Caprese Steak Salad features perfectly seasoned, spiced, and seared New York Strip over a bed of lusciously soft and sweet bib lettuce, fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, and soft mozzarella cheese. Serve it as a pregame to dinner or make it the star of the show. Either way, you’re going to love it!
Update: This post was originally published in 2021 and has been republished with new photos and updates to the recipe information.
The Business Casual of Salads
I’m convinced the caprese salad is the business casual of salads. And let’s just say the business side has entered the building. 😉 This Caprese Steak Salad brings the professionalism, class, and flavor dimension! And it doesn’t sacrifice on beauty, either.
Seasoned New York Strip (featuring my go-to Ninja Foodi Steak recipe) is seared to perfection *chef’s kiss* and placed over a bed of lusciously soft and sweet butter lettuce, fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, and soft mozzarella cheese.
Talk about A GO-TO summer favorite!! I love this Steak Caprese Salad as a light meal on the weeknights, or even when I’m having guests over for a simple meal to impress. I’be been going to the farmers market in northern Michigan lately and the tomatoes are some of the juiciest EVER and bring the perfect sweetness and brightness to the dish. If you can buy local, I highly recommend!
And if caprese is your thing, also check out this Mango Caprese Salad, this Tomato White Bean Salad, this Chicken Caprese Orzo Pasta, or this Lemon Basil Caprese Salad, which I think you’ll love, too! Or if you want to try another salad with steak, check out this Grilled Steak Salad with Chimichurri Sauce.
Recipe Ingredients
- New York Strip Steak – Grilled using my Ninja Foodi Grilled Steak Recipe. You can use flank steak, flat iron steak, ribeye steak, filet mignon, etc., just note cooking time will vary. I highly recommend using a meat thermometer!
- Bibb Lettuce – Has a mild flavor with a hint of floral sweetness and a butter-soft texture. The perfect base
- Tomatoes – I used cherry tomatoes, but use whatever kind of fresh tomatoes you’d like. Opt for heirloom for a more traditional caprese.
- Fresh Mozzarella – Use a large ball and slice yourself, or experiment with marinated varieties. I love the little bite sized balls of creamy mozzarella you can find typically near the marinated olives at a lot of grocery stores.Use a large ball and slice yourself, or experiment with marinated varieties. I love the little bite sized balls of mozzarella you can find typically near the marinated olives at a lot of grocery stores.
- Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette – For the dressing we will use balsamic vinegar, honey, a little olive oil, dijon mustard for a little kick, salt and black pepper.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- Use any kind of green! Love the idea of spinach, arugula, or crunchy romaine
- Add extra texture like sliced almonds, crunchy edamame, roasted & salted pepitas.
- Change up the protein: Add grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp, or skip the protein and serve as an appetizer.
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Steak
Follow the recipe for my Ninja Foodi Grilled Steak for the easiest tastiest grilled steak (you can use a regular grill, too!). The basic steps are written here, but see the post for full details:
- Add steak marinade and two New York Strip steaks to a freezer size bag.
- Let marinate for 30 minutes.
- Heat grill to 500 degrees F.
- Add the steaks to the hot grill and cook for 3-4 minutes, flip and then grill for another 2-3 minutes (more or less time depending on your preferred level of doneness).
- Transfer steak to a cutting board and rest while you prepare the rest of the salad.
Step 2: Assemble
While the steak is grilling, make the balsamic vinaigrette. In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients until smooth and set aside.
Slice the tomatoes in half and cut the fresh basil leaves into thin ribbons.
Build the salad. If making for a large group, I like to put this salad on a serving platter as the tomatoes and mozzarella will often sink to the bottom in a deep salad bowl. Layer lettuce, mozzarella slices, cherry tomatoes, fresh parm and sprinkle on the fresh basil.
Cut the steak against the grain and add steak slices to the top of the salad. Enjoy!
PRO TIPS
- Leave time to marinate the steak! It just makes it SO juicy and delicious.
- Dry your lettuce and basil leaves with a few paper towels before cutting. The dressing adheres better, and this avoids a soggy salad!
Recipe FAQs
Store undressed salad in the fridge for up to 3 day. It’s best to build it fresh before serving. The dressing can be kept for up to one week in a mason jar.
If you don’t want to make your own dressing, a pre-made balsamic vinaigrette is totally suitable. A lemon vinaigrette or simple greek dressing would also be tasty. Or keep it basic with just olive oil and a balsamic glaze.
Burrata has a creamy, rich interior made from a mixture of cream and stracciatella, encased in a soft mozzarella shell, while mozzarella is a firm, elastic cheese with a mild, fresh flavor. Burrata’s luxurious texture makes it ideal for fresh dishes, whereas mozzarella is versatile for various cooked and raw applications.
For this caprese in particular, I suggest mozzarella as it will hold up better amongst the other ingredients and won’t make your salad too soggy.
Serving suggestions
If you’re eating with a crew who doesn’t mind the presentation, I’d recommend you cut everything small and toss together. I like the steak pieces in 1-inch cubes. It’s best to get a taste in each bite!
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Caprese Steak Salad
Equipment
- freezer bag
- Ninja Foodi Grill
- Meat Thermometer
- salad bowl / serving platter
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Steak knife
- Cutting Board
- Small bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 2 New York Strip Steaks, grilled
- 1 head Bibb lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 ball mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 1/4 cup basil, sliced
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan
For the dressing
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp Mike's Hot Honey
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- pinch salt and pepper
Instructions
- Prep & grill steak. Follow the recipe for my Ninja Foodi Grilled Steak for the easiest tastiest grilled steak (you can use a regular grill, too!). The basic steps are written here, but see the post for full details: Add steak marinade and two New York Strip steaks to a freezer size bag. Let marinate for 30 minutes.Heat grill to 500 degrees F. Add the steaks to the hot grill and cook for 3-4 minutes, flip and then grill for another 2-3 minutes (more or less time depending on your preferred level of doneness). Transfer steak to a cutting board and rest while you prepare the rest of the salad.
- While the steak is grilling, make the balsamic vinaigrette. In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients until smooth and set aside.
- Slice the tomatoes in half and cut the fresh basil leaves into thin ribbons.
- Build the salad. If making for a large group, I like to put this salad on a serving platter as the tomatoes and mozzarella will often sink to the bottom in a deep salad bowl. Layer lettuce, mozzarella slices, cherry tomatoes, fresh parm and sprinkle on the fresh basil.
- Cut the steak against the grain and add steak slices to the top of the salad. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you’re using MyFitnessPal, search ‘A Paige Of Positivity’ and find CAPRESE STEAK SALAD calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
This recipe is AMAZING!!! love how Paige includes macro info on her recipes with the easily doubling portion size option! Everything I’ve made of hers has been awesome!
I loved the recipe! Added steak separately to everyone’s preference. The dressing was so good. Used leftover dressing on some avocado toast in the morning. Delicious!
A super fresh dish packed with protein! Great for a summer dinner party
Nothing tops classic caprese salad and then top it off with steak tips – NOM!
loved this recipe!
love this recipe! made it for dinner the other night. YUM