FilipinoMedium · Hot
Beef steak slices marinate in soy sauce and lime juice until they're deeply seasoned, then sear fast in a hot pan alongside mushrooms and whole rings of yellow onion that soften and caramelize into a glossy, savory sauce. Garlic rounds out every layer of flavor, and the pan sauce that forms is almost reason enough on its own. Bistek is Filipino comfort at its most quietly elegant.
20 min
35 min
15 min
1h 10m
Method
Slice the beef steak very thin against the grain into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and black pepper, then set aside.
In a bowl, combine soy sauce, white vinegar, and lemon juice. Add the sliced beef and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes to absorb the tangy-savory flavors.
In the same pan, add a splash more oil if needed. Sauté mushrooms over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes until golden and slightly crispy on the edges. Season with a pinch of salt. Remove and set aside.
Increase heat to high. Add marinated beef to the pan and sear for 2-3 minutes until browned on all sides, keeping the marinade liquid reserved.
Increase heat to medium-high to high. Add marinated beef to the pan and sear for 2-3 minutes until browned on all sides, keeping the marinade liquid reserved.
Transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle fresh cilantro on top for aroma. Serve hot over steamed white rice. Enjoy the sarap!
Nutri-Score
Excellent balance
A–E · lower is better · score -2
Calories
519
per serving
Protein
36g
Carbs
19g
Fat
35g
Sat. fat
5g
Fiber
4g
Sugar
8g
Sodium
1135mg
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
Environmental impact
Very high impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
13
per serving
Beef Steak, sliced thin drives 98% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
Umami
Sweet
Salty
Sour
Bitter
Spicy
Textures
Aromas
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
WokTechniques
Safety & Storage
Cook beef to minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for medium. For well-done, cook to 160°F (71°C). Ensure mushrooms are cooked through until golden and tender, reaching at least 165°F (74°C).
Cross Contamination
Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw beef and ready-to-eat vegetables. Never reuse the marinade that has contacted raw beef unless it is boiled separately for at least 1 minute before use.
Allergen Warning
This dish contains soy and gluten from soy sauce. Inform guests of these allergens before serving. For severe allergies, use certified gluten-free tamari sauce instead of regular soy sauce.
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking in airtight containers at 40°F (4°C) or below. Consume within 3-4 days. Reheat thoroughly to 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Handling
When marinating beef at room temperature, limit exposure to no more than 2 hours total (1 hour if room temperature exceeds 90°F/32°C). For longer marination, keep refrigerated. Wash hands thoroughly with soap for 20 seconds after handling raw beef.
High Risk Population
Ensure beef is cooked to well-done (170°F/77°C) when serving to young children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, or immunocompromised persons to prevent foodborne illness from undercooked meat.
Pro Tips
Technique
Slice your beef super thin against the grain — this makes it cook fast and absorb all that delicious marinade. If your beef is too thick, just pound it lightly with a meat mallet until it is about a quarter-inch thin.
Substitution
No lemon? Calamansi works perfectly and is more authentically Filipino. No white vinegar? Cane vinegar or apple cider vinegar both bring that tangy punch you need.
Time Saver
Marinate the beef while you prep your onions and mushrooms — 15 minutes is enough time to get everything ready without feeling rushed.
From the chef
My lola used to say bistek was the dish that made strangers feel like family — the smell alone brings everyone to the table. This mushroom version? Even better, because those meaty mushrooms soak up all that tangy soy-vinegar magic and make every spoonful sarap to the last grain of rice. Magkanina, let us cook this together, the way Sunday cooking should be done — with love and a little extra garlic.
Source: generated · May 30, 2026