This Southwest Chicken Bowl is made with quinoa and is a wonderful addition to a Flexitarian diet. You could keep your meal vegan by omitting the chicken from your Southwest Bowls. You might even add a bit of southwest marinated tofu or tempeh.
Southwest Bowls have a zesty lime vinaigrette drizzled over quinoa, brown rice, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and other fresh flavors. With tomato season emerging, this is a great recipe to have in the queue.
Why You Need To Make Southwest Chicken Bowls
This recipe is great for the whole family. It is healthy with tons of fresh veggies, an easy meal with simple ingredients, and is an absolute delicious recipe. I like to whip this up on busy weeknights. I meal prep some of the ingredients in advance like the quinoa and chicken and have this as a great option for busy nights.
In this article, I review why I love this Southwest Chicken Bowl, the ingredients, how to make this recipe, how to pair Southwest Bowls, and some fun facts about tomatoes, one of the key ingredients in this recipe.
Southwest Chicken Bowl Ingredients
Southwest Grilled Chicken
Skinless Chicken Breasts – I use skinless and boneless chicken breasts but you could also use chicken thighs, bone in thighs, or bone in breasts.
Southwest Chicken Marinade
Quinoa Salad
Quinoa & Rice – use white rice or any other rice
Black Beans
Corn
Cherry Tomatoes
Red Onion
Fresh Cilantro and Lime Wedges
Jalapeno or Poblano Peppers & Bell Peppers
Southwest Vinaigrette – made with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, fresh lime juice and zest, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Option to include cayenne pepper for a little heat!
Mix all the marinade ingredients together in a casserole pan (with a lid). Add chicken and massage the marinade into the chicken.
If using a bag, seal it tightly, pressing out any excess air.
Place the marinating chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, but preferably for several hours or overnight. The longer you marinate, the more the flavors will penetrate the chicken.
Occasionally turn or massage the chicken in the marinade to ensure all sides are evenly coated. This helps enhance the flavor distribution.
When you’re ready to cook the chicken, remove it from the marinade, allowing any excess marinade to drip off. Discard the used marinade, as it may contain bacteria from the raw chicken.
If Grilling the Chicken
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
Place the chicken breasts on the preheated grill. Close the grill lid and cook for about 6-8 minutes per side.
Avoid flipping the chicken frequently as it can cause it to dry out. Flip the chicken only once, halfway through the cooking time.
To ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken breasts should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the chicken moist.
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the chicken moist.
If Baking the Chicken
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess marinade to drip off. Discard the remaining marinade.
Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet or in a baking dish. Make sure they are not crowded together.
Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts, so use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and the chicken to become tender.
For the Southwest Chicken Bowl
Add all the Southwest Quinoa Salad ingredients (quinoa, tomatoes, etc) in a bowl and set aside.
Now make your vinaigrette. Add all the Southwest Vinaigrette ingredients to a bowl and whisk until combined. Taste the vinaigrette and add seasonings per taste preference.
Toss the quinoa salad with the vinaigrette. Finish the meal by spooning the desired amount of salad into a bowl and top with chicken.
Option to top with optional toppings like diced avocado, chopped cilantro, or lime juice. Enjoy!
Variations of This Southwest Chicken Bowl
This recipe could be adapted for various cravings and tastes with just a few swaps.
Swap the chicken for grilled shrimp or a plant-based protein
Change up your veggies depending on what is in season or what you have on hand.
Switch up the marinade and dressing. You can make this exact recipe with just a switch of the dressing. Go for something creamy like a creamy Cilantro Cashew Sauce or a smokey chipotle-style vinaigrette!
Southwest Chicken Bowl Storage and Leftovers
This recipe lasts for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. The cooked chicken should be stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap to maintain its quality and prevent contamination.
This recipe is excellent for meal prepping! This recipe has 6 servings, and it’s just Jacob and I eating! Depending on how much we are running (marathon training burns a lot of calories) this is enough leftovers for 3 or 4 meals.
It is also great to take for lunch because it is excellent right out of the fridge or lunch box.
FAQ (Ask a Dietitian!)
Is Chicken and Rice healthy for weight loss?
Chicken and rice can be a healthy option for weight loss. If prepared in a nutritious way, chicken and rice can be eaten as part of a balanced diet full of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fiber lean proteins, and healthy fats.
This recipe incorporates chicken and quinoa. These are also excellent choices for a healthy meal with lean protein, fiber, and carbohydrates.
Are rice and beans good for dieting?
Rice and Beans can be a healthy option for maintaining a healthy lifestyle (i’m not the biggest fan of the term “dieting”). These basic ingredients have a combination of fiber, protein, and carbohydrates helps to keep you feeling full and provides essential nutrients to the body. Best of all, rice and beans are found at your local grocery store! For a punch of flavor spoon your favorite salsa over a can of pinto beans and leftover rice and you have a healthy meal for the entire family with little cook time. Add more protein with some cooked and seasoned ground chicken or some Southwest Marinated Grilled Chicken!
In regards to both of these frequently asked questions, it is always a good idea to consult 1:1 with a healthcare professional, like a registered dietitian. This is the best way to obtain personalized advice that is tailored to your specific nutritional needs and health goals.
More Simple Recipes You Will Love
If you enjoyed this recipe for dinner and/or leftovers, you will love the other recipes!
This Southwest Bowl with Marinated Chicken is nutritious and has zesty bold flavors. Enjoy the marinated chicken along side a healthy quinoa salad full of flavor and vegetables.
1 baking sheet or baking dish (if baking the chicken)
1 Tongs
1 Large Mixing Bowl
1 Small Mixing Bowl
1 rubber spatula
1 Whisk
Ingredients
Southwest Marinated Chicken (Grilled or Baked)
2lbsskinless boneless chicken breastssee note
1/3cupavocado oil
1/3cupapple cider vinegar
2tsplime zest1 lime
2tbsplime juice1 lime
2tspchili powder
2tsptomato powderor tomato paste
2tspgarlic powder
2tsp dried oregano
1tspcumin
1tspred pepper flakes
Southwest Quinoa Salad
3cupcooked quinoa
1½cupsblack beans, rinsedapprox. 1 can of beans
1cupcorn
1½cupsquartered cherry tomatoes
½cupchopped red onion
½cupchopped cilantro
1minced jalapenooptional
Southwest Vinaigrette
¼cupolive oil
¼cupapple cider vinegar
1tbsplime juice
1tsplime zest
1tspdried oregano
1tspchili powder
1tspcumin
1tspgarlic powder
¼tspkosher salt
⅛tspblack pepper
Instructions
Marinated Chicken
Mix all the marinade ingredients together in a casserole pan (with lid). Add chicken and massage the marinade into the chicken. If using a bag, seal it tightly, pressing out any excess air.
Place the marinating chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, but preferably for several hours or overnight. The longer you marinate, the more the flavors will penetrate the chicken.Occasionally turn or massage the chicken in the marinade to ensure all sides are evenly coated. This helps enhance the flavor distribution.
When you're ready to cook the chicken, remove it from the marinade, allowing any excess marinade to drip off. Discard the used marinade, as it may contain bacteria from the raw chicken.
If Grilling the Chicken (Directions)
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
Place the chicken breasts on the preheated grill. Close the grill lid and cook for about 6-8 minutes per side.
Avoid flipping the chicken frequently as it can cause it to dry out. Flip the chicken only once, halfway through the cooking time.
To ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken breasts should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the chicken moist.
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the chicken moist.
If Baking the Chicken (Directions)
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess marinade to drip off. Discard the remaining marinade.
Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet or in a baking dish. Make sure they are not crowded together.
Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts, so use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and the chicken to become tender.
Quinoa Salad
Add all the Southwest Quinoa Salad ingredients (quinoa, tomatoes, etc) in a bowl and set aside.
Now make your vinaigrette. Add all the Southwest Vinaigrette ingredients to a bowl and whisk until combined. Taste the vinaigrette and add seasonings per taste preference.
Toss the quinoa salad with the vinaigrette. Finish the meal by spooning the desired amount of salad into a bowl and top with chicken.
Option to top with optional toppings like diced avocado, chopped cilantro, or lime juice. Enjoy!
Notes
Chicken: I prefer to purchase air-chilled, organic pasture raised chicken. Remember to always follow proper food safety guidelines when handling and cooking chicken to avoid any risk of foodborne illnesses.Cook time is calculated for the baked chicken variation of this recipe.
This Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles recipe is nutritious, delicious, and ready in under 30 minutes! The perfect weeknight meal for when you don’t feel like making a mess in the kitchen.
What are Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles?
Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles are fully cooked, ready-to-eat, and shelf-stable wheat noodles. One package contains three ready-to-use noodle packages located in the Trader Joe’s grocery aisle near ramen and other noodles.
Per Trader Joe’s website, they are made from scratch by a supplier in Thailand. These noodles are soft, chewy, and delicious.
Because they are preserved at room temperature, they are excellent in anything from soups to curries to stir-fries.
Ingredients in this Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles Recipe
This recipe comes together in a flash! The stir fry only requires 5 ingredients not including the sauce.
Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles:
You could sub for another noodle of choice such as udon, soba, rice noodles, or even linguini.
Vegetables:
Feel free to customize this selection of veggies to suit your preferences or whatever you have available!
Red Bell Peppers
Onions
Green Onions
Cilantro
Easy Peanut Sauce:
This peanut sauce recipe comes together effortlessly and quickly.
Peanut Butter
Hoisin
Soy Sauce
Rice Vinegar – (lime juice would be excellent as well)
Ginger
Garlic
Step – By – Step Instructions
Delicious Peanut Sauce
In a small saucepan over low heat, whisk together peanut butter, hoisin, soy sauce, rice vinegar, grated ginger, and garlic until smooth.
Gradually add water, 1 tbsp at a time, stirring continuously until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Set aside.
Prepare the Noodles
Prepare the noodles according to the package instructions.
Stir-Fry the Vegetables
Heat avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Add minced onions and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Add sliced red bell pepper to the skillet.
Stir-fry the vegetables for 3-4 minutes until they are tender-crisp.
Combine Everything
Add cooked noodles to the skillet with the stir-fried vegetables.
Pour the prepared peanut sauce over the noodles and vegetables.
Toss everything together until well coated and heated through about 2-3 minutes.
Serve
Transfer the stir-fried noodles and vegetables to serving plates.
Garnish with lime wedges, chopped green onions, and fresh cilantro.
Serve hot and enjoy your stir-fried Thai Wheat Noodles with Peanut Sauce!
Other Flavor Variations for this Peanut Noodles Recipe
Change up the Noodles
You can use fresh noodles, egg noodles, ramen noodles, rice noodles, Banza Protein+ spaghetti.
Make It Spicy Noodles
Add in any of the following, Sambal Olek, Sriracha, chili oil, red pepper, or Chili Crisp for a spicy sauce.
Make It Sesame Noodles
For more sesame flavor, omit the peanut butter and use tahini, drizzle toasted sesame oil to finish this dish.
Change up the Veggies
Use your favorite combination of vegetables, or use what you have on hand.
More Ways To Use Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles
The best part about Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles is their versatility in recipes. You can use them in soup, stir fry, or curry!
You could even make a variation of pad Thai using these noodles. Rather than rice noodles, use these wheat noodles. Then add a chili-fried egg over top for a delicious pad Thai-inspired recipe!
These Thai Wheat Noodles are Dietitian Approved! I love them for a variety of reasons. Check out my article all about the benefits of these noodles.
FAQ (Ask A Dietitian)
How do you cook wheat noodles?
These noodles are already fully cooked, shelf-stable, and ready to eat! Depending on the dish, you might prepare these noodles slightly differently. Check out my article 10 Easy Trader Joe’s What Wheat Noodles Recipes for more info on how to make these noodles in 10 different dishes!
Are wheat noodles healthy for you?
Cooking wheat noodles in a dish with lean protein, vegetables, fiber, and healthy fats, is healthy for you!
This Peanut Noodle recipe includes all of these things!
How long do these leftovers last in the refrigerator?
These noodle leftovers will last about 3 days in the refrigerator.
Arugula Cottage Cheese Salad with Balsamic Dressing
Spring and summer offer the perfect opportunity to savor the refreshing flavors of this Arugula Cottage Cheese Salad with a tangy Balsamic Dressing.
This Arugula Cottage Cheese Salad with Balsamic Dressing is a terrific weeknight side, light lunch, or an easy addition to a family cookout or picnic. Moreover, this is a quick recipe that requires no cooking and has minimal clean-up.
My Creamy Tomato and Herb Salad is perfect for hot summer days. This recipe has protein, good fats, calcium, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is a healthy eating and meat-free option for all eaters, even those not following a vegetarian diet.
The Star Ingredients for This Tomato and Herb Salad
Not only is my Creamy Tomato and Herb Salad recipe delicious, but it’s also incredibly versatile. I often have inspiration from a recipe like this and change the ingredients based on what I have in my refrigerator, pantry, and garden!
Tomatoes: Fresh, local juicy tomatoes are excellent in this recipe.
It goes well with large slices of tomatoes, but you can use smaller, bite-sized tomato halves such as cherry tomatoes.
Arugula: Peppery arugula is delicious in this cottage cheese salad recipe. Any left arugula can be used in a future arugula salad!
Cottage Cheese: I prefer full-fat cottage cheese for this recipe. However, low-fat cottage cheese works well in this recipe, too. You could substitute cottage cheese for ricotta cheese, goat cheese, or mozzarella cheese. One of my favorite collage cheese brands is Good Culture but use your favorite!
The Other Ingredients in This Arugula Cottage Cheese Salad
Green onion: Green onion is so delicate and “oniony”, it’s perfect raw in a salad! Another fantastic addition to this salad could be pickled red onions!
Fresh Herbs: Basil is a fantastic herb to serve alongside tomatoes. Moreover, basil grows well alongside tomatoes in the garden.
Fresh or dried oregano, fresh flat-leaf parsley, marjoram, mint, and cilantro would go nicely alongside the tomatoes and onion.
Salt & Pepper: I use flakey sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper.
Optional ingredients: Option to use pine nuts, parmesan cheese, thinly sliced bell peppers, chicken breast, or sunflower seeds.
Salad Dressing
Basil Balsamic Dressing: Check out my recipe and article about this Basil Balsamic Dressing!
Step – By – Step Instructions
You can finish this recipe with lots of fresh herbs and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Make The Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, black pepper, and kosher salt.
Assemble The Salad
Slice tomatoes into 1/4-inch thick rounds, adjusting thickness to personal preference, and arrange them around the plate. Sprinkle tomatoes with a pinch of salt and pepper. Layer arugula over the tomatoes and place cottage cheese in the center of the platter. Scatter green onions and fresh herbs over the top.
Dress The Salad and Serve
Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad just before serving.
Serving Companions for Tomato and Herb Salad
Eat this recipe as a meal or side dish.
This salad is excellent alone or with crackers, pita, or pita chips. It also pairs well as a side, with a cup of soup, sandwich, or grilled meat or fish.
In addition, this creamy Arugula and Cottage Cheese Salad would also make a wonderful dish at a cookout or summer picnic with family and friends! Perhaps even pair this salad with some Squash Blossom Fritters!
This Arugula Cottage Cheese Salad with Balsamic Dressing is a wonderful and quick weeknight side, light lunch, or an easy addition to a family cookout or picnic.
These Jalapeno Pickled Eggs are one of my favorite eggs recipe and I always have a jar on hand. Moreover, not only are these Jalapeno Pickled Eggs delicious, but they can be prepped, cooked, and finished in under an hour.
These quick pickled eggs serve as the perfect snack option or can elevate a main course meal like salads, ramen noodle soup, or even jazz up avocado toast with some of those pickled jalapeno slices and jalapeno hard-boiled eggs.
Below, I’ll discuss the ingredients, preparation, and cooking, how to utilize pickled eggs, and how to shop for eggs; one of my favorite low-cost proteins.
The Ingredients in Jalapeno Pickled Eggs
Large Eggs: I use peeled hard boiled eggs. The eggs can be prepped and cooked in 30min from start to finish in an instapot!
Alternatively, you could make jalapeno quail pickled eggs. Just swap the hard-boiled peeled chicken eggs for quail eggs! You won’t be able to find those in any grocery store!
Fresh Jalapeno: The jalapenos add flavor without being overly spicy. Add as many or as few as you desire – more jalapenos means more spicy flavors! IMO the best pickled eggs are spicy!
White Vinegar: I use white distilled vinegar in this recipe. Option to include other vinegars in the vinegar mixture such as apple cider vinegar, champagne vinegar, or even black vinegar.
Water: I use a 3:1 ratio of vinegar to water tp make this pickling liquid.
Salt and/or sugar: Depending on the flavors you enjoy, you can add some salt or sugar, but they are not required. I love to add honey to my Jalapeno Picked Eggs. Some other flavor profiles that would pair well with pickled eggs include garlic, peppercorns, fresh or dried dill, onion, and red pepper.
Optional Ingredients: Mustard seeds, black peppercorns, garlic cloves salt, honey, jalapeno juice, chili flakes, turmeric, and beets. Want to make this recipe even more “green-like” add some blanched green beans!
Egg Colors: Yellow and Pink
For a beautiful golden hue, add 1/8 tsp of turmeric. This also provides earthy turmeric flavors.
For a pink or purple hue, add a chunk of a canned or roasted beet directly into the jar with your eggs. The larger the beet chunk the deeper the color. Alternatively, you could add some beet juice to your spicy pickled eggs.
How to Make Jalapeno Pickled Eggs in four easy steps
1) Cook Hard Cooked Eggs
There are three ways I like to make hard-cooked eggs: boiled, baked, and in a pressure cooker. Follow the links below for more details on how to make hard-cooked eggs.
To help peel your hard-cooked eggs, plunge the hot eggs into an ice bath immediately after cooking. Wait 2 to 3 minutes before handling. Warning: the eggs may be hot!
Crack the eggshell. Rolling can help crack the eggshell, but be careful because this can break or tear the egg, especially if it’s softer cooked.
Plunge the egg into the water bath used to cool the hot eggs. The water will assist in loosening the shell.
Peel from the largest end of the egg. There is often an air pocket on the larger end that make peeling easier.
3) Create the Brine in 2 simple steps
First, combine water and vinegar in a 1:3 ratio (1 cup of water to 3 cups of vinegar). Second, if adding honey or sugar you may want to dissolve the sugar in the vinegar-water mixture either by bringing the liquid to a boil on the stovetop or microwave. However, heating the brine is not required. I recommend bringing the brine to room temp before adding it to your cooked eggs.
4) Pickle the Eggs
In a 32oz sterile mason jar (or container with a lid) place 10 to 12 hard-cooked eggs. Then add your sliced jalapenos. Lastly, the brine over the hard-cooked eggs. You will likely have some leftover liquid you can use for a small batch of another pickled item (like red onion, more jalapenos, or cucumbers). Store the sealed container in the refrigerator for at least 72hrs.
How long do you let picked eggs sit before eating?
TheNational Center for Home Food Preservation suggests storing eggs in the refrigerator at all times. Medium eggs may require 2 to 4 weeks to be well seasoned but the hardest part about this recipe is waiting that long! Use the eggs within 3 to 4 months for the best quality.
Pickled Eggs and How to Use This Egg Recipe
Maybe you haven’t seen many pickled eggs sold in grocery stores or restaurants but, in Pennsylvania for instance, pickled beet eggs are very pretty popular, especially around Easter. You might even find a jar of pickled beet eggs presented in rural PA bars. There are endless ways to add eggs, and picked eggs to other recipes but find some of my favorites below.
My favorite ways to use picked eggs include:
As a salad topper
Addition to charcuterie boards
Served over avocado toast
A snack (season with salt and pepper)
In an egg salad (the picked aspect will bring even more flavor)
Used when making deviled eggs
And one of my favorites, as a Ramen topper
Understanding Egg labels
Egg labeling is complicated. There are many terms used in egg labeling that are somewhat misleading, for instance, cage-free. The term cage-free doesn’t have much meaning behind it.
Below are some meaningful labels to look out for:
Animal Welfare Approved
Certified Humane
Global Animal Partnership Steps 3.4.5 and Step 5+
SDA Organic
More Resources
Curious to dive deeper into the food label guide to choosing eggs? Check out these resources below.
I hope this recipe post provided some valuable information about the world of pickled eggs. Pickling is a culinary adventure I hope you decide to try if you have not already.
Enjoy this article, below are a few others you may enjoy.
This pickled egg recipe is super easy and has a kick! Jalapeno Picked Eggs are the perfect ramen topped, salad addition, or simple and high protein snack!
Combine water and vinegar in a 1:3 ratio (1 cup of water to 3 cups of vinegar). If adding honey or sugar, you may want to dissolve the sugar in the vinegar-water mixture either by bringing the liquid to a simmer on the stovetop or microwave. However, heating the brine is not required and I recommend bringing the brine to room temp before adding it to your cooked eggs.
Pickle the Eggs
In a 32oz mason sterile jar or container with a lid place 10 to 12 hard cook eggs. Then add sliced jalapenos. Lastly, pour in the brine. You will likely have some leftover liquid you can use for a small batch of something pickled (like red onion, more jalapenos, or cucumbers). Store the sealed container in the refrigerator for at least 72hrs.
Quick and Easy Din Tai Fung Inspired Cucumber Salad
Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to dine at Din Tai Fung for the very first time. Din Tai Fung is a popular Taiwanese restaurant chain. I joined a group of friends, and together, we had the pleasure of ordering a variety of delectable dishes and popular side dishes from the menu.
From Cucumber Salad to Wood Ear Mushrooms in Vinegar Dressing, to Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings), to Shrimp & Pork Shao Mai, to Spicy Pork Wontons, to Pot Stickers, to of course, one of the excellent noodle dishes, we tasted so many delicious dishes, it’s hard to pick a favorite.
Why I Made This Copycat Recipe
One dish that especially stood out to me was the crunchy Asian Cucumber Salad. Creating my own Din Tai Fung copycat recipe at home flashed through my mind instantly after eating the Taiwanese cucumber salad. It is crunchy cucumbers season in Oregon, so this crunchy cucumber salad salad is perfect for a hot summer day. Bonus, this is a super easy recipe, with simple ingredients that maintains its nice crunch the next day!
Sure, the classic Din Tai Fung’s Cucumber Salad recipe uses Persian cucumbers, but you can use any variety of cucumbers. I use pickling and salt and pepper cucumbers in my Din Tai Fung Inspired Cucumber Salad recipe.
Ingredients in Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad
For the Cucumbers
Cucumber Slices – If you don’t have farm fresh cucumbers some excellent options are Persian Cucumbers or English Cucumbers. Both types of cucumbers are available at most grocery stores. Both have a thinner skin and fewer seeds.
Kosher Salt
Dressing Ingredients
Vinegar (I use rice vinegar and apple cider vinegar but distilled white vinegar is an excellent option as well)
Soy Sauce (use light soy sauce if you do not want excess salt)
Sesame oil
Honey (or white sugar)
Optional: minced fresh garlic, chopped green onions or red pepper flakes
Topping
Chili oil or chili crisp – the amount of chili oil is up to you!
How to Make this Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad Recipe
Wash the cucumbers thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels.
Cut thick slices of cucumbers. Cut off the ends of the cucumbers and then cut them into 1/2-inch slices.
In a large mixing bowl, add sliced cucumbers and sea salt. Let the cucumber mixture sit for at least 10-15 minutes but preferably 30 minutes.
While the cucumbers are sitting, prepare the marinade. Add vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and honey to a small bowl and whisk until combined. TIP: Measuring the honey after the sesame oil allows for the honey to slide out of the measuring spoon more easily.
Once the cucumbers are finished, and the excess water has been drawn out, rinse the salt from the cucumbers. Pat the cucumbers dry with clean dishcloths.
Add the cucumbers and marinade to a large bowl, mix, and let it sit for at least 10 minutes in the refrigerator.
To serve, add cucumbers to a plate or serving dish and drizzle some of the marinade and chili oil over top. Option to add any other garnishes you prefer, such as sesame seeds or finely sliced green onion.
How Do You Serve Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad?
I serve this chilled cucumber salad recipe in many ways, below are some of my favorites:
Appetizer before your meal
Side dish with your meal. Serve it with some rice, a noodle dish, or a grilled or baked protein of choice.
Wash the cucumbers thoroughly and pat them dry with a paper towel.
Slice the cucumbers: Cut off the ends of the cucumbers and then cut into 1/2 inch slices.
In a large mixing bowl add slice cucumbers and salt. Let the cucumber mixture sit for 30 min.
While the cucumbers are sitting, prepare the marinade. Add vinegars, soy sauce, sesame oil, and honey to a small bowl and whisk until combined. Adding the honey after the sesame oil allows for the honey to slide out of the measuring spoon more easily.
Once the cucumbers are finished, and the excess water has been drawn out, rinse the salt from the cucumbers. Pat the cucumbers dry with clean dish cloths.
Add the cucumbers and marinade to a large bowl, mix, and let sit for at least 10minuites in the refrigerator.
To serve, add cucumbers to a plate or serving dish and drizzle some of the marinade and chili oil over top. Option to add any other garnishes you prefer such as sesame seeds or finely sliced green onion. Enjoy!
Easy Italian Grinder Salad with Creamy Greek Yogurt Italian Dressing
No need for a hoagie roll for this recipe, we have all the good parts mixed into a bowl for an amazing veggie-packed grinder salad recipe. This Grinder Salad with Creamy Greek Yogurt Italian Dressing offers a well-rounded combination of nutrients, flavors, and textures! It makes a delicious lunch, and dinner, an addition to a potluck or picnic, and stores well for leftovers! It’s a no-brainer why this was a viral recipe on TikTok!
Why You Should Make This Italian Grinder Salad Recipe
This colorful salad recipe is also high in fiber, protein, and probiotics. Moreover, this recipe is customizable. You can keep this vegetarian by omitting the deli meat or perhaps swapping it for a plant-based alternative. You can also add your favorite grinder ingredients. Some other toppings I enjoy are spinach, alfalfa sprouts, sliced cucumber, jalapenos, Pickles, or red pepper flakes.
Grinder Salad Ingredients
Greens (the base of the salad)
Romaine lettuce, brussels sprouts, kale, napa cabbage, or iceberg lettuce – really any other crunchy lettuce of choice
Vegetables
Bell peppers, small dice (approx 1 pepper)
Red onion, small dice
Cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered (you could use any tomatoes you enjoy like grape tomatoes)
Banana peppers
Hot peppers, chopped (such as Trader Joe’s Bomba Peppers or Mama Lil’s Sweet Hot Pickled Peppers)
Proteins
Turkey, thinly sliced
Italian cured meat, such as salami or pepperoni, thinly sliced
Other types of meat you can use include roast beef, ham, or other cold cuts. I like to include at least two different meats.
Cheese
Provolone cheese, sliced or shredded
Other cheese you can use include cheddar cheese, swiss cheese, or parmesan.
Creamy Yogurt Italian Dressing
Mayo
Greek yogurt
Parmesan cheese, grated
Italian seasoning
Red wine vinegar
For a tangy dressing, you can add more tangy red wine vinegar, lemon juice, or even a touch of banana pepper juice!
Garnish
You can garnish this salad however you like. Some of my suggestions include:
drizzle some olive oil
sprinkle some red pepper flakes
add more Italian seasoning
a dash of salt
a sprinkle of black pepper
Step By Step Instructions
Prepare The Creamy Yogurt Italian Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, Greek yogurt, Italian seasoning, grated Parmesan cheese, and red wine vinegar to make the dressing.
Add Greens: In a large bowl, add your greens base of Romaine lettuce.
Layer Ingredients: Arrange the bell peppers, tomatoes, red onion, pepperoncini peppers, and chopped hot peppers, into the bowl.
Add the thinly sliced turkey Italian cured meat and provolone cheese over the salad.
Serve: Wait to toss the ingredients together until just before serving for maximum impact. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
To store this salad: Place it in an airtight container for a day in the fridge. This recipe is best if using a heartier green like Brussels sprouts, kale, or cabbage.
How to Serve This Grinder Salad Recipe
I like to serve this Grinder Salad recipe in many different ways.
Alone as a Hearty Salad
As a side with some soup, perhaps Italian Wedding, Tomato Basil, or New England Clam Chowder
Alongside some crusty bread
As meal prep mason jar salads! Just add all the ingredients to a 32oz mason jar and keep the creamy Italian dressing on the side until you are ready to serve!
FAQ (Ask a Dietitian!)
What is a grinder sandwich made of?
A grinder sandwich is typically made up of sliced deli meats, cheeses, vegetables, and condiments. For example, a grinder sandwich might consist of thinly sliced turkey, salami, ham, with provolone cheese, shredded iceberg lettuce, tomato, onions, banana peppers, and mayo served in crusty Italian bread.
Course Appetizer, dinner, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2servings
Calories 731kcal
Equipment
1 large bowl
Ingredients
4cupsromaine lettuce
1cupred bell peppers, small dice
½cupred onion, small dice
1cupcherry tomatoes, quartered
½cuppepperoncini peppers, sliced
¼cuphot peppers, chopped
4ozdeli turkey
4ozsalami
2oz provolone cheese
¼cupmayo
½cupgreek yogurt
¼cup parmasean cheese
2tbspred wine vinegar
1tbspItalian seasonings
Instructions
Prepare The Creamy Yogurt Italian Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, Greek yogurt, Italian seasoning, grated Parmesan cheese, and red wine vinegar to make the dressing.
Add Greens:
In a large bowl, add your greens base of Romaine lettuce.
Layer Ingredients
Arrange the bell peppers, tomatoes, red onion, pepperoncini peppers, and chopped hot peppers, into the bowl.
Add the thinly sliced turkey Italian cured meat and provolone cheese over the salad.
Serve
Wait to toss the ingredients together until just before serving for maximum impact. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
To store this salad
Place it in an airtight container for a day in the fridge. This recipe is best if using a heartier green like Brussels sprouts, kale, or cabbage.
