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Grilled Steak & Corn Salad Bowls - Fresh, Hearty, and Weeknight-Friendly

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Steak: 1 to 1.5 pounds flank steak, skirt steak, or sirloin
  • Corn: 3 to 4 ears of fresh corn (or 2 cups frozen corn, thawed)
  • Greens: 6 to 8 cups mixed greens or chopped romaine
  • Tomatoes: 1 to 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Red onion: 1 small, thinly sliced
  • Avocado: 1 to 2 ripe, sliced or diced
  • Cilantro: Small bunch, chopped (optional)
  • Cotija or feta cheese: 1/2 cup, crumbled (optional)
  • Cooked grains (optional): 2 cups cooked rice, quinoa, or farro
  • Olive oil: For marinade and dressing
  • Lime: 2 to 3 limes for juice and zest
  • Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
  • Honey or maple syrup: 1 to 2 teaspoons
  • Spices: Chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper: To taste

Method
 

  1. Make the marinade: In a bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons olive oil, juice of 1 lime, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and several grinds of pepper.
  2. Marinate the steak: Pat the steak dry. Add it to a bag or shallow dish and pour in the marinade. Coat well. Marinate 20 to 60 minutes at room temperature, or up to 6 hours in the fridge. Do not over-marinate acidic mixtures with flank or skirt steak beyond 8 hours.
  3. Prep the corn: If using fresh corn, shuck and lightly oil the cobs. If using frozen, thaw and pat dry; toss with 1 teaspoon oil, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of smoked paprika.
  4. Heat the grill or pan: Preheat a grill to medium-high or place a cast-iron skillet/grill pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Clean and oil the grates if grilling.
  5. Grill or sear the corn: Grill corn 8 to 10 minutes, turning, until charred in spots and tender. For frozen corn, sear in a hot skillet 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred. Let cool slightly, then cut kernels off the cob.
  6. Cook the steak: Remove steak from marinade and pat mostly dry. Grill or sear 3 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare, depending on thickness. Aim for 130–135°F (54–57°C) internal temperature for medium-rare. Transfer to a plate and rest 5 to 10 minutes.
  7. Make the dressing: Whisk 3 tablespoons olive oil, juice of 1 to 2 limes, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 minced garlic clove, a big pinch of salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust with more lime, salt, or honey.
  8. Slice the steak: Thinly slice against the grain. If using flank or skirt, keep slices very thin for tenderness.
  9. Assemble the bowls: Add greens to bowls. Layer on corn, tomatoes, red onion, avocado, and grains if using. Top with steak, cilantro, and cheese. Drizzle with dressing.
  10. Finish and serve: Add a final squeeze of lime, a pinch of salt, and cracked pepper. Serve right away while the steak is warm.