Description
This beef tapa recipe caramelizes brown with calamansi, offering a rich, sweet, and tangy flavor. It’s a satisfying and wholesome meal, perfect for busy weeknights and a guaranteed family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 0.25 cup soy sauce (or low-sodium tamari for gluten-free)
- 3 tablespoons calamansi juice (or fresh lime/lemon juice, if calamansi isn’t readily available)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (light or dark)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tbsp)
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil (e.g., vegetable, canola, or grapeseed oil)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Lay the thinly sliced beef in a single layer if possible on a cutting board or sheet pan.
- Marinate Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, calamansi juice, brown sugar, minced garlic, and black pepper until well combined.
- Marinate the Beef: Pour the marinade over the beef, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate for 2-4 hours, or even overnight (up to 12 hours) for deeper flavor.
- Sear First Batch: Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a large 12-inch non-stick skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 2 minutes). Add about half of the marinated beef in a single layer; the beef should sizzle.
- Caramelize and Cook: Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until the beef is nicely browned and caramelized, and cooked through to your desired doneness. (If the pan starts to dry out or the marinade burns too quickly, reduce heat slightly and add a tiny splash of water or more oil.)
- Repeat Searing: Remove cooked tapa to a serving platter and repeat with the remaining beef and another tablespoon of oil, ensuring the pan is hot again before adding the next batch. Serve immediately, perhaps with garlic fried rice for a wholesome, easy dinner.
Notes
To save time, ask your butcher to thinly slice the beef or use pre-minced garlic. For best flavor, marinate overnight. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure proper searing and caramelization; cook in batches. Don’t overcook, as tapa cooks quickly.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying, Searing
- Cuisine: Filipino
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 150 g)
- Calories: 380 calories
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: easy dinner, beef tapa, Filipino, caramelized, calamansi, weeknight meal, savory, tangy, sweet