How to Use Steak Leftovers to Create the Perfect Next-Day Salad

The day after a delicious meal at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, if you have leftovers, you may be wondering how to best enjoy them. Have you ever considered using cooked steak make a delicious salad?

No matter what cut of steak you ordered when you dined with us, it will work well in a salad — as long as you cut the meat into thin pieces. Simply get some salad greens, toss in whatever veggies you have on hand, and add the steak. Then top it off with your preferred salad dressing, and voila—you have a steak salad.

Looking for some inspiration? Allow us to share some of our favorite make-at-home steak salad recipes with you below!

Classic Steak Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Let’s start with the basics. The quintessential steak salad only requires a few ingredients to make, so it’s perfect for a busy weeknight. Besides the steak, you just need the following:

  • Romaine lettuce
  • Arugula
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Cucumber
  • Avocado
  • Red onions
  • Balsamic dressing

With its peppery flavor, arugula complements a steak particularly well, but mixing it with lettuce keeps the taste from overpowering the rest of the meal. The cherry tomatoes, on the other hand, add sweetness as well as a pop of color. Cucumber slices bring some extra crunch, while the avocado provides a creamy texture.

And if you’re feeling ambitious, you can make your own balsamic vinaigrette with balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, olive oil, honey, and garlic.

Summer Steak Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Like the standard steak salad, this recipe also begins with arugula, lettuce, and avocado, but it uses an entirely different set of toppings fit for the warmer months.

First, swap cherry tomatoes for red bell peppers and red onion for scallions. Now here’s where things get super interesting: Top with crumbled goat cheese and pomegranate seeds for a delightful mix of sweet and tart. All these flavors will bring new depth to your leftover Ruth’s Chris steak.

As for the lemon vinaigrette, you just need three ingredients: lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and Dijon mustard. Lastly, add salt and pepper to taste.

Southwestern Steak Salad

If you’re craving Tex-Mex flavors or a healthier take on Taco Tuesday, you’ll love this version of steak salad. This time, the bed of salad greens throws earthy red-leaf lettuce into the mix of arugula and green-leaf lettuce.

In addition to the other usual suspects of avocado, red onion, and red bell pepper, a variety of Southwestern-inspired ingredients will completely transform your leftover steak:

  • Corn
  • Black beans
  • Grape tomatoes
  • Crumbled queso fresco
  • Minced jalapeño pepper
  • Cilantro
  • Crushed tortilla chips (optional)

Now for the dressing: Take your typical vinaigrette recipe and turn it on its head with lime juice, cumin, and ancho or chipotle chili powder. The result? A zesty salad that will spice up your life — or at least dinnertime.

Visit Ruth’s Chris Steak House for a Steak Dinner Tonight

For the best steak you can enjoy tonight and the next day, visit your local Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Make a reservation or place a takeout or deliver order on our website. Whether you enjoy a filet, ribeye or New York strip, the steak at Ruth’s Chris is well marbled and served sizzling to perfection every time.