Bistek (Filipino Beef Steak)

This must-try recipe for Filipino bistek, or beef steak, uses a delicious and simple marinade to impart serious flavor.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 445 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons white sugar
• ground black pepper to taste
• 1 large onion, cut into rings
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided, or as needed
• 1 pound beef steak, sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 0.25 cup lime juice
• 0.125 cup water
• 0.5 cup soy sauce (such as Kikkoman®)
• 4 potatoes, cut into wedges

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, sugar, fish sauce, and pepper in a bowl. Taste and adjust to your liking. Add sliced beef, making sure it is coated evenly. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.

Step 2

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok or pan over medium-high heat. Fry potatoes in the hot oil until the edges turn golden brown, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Step 3

Heat remaining oil in the same pan over medium-high heat and fry onions until edges turn brown, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer to the same plate.

Step 4

Heat the same pan over medium-high heat. Reserve marinade and fry beef in batches, adding more vegetable oil if necessary, until browned and no longer pink in the centers, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to the plate and continue with remaining beef.

Step 5

Slide beef and sauce onto a serving plate. Garnish with remaining onion. Place potatoes on the side and serve.

Step 6

Pour reserved marinade into the pan with water to deglaze, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan using a wooden spoon. Taste and adjust seasonings. Return beef back to the pan with some onion, leaving remaining onion for garnish; reduce heat and let simmer until sauce has thickened, 7 to 10 minutes.