5 from 58 votes
Bistek Recipe
Bistek is a Filipino-style beef steak made from thinly sliced, pounded sirloin marinated in soy sauce and kalamansi or lemon juice, then cooked with onions. The marinade tenderizes the beef while the cornstarch-thickened sauce creates a flavorful glaze. The dish combines tender meat slices topped with caramelized or lightly cooked onion rings, offering a balance of savory, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Marinate
1 hr
Total Time
15 mins
Servings:
4
Calories:
231 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Filipino, International
Ingredients
- 1 pound beef sirloin - sliced thinly and pounded
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup kalamansi juice or lemon juice
- 1 small onion - chopped finely
- 2-3 tablespoon neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- 1 big onion - cut into rings
- ½ cup water
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Place the beef slices in a bowl or container with lid. Add soy sauce, kalamansi or lemon juice, and chopped onions. Mix well with your hands. Cover and let it marinate for at least an hour or overnight for better flavor absorption.
- Squeeze the meat with your hands to remove excess marinade from the meat. Transfer meat into a plate. Set the marinade aside for later use.
- Dissolve cornstarch in half cup of water. Set aside.
- Heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion rings and cook according to preference. Just until slightly tender or totally caramelized. Remove from oil and set aside.
- On the same pan, add the beef and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side. Transfer cooked beef slices on a serving plate. Top with cooked onions.
- Still on the same pan over low heat, pour the soy sauce marinade. Add the cornstarch mixture and bring to a simmer while stirring constantly. Cook until sauce becomes thicker.
- Pour the sauce over the beef and onions. Serve.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Pounding the sirloin before marinating softens the meat and enhances tenderness.
- Use chopped onions in the marinade to enrich the sauce's flavor.
- Avoid overcooking the beef to prevent toughness; quick, high-heat cooking works best.
- Consider serving with raw onion rings for a crunchy, sweet contrast instead of cooked ones.
- Exclude seeds from citrus juice to avoid imparting bitterness to the marinade.
- For a saucier dish, increase soy sauce by 1/4 cup and add half a cup of water when simmering sauce.
Nutrition Information
Calories
231kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
5g
(2%)
Protein
27g
(54%)
Fat
10g
(15%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Cholesterol
62mg
(21%)
Sodium
1688mg
(70%)
Potassium
484mg
(10%)
Fiber
0g
(0%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin C
7.2mg
(8%)
Calcium
33mg
(3%)
Iron
2.7mg
(15%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 231
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 231kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 5g | 2% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 62mg | 21% |
| Sodium | 1688mg | 70% |
| Potassium | 484mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 0g | 0% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 7.2mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 33mg | 3% |
| Iron | 2.7mg | 15% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.