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Southwest Steak Salad

This southwest steak salad with fried plantains is delicious and super easy to make! It’s PACKED with grilled steak, fried plantains, black beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado, crunchy tortilla strips, and all drizzled with a homemade Greek yogurt cilantro dressing.

Summertime salads are the best!

This southwest steak salad with fried plantains can satisfy the hungriest crowds and can stand alone as a main course.

The combination of crispy fried plantains and grilled steak is delicious!

You’ll find every ingredient from the black beans, to the crispy tortilla strips, compliments each other in every bite.

Plus, you’re going to LOVE the tangy Greek yogurt cilantro dressing made right in your blender!

Ingredients to make Southwest Steak Salad with Fried Plantains

Other options for proteins

If you can’t find skirt steak, some great alternatives are flank steak or hanger steak. 

You could also substitute sliced, grilled chicken breast as well, for a lighter meal. 

How to determine if plantain is ripe

No stress is needed if you’ve never cooked with plantains before! I’m going to walk through picking the best of the best!

For this southwest steak salad with fried plantains recipe, you’ll want to look for plantains that are almost completely black in color.

Assuring that the plantain is fully ripe means you’ll end up with sweet soft-fried plantains.

Using store-bought dressing

You can absolutely use store-bought dressing! 

There are a lot of great, easily accessible dressings at your local grocery store these days.

You’re most likely to find them in both the refrigerated section near the produce aisle and the dressing aisle. 

Pick one that is creamy, for the perfect balance of flavors for this salad. 

Craving another option for a homemade dressing? Try this flavor packed balsamic steak salad dressing!

Storage and leftovers of southwest steak salad with fried plantains

The grilled steak and fried plantains can be stored separately, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

The homemade dressing can be stored in a jar, or airtight container, for up to a week, in the refrigerator. 

More steak recipes

Southwest Steak Salad with Fried Plantains

Author: Brandy O’Neill – Nutmeg Nanny
This southwest steak salad with fried plantains is delicious and super easy to make! It's PACKED with grilled steak, fried plantains, black beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado, crunchy tortilla strips, and all drizzled with a homemade Greek yogurt cilantro dressing. This salad is super filling and perfect for warm summer nights.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 1 large salad

Ingredients

For salad:

  • 6 ounces skirt steak
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ripe plantain
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1/2 ripe avocado thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup black beans
  • 1/4 cup corn kernels lightly steamed
  • 1/4 cup tortilla strips
  • 1/4 cup cotija cheese crumbled

For dressing:

  • 1 cup packed cilantro
  • 3/4 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 2 limes juiced
  • 1 lime zested
  • Kosher salt to taste

Instructions

For salad:

  • Preheat your grill to high heat.
  • Mix smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, kosher salt, and pepper together and sprinkle on both sides of your steak.
  • Grill until desired doneness and let rest.
  • Peel your plantain and slice 1/2 inch slices.
  • Add olive oil to a 12-inch skillet and place over medium-high heat.
  • Once the oil is hot add in the plantains and cooks on both sides until golden brown. Remove from the oil and let drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
  • In a large salad bowl add lettuce and top with avocado, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, tortilla strips, crumbled cotija cheese, and fried plantains.
  • Slice steak and place over salad. Drizzle with dressing and devour.

For dressing:

  • Add all ingredients to a high-powered mixer or food processor and puree until smooth and creamy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 881kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 54g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 38g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 839mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 24g
Course Salad
Cuisine Tex Mex
Keyword dinner salad, fried plantains on a salad, southwest steak salad, southwest steak salad with fried plantains, steak salad, tex mex salad
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