This flank steak salad feels both elegant and effortless—the kind of summer dinner you actually look forward to making.

Peppery arugula and a tangle of torn herbs mingle with juicy fresh nectarines, char-kissed flank steak, and salty blue-cheese crumbles for a bold, balanced bite. Toasted pecans lend a buttery crunch, and a honey-sherry vinaigrette ties it all together with a sweet-sharp snap.

It’s exactly what I crave on a breezy patio evening: kids playing nearby, a chilled rosé in hand, and a torn wedge of sourdough ready to mop up every last drop.

Why I love it:

Steak, re-imagined. I adore steak, but I love it even more when it’s dressed up with zingy vinaigrette and plenty of texture—not plopped beside a potato. This is my ramped up summer version complete with juicy nectarines, more herbs than seems necessary, and indulgently creamy crumbles of blue cheese.

Effortless elegance. It looks like something you’d order at the cute wine-bar downtown, yet it slots neatly into our wild life of four kids under six. I can marinate the flank steak and shake the dressing in a jar while the coffee brews. Come dinner, I toss the steak on the grill, slice the nectarines, tear herbs, and pull it all together in the time it takes to boil boxed mac for the kids.

Weeknight-proof. No corner-cutting, no flavor compromise—just smart prep spread through the day so dinner doesn’t feel like such a slog. My husband and I get to savor a gorgeous salad outside while the kids pack in a few bites of mac (but mostly jump on the trampoline and catch inchworms). Everyone’s happy, and the kitchen stays (mostly) clean.

how to make a steak salad:

1. Marinate the flank steak.
2. Whisk the vinaigrette.
3. Grill steak; let it rest.
4. Slice steak thinly; set aside.
5. Assemble salad with greens, nectarines, pecans, cheese, and warm steak. Drizzle with vinaigrette and toss.

quick-glance grilling guide:

Pro tip: pour a few tablespoons of the vinaigrette over the sliced steak while it’s warm so the flavors soak in.

swap & improv chart:

Here’s a bunch of ways to riff this salad without changing too much:

want to…	swap this	why it still works (or gets even better)
avoid blue cheese	crumbled feta, shaved pecorino, or torn burrata	keeps the salty bite or creamy richness without the funk
go nut-free	toasted pumpkin seeds or crisp quinoa	same roasty crunch, allergy-friendly
ditch the grill	cast-iron sear indoors (2 tbsp neutral oil, medium-high heat)	high heat gives a similar char—open a window for smoke
lean herb-forward	double the mint + basil, add a handful of dill, skip blue cheese	turns the salad bright, green, and dairy-light yet still punchy
amp the fruit	juicy plums, mango, or strawberries	each adds fresh sweetness and color without extra prep
make it heartier	grilled corn off the cob or boiled baby potatoes, halved	bulks it up while matching the salad’s smoky-sweet vibe

steak salad notes & serving thoughts

• Grill the fruit: You can grill the nectarines while the grill’s hot, but I prefer them raw—the cool crunch against smoky steak is unbeatable.
• Let it rest: Always tent your steak under foil for 5–10 minutes before slicing. It locks in juices and makes thin, even slices that drape prettily over the greens.
• Arrange your salad in layers: Dressed greens first, fruit and cheese next, steak on top. A quick scatter of pecans feels restaurant-level.
• Seasonal swap: In early fall, swap nectarines for thinly sliced apples or poached pears—same concept, just fall flavors.
• Make-ahead hack: Keep each component (greens, steak, dressing, nuts) separately in airtight containers. Assemble in minutes when you’re ready to eat.
• Turn leftovers into gourmet sandwiches—warm steak slices, extra greens, a drizzle of vinaigrette, thick slice of cheddar or brie, and a few nectarine slices in between sliced focaccia.

If you make this flank steak salad, tag @with_spice and tell me what wine you poured (current favorites: a zippy Willamette Valley Pinot rosé or a juicy Gamay)!

more main-dish salads you’ll love:

blackened chicken salad

buffalo chicken salad recipe

fried goat cheese salad

fried halloumi salad

grilled chicken caesar salad

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