Bistek is a Flavorful Filipino Classic That’s Easy to Make (2024)

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It takes just a few simple ingredients to make this flavorful Filipino dish.

By

Elizabeth Ann Quirino

Bistek is a Flavorful Filipino Classic That’s Easy to Make (1)

Elizabeth Ann Quirino

Elizabeth Ann Quirino, Filipino American cookbook author, is a multi-awarded winner of the Plaridel Writing Awards for best in journalism.

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Updated January 02, 2024

Bistek is a Flavorful Filipino Classic That’s Easy to Make (2)

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Bistek, adapted from the phrase “beef steak” and the Spanish beef dish “bistec,” is a popular Filipino dish. And for good reason—fragrant citrus combined with salty soy sauce is hard to resist. The short list of ingredients is likely already in your pantry and easy to find in supermarkets.

Bistek is such a crowd-pleaser that it can transcend from an everyday family meal to elegant party fare. Serve this quick and easy savory dish with a side of steamed rice and a veggie for a wholesome meal.

What is Bistek?

The Philippine bistek, from the Spanish word bistec (a beef and onion dish) and similar to the Italian word bistecca, is one of the more popular ways Filipinos cook beef. The thin, tender slices of beef are braised in citrus and soy sauce until tender.

My Mom used to make bistek a lot with the calamansi that grew in our backyard in Tarlac. Now, as a wife and mother in my American kitchen, this is my go-to quick and easy dish to cook on busy days.

Bistek is a Flavorful Filipino Classic That’s Easy to Make (4)

The Key Ingredients

The onion rings sizzling in hot oil give off an irresistible aroma that fills the kitchen. The addition of a refreshing lime-like scent from the sauce surrounds the house invitingly.

Aside from the beef, this recipe needs only a few ingredients. If calamansi (whether fresh or frozen concentrate) is not available, use lemons. When in season, Meyer lemons are closest in flavor and tartness to calamansi.

What Is Calamansi?READ MORE:

The onion rings are one of the most important ingredients of this recipe, and make the bistek dish instantly recognizable. Use white onions for a milder flavor. If you prefer a more robust taste, red onions give a sharp accompaniment to the meat.

What Kind of Beef to Use for Bistek

Beef sirloin cuts are traditionally used to make bistek. You can also use beef skirt steak, or, if cost is not an issue, rib eye is superb, too.

I’ve learned from Asian chefs that baking soda is a good meat tenderizer, so I often add it to tough meats. It’s also a good idea to pound the already thin-sliced beef with a meat mallet before marinating. The results will be soft, velvety slices of bistek, cooked in the simplest, easiest way.

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Make It Ahead

The best thing about this recipe is that you can make it ahead, freeze it, and then thaw it for a busy day. Refresh it with newly-cooked, crunchy onions and it’s as good as new.

More Filipino Classics

  • Pancit Bihon
  • Cassava Cake
  • Chicken Adobo
  • Pork Asado de Carajay

Bistek

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time17 mins

Marinate Time45 mins

Total Time67 mins

Servings4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds beef sirloin or skirt steak

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

  • 1/2 cup calamansi juice, fresh or frozen concentrate (or lemon juice)

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce(like Silver Swan brand)

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 1 medium (6 to 10-ounce) white or yellow onion, sliced in rings

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1/4 cup beef brothor water

  • Kosher salt, as needed

  • 4 cupssteamed rice, for serving

Method

  1. Prepare the beef:

    If your beef is thicker than roughly 1/2 inch, slice it lengthwise into thin filets. Cut the beef crosswise into pieces that are 4 inches long. Using a meat mallet, pound the beef on both sides for a few seconds to make it even thinner.

    Simple Tip!

    If you don’t own a meat mallet, use the back of a large cleaver or rolling pin to pound the meat horizontally and vertically.

    Transfer the beef to a large bowl and sprinkle the baking soda all over. Rub the baking soda into all sides of the meat. Let sit for 15 minutes.

    Rinse the baking soda off of the beef. Set aside in a mixing bowl.

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    Bistek is a Flavorful Filipino Classic That’s Easy to Make (7)

    Bistek is a Flavorful Filipino Classic That’s Easy to Make (8)

  2. Marinate the beef:

    Add the calamansi juice (or lemon), soy sauce, and black pepper to the beef. Incorporate the ingredients well. Marinate the beef for 30 minutes. If your kitchen is warm, transfer the bowl to the fridge.

    Bistek is a Flavorful Filipino Classic That’s Easy to Make (9)

  3. Pan-fry the onions:

    Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. When the oil is hot enough, add the sliced onions to the skillet. Cook the onions until they become translucent, 2 to 3 minutes—just enough so that slices release their sweetness but still maintain some crunch.

    Using a slotted spoon, remove most of the cooked onions and set aside for the garnish later. Leave about 1/4 of the onions in the skillet to cook with the beef.

    Bistek is a Flavorful Filipino Classic That’s Easy to Make (10)

  4. Cook the bistek:

    In the same skillet using the same oil over medium heat, add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute.

    Remove the beef from the marinade in the bowl and set aside the liquids. Add the pieces of beef to the skillet. Do not overlap so that the beef cooks evenly. Cook the beef, flipping halfway, until it is well done, about 10 minutes.

    Pour the marinade over the beef. Add the beef broth or water. Continue cooking until the liquid boils for 2 minutes to meld the flavors. Taste, adding salt only if needed.

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    Bistek is a Flavorful Filipino Classic That’s Easy to Make (12)

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    Bistek is a Flavorful Filipino Classic That’s Easy to Make (14)

  5. Serve:

    Arrange the beef on a large, rimmed serving platter. Pour the sauce over the beef. Garnish the top of the meat with the reserved onions. Serve warm with steamed rice.

    Keep leftover bistek refrigerated in non-reactive food containers for up to 1 week. You can also freeze for up to 1 month.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

    Bistek is a Flavorful Filipino Classic That’s Easy to Make (15)

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
383Calories
22g Fat
10g Carbs
36g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories383
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 22g28%
Saturated Fat 7g37%
Cholesterol 117mg39%
Sodium 243mg11%
Total Carbohydrate 10g4%
Dietary Fiber 1g4%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 36g
Vitamin C 8mg40%
Calcium 46mg4%
Iron 2mg14%
Potassium 580mg12%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Bistek is a Flavorful Filipino Classic That’s Easy to Make (2024)

FAQs

Bistek is a Flavorful Filipino Classic That’s Easy to Make? ›

Bistek is a staple Filipino dish

Filipino dish
Popular dishes include lechón (whole roasted pig), longganisa (Philippine sausage), tapa (cured beef), torta (omelette), adobo (vinegar and soy sauce-based stew ), kaldereta (meat stewed in tomato sauce and liver paste), mechado (larded beef in soy and tomato sauce), pochero (beef and bananas in tomato sauce), afritada ...
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Filipino_cuisine
where tender cuts of beef are simmered in a flavorful marinade of soy sauce and calamansi juice. Topped with thick slices of onion rings and with a side of rice, you will absolutely love the simplicity of this dish!

What is bistek tagalog made of? ›

Bistek (from Spanish: bistec, "beefsteak"), also known as bistek tagalog or karne frita, is a Filipino dish consisting of thinly-sliced beefsteak braised in soy sauce, calamansi juice, garlic, ground black pepper, and onions cut into rings.

What is bistek called in English? ›

Bistek, adapted from the phrase “beef steak” and the Spanish beef dish “bistec,” is a popular Filipino dish.

What is bistec meat? ›

Now, bistec is basically a translation for beef steak. in general, that can be either a chuck, it can be a sirloin, it can be pretty much any kind of meat. But here in the valley, it's mostly chug or sirloin, depending on which taqueria you go to.

How many calories are in bistek? ›

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
315Calories
18gFat
10gCarbs
30gProtein
Sep 19, 2023

Which part of beef is best for steak? ›

These cuts—ribeye, New York strip loin, and filet mignon—can certainly be dubbed the best, and few will disagree. “Filet is the most tender cut, but has the least amount of flavor. Ribeye is the most flavorful, but the least tender of the three, and New York is in the middle.” Flannery explains.

Is bistek and asada the same? ›

The verb asar means to roast. Meat cooked on a flat iron is not roasted, hence isn't carne asada. In Mexico this is called bistec. Carne asada is cooked over mesquite, flame roasted.

What meat is similar to bistec? ›

Bistec de sapito -- is the same as a round tip steak. It is cut from the untrimmed round tip roast, a cut that's just one step below the sirloin.

How long is bistec good for? ›

Most steaks can be left in the fridge safely for 3 to 5 days. If you can't remember how long it's been there, it's probably been in the fridge for too long! Writing a date on the steak when you thaw it or put it in the fridge is best practice so that you don't forget about it and store it for too long.

What does the word bistec mean? ›

noun. steak [noun] a slice of meat (usually beef) or fish (often cod) for eg frying or stewing. (Translation of bistec from the PASSWORD Spanish–English Dictionary © 2014 K Dictionaries Ltd)

How many calories are in adobo? ›

Adobo Calories

The calorie content of Adobo varies based on the type and quantity of meat used, as well as the cooking method employed. On average, a serving of chicken Adobo contains around 250-300 calories, while pork Adobo can have slightly more, around 300-350 calories per serving.

How many calories are in potatoes? ›

One medium-size potato has just 110 calories and is absolutely fat-, sodium and cholesterol free, making them downright undeniable for any diet. The power of the potato doesn't stop there.

How many calories are in kimchi? ›

With only 23 calories per cup, kimchi is a low-calorie food. It also contains fiber, which can help you feel full and ward off hunger. One small study found that eating kimchi as part of a monthlong diet helped people with overweight or obesity shed weight and body fat. Eating kimchi may also prevent weight gain.

What is bistec picado made of? ›

Steak Picado, a spicy beef stir fry that melds together beautifully onions, green peppers, garlic and other seasonings and transforms even the toughest cuts of beef into mouthwatering bites. This dish is also popular in Guatemala, Panama and Cuba. Differences among countries are slight.

Is bistec the same as skirt steak? ›

"This is marinated skirt steak that is cooked in sauce. In Colombia this is eaten by many families every week (my husband had it every Wednesday). Serve it with white rice and beans, avocado, and an arepa or corn cake.

What is the Filipino word for steak? ›

The best Filipino / Tagalog translation for the English word steak. The English word "steak" can be translated as the following words in Tagalog: 1.) bisték - [noun] steak; beefsteak more...

Is churrasco a meat? ›

Churrasco is made from skirt steak, which comes from the section of the cow known as the beef plate primal cut. A very tasty cut of beef, yet it is known to be a tougher cut, as it has a lot of connective tissue.

References

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