Steak and Arugula Salad with Cherries and Almonds
Jul 05, 2024
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Today, we’re diving into a refreshing and satisfying dish: Steak and Arugula Salad with Cherries and Almonds. This salad is a perfect blend of savory and sweet flavors, making it ideal for a light lunch or dinner. Plus, it is comes together so effortlessly. Let’s get started!
This post is sponsored by Northwest Cherries.
This Steak Salad with Arugula, Cherries, and Almonds is a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a great choice for a light yet satisfying meal. It’s also a fantastic option for entertaining, as it looks impressive but is straightforward to prepare. Enjoy every bite of this nutritious and delicious salad!
If you enjoy steak salads, not only is this one delicious, but our Grilled Southwestern Steak Salad, Texas Steak and Salad on a Stick and Steak and Strawberry Salad recipes are also great for entertaining or just a quick weeknight dinner!
Why We Love This Steak & Arugula Salad with Cherries Recipe
- Flavor Combination: The combination of savory steak with peppery arugula, sweet cherries, crunchy almonds, and tangy blue cheese (optional) creates a flavor profile that is both complex and harmonious.
- Nutritional Balance: This salad offers a balanced mix of protein from the steak, healthy fats from almonds and olive oil, vitamins and minerals from arugula and cherries, and additional nutrients from the optional blue cheese.
- Textural Variety: Each bite offers a delightful contrast of textures – tender steak, crisp arugula, juicy cherries, crunchy almonds, and creamy blue cheese (if included).
- Seasonality: When cherries are in season, they add a burst of freshness and natural sweetness to the salad, enhancing its overall appeal.
- Versatility: The salad can be adapted to various preferences and dietary needs. For instance, you can adjust the ingredients or omit/add components like cheese based on personal taste or dietary restrictions.
- Visual Appeal: It’s visually stunning with vibrant colors from the greens, deep reds from the cherries, and contrasting textures, making it a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.
- Ease of Preparation: Despite its gourmet appearance, this salad is relatively easy to prepare and assemble, making it suitable for both casual meals and special occasions.
Notes:
- Sweet Cherry Vinaigrette: Sweet and tangy, this easy vinaigrette is simple to make and quick to devour! You can see the full step-by-step recipe here.
- Toasting Almonds: This isn’t a requirement, but who doesn’t love toasted almonds? If you have a few minutes, here’s a quick way to toast them! Spread sliced almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes or until lightly golden and fragrant. Alternatively, toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently.
- Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the dressing and toast the almonds ahead of time to streamline the process when assembling the salad.
Ingredients:
For the Salad
- Fresh baby arugula
- Rainier cherries
- Olive oil
- Steak filets, or hanger steak
- Pepper & Salt
- Almonds
- Crumbled blue cheese
- Red onion
For The Dressing
- Dark sweet cherries
- Red wine vinegar
- Red onion
- Garlic
- Honey
- Dijon mustard
- Salt & pepper
- Olive oil
Instructions:
For the Salad
- Season steak generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Let it rest at room temperature.
- Heat a large grill pan or skillet over medium heat, and add 2 Tbsp. of olive oil. When it begins to shimmer, add steak and sear on both sides until cooked to your liking. Set the steak aside covered, and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- In a large salad bowl, layer arugula with cherries, almonds, blue cheese, and onion.
For The Dressing
- In a small saucepan, reduce cherries with a couple of teaspoons of water over medium-low heat (approximately 10-15 minutes).
- In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.
- Top the salad with the steak, sliced. Drizzle dressing on top and finish with minced fresh basil.
FAQs:
Q: Can I use a different type of steak for this recipe?
A: Yes, you can use your preferred cut of steak such as flank steak or tenderloin. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly based on the thickness of the steak.
Q: How do I toast almonds?
A: To toast almonds, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until lightly golden and fragrant. Alternatively, you can toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown.
Q: Can I make the dressing ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! The dressing can be prepared and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Just give it a good shake or whisk before using.
Q: I don’t like arugula. Can I use a different salad green?
A: Of course! Spinach or mixed greens would work well as a substitute for arugula in this salad.
Q: Is blue cheese necessary for this recipe?
A: No, the blue cheese is optional. If you prefer a dairy-free option or simply don’t enjoy blue cheese, you can omit it without affecting the overall flavor too much. You can also replace it with feta or goat cheese.
This Steak and Arugula Salad with Cherries and Almonds is not only bursting with flavor but also packed with nutritious ingredients. It’s a perfect choice for a quick and satisfying meal, especially during the summer months when cherries are in season. Give it a try and let us know how you like it!
Why We Love & Trust Northwest Cherries
Founded in 1947, the Northwest Cherry Growers is a growers’ organization used to increase awareness and consumption. The organization is dedicated to the promotion, education, market development and research of cherries from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Montana orchards.
Their passion and commitment to their cherry growers allows them to collectively spread awareness of seasonality, health benefits, and the importance of consumption. They truly believe that cherries are more than a treat. They boast an abundance of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals making them a true superfruit. To learn more, visit nwcherries.com.
More Great Cherry Recipes
- Cherry Limeade
- Cherry Danish
- Gluten-Free Cherry Pie Filling
- Cherry Clafoutis
- Whipped Cherry Goat Cheese
- Cherry & Lime Slushie
- Cherry Yogurt Bark
Steak and Arugula Salad with Cherries and Almonds
Ingredients
- For Salad
- 1 bag 10 oz. fresh baby arugula
- 1 cup rainier cherries pitted & halved
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 pound Steak filets or hanger steak
- Pepper & Salt to flavor
- 1/2 cup almonds roughly chopped
- 4 oz. crumbled blue cheese
- ½ red onion thinly julienned
- For the Dressing
- 1 1/2 cups dark sweet cherries pitted
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 red onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic halved
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Instructions
- For the Salad: Season steak generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Let it rest at room temperature.
- Heat a large grill pan or skillet over medium heat, and add 2 Tbsp. of olive oil. When it begins to shimmer, add steak and sear on both sides until cooked to your liking. Set steak aside covered, and let it rest 10 minutes.
- In a large salad bowl, layer arugula with cherries, almonds, blue cheese, and onion.
- For the Dressing: In a small saucepan, reduce cherries with a couple teaspoons of water over medium-low heat (approximately 10-15 minutes). In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.
- Finish the Salad: Top the salad with the steak, sliced. Drizzle dressing on top and finish with minced fresh basil.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
