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Bistec encebollado
Bistec encebollado: Puerto Rican steak smothered in vinegar onions
Order bistec encebollado at a lunch counter in Santurce or a comedor in Santiago de los Caballeros and it comes the same way: thin steaks swimming in a heap of soft, sharp onions and a garlicky, vinegar-bright gravy, with white rice, beans and tostones alongside. Thin cuts are marinated in vinegar, garlic and oregano, seared, then braised gently with the onions until tender. The common mistake is boiling the meat hard, which makes thin steak tough; a gentle simmer under a lid keeps it soft. Chef's tip: give the steaks a few gentle pounds with a mallet before marinating so the vinegar can work into them.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb thin beef steaks (round or sirloin)about 5 mm thick
- 3 tbsp white vinegar
- 4 cloves garliccrushed
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 onionssliced into thin rings
- 1 bay leaf
- ¾ cup water
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Pound 1 ½ lb thin beef steaks (round or sirloin) lightly with a meat mallet. Mix 3 tbsp white vinegar, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper, rub it over the steaks, cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours.
30 minStep 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large frying pan over a high heat. Lift the steaks from the marinade (keep it) and sear in batches for 1 minute per side until browned. Set aside.
5 minStep 3: Lower the heat to medium, add 3 onions and cook for 5 minutes until starting to soften.
5 minStep 4: Return the steaks, tuck them under the onions, and add 1 bay leaf, the leftover marinade and ¾ cup water. Cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes, until the steak is tender when pierced and the onions are silky.
20 minStep 5: Taste the sauce for salt and serve hot with rice and beans.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 340 kcal
- Protein
- 38 g
- Carbs
- 12 g
- Fat
- 15 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does bistec encebollado take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of white vinegar?
- Cider vinegar or rice vinegar, same amount.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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