Mexican Steak Salad with Summer Corn and Hot Honey Dressing

, from Issue #119. February, 2025
Photography by Josh Griggs.
Mexican Steak Salad with Summer Corn and Hot Honey Dressing

All the fun of a fiesta in one spicy salad — complete with corn chips on the side!

Serves: 4-6

INGREDIENTS

600 grams rib-eye steaks (or cut of your choice)
2 cobs corn, husk and silks removed
extra virgin olive oil for brushing
sea salt and ground pepper
2 teaspoons store-bought Mexican spice rub, or more if needed

HOT HONEY, MINT AND PAPRIKA DRESSING
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon each Dijon mustard and runny honey
¾ teaspoon each sweet smoked paprika and dried mint
½ teaspoon chilli flakes
2 cloves garlic, crushed

SALAD
400-gram can black beans, drained and rinsed
½ small red capsicum, finely chopped
flesh of 1–2 avocados, chopped
5 cups torn cos or romaine lettuce
2 tablespoons each roasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds
200 grams mixed cherry tomatoes, halved (we used red and yellow)
100 grams feta, crumbled
½ small red onion, finely chopped

AVOCADO, JALAPEÑO AND OREGANO DRESSING (GF) (V)
flesh of 1 medium avocado
½ cup Greek natural yoghurt
½ packed cup coriander leaves
2 cloves garlic, peeled
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon chopped pickled jalapeños (or more for a spicier version)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon each sea salt and dried oregano

TO SERVE
Avocado, Jalapeño and Oregano Dressing
corn chips

METHOD

Preheat a barbecue to hot, if using.

Brush the steaks and corn with a little oil and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the steaks with the Mexican spice mix.

Cook the steaks and corn on the hot barbecue or in a large frying pan. The steaks will take about 3–4 minutes each side depending on their thickness. Cook the corn until charred in places. Put the steaks on a plate, cover loosely, and rest for 10 minutes.

HOT HONEY DRESSING: Whisk all the ingredients together in a large bowl.

SALAD: Cut the kernels off the corn cobs. Add to the dressing in the bowl with all the remaining salad ingredients and toss together to coat in the dressing.

AVOCADO, JALAPEÑO AND OREGANO DRESSING: Using a stick blender or small food processor, blitz all the ingredients until smooth. If you want a thinner dressing, blitz in a little more water.

TO SERVE: Transfer the salad to a large serving plate. Slice the steaks thinly against the grain and place over the salad. Drizzle over some of the Avocado, Jalapeño and Oregano Dressing, serving the remaining dressing and corn chips separately.