Soba Noodle and Steak Salad With Ginger-Lime Dressing

Soba Noodle and Steak Salad With Ginger-Lime Dressing
Andrew Purcell for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.
Total Time
30 minutes
Rating
4(874)
Comments
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Soba, which are buckwheat noodles common in Japanese cooking, work well for a weeknight meal: They take just a few minutes to cook and can be served warm or at room temperature (which means they make great leftovers). Hanger steak is quickly seared in a drizzle of oil, and once done, the bok choy is cooked in the residual fat left behind, leaving you with one less pan to wash. This flexible dish also works well with seared or grilled shrimp or chicken. Shredded cabbage or tender broccolini could also be swapped in for the bok choy. Soft herbs like basil or cilantro would also be nice. The only thing you need to round out this meal is wine, preferably chilled and pink.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 8ounces soba noodles
  • ¼cup soy sauce
  • ¼cup lime juice (from 2 limes)
  • 2teaspoons finely grated fresh ginger
  • 1teaspoon sesame oil
  • ½teaspoon light brown sugar
  • 1pound hanger or skirt steak, at room temperature
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1tablespoon canola or grapeseed oil, plus more as needed
  • 8ounces baby bok choy, halved lengthwise if large
  • 1cup julienned or thinly sliced carrots
  • 3 to 4radishes, thinly sliced (optional)
  • ½cup thinly sliced scallions (2 or 3 scallions)
  • ¼cup fresh mint, torn
  • Flaky salt, for serving (optional)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

497 calories; 20 grams fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 1 gram trans fat; 8 grams monounsaturated fat; 4 grams polyunsaturated fat; 52 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 34 grams protein; 1430 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cook soba noodles according to package instructions. Rinse under cold water, drain well and set aside. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, lime juice, ginger, sesame oil and brown sugar; set aside.

  2. Step 2

    Season the steak well with salt and pepper. Heat a large cast-iron pan over medium-high until very hot, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the canola oil and when it shimmers, add the steak and cook, undisturbed, until it begins to get crisp and golden on the outside, 3 to 4 minutes. (If you are using skirt steak, you may need to cut it into 2 or 3 pieces to fit in the pan, then cook for 2 to 3 minutes.) Flip and finish cooking, about 3 minutes more for medium-rare. Set aside and allow the steak to rest while you prepare the rest of the salad.

  3. Step 3

    Turn heat to medium and add the bok choy. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until it begins to brown and char in spots, 2 to 3 minutes, adding another teaspoon or so of oil if needed to help if the pan is too dry. Remove from the heat.

  4. Step 4

    In a large bowl, toss the soba noodles, carrots, radishes (if using) and half the scallions. Drizzle with the ginger-lime dressing to taste and divide among plates or in serving bowls. Thinly slice the steaks against the grain and top each portion with some of the steak and the bok choy. Scatter the remaining scallions and the mint over top and season with flaky salt, if desired. Serve with any leftover dressing in a small bowl to be passed at the table.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
874 user ratings
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Comments

Added cucumber to veg. Tossed veg (carrots, radish, cucumber, 1/2 green onion) with a bit of rice wine vinegar and salt while prepping other things. Marinated meat in an extra 1/2 sauce recipe for an hour. Tossed bok choy with sesame oil and garlic pepper. Grilled both steak and bok choy. Added garlic to sauce ingredients. Drained seasoned veg before incorporating with noodles and sauce. Added sliced grilled steak and sliced grilled bok choy. Family had rave reviews.

I didn't have any limes, so I subbed in pre-squeezed lime juice from the plastic lime. Big mistake - it was too tart and while I tried to repair the sauce with more of everything else, it still lacked freshness. This recipe is so simple that it's worth it to use the best ingredients.

This recipe is a gem! The carrots and radish add a necessary crunch to the soba noodles, and the dressing is tangy without being overwhelming. I did add a splash of mirin to the dressing to help cut some of the tartness of the lime, and it was perfect. I marinated a small piece of flank steak in store bought teriyaki sauce the night before, and it really made the flavor pop. I loved searing the bok choy in the meat pan - delicious! Will definitely make again.

I make this constantly and it’s delicious with adjustments. my recommendations are: use rice noodles instead of soba, and add yuzu juice to the dressing!

I added garlic and a bit of extra ginger to the dressing. Like other commenters, I made some extra dressing so as to marinate the steak. Even though the recipe calls for baby bok choy, the vegetable halves can be a bit large for easy eating. I cored the bok choy and sautéed the leaves. Adding a little chili crisp to the final dish enhanced the flavors. I’ve made this twice now, and I’m going to put it into my household’s regular dinner rotation.

Perfect summer meal! I added cilantro and crushed peanuts and it was so so good!

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