I bring together smoky grilled steak, charred corn, crisp greens, juicy tomatoes, sharp red onion, creamy Gorgonzola, and a zesty gremolata—all drizzled with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette—for an easy yet impressive summer dish. I can prepare it start to finish in about 30 minutes (plus marinade time).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how this salad delivers bold flavor and satisfying texture without turning on the oven. The steak marinates just 30 minutes, while I char the corn and whisk up fresh vinaigrette and gremolata. Grill, toss, and serve—a restaurant-quality dinner that feels casual and festive.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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For the marinade
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1 lb sirloin steak
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2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
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1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
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½ tsp Dijon mustard
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¼ tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp coarse salt
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¼ tsp ground black pepper
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For the salad
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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½ red onion, thinly sliced
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4 oz crumbled Gorgonzola
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2 heads endive, chopped into 2-in pieces
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6 cups mixed spring greens
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1 ear corn, husked
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1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (for corn)
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For the gremolata
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2 tbsp basil, minced
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2 tbsp parsley, minced
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1 clove garlic, minced
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1 tbsp lemon zest
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For the balsamic vinaigrette
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3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
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½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
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½ tsp Dijon mustard
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Dash of salt and fresh-ground pepper
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directions
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Whisk together the marinade ingredients. Add the steak to a resealable bag with the marinade and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
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Combine basil, parsley, garlic, and lemon zest in a bowl to make the gremolata; set aside.
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Preheat the grill or a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle the corn with oil, season, and grill while turning occasionally, about 10 minutes until charred. Let cool slightly and slice off the kernels.
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Grill the steak 4–5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Let it rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients.
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In a large bowl, toss the spring greens, endive, tomatoes, grilled corn, red onions, half the dressing, and half the gremolata.
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Arrange the sliced steak on top. Drizzle with remaining vinaigrette and gremolata, sprinkle with Gorgonzola, and serve.
Servings and timing
This salad serves 2–3 people as a main dish.
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Prep time: 10 minutes
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Marinating: 30 minutes
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Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: around 60 minutes
Variations
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I swap sirloin for flank, skirt, or strip steak depending on availability.
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I sometimes replace endive with arugula or spinach, or use blue cheese, feta, or goat cheese instead of Gorgonzola.
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To keep it dairy-free, I skip the cheese and add avocado or chickpeas for creaminess and substance.
storage/reheating
I store leftover steak wrapped in foil or a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
Salad components keep better when stored separately: greens and veggies for 1–2 days, and dressings or corn in a small container.
To reheat steak, I warm it gently in a skillet or microwave; I avoid reheating greens as they wilt.
FAQs
What if I don’t have a grill?
I use a cast-iron skillet or grill pan to cook the steak and corn indoors with great results.
Can I prepare ingredients ahead?
Yes, I often marinate and grill the steak and corn ahead of time and store them separately. I assemble the salad fresh when ready to eat.
What’s the best steak doneness for this salad?
I aim for medium-rare, about 4–5 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the steak.
Can I use frozen corn instead of fresh?
Yes, but I prefer fresh grilled corn for the smoky flavor. If using frozen, I thaw it and sear in a hot pan to get some char.
Is this salad good without cheese?
Absolutely. I leave out the cheese for a dairy-free version and add something creamy like avocado or crunchy like toasted nuts.
Conclusion
I love how this grilled balsamic steak salad feels both indulgent and wholesome. It’s full of bold, balanced flavors—from tangy balsamic and herb gremolata to smoky corn and robust steak. It’s a go-to for summer cookouts, quick dinners, or anytime I want a meal that looks impressive but comes together effortlessly.
Print
Grilled Balsamic Steak Salad with Gorgonzola & Corn
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes (including marinating)
- Yield: 2–3 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
A vibrant summer salad featuring smoky grilled sirloin steak, charred corn, crisp greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, creamy Gorgonzola, fresh gremolata, and tangy balsamic vinaigrette.
Ingredients
- 1 lb sirloin steak
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp coarse salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 4 oz crumbled Gorgonzola
- 2 heads endive, chopped into 2-in pieces
- 6 cups mixed spring greens
- 1 ear corn, husked
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (for corn)
- 2 tbsp basil, minced
- 2 tbsp parsley, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- Dash of salt and fresh-ground pepper
Instructions
- Whisk together marinade ingredients, add steak to a resealable bag, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Combine basil, parsley, garlic, and lemon zest in a bowl to make the gremolata; set aside.
- Preheat grill or pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle corn with oil, season, and grill with tongs, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes until charred. Cool slightly and remove kernels.
- Grill steak 4–5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly against grain.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients.
- In a large bowl, toss mixed greens, endive, tomatoes, corn, onions, half the dressing, and half the gremolata.
- Arrange sliced steak over salad, drizzle remaining dressing and gremolata, top with Gorgonzola, and serve.
Notes
- Flank, skirt, or strip steak can be substituted.
- Use arugula or spinach instead of endive, or substitute other cheeses like blue, feta, or goat cheese.
- For a dairy-free version, omit the cheese and add avocado or chickpeas.
- Store leftover components separately for best freshness.
- Use a grill pan or cast-iron skillet if outdoor grill is unavailable.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 26g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg