Bistec a la Criolla is a traditional and popular dish in Colombia. This beef recipe is very easy to make and full of flavor.
What is Bistec a la Criolla?
It's a beef dish cook with Colombian style creole sauce or hogao is full of flavor and wonderful served over white rice with fried ripe plantain and avocado on the side.
This is one of those recipes that many Colombians and I grew up eating at least once a week. Bistec a la Criolla is one of my favorites because I love rich creole sauces over white rice.
Ingredients You'll Need
This dish has a list of simple ingredients. You will find the complete printable recipe card below.
Steak: I like to use skirt steak, but sirloin tips or filet will work too.
Oil: I recommend using a neutral oil like vegetable or canola.
Vegetables: Garlic cloves to marinade the meat, onions and tomatoes.
Spices and Condiments: Yellow mustard, cumin, salt and black pepper. I use mustard to marinade the steak, but you can omit it.
Herbs: Fresh cilantro or parsley.
How to Make Bistec a la Criolla
- Place the steaks between sheets of wax paper, then pound until each steak is about ½ inch thick.
- Place the pounded steaks in a zip lock plastic bag. Add the mustard, cumin, 3 garlic cloves, cilantro, salt and pepper.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight. Be sure the steaks are evenly covered.
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook for about 3 minutes. Add the steaks into the skillet and cook for 3 minutes per side. Add the tomatoes, cover and cook for 7 minutes more.
I’ve talked a lot about Sunday dinners at my grandmother's house on this blog, it was always a table with arroz con pollo, sancocho, mondongo, albóndigon and many traditional Colombian dishes for the whole family to enjoy. However, on my twenties I would often eat lunch at my mamita's house during the week, as well. One of my favorite meals she made was this simple bistec a la criolla served over white rice. It's comfort on a plate!
This Bistec a la Criolla recipe is simple and quick to make, you'll will have dinner on the table in 30 minutes. It's perfect for a weeknight meal or lunch. This is my son’s most requested Colombian meal. I make this dish at least twice a month.
Tips to Make this Dish
*I highly recommend to marinade the steak at least one hour, but I prefer to leave it in the fridge over night.
*You can store this dish in the fridge in a sealed container up to 3 days.
Bistec a la Criolla Recipe (Colombian -Style Creole Steak)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sirloin or skirt steak trimmed and cut into 4 equal portions
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ½ tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper to your taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley chopped
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup onion sliced
- 2 tomatoes diced
Instructions
- Place the steaks between sheets of wax paper, then pound until each steak is about ½ inch thick.
- Place the pounded steaks in a zip lock plastic bag. Add the mustard, cumin, 3 garlic cloves, cilantro, salt and pepper.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight. Be sure the steaks are evenly covered.
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook for about 3 minutes. Add the steaks into the skillet and cook for 3 minutes per side. Add the tomatoes, cover and cook for 7 minutes more.
danielle
This sounds fantastic! Now I'll have to look up hogao to see with it is 🙂
maria
que delicia. definitivamente lo mejor gracias .
Erica
Thank you guys!
Chris
Oh my goodness, this looks supremely great, Erica! And thanks for linking to hogao because I would have had to google it.
Sandra g
This looks soooooooo good , can't wait to try it!
Sophie
MMMMM,...lovely food!!!
Erica
Thank you all for the comments!
Baking is my Zen
I've had this before (without cumin) and it is delicious. Now it's my turn to make it. Can't wait to.
Kristie
Looks so yummy!! This is the dish I get whenever my Colombian husband takes the kids and me to the local Colombian restaurant. He and the kids get Bandeja Paisas while I chow down on this meal. Perfect with a glass of Colombiana on the side!
rebecca subbiah
oh wow looks divine
Kim
The looks delicious with the sauce and served over rice. Another great photo too:D
Kira
mmm love this dish!
KennyT
Do Colombians eat lots of beef?
Erica
Kenny- We love meat 😉 Beef, Pork, Chicken and Fish.
Sarah Naveen
oh Wow!! looks super yummy!!
Bo
Looks really delicious!
Anne
Looks like it will become a favorite in my house. I have never used skirt steak and have been wanting to.