America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

30-Minute Steak and Potato Salad

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on June 25, 2009

Yield

Serves 4

30-Minute Steak and Potato Salad

Ingredients

1 pound red potatoes (3 medium), round, cut into ¾-inch-thick wedges3 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 (8-ounce) top loin steaks, 1 inch thick (see note)Salt and ground black pepper 1 recipe Bistro-Style Mustard Vinaigrette (see recipe)1 large head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces (10 cups)1 red onion, halved and sliced thinParmesan cheese

Before You Begin

Boneless rib-eye steaks (Delmonico steaks) are a good substitute for the top loin steaks (New York strip steaks), and most any simple vinaigrette can be used here.

Instructions

    making the minutes count

  1. Prep the onion and lettuce while the potatoes are browning in the skillet.
  2. microwave potatoes

  3. Toss potatoes with 2 tablespoons of oil in large microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high until potatoes are tender, 5 to 10 minutes, shaking bowl halfway through.
  4. cook steaks and prepare vinaigrette

  5. Meanwhile, pat steaks dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat remaining tablespoon of oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Brown steaks on first side, about 5 minutes, reducing heat if pan begins to scorch. Flip steaks over and continue to cook to desired doneness, 3 to 6 minutes. (While steaks cook, make vinaigrette.)
  6. brown potatoes

  7. Transfer steaks to carving board and tent with foil, leaving fat in skillet. Return skillet to high heat until just smoking. Add microwaved potatoes and cook until well browned, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. dress and assemble salad

  9. Toss lettuce and red onion with ½ cup of vinaigrette and divide among individual plates. Arrange potatoes on salads, then shave several Parmesan shavings over top. Slice steak thin against grain, discarding any gristle, and lay on top of salads. Spoon remaining vinaigrette over steak, or pass separately.
30-Minute Steak and Potato Salad
Photography by Kevin White. Styling by Ashley Moore.

30-Minute Steak and Potato Salad

Headshot of America's Test Kitchen
By America's Test Kitchen
Save

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 pound red potatoes (3 medium), round, cut into ¾-inch-thick wedges
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 (8-ounce) top loin steaks, 1 inch thick (see note)
Salt and ground black pepper
1 recipe Bistro-Style Mustard Vinaigrette (see recipe)
1 large head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces (10 cups)
1 red onion, halved and sliced thin
Parmesan cheese

Ingredients

1 pound red potatoes (3 medium), round, cut into ¾-inch-thick wedges
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 (8-ounce) top loin steaks, 1 inch thick (see note)
Salt and ground black pepper
1 recipe Bistro-Style Mustard Vinaigrette (see recipe)
1 large head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces (10 cups)
1 red onion, halved and sliced thin
Parmesan cheese

Ingredients

1 pound red potatoes (3 medium), round, cut into ¾-inch-thick wedges
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 (8-ounce) top loin steaks, 1 inch thick (see note)
Salt and ground black pepper
1 recipe Bistro-Style Mustard Vinaigrette (see recipe)
1 large head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces (10 cups)
1 red onion, halved and sliced thin
Parmesan cheese

Why This Recipe Works

To develop a steak and potato salad recipe with freshly seared steak to match crisp-fried potatoes and succulent romaine lettuce tossed in a mustard-based vinaigrette, we precooked the potatoes in the microwave as the steaks seared, and then finished them in the pan to capitalize on the flavorful fond, or browned bits, left behind. For the dressing for our steak and potato salad, we wanted a robust vinaigrette based on whole-grain mustard. Crisp-textured romaine lettuce best stood up to the steak and potatoes and thin-sliced red onion and Parmesan shavings provided a welcome accent.

Before You Begin

Boneless rib-eye steaks (Delmonico steaks) are a good substitute for the top loin steaks (New York strip steaks), and most any simple vinaigrette can be used here.

Instructions

    making the minutes count

  1. Prep the onion and lettuce while the potatoes are browning in the skillet.
  2. microwave potatoes

  3. Toss potatoes with 2 tablespoons of oil in large microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high until potatoes are tender, 5 to 10 minutes, shaking bowl halfway through.
  4. cook steaks and prepare vinaigrette

  5. Meanwhile, pat steaks dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat remaining tablespoon of oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Brown steaks on first side, about 5 minutes, reducing heat if pan begins to scorch. Flip steaks over and continue to cook to desired doneness, 3 to 6 minutes. (While steaks cook, make vinaigrette.)
  6. brown potatoes

  7. Transfer steaks to carving board and tent with foil, leaving fat in skillet. Return skillet to high heat until just smoking. Add microwaved potatoes and cook until well browned, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. dress and assemble salad

  9. Toss lettuce and red onion with ½ cup of vinaigrette and divide among individual plates. Arrange potatoes on salads, then shave several Parmesan shavings over top. Slice steak thin against grain, discarding any gristle, and lay on top of salads. Spoon remaining vinaigrette over steak, or pass separately.

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

This is a members' feature.