Carne en Bistec
A classic Venezuelan comfort food, Carne en Bistec features tender strips of beef quickly cooked with onions and tomatoes. It's a flavorful and satisfying everyday meal, perfect for a weeknight.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 Beef steaks(Thinly sliced sirloin, flank steak, or skirt steak work well. Aim for about 1/4 inch thickness.)
- 3 Yellow onions(Medium-sized, thinly sliced.)
- 2 Tomatoes(Medium-sized, ripe, seeded and diced.)
- 1/2 tsp Ground cumin
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil or other neutral cooking oil
- To taste Salt
- To taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the beef: Pat the beef steaks dry with paper towels. Season generously on both sides with salt, black pepper, and cumin. Let them sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes while you prepare the vegetables.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 2
Sear the beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the seasoned steaks in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding). Sear for 2-3 minutes per side until deeply browned and cooked to your desired doneness. Remove the steaks from the skillet and set aside on a plate. Tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Sauté the aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the same skillet. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes and cook for another 3-5 minutes, until they begin to break down slightly and release their juices.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Deglaze and combine: Pour the Worcestershire sauce into the skillet. Scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits (fond). Let the sauce bubble and reduce slightly for about 1 minute. Return the seared steaks (and any accumulated juices from the plate) to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat the steaks in the onion-tomato mixture and sauce.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 5
Simmer and serve: Let the steaks simmer gently in the sauce for 1-2 minutes, just to heat through and meld the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a quicker meal, use pre-sliced steak.
- ✓The onions should be tender and slightly caramelized, not burnt.
- ✓Serve hot over white rice, or with arepas and a side salad.
- ✓Don't overcrowd the pan when searing the steaks, as this will steam them instead of searing.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add thinly sliced bell peppers (any color) along with the onions for extra flavor and color.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the cumin.
- A splash of vinegar (like red wine or apple cider) can add brightness to the sauce.