RecipesPhilippinesTapsilog

Tapsilog

A classic Filipino breakfast featuring tender, savory cured beef (tapa), fragrant garlic fried rice (sinangag), and a perfectly fried egg (itlog). The name 'Tapsilog' is a portmanteau of Tapa (cured beef), Sinangag (garlic rice), and Itlog (egg).

Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time45 minutes plus at least 4 hours marinating
Servings4
DifficultyEasy

🧂 Ingredients

  • 400 g Beef sirloin or flank steak(Thinly sliced against the grain for tenderness.)
  • 8-10 cloves Garlic(Adjust to your preference. Some for marinade, some for rice.)
  • 3 cups Cooked rice(Day-old rice works best for fried rice as it's drier.)
  • 4 Eggs(Large eggs.)
  • 4 tbsp Soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp Vinegar(White vinegar or cane vinegar.)
  • 2 tbsp Brown sugar
  • 1 tsp Black pepper(Freshly ground preferred.)
  • 4-6 tbsp Cooking oil(Vegetable, canola, or other neutral oil.)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Prepare the beef marinade: Mince 4-5 cloves of garlic. In a bowl, combine soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, and black pepper. Mix well.

    ⏱️ 5 minutes
  2. 2

    Marinate the beef: Add the thinly sliced beef to the marinade. Ensure all slices are coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate.

    ⏱️ 4 hours to overnight
  3. 3

    Prepare the garlic for the rice: Finely mince the remaining 4-5 cloves of garlic.

    ⏱️ 5 minutes
  4. 4

    Make the garlic fried rice (Sinangag): Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to burn it. Add the cooked rice and stir-fry, breaking up any clumps, until heated through and lightly toasted, about 5-7 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt if desired. Remove from skillet and set aside.

    ⏱️ 10 minutes
  5. 5

    Cook the Tapa: Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Remove beef slices from the marinade, letting excess drip off (reserve marinade if desired for extra flavor, but be mindful of burning). Add beef in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Sear the beef for 2-4 minutes per side, until nicely browned and slightly caramelized. The beef should be tender and slightly chewy, not tough. Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning.

    ⏱️ 8-10 minutes
  6. 6

    Fry the eggs: In the same skillet (add a little more oil if needed), fry the eggs sunny-side up. Cook until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny, about 2-3 minutes.

    ⏱️ 3 minutes
  7. 7

    Assemble the Tapsilog: Serve each plate with a portion of garlic fried rice, the cooked tapa, and a fried egg. Optionally, serve with a small dish of vinegar for dipping.

    ⏱️ 2 minutes

💡 Pro Tips

  • The 'Silog' in Tapsilog stands for Sinangag (garlic rice) and Itlog (egg). Other 'Silog' variations include Longsilog (Longganisa + Sinangag + Itlog) and Tosilog (Tocino + Sinangag + Itlog).
  • For extra flavor, you can reduce the reserved marinade in a small saucepan until slightly thickened, then drizzle over the cooked tapa.
  • A common accompaniment is a small bowl of spiced vinegar (vinegar with minced garlic, chili, and pepper) for dipping the tapa.
  • Ensure beef is sliced thinly for quick cooking and tenderness. Partially freezing the beef can make slicing easier.

🔄 Variations

  • Longsilog (using Filipino sweet sausage)
  • Tosilog (using cured sweet pork)
  • Spicy Tapa: Add a pinch of chili flakes or a chopped chili pepper to the marinade.

🥗 Nutrition

Per serving

CaloriesApprox. 580-650 per serving
Protein32g
Carbs52g
Fat26g
Fiber1g

🏷️ Tags

Tapsilog Recipe - Philippines | world.food