Bistek Tagalog Beef Slices Braised in Soy and Citrus

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 40 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Filipino cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

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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.

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