Crispy Beef Salad with Fresh Herbs and Zesty Lime-Soy Dressing

Your new favourite dinner - crispy, zesty. flavoursome salad!

Are you looking for a vibrant, refreshing, and flavour-packed dish? This Crispy Beef Salad is the perfect balance of crunch, freshness, and zesty goodness. Crispy beef cooked, slowly and gently, is coated in honey, infused with garlic and ginger, with a fresh herb salad. Lastly, drizzled with a tangy lime-soy dressing. It's absolutely delicious!

Why You'll Love This Crispy Beef Salad

• Crispy yet juicy beef – The perfect textural contrast to fresh greens.

• Bold Asian-inspired flavours – A delicious mix of salty, tangy, and slightly sweet.

• Light yet satisfying – A refreshing meal that won’t weigh you down.

Ingredients

For the Crispy Beef:

• 300g beef minced

• Extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil for frying

• Fresh ginger, grated (thumb size)

• Fresh garlic cloves x 2 -3, minced

• 1-2 tbsp sesame seeds

For the Salad:

• 2 handfuls mixed salad leaves (lettuce, arugula, baby leaves)

• ½ cucumber, thinly sliced and deseeded

• 1 carrot, finely shaved

• 1-2 pinch of finely chopped fresh coriander leaves

• 1-2 pinch of finely chopped fresh mint leaves

• 2 generous handfuls of rice noodles

Optional:

• ½ red chili, finely sliced

• Finely sliced spring onions

For the Dressing:

• 2-3 tbsp soy sauce

• 1/4 squeezed lime juice

• 1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. Prepare the beef

In a large frying pan or wok, cook the minced beef, breaking up the mince with the back of a wooden spoon. Keep the heat on low-medium temperature and continue to break the meat down to smaller and smaller pieces.

Rice noodles infused with fresh coriander stalks for a flavourful dish.

2. Meanwhile... assemble the salad

In large serving bowls, combine mixed greens, cucumber, and carrot (red chili & spring onion optional). Prepare a small saucepan and boil the kettle. Place the dried rice noodles in the saucepan and once the water is boiled, pour over the noodles. Put coriander stalks in with the water and noodles, place a lid on the pan and allow to steam for the remainder of the cooking.

Colourful salad featuring fresh greens and thinly sliced carrots artfully arranged in a decorative bowl.

3. Make the dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, lime juice, and olive oil. Set aside to let the flavours meld. Finely chop the coriander and mint and set aside.

4. Fry the beef

The beef should be drying nicely now and with continued use of the spoon, the beef should be in small pieces. Continue cooking until it begins to crisp. Once the beef is crisping, add in the grated ginger and minced garlic cloves. Stir in and allow the flavours to infuse. Turn the heat off before adding the sesame seeds.

5. Serve and enjoy!

Drain the rice noodles, not forgetting to remove the coriander stalks. Add the noodles to the salad and mix. Add the crispy beef on top. Take 1-2 pinches of your freshly chopped coriander and mint, sprinkle over the meat. Lastly, pour the lime dressing over the salad. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavour.

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  A vibrant bowl of crispy beef salad showcases an enticing medley of flavors, layered over a bed of fresh noodles and garnished with a generous sprinkle of herbs. Each bite promises a new taste adventure.

Tips & Variations on this Crispy Beef Salad

• Want extra crunch? Add toasted almonds or pine nuts as a garnish.

• Prefer a spicier kick? Increase the red chili or add a dash of sriracha to the dressing.

• Make it gluten-free by using tamari instead of soy sauce.

• Try a different protein! This recipe works well with crispy chicken or tofu.

This Crispy Beef Salad is the ultimate combination of fresh and flavourful, making it a perfect choice for a light yet satisfying meal. Give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments! Happy cooking! 🥗✨