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The Marrakech Medina Harissa & Mint Flank Steak Crunch Bowl

The Marrakech Medina Harissa & Mint Flank Steak Crunch Bowl

Welcome to your Tuesday escape to the vibrant souks of Morocco! I am absolutely obsessed with this bowl—we're taking tender flank steak, quick-marinating it in a punchy harissa and lemon dressing straight from my trusty mason jar, and searing it to perfection. Tossed with massive handfuls of fresh mint, crunchy vegetables, and toasted almonds, this fast and slightly chaotic lunch will instantly wake up your palate without stressing you out.

Chef Mira Lin
Chef Mira Lin
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
2
easy
lunchsalad
15-minute-mealsflank-steakmason-jar-dressingdairy-free

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Timeline

17 minutes
0m5m10m15m17m
Shake Harissa Dressing
3m
Quick-Marinate Steak
3m
Prep Crunch Elements
5m
Sear Flank Steak
4m
Assemble Bowl Base
2m
Garnish and Serve
2m

Ingredients

  • 12 oz flank steak(thinly sliced against the grain)
  • 3 tbsp olive oil(divided)
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice(freshly squeezed)
  • 1 tbsp rose harissa paste(adjust to taste if sensitive to heat)
  • 1 clove garlic(minced)
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 cup cucumber(sliced into half-moons)
  • 1/2 cup radishes(thinly sliced)
  • 1 whole red bell pepper(thinly sliced)
  • 1/2 cup fresh mint(roughly torn)
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro(roughly torn)
  • 2 cups baby arugula
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa(leftover or from a microwave pouch)
  • 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds

Instructions

  1. 1

    Grab your favorite mason jar and vigorously shake together 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp rose harissa paste, 1 clove garlic, and 1 tsp honey until perfectly emulsified.

    3 min

    Tip: I love using my kid's leftover jam jars for this! Shake it like you mean it to get that honey fully dissolved into the lemon juice.

  2. 2

    Place your 12 oz flank steak in a bowl. Toss it with 2 tablespoons of the dressing you just made (saving the rest in your jar!) and let it quick-marinate.

    3 min

    Tip: Make sure your steak is sliced as thinly as possible against the grain; it guarantees a fast sear and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

  3. 3

    While the steak marinates, clear your cutting board—aka your departure gate—and prep your crunch elements. Slice the 1 cup cucumber, 1/2 cup radishes, and 1 red bell pepper. Tear up massive handfuls of the 1/2 cup fresh mint and 1/2 cup fresh cilantro.

    5 min

    Tip: Don't bother delicately chopping the herbs. Ripping them by hand releases incredible oils and saves you time!

  4. 4

    Heat the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan is ripping hot, add the marinated 12 oz flank steak and sear for 3-4 minutes, tossing occasionally until beautifully caramelized.

    4 min

    Tip: Let the steak sit undisturbed for the first minute to get a gorgeous crust before you toss it.

  5. 5

    While the steak is searing, divide the 2 cups baby arugula and 1 cup cooked quinoa between two lunch bowls. Pile on your prepped cucumber, radishes, bell pepper, and those glorious fresh herbs.

    2 min

    Tip: Using pre-cooked quinoa from last night's dinner or a quick microwave pouch keeps this moving at lightning speed.

  6. 6

    Transfer the hot, seared steak directly onto the assembled bowls. Drizzle everything with the remaining dressing from your mason jar, and scatter the 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds on top to seal the deal!

    2 min

    Tip: Pouring the leftover dressing over the warm steak allows the hot meat to soak up all that vibrant Moroccan flavor instantly.

Chef's Notes

Between dropping the kids at soccer and answering endless emails, I need a lunch that hits hard and fast. This flavor flight to Marrakech boards right away and delivers the exact wake-up call my palate craves mid-week. If you're slightly sensitive to heat, pull back on the harissa by half, or spoon a cool dollop of plain Greek yogurt right on top!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does The Marrakech Medina Harissa & Mint Flank Steak Crunch Bowl take to make?

The Marrakech Medina Harissa & Mint Flank Steak Crunch Bowl takes about 20 minutes total. That includes 15 minutes of prep and 5 minutes of cooking.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 2 servings.

What skill level is needed for The Marrakech Medina Harissa & Mint Flank Steak Crunch Bowl?

This recipe is rated easy — it's beginner-friendly and straightforward.

What ingredients do I need for The Marrakech Medina Harissa & Mint Flank Steak Crunch Bowl?

The main ingredients are: flank steak, olive oil, lemon juice, rose harissa paste, garlic, honey, cucumber, radishes, red bell pepper, fresh mint, fresh cilantro, baby arugula, cooked quinoa, toasted slivered almonds.

What type of meal is The Marrakech Medina Harissa & Mint Flank Steak Crunch Bowl?

The Marrakech Medina Harissa & Mint Flank Steak Crunch Bowl is categorized as: lunch, salad.