Bistek Tagalog Beef Slices Braised in Soy and Citrus
Thinly sliced beef marinated and braised in a savory soy sauce and bright kalamansi or lemon juice, served with caramelized onions for a Filipino classic. This filipino-inspired beef ready in about 60 minutes pairs beef sirloin, thinly sliced, soy sauce, kalamansi juice or lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup kalamansi juice or lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 medium white onions, sliced into rings
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- to taste salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced beef sirloin with 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup kalamansi or lemon juice, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté 2 medium sliced white onion rings for 5-6 minutes until softened and golden brown. Remove onions and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add the marinated beef along with 1/4 cup water and 1 tsp brown sugar. Cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until beef is tender and sauce slightly thickens.
- Step 4: Return the caramelized onions to the skillet, season with 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste. Stir to combine and cook for 2 more minutes. Serve hot with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bistek Tagalog Beef Slices Braised in Soy and Citrus take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (40 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Bistek Tagalog Beef Slices Braised in Soy and Citrus?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef sirloin, thinly sliced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bistek Tagalog Beef Slices Braised in Soy and Citrus?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bistek Tagalog Beef Slices Braised in Soy and Citrus for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Bistek Tagalog Beef Slices Braised in Soy and Citrus?
Filipino beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
I've tried many bistek recipes, but this one is the best. Served with rice, it's a meal in itself.
- ★★★★★
Amazingly flavorful, and so simple to make. The balance of soy and lemon is spot on.
- ★★★★★
This recipe is a keeper! Made it for my Filipino heritage night and everyone asked for the recipe.
