Ginger-Lemongrass Steak Salad
A nod to the bright, balanced flavors of Vietnamese cooking... where herbs, heat, and tang all meet in perfect harmony. The ginger lemongrass steak brings that signature smoky-sweet aroma you’ll find sizzling on street corners of Hanoi. Tossed with crisp greens, mung beans, and a punchy fish sauce vinaigrette, it’s everything we love about Vietnamese food in salad form.
Yield: All recipes serve 2 people
Chef Notes: Smashing the lemongrass with the side of a knife or mallet releases the aromatic oils and allows them to transfer to the marinade much more efficiently.
For steak doneness: aim for 120–125°F (medium rare), 130–135°F (medium), 140–145°F (medium-well).
Components
Ginger-Lemongrass Steak
Salad Greens
Mung Bean Sprouts
Fish Sauce Vinaigrette
Fried Shallots
Fresh Herbs
Mise
Marinate the Steak:
Mince 6 garlic cloves.
Using your knife, press the flat side of the blade against the lemongrass stalk to crush the lemongrass. Slice the lemongrass into thin strips.
Mince a 1" knob of ginger.
In a small bowl, combine:
6 minced Garlic
3 T minced Lemongrass
3 T minced Ginger
¼ C Olive/Neutral Oil
a large pinch of salt.
Pour the marinade over the steaks. Allow to sit while you prepare the remaining components.
Slice 1 Shallot paper thin.
In a small saucepan, cover the shallots with neutral oil. Bring to a simmer. Cook until the shallots are golden brown.
Strain out the shallots from the oil, spread onto a paper towel lined sheet tray and season with salt.
Prepare the Garnishes:
Rinse the mung bean sprouts. Pat dry.
Slice the radishes into wedges.
Pick the herbs, removing any tough or woody stems
Prepare the Fish Sauce Vinaigrette
In a small bowl, whisk together:
3 T Fresh Lime Juice
1 T RIce Vinegar
1 t Honey
1 ½ T Fish Sauce
1 t Chile Flake
1 t Toasted Sesame Oil
Stir, taste and adjust with salt, lime, fish sauce, chile or honey to taste.
Finish
Remove the steak from the marinade and pat dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Heat a skillet or cast iron pan over high heat. Sear, undisturbed, until a deep brown crust forms, about 2–3 minutes per side until your preferred internal temperature is reached. Let it rest a few minutes before slicing
Dress the salad greens with the fish sauce vinaigrette.
Plate greens in a shallow bowl.
Top with mung bean sprouts, radish wedges, steak slices, herbs and fried shallots.

