Ingredients
Shaking Beef Salad: A Vibrant Vietnamese-Inspired Meal Prep Recipe
Let’s be real—meal prepping can get a little boring. By Wednesday, that plain chicken and rice combo you swore would “keep things simple” starts feeling like a chore. That’s why we love shaking things up (literally!) with this Shaking Beef Salad. It’s bold, tangy, and packed with umami goodness—just the kind of dish that makes you actually excited for lunch.
Inspired by the Vietnamese classic Bò Lúc Lắc, this salad combines tender, seared beef with fresh greens, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a creamy cilantro steak sauce that ties everything together. Plus, it’s meal-prep friendly, meaning you can make it once and enjoy it all week long! And the best part? It’s meant to be enjoyed cold—no reheating needed, but still packed with all the flavor, nutrition, and satisfaction of a hot meal.
For a downloadable version of this recipe, click here.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Marinade, sear, and assemble—done in under 30 minutes (excluding marinade time).
- Meal Prep-Friendly: Stays fresh and delicious for days.
- No Reheating Required: Enjoy straight from the fridge—perfect for busy days!
- Packed with Flavor: A savory-sweet umami marinade and tangy dressing make each bite irresistible.
Ingredients (Makes 4-5 Meal Prep Containers)
For the Beef
- 4-5 lbs of striploin or ribeye, cubed
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 4 tbsp cane or palm sugar
- 1/4 cup garlic powder
- 1/4 cup onion powder
- 2 tsp chicken or vegetable bouillon
- 4 tbsp neutral oil
For the Salad
- 2 cups cooked quinoa
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- Leafy greens (we love watercress & mixed salad greens)
- Optional: a wedge of lemon or lime, thinly sliced radish
For the Creamy Cilantro Steak Sauce
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 cups cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/2 shallot
- Salt & pepper to taste
Bonus Toppings
- Soft or hard boiled egg
Fried shallots - Puffed rice or quinoa
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Chili crisp for an extra kick
How to Make Shaking Beef Salad
Step 1: Marinate the Beef
In a large bowl, whisk together all the marinade ingredients. Add the cubed beef and toss to coat evenly. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour (or up to 8 hours) in the fridge.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Cilantro Steak Sauce
Blend yogurt, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, shallot, honey, salt, and pepper in a food processor until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Step 3: Sear the Beef
Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat with 1-2 tbsp of cooking oil. Once hot, sear the beef on at least two sides for about 1-2 minutes per side, leaving it medium rare for optimal tenderness.
Step 4: Assemble Your Salad Bowls
In each meal prep container, layer quinoa on the bottom, followed by greens, cherry tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion and radishes. Place the cooked beef separately on the side and drizzle with the creamy cilantro steak sauce.
For extra freshness, pack a separate small container with a light vinaigrette—something bright and tangy like sesame oil and rice vinegar works beautifully.
Step 5: Optional Flare!
Before serving, amp up the texture and flavor by adding a boiled egg, fried shallots, puffed rice, toasted sesame seeds, or a squeeze of fresh lime.
Meal Prep Like a Pro with Zwilling
Want to keep your meals fresh all week? We swear by the Zwilling Fresh & Save vacuum sealed series. They stay airtight, they're durable, and perfect for keeping your Shaking Beef Salad just as fresh as day one. When you shop our links, we earn a small commission to keep running Nguyen Food Stall and we so appreciate it!
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Give this recipe a try and tag @nguyenfoodstall on Instagram—we’d love to see your creations!
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