Refreshing Vietnamese Lime Beef Salad

Ingredients

• 300g (10.5 oz) beef sirloin, thinly sliced 300g (10.5 oz) beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• 2 limes, juiced 2 limes, juiced
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 garlic clove, minced 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 red chili, thinly sliced 1 red chili, thinly sliced
• 1 cucumber, julienned 1 cucumber, julienned
• 1 carrot, julienned 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 cup bean sprouts 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1 cup fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, Thai basil), roughly chopped 1 cup fresh herbs (mint, cilantro, Thai basil), roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, crushed 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, crushed

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 280 kcal / 1172 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 12g, 6g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, minced garlic, and sliced chili. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
2. 2.
   Place the thinly sliced beef in a separate bowl and pour half of the lime dressing over it. Let it marinate for 15 minutes.
3. 3.
   In a large salad bowl, combine the cucumber, carrot, bell pepper, bean sprouts, and fresh herbs.
4. 4.
   Heat a grill or skillet over high heat. Cook the marinated beef for 1-2 minutes on each side until it reaches your desired level of doneness.
5. 5.
   Add the cooked beef to the salad bowl and pour the remaining lime dressing over it. Toss gently to combine.
6. 6.
   Sprinkle the crushed peanuts on top for added crunch.
7. 7.
   Serve the salad immediately and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef — For best results, choose a tender cut of beef like sirloin and slice it as thinly as possible against the grain to ensure tenderness.
• Lime — Use fresh limes for the dressing to achieve a vibrant and tangy flavor.
• Fresh herbs — Feel free to adjust the amount and combination of herbs according to your preference. The herbs add a refreshing element to the salad.

Tips & Tricks

• To make the beef extra tender, you can marinate it for a longer period, up to 1 hour.
• For a spicier kick, add more sliced chili or a dash of chili sauce to the dressing.
• Customize the salad by adding other vegetables like radishes or snow peas.
• If you prefer a vegetarian version, you can substitute the beef with tofu or tempeh.
• To save time, you can prepare the lime dressing in advance and store it in the refrigerator.

Serving advice

Serve the Vietnamese Lime Beef Salad as a main course for a light lunch or dinner. It can also be served as a refreshing appetizer or a side dish alongside other Vietnamese dishes.

Presentation advice

Arrange the salad on a large platter, placing the vibrant green herbs on top for an eye-catching presentation. Sprinkle the crushed peanuts over the salad to add texture and visual appeal.