Go Back
+ servings
Print Recipe
4.75 from 20 votes

Thai Steak Salad w/Sweet + Spicy Tahini Dressing and Sesame Chili-Lime Cashews.

This salad has some of my all time favorite flavors. Especially now that it is summer, Thai food just screams summer food to me.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, thai
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 471kcal

Ingredients

Cashews

Steak +Dressing

  • 1 pound flank steak
  • 2 limes juiced + the zest of 1 lime
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce don't be afraid!
  • 2 tablespoons ponzu sauce (or soy sauce but ponzu sauce is best and works better here)
  • 2-3 tablespoons sweet thai chili sauce I used 3 tablespoons
  • 1-2 cloves garlic minced or grated (depending on you taste, I used 1)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
  • 2-3 tablespoons tahini (may sub peanut butter but I loved the tahini), sesame seed paste

Salad

  • 4 cups baby kale or other dark leafy green
  • 1 ounce bag frozen shelled edamame defrosted and cooked for 3-5 min. in boiling water, 16
  • 3 carrots shredded or chopped
  • 2 bell peppers (red yellow and or orange), sliced thin
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen mango chopped into chunks
  • 2 lemongrass stalks chopped
  • 4 green onions chopped
  • 3/4 cups of fresh basil cilantro and mint (I only used 1/3 cup mint)
  • 4 hard boiled eggs chopped (optional)
  • 1/4 cup black and/or white sesame seeds toasted

Instructions

Cashews

  • Heat a small skillet over medium heat and add the sesame oil, cashews and chili powder, toss well. Cook over medium heat until lightly toasted and browned, about five minutes. During the last minute of cooking add in the honey (I used 2 tablespoons). Remove from the heat and add the lime zest and 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds. Toss well and set aside.

The Rest

  • Add the steak to a glass pyrex dish or gallon size ziplock bag.
  • In a glass measuring cup or bowl whisk together the lime juice + zest, fish sauce, ponzu sauce, sweet thai chili sauce, garlic and ginger. Pour about 1/4 -1/3 of the dressing over the steak, cover or seal the bag and place in the fridge while you prep the rest of the salad, at least 15 minutes (the longer the better).
  • Meanwhile add the tahini to a small bowl and microwave until melted and smooth, about 15-20 seconds. Add the melted tahini to the dressing, whisk until smooth. Taste and add more tahini or sweet thai chili sauce to your liking, set aside.
  • In a large bowl add the kale, edamame, carrots, bell peppers, mango chunks, lemon grass and green onions. Give it all a good toss.
  • Heat a grill or grill pan to high heat.
  • Once hot sear the steak for 5-8 minutes, flip and sear another 5 minutes or until your desired doneness is reached. Remove the steak and allow to rest 5 minutes. Slice steak thinly against the grain and add to the salad. Add the dressing and remaining sesame seeds. Toss to coat and massage the dressing into the veggies for 1-2 minutes. Add the eggs and cashews. Serve warm or cover and place in the fridge until ready to eat. I personally love this served warm.

Notes

*You can add the dressing just before serving or add it and let the salad sit in the fridge a few hours. The kale holds up nicely and the flavors have a chance to mend together in the fridge, but I love this salad slightly warm!

Nutrition

Serving: 4g | Calories: 471kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 169mg | Sodium: 773mg | Potassium: 1103mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 11570IU | Vitamin C: 128.6mg | Calcium: 222mg | Iron: 6.3mg