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Quick MealsKimchi salad with sesame beef and spiralized apples and cucumber! This Asian inspired apple salad recipe makes a quick and healthy kimchi substitute. Cucumber and Apple noodles tossed in a spicy kimchi style salad dressing are served with sesame beef. A light nourishing meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. Paleo with Whole 30 option.
Just letting you know this spiralized apple kimchi salad recipe was originally published in Early 2016. I retested, rephotographed, updated content and URL. Now I am republishing it for you today! I hope you enjoy. Thank you for following Cotter Crunch Y’all!.
If zucchini noodles are called zoodles, does that mean spiralized apple noodles are called apoodles? And there’s my corny cotter intro.
But in all seriousness friends, I come to you today with a bowl of spiralized apple kimchi salad goodness. Kimchi as in “kimchi” style. As in you don’t really have to make real kimchi, it’s my quick version. But it TOTALLY has that kimchi style tang and spicy goodness, ya feel me?
In fact, this kimchi salad is protein packed and good for the gut. Because, let’s face it, I might have stressed way to much last week and needing a reboot. I blame technology and well.. .life. Oye! Hence why today I need a little TLC recipe to nurture the body . Cool?
Also, I am still obsessed with my spiralizer, so… we’re gonna HONE in on that some more.Ahh… ohhh… so pretty. Love love spiralized apples and cucumbers and veggies.
Okay okay, backing it up here a bit.
What is kimchi?
Kimchi is a prebiotic rich fermented Korean slaw/cabbage. It’s one UNREAL HEALTHY food ya’ll!
Kimchi is made with a mix of garlic, salt, vinegar, chili peppers or sauce, and then either Daikon or Napa cabbage.
Of course, other fruit/vegetable FUSIONS are welcome, too. Traditional Kimchi is rich in vitamins and indigestible fibers (prebotics) that ferment and then feed our healthy bacteria (called lactobacilli).
Gosh darn I just I love that PREBIOTIC talk.
But here’s where I deceive you, just a bit.
This sesame beef spiralized apple salad does not actually use traditional fermented kimchi.
It’s basically a tangy QUICK version of kimchi.
Sesame beef pairs so great with spicy salads! The cucumber and apple salad is tossed in an Asian kimchi flavor dressing. And that flavoring is what totally MAKES this a POWER SALAD.
Spicy, tangy, sweet, good for the gut, paleo, rich in iron, and protein packed! Like whoa!
What are the benefits of eating kimchi salad?
Okay yes, my cheater’s “Kimchi” salad with spiralized apple may not be as powerful of prebiotic as the real deal, but it is still superfood nourishing.
- Apples are loaded with quercetin. Remember I talked about quercetin in that grape smoothie post? Go check it!
- Quercetin helps the body fight Free Radicals and prevent inflammation in the body. You know, the free radical and inflammation caused by eating too much junk food, over training, high sun exposure, drinking too wine, stressing, not sleeping, travel, etc. Oh ya, those free radicals. #guilty
- Cucumbers also contain an anti-inflammatory flavonol called fisetin. Fisetin is an plays a key role in supporting our brain health.
- Overall, both apples and cucumber earn some major superfood points!
You know where I’m going with this, don’t you?
It’s time to Beef up that Kimchi Salad and get your EAT on!
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Spiralized Apple Kimchi Salad with Garlic Beef
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 2 1x
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Pin RecipeDescription
Quick apple kimchi salad with sesame beef! This Asian inspired spiralized apple salad recipe makes a quick and healthy kimchi substitute. A light nourishing meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. Paleo with Whole 30 options.
Ingredients
For the Spiralized Apple Kimchi Salad:
- 2 apples (green and/or red). One of each is best combo!
- 1 small seedless cucumber
- 1 green onion diced.
- 1 tbsp hot mustard (asian) or a Dijion mustard
- 1 tbsp chili sauce (ex chili paste or Sriracha). For Whole 30 option use
- 1/4 tsp pinch of paprika
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (rice wine vinegar)
- 1–2 tsp fresh grated fresh ginger or 1/4 to 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- Crushed black pepper to taste
For the Garlic Sesame Beef:
- 2 tsp oil (avocado or sesame oil for frying)
- 2 tsp minced garlic (2–3 cloves minced)
- 1 tsp tamari sauce (Gluten Free soy sauce. Whole 30 option see notes)
- 6 – 8 oz organic lean beef ( top round, steak, separable lean only, 95 % lean ground)
- 1 to 2 tbsp sesame seeds for topping (extra for garnishing and plating)
- sea salt and pepper to taste
Garnishes for the Salad
- leafy greens
- sliced radish (1/2 cup)
- optional; crushed red pepper flakes
- optional; fresh cilantro
Instructions
- First prepare your quick Apple kimchi Salad. Spiralize (or julienne slice) your apples. It’s best to use a green and red to even out tartness with taste. But any apple will do if you don’t have one of each.
- Spiralize or julienne slice your cucumber. Place in a large bowl and press out any excess water with a paper towel. Set aside.
- Chop your onion and garlic (if using cloves) and place in a small mixing bowl
- Then add in your mustard, spices, chili sauce, vinegar, and lastly the ginger. Fresh always taste better but ground works fine too.
- Toss kimchi flavored apple cucumber salad all together.
- Place in fridge to marinate while you cook beef.
for the beef
- Mix 2 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp minced garlic, 2 tsp sesame seed, and dash of tamari in a small bowl. Whisk together and pour over your meat. Marinate for 10-20 minutes. Or skip if in a hurry.
- Heat skillet to medium high.
- Place your marinated steak (with oil) in the pan and sear for ingredients in a medium high for 7-10 minutes, turning. Or until beef is cooked to 140F and browned.
- Remove from heat, strain excess fat/grease if desired.
- Sprinkle with extra sesame see
Make the bowl
- Divide the apple kimchi salad into two bowls.
- Place a radish, sprouts, or green leaf on one side of the bowl.
- Divide the beef strips (or ground) into the two bowls or plates.
- Top beef with extra red pepper flakes and sesame seed if desired.
- Drizzle any extra sauce on top of salad.
- Garnish with cilantro.
Notes
For whole 30 tamari sauce, use coconut aminos
For whole 30 Chili sauce, use sugar free option
You don’t need to use the spiralizer, it works well shredded too. Keep the peel on for much crunch. Don’t eat beef? Try with chicken, smoked salmon, tempeh, etc.
- Category: main
- Cuisine: asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 305
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 23 g
Keywords: kimchi salad
Now, if you’re looking for the real deal kimchi, you can always buy it are your grocer or make your own. In fact, i do have an EASY kimchi recipe you could add chopped apple or cucumber to.. just sayin..
Kimchi lovers, have you made apple kimchi or a kimchi salad before??
Sorry, my lack of grammar skills are going strong today. Haha, just nod and then take your focus off the grammar and onto the recipe. Mmm k? Thanks.
Mwah!
Hi, I’m Lindsay! Gluten Free Nutrition Specialist, food photographer and author of 
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Totally swooning over these apple noodles! They are SO underrated!! Pinned this delicious dinner 🙂
I tried spiralizing apples for the first a few weeks ago and they’re not as pretty as Zoodles raw but cooked I could get down with!
not as pretty, but still tasty! for sure!
KIM CHI.
Favorite.
Love the idea of doing it with apples! tis the season, as well.
Also, speaking of updates–send me an email at suzlyfe (gmail) and let me know how the heck you are!
I’ve sent you 2 emails to that address. LOL! your email hates me
Definitely going to try spiralizing apples, why have I not done that?! Looks so delicious and love the flavor combo!
you haven’t? I so thought you had! you’re the apple queen! hehe.
I seriously tried to spiralize my apples the other day and had no such luck. I think I need to invest in the type of spiralizer you have! This dish looks awesome, btw. Pinned and sharing 🙂
really? which spiralizer do you have? Gah, wish I could share mine with you. Spiralizer party!
Aw, that would be fun!!!! Mine is from Pampered Chef….works for things like zucchini really well but not so much apples or “harder” foods. Boo.
This recipe looks crazy good! I’m obsessed with my spiralizer. 🙂
Thank you for linking to my Apple, Beet, and Carrot Salad!
and thank you for you recipe friend!
This tickles me #strangebutgood fancy. Ok, I can’t even type that without laughing… 😉
I love fruit done in a savory way. Pairing it with beef or pork makes it that much better. Or fish. Anything, really. When are we having a dinner party?!
hehe now i am laughing
An apple based salad?! SIGN ME UP! This is so perfect for fall!
Come visit!!
I love how your bowls have so much flavor and texture. That’s totally my kind of meal! Plus, the combo of savory and sweet in one dish is an added bonus. Makes a meal totally satisfying! That garlicky beef…Mmmmm!
Have a great weekend, Lindsay!
You know it!!! ?? happy weekend friend
Balance in Life!!!!!
for sure!
Kimchi….and apples?! Like WHUUUUUT??? :O
I love this recipe! And I’d call apple noodles appasta 😉
haha I love that term!
Good advice. I’ll take it into account.
I learned a lot from reading through some of your earlier posts as well and decided to drop a comment on this one!
I am extremely impressed along with your writing abilities and also with the format in your blog. Stay up to the excellent high quality writing, it’s rare to find a nice weblog like this one these days.
After reading this informative and effective post. I have good knowledge now to fix this issue and to explain this issue to others.
Interesting recipe that includes fermented kemchi that is great for your gut. I am definitly going to try this. Always looking for recipes that are helpful in healing my gut. (https://www.drlam.com/blog/microbiome-gut-flora/23823/)
This sounds delicious, but I have a child with a sensitivity to mustard. Any substitutions recommended? I was considering horseradish?
Horseradish might work. Just a little though. Or maybe you can not include mustard. Keep me posted.
This sounds like SUCH a tasty combo!!
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So great that you can use almost any protein you want for this dish! Beautiful balance.
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What a lovely, fresh idea!
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Oh my gosh, SO much flavor AND healthy things going on here!
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You’d love this friend!
Just stop once dear I wanna say you, You are fabulous… And I love your work,….
I like all the recipes which you shared with us and just fabulous, keep working like this….
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Thank you so much friend!
looks good can use any other meat too right? just want to try an see..anyway thank you for sharing this
sure! it’s great with all kinds of meats or seafood
How have I never spiralized apples before?! Needs to happen!
You must try!
GORGEOUS!!!
Oh, Beautiful one and I think It looks like a diet plan plate. But whatever I will try to make it once and then I will tell you about my new experience,,, I really like you as the appreciable works you have done here… Again thanks for the new recipe… And your last one was fab I make at home and enjoyed to eat…
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Thanks friend!
LOVING this flavor combo!
This sounds SO flavorful!! I need to try it stat.
Great Information,it has lot for stuff which is informative.I will share the post with my friends.
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My kids refuse to eat vegetables. I always look for vegetables for the children. May my child enjoy this dish.
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wow, this dish looks delicious, i will try it for my family to eat, thank you for sharing the way
Great..!! My kids refuse to eat vegetables. I always look for vegetables for the children. May my child enjoy this dish. i will share this information.