Here’s a classic Bistek Tagalog (Filipino Beef Steak) 🥩🇵🇭 recipe—a savory, tangy beef dish with onions, perfect over rice:
Ingredients
- 500 g beef sirloin or flank steak (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup calamansi juice or lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 large onion (sliced into rings)
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sugar (optional)
- ½ cup water (optional, for sauce)
Instructions
- Marinate the Beef
- In a bowl, combine soy sauce, calamansi/lemon juice, minced garlic, and black pepper.
- Add beef slices and marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Cook the Onions
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Sauté onion rings until soft and lightly caramelized. Remove and set aside.
- Cook the Beef
- In the same pan, add the remaining oil.
- Sear beef slices on both sides until slightly browned but not overcooked.
- Simmer with Sauce
- Pour in remaining marinade and ½ cup water (if using).
- Add sugar if desired.
- Simmer for 5–7 minutes until beef is tender and sauce thickens slightly.
- Add Onions and Serve
- Return the cooked onions to the pan and stir gently.
- Serve hot over steamed rice.
✅ Tips:
- Slice beef thinly against the grain for tenderness.
- Adjust the calamansi/lemon juice for more tanginess.
- For extra flavor, you can sear garlic first before cooking the beef.
I can also give a restaurant-style Bistek recipe with caramelized onions and thicker sauce if you want. Do you want me to share that?
