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Rainbow Slaw with Grilled Beef


  • Author: Ashley

Ingredients

Scale

Here are the components you’ll need to create this stunning and flavorful dish. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, from the savory marinade for the beef to the crisp, fresh vegetables and the zesty dressing that ties it all together.

For the Grilled Beef Marinade:

  • 1 ½ pounds Sirloin Steak: About 1-inch thick. Sirloin is a fantastic choice as it’s lean yet tender and soaks up the marinade beautifully, resulting in a juicy, flavorful bite.
  • â…“ cup Low-Sodium Soy Sauce or Tamari: This forms the savory, umami-rich base of our marinade. Tamari is a great gluten-free alternative.
  • ¼ cup Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice: The acidity from the lime juice not only adds a bright, zesty flavor but also helps to tenderize the beef.
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil: Adds richness to the marinade and helps prevent the beef from sticking to the grill.
  • 2 tablespoons Honey: Provides a touch of sweetness to balance the salty soy sauce and acidic lime juice, and helps create a beautiful caramelization on the grill.
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced: Freshly minced garlic provides a pungent, aromatic depth that is essential for a robust flavor profile.
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Ginger, grated: Adds a warm, spicy kick that pairs wonderfully with the other Asian-inspired flavors in the marinade.
  • 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil: A little goes a long way, lending a distinctive nutty aroma and flavor to the beef.

For the Rainbow Slaw:

  • ¼ head Red Cabbage, very thinly sliced: This provides the deep, jewel-toned purple color and a fantastic, peppery crunch.
  • ¼ head Green Cabbage, very thinly sliced: Adds a paler green hue and a classic, crisp slaw texture.
  • 2 large Carrots, julienned: These bring a sweet flavor and a vibrant orange color. Using a julienne peeler makes this task quick and easy.
  • 1 large Red Bell Pepper, thinly sliced: Adds a sweet, fruity crunch and a pop of brilliant red.
  • 1 large Yellow Bell Pepper, thinly sliced: Lends a milder sweetness and a sunny yellow hue to the slaw mix.
  • 1 cup Edamame, shelled: These bright green beans add a soft bite, a boost of plant-based protein, and a subtle, buttery flavor.
  • ½ cup Red Onion, thinly sliced: Provides a sharp, pungent bite that cuts through the sweetness of the other vegetables.
  • ½ cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped: Adds a fresh, citrusy, and slightly peppery note that brightens the entire dish.
  • ¼ cup Fresh Mint Leaves, chopped: Introduces a cool, refreshing element that surprisingly complements the savory beef.

For the Zesty Vinaigrette:

  • â…“ cup Olive Oil: The base of our dressing, creating a smooth and rich mouthfeel.
  • 3 tablespoons Rice Vinegar: Offers a mild, slightly sweet acidity that is less harsh than other vinegars, perfect for this delicate slaw.
  • 1 tablespoon Lime Juice: Reinforces the citrus notes from the beef marinade and adds a fresh zing to the dressing.
  • 1 tablespoon Honey or Maple Syrup: A touch of sweetness to balance the vinegar and lime juice.
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard: Acts as an emulsifier, helping to bind the oil and vinegar together while adding a tangy depth.
  • Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste: Essential for enhancing all the other flavors in the dressing.

Instructions

Follow these detailed steps to ensure a perfectly grilled, tender beef and a crisp, vibrant slaw every time. The process is broken down into marinating, preparing the slaw, grilling the beef, and final assembly.

Step 1: Marinate the Beef

  1. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the marinade: the low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari), lime juice, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil. Continue whisking until the honey is fully dissolved and the mixture is well combined.
  2. Place the sirloin steak in a shallow dish or a large resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the steak, ensuring it’s coated on all sides.
  3. Seal the bag or cover the dish. Let the beef marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, but for the best flavor, allow it to marinate for 2 to 4 hours. Any longer and the lime juice can start to break down the meat’s texture too much.

Step 2: Prepare the Rainbow Slaw and Vinaigrette

  1. While the beef is marinating, prepare your vegetables. Using a sharp knife, a mandoline slicer, or the shredding attachment on a food processor, thinly slice the red and green cabbage, red and yellow bell peppers, and red onion. Julienne the carrots.
  2. In a very large bowl, combine the sliced red cabbage, green cabbage, julienned carrots, sliced bell peppers, shelled edamame, sliced red onion, chopped cilantro, and chopped mint. Gently toss the vegetables together to distribute the colors and textures evenly. Cover and refrigerate the slaw mix until you are ready to serve. This keeps it crisp.
  3. Prepare the vinaigrette by combining the olive oil, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey (or maple syrup), and Dijon mustard in a small bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Whisk vigorously or shake the jar until the dressing is emulsified and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Set the dressing aside. Do not dress the slaw yet, as this will cause it to become watery and lose its crunch.

Step 3: Grill the Beef

  1. About 20 minutes before you plan to cook, remove the marinated steak from the refrigerator to allow it to come closer to room temperature. This helps it cook more evenly.
  2. Preheat your grill (gas or charcoal) to medium-high heat, around 400-450°F (200-230°C). A hot grill is key to getting a beautiful sear and those coveted grill marks.
  3. Clean the grill grates with a wire brush, then lightly oil them with a paper towel dipped in a high-smoke-point oil (like canola or vegetable oil) to prevent the steak from sticking.
  4. Remove the steak from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Discard the remaining marinade.
  5. Place the steak on the hot grill. For a 1-inch thick sirloin, grill for approximately 4-6 minutes per side for a medium-rare finish. Adjust the time based on your desired level of doneness:
    • Rare: 3-4 minutes per side (125°F / 52°C)
    • Medium-Rare: 4-6 minutes per side (135°F / 57°C)
    • Medium: 6-8 minutes per side (145°F / 63°C)
    • Use an instant-read meat thermometer for the most accurate results.

Step 4: Rest and Slice the Beef

  1. Once cooked to your liking, transfer the steak from the grill to a cutting board. Tent it loosely with aluminum foil.
  2. Let the steak rest for 10 minutes. This is a crucial step! Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every slice is moist and tender. If you slice it too soon, the delicious juices will run out onto the cutting board.
  3. After resting, use a sharp knife to thinly slice the beef against the grain. Look for the direction of the muscle fibers in the meat and slice perpendicular to them. This shortens the fibers, making the beef much more tender to chew.

Step 5: Assemble and Serve

  1. Just before serving, pour about two-thirds of the zesty vinaigrette over the prepared slaw mix. Toss gently but thoroughly until all the vegetables are lightly coated. Taste and add more dressing if desired.
  2. Arrange the vibrant rainbow slaw on a large platter or in individual bowls.
  3. Fan the slices of grilled beef attractively over the top of the slaw.
  4. Garnish with an extra sprinkle of fresh cilantro, some sesame seeds, or chopped peanuts for added texture. Serve immediately and enjoy the incredible combination of flavors and textures.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: one normal portion
  • Calories: 600
  • Fiber: 9g
  • Protein: 40g