High-Protein Avocado Toast with Seared Steak & Pickled Onion

Your avocado toast era just got a protein glow-up. Creamy smashed avocado, seared steak, tangy pickled onions, and a sprinkle of black sesame — this is the breakfast that actually keeps you full until dinner.

Serving 4

Ingredients

• 450 grams thinly sliced cooked steak or roast beef
• 4 thick slices crusty sourdough or country bread
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, halved
• 2 ripe avocados, mashed
• 1 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 pinch flaky salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 0.5 cups white or apple cider vinegar
• 1.5 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 garlic clove, halved (for pickling)
• 1 pinch chili flakes
• 1 pinch cucumber and radish, thinly sliced (optional)
• 1 tablespoons fresh herbs (chives, dill, or basil), minced
• 1 teaspoons black sesame seeds

Steps

1

Make the pickled onions: Combine 0.5 cups white or apple cider vinegar, 1.5 teaspoons sugar, 1 teaspoons salt, 0.5 garlic clove, halved (for pickling), and 1 pinch chili flakes in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, add the sliced 1 red onion, thinly sliced, and let sit for at least 15 minutes 15:00. They'll turn a gorgeous pink. (Make these ahead — they keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.)

2

Smash the avocado: Mash the 2 ripe avocados, mashed with 1 tablespoons lemon juice, a pinch of 1 pinch flaky salt and black pepper, to taste. Keep it a little chunky — you want texture, not baby food.

3

Toast the bread: Toast your 4 thick slices crusty sourdough or country bread until golden and crisp. While still hot, drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and rub the cut side of 1 garlic clove, halved all over the surface. This tiny step makes a big difference.

4

Assemble: Spread a generous layer of smashed avocado on each slice. Top with 450 grams thinly sliced cooked steak or roast beef, a pile of those pretty pickled onions, and your garnishes — 1 pinch cucumber and radish, thinly sliced (optional), 1 tablespoons fresh herbs (chives, dill, or basil), minced, and a sprinkle of 1 teaspoons black sesame seeds. Season with extra flaky salt and dig in.

Notes

Make it yours: Leftover steak works beautifully here — this is a great next-day meal. No steak? Roast beef from the deli counter is a solid shortcut. Want more heat? Add sliced jalapeño or a drizzle of chili crisp on top. For a crunchier base, a thick slice of toasted sourdough is the move.

Protein note: A 100g serving of beef delivers around 35g of protein — making this one of the most satisfying things you can put on your plate before noon.

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