• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Foxy Folksy logo

  • ALL Recipes
    • COOKING + BAKING TIPS
  • RECIPE by Category
    • By Course/Meal:
      • Appetizers
      • Bread
      • Breakfast Ideas
      • Dessert + Sweets
      • Salad Recipes
      • Soup Recipes
      • Drinks
    • By Main Ingredient:
      • Beef Recipes
      • Chicken + Poultry
      • Pork Recipes
      • Fish + Seafood Recipes
      • Pasta + Noodle Recipes
      • Vegetable Recipes
    • By Cuisine:
      • Asian Dishes
      • Meditteranean/ Mid. Eastern
  • Filipino Dishes
  • ABOUT
    • About the Recipes
    • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • ALL RECIPES
  • BY COURSE/MEAL:
    • Appetizers
    • Bread
    • Breakfast Ideas
    • Dessert + Sweets
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Sandwiches/Light Meals
    • Drinks
    • Sauces and Condiments
  • BY MAIN INGREDIENT:
    • Beef Recipes
    • Chicken + Poultry Recipes
    • Fish + Seafood Recipes
    • Pork Recipes
    • Pasta + Noodle Recipes
    • Rice and Grains Recipes
    • Fruits Recipes
    • Vegetable Recipes
  • BY CUISINE:
    • Asian Dishes
    • Mediterranean/Middle Eastern
    • Italian
  • FILIPINO RECIPES
  • ABOUT
    • About the Recipes
    • Contact
×
Home > Beef Recipes

Bistek - Filipino Beef Steak

BY :Bebs | Published: 01/10/ 2019 | Updated:03/17/ 2021 | 26 Comments

RECIPE VIDEO PRINT
5 from 25 votes
Share Pin It Email

Bistek or Bistek Tagalog is a Filipino version beef steak marinated in soy sauce and kalamansi juice. Try this savory and flavor-rich dish now.

When I was a kid, I thought that 'Bistek" is a Filipino way of tagalizing the English word "beefsteak". I used to think that it is of American influence. Our way of reproducing a beef steak dish they taught during their time in the Philippines.

If I haven't been into food blogging and learning some food history in the process, I would go on believing that, probably, until I die.

Then I came across 'Bistec encebollado' which is a Spanish dish that looks identical to our Bistek.

Well, with our colorful history, it is sometimes difficult to trace which one from our many colonizers  ( Spanish, American or Japanese)  or neighboring countries influenced a certain dish if they have been at all.

So after I learned about the other Bistec recipes that are also found in other former Spanish colonies. I guess it is safe to say that our Bistek Tagalog is actually of Spanish influence. The name, apparently, they loaned from the English "beefsteak".

Bistek

  • What meat is used for Bistek?
  • How to make Filipino Bistek?
  • Tender, juicier meat
  • Other Filipino Beef Recipes to Try
  • Printable Recipe
  • Bistek Recipe

What meat is used for Bistek?

Although it is made with beef originally, nowadays, other meats are also commonly used.

The words more or less now refer to any dish that is prepared and cooked in the same way.

You can use pork, chicken, and fish (Tilapia or milkfish). Even eggplants can be cooked in this way.

How to make Filipino Bistek?

Thin slices of beef are marinated in soy sauce and kalamansi (or lemon) juice. They have then pan-fried afterward.

The soy marinade is then cooked to make the sauce and added after the meat is fried. Lots of sauteed and sometimes fresh onions are added as a topping.

Others have a different way of making preparing this dish but this is how I learned it from my Mama. And she also gave me her secret in marinating the meat to make it more flavorful.

She adds chopped onions to the marinade and believe me, it makes a lot of difference.

Bistek Tagalog

Tender, juicier meat

If you want a tender and juicy beef, start with good quality beef. But this is sometimes tricky to know. Even when they are labeled as Sirloin, you may still end up with not so tender meat.

One way to tenderize meat is by pounding. Pounding is usually done to soften or tenderize the muscle and make it easier to cut and eat. It also gives the meat a more uniform or even thickness. This makes the meat cook more evenly, avoiding raw on one side and overcooked on the other.

If you do not have a meat mallet, you may use anything that is heavy with a flat surface such as a rolling pin, a smaller skillet or saucepan or empty glass bottle.

Another thing to note is that leaner meat usually needs to be cooked at a higher heat in a short time.  Overcooking makes it tough.

How to make Filipino Bistek

Other Filipino Beef Recipes to Try

  • Beef Tapa - cured meat of thin slices of tender beef usually served as breakfast with garlic rice.
  • Beef Caldereta - tomato-based spicy beef stew with carrots, bell peppers, and potatoes
  • Nilagang Baka - beef broth with loads of vegetables
  • Braised Beef Filipino Style - with a sweet-savory soy-based sauce

Printable Recipe

Bistek Recipe
Print Review

Bistek Recipe

5 from 25 votes
Bistek or Bistek Tagalog is a Filipino version of beef steak marinated in soy sauce and kalamansi juice. Try this savory and flavor-rich dish now.
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Marinate 1 hour hr
Total Time: 15 minutes mins
Course :Main Course
Servings =4
Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

Ingredients
 

  • 1 pound Beef Sirloin - sliced thinly and pounded
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup kalamansi or lemon juice
  • 1 small onion - chopped finely
  • 2-3 tablespoon 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.

Notes

  1. Pound your meat. A sure way to have tender meat is to pound them before marinating and cooking.
  2. Chopped onions. For a flavor-rich sauce, add chopped onions to the marinade.
  3. Do not overcook. When using sirloin or even tenderloin, cook it quickly at high temperature. Overcook it and it will become chewy.
  4. Fresh Onions. You may also skip cooking the onion rings and serve the dish with fresh onions instead. The crunchiness and sweetness will add more texture and flavor to the dish.
  5.  If you need more sauce, add another ¼ cup of soy sauce and half cup water to the simmering marinade in step 6.
  6. Do not add the seeds from the calamansi or lemon to the marinade. They tend to give a bitter taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 231kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 27gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 1688mgPotassium: 484mgFiber: 0gSugar: 1gVitamin C: 7.2mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 2.7mg
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @foxyfolksy or tag #FoxyFolksyRecipes!

More Beef Recipes

  • Tender beef slices and ampalaya stir-fried in a delicious brown sauce.
    Ampalaya Con Carne
  • Balbacua is a Filipino stew made with ox feet with pineapple chunks, pork and beans and bell pepper simmered in a hearty stew flavored with annatto, star anise, and peanut butter.
    Balbacua
  • Menchi Katsu or Japanese breaded ground meat patty fried to golden perfection.
    Menchi Katsu
  • Kansi in a serving bowl made with beef shanks, green jackfruit, batwan, and chilis.
    Cansi

Latest Recipes

Fresh calamansi juice being poured in a glass with ice, calamondin slices, and mint leaves.

Calamansi Juice

Yang Chow fried rice in a serving platter loaded with shrimp, sausages, eggs, carrots, and green peas.

Yang Chow Fried Rice

Sizzling sisig in a cast iron pan.

Authentic Sisig

Crispy beer battered fish served with fries and lemon wedges.

Crispy Beer-Battered Fish

Binatog in a bowl topped with grated mature coconut and brown sugar.

Binatog

Tender beef slices and ampalaya stir-fried in a delicious brown sauce.

Ampalaya Con Carne

Sinantolan made with minced cotton fruit flesh (santol) with coconut cream, shrimp paste, and chili.

Sinantolan (Ginataang Santol)

A slice of avocado float topped with slices of avocado and crushed graham crackers.

Avocado Float

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 25 votes (12 ratings without comment)

    What do you think? Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Rate this Recipe




  1. Dean says

    February 26, 2024 at 8:45 am

    5 stars
    Best Bistek recipe out there! Marinade with onions makes a huge difference! My family’s favorite!

    Reply
  2. Christine C. says

    July 04, 2023 at 4:48 pm

    5 stars
    Go to recipe. No need to tweak as it is perfect already. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      July 08, 2023 at 2:18 pm

      Aaaawwww...I appreciate you saying this and happy that you like it.

      Reply
  3. Elaine R. says

    January 01, 2023 at 2:57 am

    5 stars
    I love it! It’s very flavorful. I did add a beef cube just to make it more savory.

    Reply
  4. Jin Belga says

    May 25, 2022 at 2:47 pm

    Superb! 👌

    Reply
  5. Santie says

    February 22, 2022 at 11:21 pm

    The Best Bistek Tagalog

    Reply
  6. Ana says

    January 23, 2022 at 4:48 am

    5 stars
    Very easy and delicious. Thank you,

    Reply
  7. Leilani F. says

    September 17, 2021 at 10:56 am

    5 stars
    Followed this recipe as written, but used beef tenderloin sliced extremely thin. Tasty!

    Reply
  8. Bunny says

    April 28, 2021 at 6:00 pm

    Really good recipe. Thank you for this!

    Reply
  9. Chona says

    March 08, 2021 at 3:03 pm

    5 stars
    It was delicious! I think I just overcooked the meat a little that's why some were a little chewy. But my kids loved it! Thanks for the wonderful recipe.

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      March 09, 2021 at 8:05 pm

      Happens to the nest of us 😉, thanks for the great review, Chona!

      Reply
  10. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Xuân says

    February 19, 2021 at 10:14 am

    5 stars
    Ngon quá bạn ơi, chúc Bạn và gia đình mọi vui vẻ.

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      May 27, 2021 at 5:15 pm

      Cảm ơn bạn! I hope I said it right! 😘

      Reply
  11. Theresa says

    November 03, 2020 at 4:48 am

    It looks so good but mine is quite salty.

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      November 05, 2020 at 12:48 pm

      Depends on the soy sauce you use, try a lighter one next time.

      Reply
  12. Mae says

    October 01, 2020 at 9:50 am

    What brand of soy sauce did you use?
    Silver Swan okay to use?

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      October 01, 2020 at 11:14 pm

      It is ok. If it becomes too salty just add some water.

      Reply
  13. Marivic says

    August 17, 2020 at 8:58 am

    5 stars
    Love it! Came out perfect!

    Reply
  14. Beefsteak says

    June 13, 2020 at 10:39 am

    5 stars
    The food looks fascinating. And the formula is very detailed. Thank you

    Reply
  15. Jarret says

    May 19, 2020 at 7:19 pm

    5 stars
    Tried this one. It tastes great!😊

    Reply
  16. Toni says

    March 11, 2020 at 6:15 am

    This recipe is delicious and easy to follow. Appreciate the video tutorial(s) too. They make the recipes come to life! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      March 12, 2020 at 7:38 pm

      Thanks Toni for the very nice comment!

      Reply
      • Lai says

        June 24, 2020 at 1:18 pm

        5 stars
        Just like how my loving lola cooked her bistek. So delicious!!!!

        Reply
  17. Rosemarie says

    March 31, 2019 at 9:23 am

    5 stars
    I just cooked this bistek recipe and the only I added was the pepper during the marination of the beef. It turned so delish 🙂 just like my mother used to cook when we were younger. Thanks again for sharing.

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      March 31, 2019 at 11:48 am

      You are most welcome, Rosemarie!

      Reply
    • Laio says

      June 24, 2020 at 1:19 pm

      5 stars
      Just like how my loving lola cooked her bistek. So delicious!!!!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Author photo

Good food does not have to be expensive or difficult to make. With our recipes, you can make budget-friendly and restaurant-worthy dishes in no time!

Learn more→

  • Fresh calamansi juice being poured in a glass with ice, calamondin slices, and mint leaves.
    Calamansi Juice
  • Sinigang na bangus in a serving bowl.
    Sinigang na Bangus
  • Yang Chow fried rice in a serving platter loaded with shrimp, sausages, eggs, carrots, and green peas.
    Yang Chow Fried Rice
  • Sizzling sisig in a cast iron pan.
    Authentic Sisig

Subscribe

Ebook
Receive new posts directly delivered to your inbox As a bonus, a FREE eCookbook and printable Recipe Cards upon subscription
  • Easy Garlic Mushroom and Baby Potatoes by Foxy Folky
    Pan Roasted Garlic Mushroom and Baby Potatoes

  • Hamondo Recipe
    Easy Pork Hamonado Recipe using Pork Belly

  • Phalaenopsis Orchid Care
    How to take care of orchids?

  • Chop Suey served in a plate.
    Easy Chop Suey Recipe

  • How to make Tapioca Pearls by Foxy Folksy
    How to make Black Tapioca Pearls for Bubble Tea (Milk Tea)

  • Baby Back Ribs in Oven | Foxy Folksy
    Fall-off-the-bone Baby Back Ribs in Oven

Footer

  • Spanish Bread showing the buttery sugar filling.
    Filipino Spanish Bread Recipe
  • Try this Chicken Sotanghon Soup. A tasty and immune-boosting Filipino chicken soup with slippy cellophane noodles. | www.foxyfolksy.com
    Chicken Sotanghon Soup
  • Yummy Coffee Jelly
    Coffee Jelly
  • Pichi Pichi Recipe
  • Homemade Japanese Cheesecake | Foxy Folksy
    Japanese Cheesecake
  • Cheesy Cauliflower
    Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Footer

↑ back to top

FEATURE ICONS

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 Foxy Folksy All Rights Reserved

HOME | ABOUT | CONTACT | RECIPE INDEX

PRIVACY POLICY| DISCLOSURE|COPYRIGHT POLICY

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.