Bistek Tagalog / Filipino Beef Steak
I genuinely have so much adoration for Filipino food and culture, and that love goes a long way back. Before I ever made it to America, my family and I lived in a refugee camp in Manila, so inherently, I think that created a soft spot in my heart. Now growing up, some of my
- Prep time
- 30 min
- Cook time
- 15 min
- Yield
- 2 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1 lbs Beef Top Sirloin
- 1 tbsp Oil
- 1 White Onion
- 1/2 cup Soy Sauce
- 1/4 cup Calamansi Juice
- 1 tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 tbsp Oil
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 3 cups Cooked White Rice
- 1 tbsp Oil
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 2 tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp MSG
- Fried Garlic
- Black Pepper
Instructions
- 1
Bistek Tagalog:
- 2
Slice the beef top sirloin about 1/4 inch thick against the grain, then pound each slice with a meat tenderizer until thin and even
- 3
Whisk together the soy sauce, calamansi juice, minced garlic, oil, and black pepper in a bowl. Add the beef, toss to coat, and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Avoid marinating longer, as the acidity will begin to denature the protein and affect the texture of the meat
- 4
Remove the beef from the marinade and reserve the liquid. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then sear the beef in a single layer for 1 to 2 minutes per side until lightly browned. The beef does not need to be cooked through at this stage. Set aside
- 5
In the same pan, add the sliced onions and pour in the reserved marinade. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the onions are slightly softened but still holding their shape.
- 6
Return the seared beef to the pan and stir to coat everything in the sauce. Cook until the beef is cooked through and the sauce reduces into a glaze that coats the beef and onions. Finish with freshly ground black pepper
- 7
Garlic Fried Rice:
- 8
Heat the oil and butter together in a separate skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and stir frequently for 1 to 2 minutes until it turns golden and fragrant
- 9
Add the cooked rice and break up any clumps. Season with salt and MSG, then stir-fry everything over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes until the rice is hot and fully coated in that garlicky butter.
- 10
Serve:
- 11
Scoop a generous mound of garlic fried rice into a bowl or onto a plate. Spoon the Bistek Tagalog over the top, making sure to pour plenty of sauce over the rice as well. Arrange the onion rings on top. Garnish with fried garlic and fresh ground black pepper. Enjoy!