Steak Salad with Lime and Cashews
A vinegar-free steak salad topped with a lime and sesame oil dressing. Jalapeños add heat; cashews add crunch. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and cilantro-free.
Servings: 2
Calories: 480kcal
Equipment
- salad spinner (optional)
- hand-held citrus juicer (optional)
- wire whisk
Ingredients
- 12 ounces sirloin or strip steaks (1 inch thick or less)
- 7 ounces spring mix (cleaned and dried)
- 1 jalapeño (seeded and diced; or ½ teaspoon dried crushed jalapeño)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (30 grams; ~juice of 1 lime)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil (14 grams)
- 6 tablespoons cashews (2 ounces)
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Heat your grill. Ours is gas and we heat it to high heat.
- Remove your steaks from the refrigerator to let the chill come off for a few minutes. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
- Whisk together the lime juice, sesame oil, crushed dried jalapeño (if using), and salt. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Once the grill is hot, cook the steaks over high direct heat. To cook to medium well, grill for 5 minutes over the hot part of the grill. Flip, then grill another 5-7 minutes, until the temperature of the steaks reaches 155F.
- Remove the steaks from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes while you assemble the salad. The steaks will coast up to 160F.
- Divide the spring mix between two plates and drizzle with dressing. Sprinkle with cashews and fresh diced jalapeños (if using). Top with steak - slice it first if you prefer. Enjoy.
Notes
I often buy a 12-ounce sirloin steak and cut it in half before cooking. Cooking times vary by grill and cut of beef; see FAQ in the post above.
One jalapeño adds a slight amount of heat without being spicy. Include the seeds or add a second pepper if you're adventurous. If using dried jalapeño flakes or pieces (which I often do), I start with ½ teaspoon.
Toss the greens with the dressing instead of drizzling dressing over them, if desired.
This salad is based on the Seven Saints Salad at Seven Saints, a restaurant in Champaign, Illinois.
You can increase the lime juice to 3 tablespoons and sesame oil to 1 ½ tablespoons, if desired; those are the quantities I originally used.
Nutritional information is an estimate only. Actual nutrition will depend on the cut and size of the steak.
Nutrition
Calories: 480kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 418mg | Potassium: 991mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1201IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 5mg
