Beef Steak with Onions (Bistec Encebollado) is traditionally prepared with thin slices of round steak that are cooked with onions for a juicy, tender and flavorful meat. The word “encebollado” means “with onions” in English. However, after vacationing in Puerto Rico for several months, I noticed they tend to use sirloin, which is a more tender cut of meat compared to the round steak. For this recipe, I will be using the thinly sliced sirloin steaks.
Every time I make this recipe, I have fond memories of my mother preparing this dish. She would first cut the round steak into thin slices and then pound the steak with a meat tenderizer before adding the marinade.
This dish is usually served with white rice and stewed beans or with tostones (double fried green plantains). Today, you can ask the butcher to slice your meat as well as tenderize it for you. This will definitely save you a lot of food preparation time.
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.
Peeling and Cutting the Onions!
This dish calls for plenty of sliced onions. I normally use 2 to 3 large yellow onions. Cut off both ends of onion and then cut the onion in half. Remove the papery skin and the first layer of the onion. Cut each half into ¼ to ½-inch slices or the thickness of your preference.
Preparing the Slices of Sirloin Steak!
I purchased 2 pounds of top sirloin steaks that were already sliced ¼-inch thick. I also trimmed the excess fat before rinsing the steaks.
If the butcher is unable to tenderize your steaks, then place the meat on top of wax paper and with a meat mallet, pound each side. This breaks up the muscle fibers to help soften and tenderize the meat. Continue this process for the remaining steaks.
Mexican Beef Steak & Onions Recipe | Bistec Encebollado #cooking
FAQ
What cut of steak is bistec?
What is the difference between steak and bistec?
Is bistec the same as carne asada?
Is bistec a cow meat?
What is a bistec steak?
The word Bistec means “beef steak.” You can use virtually any THIN kind of steak. Cube steak is most commonly used. Also called “cubed steak” is tenderized top round or sirloin pounded with a mallet and has visible small indentations, hence the name. Use round steak, sirloin steak, skirt steak, it’s all up to you and your preference.
What does bistec mean?
The word “bistec” comes from the Spanish word “bistek”, which itself is derived from the English phrase, beef steak. If you say it out loud, it sounds like what it means. In Spain, the word bistek can mean any cut of beef. In most of Latin America, the “k” turned into a “c”. Bistec. Not a huge difference.
What is bistec a la Mexicana?
Inside: Learn how to make authentic bistec a la Mexicana (Mexican style steak), which is a delicious recipe consisting of beef strips cooked in a delicious homemade sauce that you will love. Bistec a la Mexicana, or Mexican style steak, is a class Mexican comfort food that is easy to make and very popular throughout Mexico.
What is the difference between bistec and carne asada?
Bistec comes from the English word “beefsteak.” It is a thin cut of beef used in stews or grilling. Carne asada is grilled meat that is either flap steak or skirt steak. What are beef strips? Beef strips are thinly sliced pieces of beef sometimes referred to as “fajita strips” or “stir fry strips.” They are used in dishes that can be done quickly.