Crisp Young Radish and Tender Sirloin Steak Salad
Recipe for a Refreshing Young Radish and Sirloin Steak Salad
Young radish (yeolmu) is a quintessential summer vegetable, celebrated for its crisp texture and abundant juicy, cooling properties. While often confined to kimchi, it can be incredibly versatile when treated as a simple vegetable. Especially when used fresh in salads, its satisfying crunch and hydration make it pair wonderfully with other ingredients. Today, I’ve created a unique salad featuring pan-seared sirloin steak and fresh young radish. My son, Dottie, who tasted it with the steak, was amazed and asked what this delicious vegetable was. He was impressed that a salad made with young radish could be so tasty! ^^ The succulent sirloin steak, complemented by a zesty oriental dressing and the crisp radish, creates a delightful combination, and the steak and radish together are a perfect match. We enjoyed it so much that I had to refill the radish halfway through! This salad is also an excellent choice for a weekend brunch. Discover this wonderful salad that’s perfect for any occasion!
Salad Ingredients- 7-8 heads of fresh young radish (yeolmu)
- 200g imported beef sirloin
- 1 slice of fresh butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4-5 cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup blanched cauliflower (frozen can be used)
Refreshing Oriental Dressing- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds
Flavorful Sirloin Marinade- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1.5 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 3-4 slices of pear
- 1/4 onion
- 5 cloves garlic
For Tenderizing the Steak- 1 cup cola
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds
Flavorful Sirloin Marinade- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1.5 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 3-4 slices of pear
- 1/4 onion
- 5 cloves garlic
For Tenderizing the Steak- 1 cup cola
- 1 cup cola
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by marinating the sirloin steak in cola for 10 minutes. The enzymes in cola help tenderize the meat and remove any gamey odors. (This step is particularly useful for imported beef which can sometimes be tougher. If you are using high-quality Korean beef (Hanwoo), you can skip this step.)
Step 2
Remove the sirloin from the cola, rinse it lightly under cold water, and pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels.
Step 3
In a blender, combine the marinade ingredients: soy sauce, sugar, mirin, pear slices, onion, and garlic. Blend until smooth. Pour this marinade over the sirloin and let it marinate for 20-30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate.
Step 4
Prepare the Oriental dressing by whisking together all the dressing ingredients (soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, lemon juice, oyster sauce, sesame oil, olive oil, and sesame seeds) in a bowl until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
Step 5
Wash the young radish thoroughly under running water. Soak it in a bowl of water mixed with 2 tablespoons of vinegar for 10 minutes to clean it and enhance its crispness. Afterward, rinse again under running water and drain.
Step 6
Cut the drained young radish into approximately 5cm lengths, making it easy to eat in the salad.
Step 7
Halve or quarter the cherry tomatoes. If using other vegetables like cauliflower or broccoli, blanch them in boiling water with a tablespoon of salt for about 1 minute to retain their crispness. (I used pre-blanched and frozen cauliflower florets.)
Step 8
Heat a pan over medium-high heat. Add a slice of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sear the marinated sirloin steak, cooking it to your desired doneness. (I aimed for medium-rare but slightly overcooked it this time. Leaving a few pieces medium can preserve more juiciness.)
Step 9
While searing the steak, add the blanched cauliflower to the pan and sauté it briefly. This adds another layer of texture and flavor to the salad.
Step 10
Once cooked, let the sirloin steak rest for a few minutes before slicing it into bite-sized pieces, about 1-1.5cm thick. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a more tender steak.
Step 11
Arrange the cut young radish in a circular or wreath-like pattern around the edge of a serving plate or salad bowl. This creates an attractive presentation.
Step 12
Place the sliced sirloin steak in the center of the arranged radish. Drizzle the prepared Oriental dressing over the entire salad just before serving to ensure all the ingredients are coated and the flavors meld beautifully. This salad is perfect for entertaining!
