
Why This Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy steak with a perfect sear
- Tangy vinaigrette that's not too acidic
- Ready in just 20 minutes for a quick dinner
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.
- Steak
- Arugula
- Avocado
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Red Onion
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic
- Olive Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Honey
- Dijon Mustard
- Optional: Shaved Parmesan
- Optional: Balsamic Glaze
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Steak: Sirloin or ribeye works best. Trim excess fat.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast Iron Skillet — Even heat for perfect searing → See on Amazon
- High-Quality Chef's Knife — Clean cuts for faster prep → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner
- Cook Steak: Season steak with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat. Sear steak for 4-5 minutes per side until crispy. Let it rest before slicing.
- Prepare Salad: In a large bowl, combine arugula, sliced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion.
- Make Vinaigrette: Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble Salad: Slice steak thinly and add to the salad bowl. Pour vinaigrette over the salad. Toss to combine. Top with shaved Parmesan and balsamic glaze if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner
- Pro Tip: Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the steak. Use a meat thermometer to check for 135°F internal temperature.
- Pro Tip: Make the vinaigrette in advance for easier prep.
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 for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can slice the steak and prep the salad ahead of time, but dress just before serving.
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 spicy kick, add sliced jalapeños to the salad.
- Best substitution: Use baby spinach instead of arugula for a milder flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the vinaigrette up to 2 days ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for meal prep.
- Troubleshooting: If your steak is tough, you may have overcooked it. Try cooking it less next time.
Want to level up this recipe?
Meat Thermometer — Prevent overcooking and ensure perfect steak every time → Check price on Amazon
Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Steak
- Arugula
- Avocado
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Red Onion
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic
- Olive Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Honey
- Dijon Mustard
Optional Toppings
- Shaved Parmesan
- Balsamic Glaze
Instructions
- Cook Steak: Season steak with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat. Sear steak for 4-5 minutes per side until crispy. Let it rest before slicing.
- Prepare Salad: In a large bowl, combine arugula, sliced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion.
- Make Vinaigrette: Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble Salad: Slice steak thinly and add to the salad bowl. Pour vinaigrette over the salad. Toss to combine. Top with shaved Parmesan and balsamic glaze if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add sliced jalapeños to the salad.
- Best substitution: Use baby spinach instead of arugula for a milder flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the vinaigrette up to 2 days ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for meal prep.
- Troubleshooting: If your steak is tough, you may have overcooked it. Try cooking it less next time.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container 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 prep the salad ahead of time, but dress just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 95mg
- Sat. Fat: 9g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can slice the steak and prep the salad ahead of time, but dress just before serving to prevent the salad from getting soggy.
Your steak may be tough if it's overcooked. Use a meat thermometer to check for 135°F internal temperature and let it rest before slicing.
Yes, using baby spinach instead of arugula will give the salad a milder flavor.
Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain to keep it juicy and tender.
Yes, this salad is hearty and perfect for winter dinners. The warm steak and creamy avocado make it a cozy meal.
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!
