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Crispy Pittsburgh-Style Salad with Fries

Crispy Pittsburgh-Style Salad with Fries - featured image
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A hearty and crunchy salad featuring crisp romaine, juicy steak strips, melted cheddar cheese, and crispy fries piled on top, delivering a unique and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 12 oz top sirloin steak, thinly sliced
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cups frozen French fries (about 300 g), thick-cut
  • Salt, to taste
  • Optional: sprinkle of Cajun seasoning
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing
  • Optional: 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F or air fryer to 400°F. Spread frozen fries evenly on a baking sheet or arrange in air fryer basket. Cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway or shaking basket every 8 minutes. Season with salt and optional Cajun seasoning immediately after cooking.
  2. While fries cook, thinly slice the top sirloin steak against the grain into bite-sized strips. Toss steak slices with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until evenly coated.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak strips in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Sear for 2-3 minutes per side until browned but still juicy. Remove steak and let rest briefly.
  4. In a large bowl, combine chopped romaine, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and thin red onion slices. Toss gently to mix.
  5. Arrange salad on plates or a large platter. Top with warm steak strips, then sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the hot steak to melt slightly.
  6. Pile crispy fries generously on top of the salad. Drizzle with ranch dressing or serve on the side. Add blue cheese crumbles if using. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not toss fries into the salad too early to avoid sogginess; keep fries on top until serving. Slice steak thinly against the grain for tenderness. Use an air fryer for crispier fries that hold texture longer. For gluten-free, ensure fries are certified GF or make homemade baked wedges. For vegetarian or vegan versions, substitute steak with grilled mushrooms or tofu and use dairy-free cheese and dressing.

Nutrition

Keywords: Pittsburgh salad, steak salad, crispy fries salad, diner salad, easy dinner, quick salad recipe

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