Persian-Style Steak & Rice With Shirazi Salad
Tender, flavorful steak is paired with fluffy basmati rice and a bright, refreshing Shirazi-style salad made with tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and lemon. The savory, seasoned beef and crispy golden rice balance perfectly with the fresh, zesty topping, making this an easy yet impressive meal for a weeknight dinner or weekend gathering.
Persian-Style Steak & Rice With Shirazi Salad
Herd and Grace
3-4 People
30 minutes
45 minutes
Persian
Tender, flavorful steak is paired with fluffy basmati rice and a bright, refreshing Shirazi-style salad made with tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and lemon. The savory, seasoned beef and crispy golden rice balance perfectly with the fresh,...
Ingredients
For the Steak
- 12 oz steak
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp butter
- For the rice
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 3 cups water
- 1½ tbsp butter or olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- Optional: pinch of saffron or turmeric
- For the fresh salad
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 large cucumber, diced
- ½ small red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1–2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Directions
Rice
- Add rice, 3 cups water, and ½ tsp salt to a pot.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to low and cover.
- Cook for about 15 minutes, until the water is absorbed.
- Turn off the heat and let it sit covered for another 10 minutes.
Fluff gently with a fork.
For the crispy rice like you see in the photo:
Heat 1–2 tbsp butter or oil in the bottom of the pot before adding the cooked rice back in. Let it cook covered on low for another 10–15 minutes. This creates the crispy golden tahdig at the bottom.
Make the Shirazi-style salad
Mix together: Diced tomatoes, dice cucumber, red onion, and parsley
Then add: Lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper
Give everything a good toss and let it sit for 10–15 minutes.
Cooking the steak
Mix the steak with: 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, and lemon juice
- Let it marinate for 15–30 minutes if you have time.
- Heat a large skillet over high heat.
- Add the steak in a single layer. Don't overcrowd the pan.
- Cook for approximately 2–3 minutes per side, depending on how thick your pieces are and how well-done you like them.
- During the last minute, add 1 tbsp butter and toss the steak around in the melted butter.