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Bistec Encebollado (Puerto Rican Steak and Onions)

Bistec encebollado is a delicious and popular Puerto Rican recipe for steak and onions. It’s typically made with cubed steak. For a complete and authentic Puerto Rican meal serve it with tostones, white rice and stewed habichuelas (beans).

Bistec encebollado and white rice on a white plate.

What is bistec encebollado made of?

While each cook’s recipe may vary the version I’m sharing consists of cubed steak and onions simmered in a flavorful sauce. A key ingredient in the sauce is sofrito. The sofrito is what makes this dish extra delicious. You definitely don’t want to leave it out!

Ingredients needed

  • Cubed steak
  • Adobo seasoning
  • Packet of Sazon (with culantro and achiote)
  • Olive oil
  • Vinegar
  • Onions (white or yellow is fine)
  • Sofrito
  • Tomato sauce
  • Bay leaves
  • Manzanilla olives
  • fresh parsley

How to make it

Season both sides of the steaks with the adobo seasoning and the Sazon. Add the steaks to a large glass bowl. Add 1 tbs of olive oil and 4 tbs of vinegar to the meat. Combine well. Then cover and let marinate in the fridge for about 3-6 hours.

Seasoned cubed steak in a bowl.

Heat up 2 tbs of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook for 5-7 minutes. Then remove the onions from the skillet.

Add the sofrito to the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Then add the tomato sauce, water, bay leaves and olives.

Now add the meat and the onions to the skillet. Mix everything together and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 1 hour or until the meat is cooked through and tender.

Cubed steak and onions in a skillet.

Once the bistec encebollado is done garnish it with freshly chopped parsley. Now it’s ready to serve. This flavorful dish is best served with white rice. The rice is perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce.

If you want to really take this meal up a notch try serving it with a refreshing beverage such as pera piña or a strawberry horchata.

Puerto Rican steak and onions in a skillet.

Puerto Rican bistec encebollado recipe

Thank you so much for visiting! I truly hope you enjoy this amazing Puerto Rican steak and onions recipe. It’s such an easy meal to prepare making it the perfect weeknight dinner. Your family and friends are sure to be impressed with just one bite!

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Puerto Rican bistec encebollado and white rice on a white plate.

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Puerto Rican bistec encebollado and white rice on a white plate.
3.6 from 10 votes
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Bistec Encebollado

Bistec encebollado is a delicious Puerto Rican recipe for steak and onions

Course Main Course
Cuisine Puerto Rican
Keyword bistec encebollado, puerto rican bistec encebollado, puerto rican steak and onions
Prep Time 6 hours
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 651 kcal
Author Carissa

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs cubed steak
  • 2 tsp adobo seasoning
  • 1 packet Sazon with culantro and achiote
  • 3 tbs olive oil
  • 4 tbs vinegar
  • 2 white onions
  • 1/3 cup sofrito
  • 1/3 cup tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 12 manzanilla olives
  • 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Season both sides of the cubed steak with the adobo seasoning and the Sazon packet. Then add the steaks to a large glass bowl. Add 1 tbs olive oil and the vinegar to the steaks and combine well. Then cover and let marinate in the fridge for about 3-6 hours.

  2. Heat up the remaining 2 tbs of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook for 5-7 min. Then remove the onions from the skillet.

  3. Next add the sofrito to the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Then add the tomato sauce, water, bay leaves and olives.

  4. Now add the meat and the onions to the skillet. Mix everything together and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 1 hour or until the meat is cooked through and tender.

  5. Garnish the finished bistec encebollado with freshly chopped parsley.

  6. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts
Bistec Encebollado
Amount Per Serving
Calories 651 Calories from Fat 405
% Daily Value*
Fat 45g69%
Saturated Fat 13g81%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 20g
Cholesterol 165mg55%
Sodium 642mg28%
Potassium 945mg27%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 49g98%
Vitamin A 872IU17%
Vitamin C 11mg13%
Calcium 115mg12%
Iron 5mg28%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Recipe Rating




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