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How to Cook Bistek Kapampangan (Quick and Easy)

Bistek Kapampangan is a Filipino culinary masterpiece, featuring thinly sliced, marinated beef, quick-fried to perfection, and topped with sautéed onions, all bathed in a rich soy-calamansi sauce.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Beef Recipe
Cuisine: Filipino
Keyword: bistek kapampangan
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 279kcal
Author: Manny

Ingredients

  • 1/2 kilo beef sirloin or tenderloin slightly frozen
  • 1 tsp. meat tenderizer
  • 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp. rock salt
  • 1 large white onion sliced into rings

For the sauce:

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. calamansi juice or lemon juice
  • 1 cup water
  • sugar to taste

Instructions

How to cook Bistek Kapampangan:

  • Prepare the beef by slicing across the grain about half an inch thick. Then lay a food grade plastic or wax paper on a clean table and put the beef and distribute it evenly.
  • Cover with another sheet of wax paper and pound with a meat mallet to tenderize. Take note that you need to thaw the meat first before pounding because it will crumble to pieces when you pound it still frozen.
  • Then season the meat with Worcestershire sauce, pepper, salt and sprinkle with meat tenderizer. Let it stand for 30 minutes in a refrigerator before cooking.
  • Heat skillet with about an inch deep of cooking oil and lightly fry the meat quickly for 5 to 10 seconds on each side. Then put in a platter after each of the meat pieces is cooked. The best method is cooking batches at least 2 pieces of meat on each frying.
  • Using the same pan with the cooking oil, saute the onions until wilted or softened. Then remove from the pan and top the beef with the onions.
  • In the same pan again, pour soy sauce, calamansi juice, sugar and water. Bring to a boil and stir the mixture to remove the fond from the pan. Then cook the sauce for a minute then pour it on top of the cooked beef and onions. Then serve hot with lots of steaming cooked rice.

Notes

Cooking Tips of Bistek Kapampangan Recipe

  1. Optimal Beef Thickness: Slice the beef thinly, about half an inch thick, and ensure uniformity to guarantee quick and even cooking, preventing toughness while allowing the flavors to penetrate the meat effectively.
  2. Marination Magic: Marinate the beef with Worcestershire sauce, pepper, salt, and meat tenderizer for at least 30 minutes; this step is crucial for infusing the meat with rich flavors and ensuring a tender and succulent outcome.
  3. Quick Frying Precision: When frying the beef, do so in batches, typically two pieces at a time, for 5 to 10 seconds on each side to maintain the desired crispiness and prevent overcooking, resulting in a perfectly cooked and delightful Bistek Kapampangan.

Nutrition Notes:

Calorie and other nutrition information is derived from HappyFolks.Com recipe nutrition calculator. The percent daily value (%DV) is based on a daily 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutrition Facts:

Amount per Serving:208g, Calories: 279kcal, From fat:101,  Total fat:11.2g, Saturated Fat:4.4g, Trans Fat:0.6g, Cholesterol:116mg, Sodium:1038mg Total Carbohydrate: 3g, Dietary Fiber: 0g, Sugars: 1g, Protein: 39g, Vitamin A: 1%, Vitamin C: 3%, Calcium: 3%, Iron: 24%