Thai-Inspired Waterfall Beef Salad

An easy Thai-inspired beef salad with grass-fed beef, fresh herbs, and a bright lime dressing

There is something about a meal that brings together warm, savory beef with cool, crisp vegetables and handfuls of fresh herbs. The contrast of flavors and textures is so satisfying, especially here in Hawaiʻi, where a refreshing meal is welcome nearly any time of year!

One of my favorite ways to use our thinly sliced BBQ beef is in a variation of Thai waterfall beef salad, traditionally known as Nam Tok.

It's a beautiful combination of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. Tender beef, fresh lime, fish sauce, and plenty of fragrant herbs come together so quickly, it's perfect for a weeknight meal.

I make ours a little differently from the traditional preparation. I marinate the thinly sliced beef in Bachan's Japanese Barbecue Sauce for a couple of hours, sear it quickly in coconut oil, and use just a touch of honey to balance the lime and fish sauce.

I also happened to be out of shallots the last time I made this, so I reached for a red onion instead. It was wonderful. Sometimes the best meals come together with what you already have on hand.

The finishing touch is a generous scattering of freshly chopped Thai basil, mint, and cilantro. Don't be shy with the herbs. They bring a brightness to the dish that makes every bite so flavorful. Then we squeeze lime all over it!

We love serving this over warm white rice with cucumbers tossed in rice vinegar, or piled onto fresh salad greens for something a little lighter.

It's a simple meal that comes together quickly once the beef has marinated, and one you'll find yourself making again and again.

⭐️ Our thinly sliced BBQ beef isn't currently available for individual purchase, but it is one of the cuts we include in our rotating CSA shares and Family Farm Beef Boxes.

⭐️If you're purchasing a half beef share or whole steer, you can also request thinly sliced BBQ beef on your custom cut list.

 

Ingredients

For the beef

1 package thinly sliced Sugar Hill Farmstead BBQ beef

1/2 cup Japanese BBQ sauce

2 TBS coconut oil

2 TBS fresh lime juice

1 TBS fish sauce, or to taste

1–2 tsp honey

½–1 tsp chili flakes, depending on your preference

¼ small red onion, very thinly sliced

1 TBS toasted rice powder (optional)

Fresh herbs

¼ cup fresh Thai basil, chopped

¼ cup fresh mint, chopped

¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

For the cucumbers

1 large cucumber, thinly sliced

2 TBS rice vinegar

Pinch of salt

A little honey, if desired

For serving

Steamed jasmine rice or fresh salad greens

Fresh lime wedges

Method

1. Marinate the Beef

Place the thinly sliced beef in a bowl and toss with Japanese BBQ sauce until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for approximately 2 hours.

The marinade adds a wonderful savory sweetness and helps the beef develop beautifully browned edges when cooked.

2. Prepare the Cucumbers

Thinly slice the cucumber and toss with rice vinegar and a pinch of salt. Add a little honey if you prefer a touch of sweetness.

Set aside in the refrigerator while preparing the rest of the dish. The vinegar lightly pickles the cucumbers, giving them a refreshing tang that pairs beautifully with the warm beef.

3. Make the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, honey, and chili flakes.

Taste and adjust to your preference. You want a balance of salty, tangy, sweet, and spicy. Since the Japanese BBQ sauce already has some sweetness, start with a little honey and add more only if needed.

4. Sear the Beef

Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Once the pan is hot, add the marinated beef in small batches, allowing excess marinade to drip off first. Sear until nicely browned and cooked through, turning as needed.

Because the beef is thinly sliced, it cooks very quickly. Avoid overcrowding the skillet, which can cause the beef to steam rather than develop those delicious browned edges.

Grass-fed beef is naturally lean, so be mindful not to overcook it.

5. Bring It Together

Transfer the cooked beef to a large bowl and add the thinly sliced red onion.

Pour the lime and fish sauce dressing over the warm beef and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.

If using toasted rice powder, sprinkle it over the beef and toss again. This traditional ingredient adds a wonderful nutty flavor and a little texture.

6. Finish with Fresh Herbs

Chop the Thai basil, mint, and cilantro together and sprinkle generously over the beef.

The fresh herbs are an essential part of what makes this dish so delicious. Their fragrance and brightness balance the richness of the beef and the salty, tangy dressing.

7. Serve

For a heartier meal, spoon the beef and herbs over warm jasmine rice and serve with the rice-vinegar cucumbers alongside.

For something lighter, arrange the beef over a bed of fresh salad greens and top with the tangy cucumbers.

Finish with an extra squeeze of lime and enjoy.

Why Cook with Thinly Sliced Grass-Fed Beef?

Thinly sliced beef is one of those wonderfully versatile cuts that makes preparing a delicious meal remarkably simple.

Because it's already sliced, it cooks quickly and can be used in everything from stir-fries and cheesesteaks to this fresh Thai-inspired salad.

Choosing grass-fed beef also means enjoying:

✔ A naturally protein-rich food

✔ Important nutrients including iron, zinc, and vitamin B12

✔ A versatile cut that cooks in minutes

✔ A satisfying meal made with simple, recognizable ingredients

✔ The opportunity to pair nutrient-rich beef with fresh herbs and vegetables

It's a wonderful cut to have tucked away in the freezer, ready for those evenings when you want something flavorful without spending hours in the kitchen.

Good beef, fresh herbs, and a handful of simple ingredients. Sometimes that's all it takes to make a really wonderful meal!