Carne en Bistec – Colombian Steak with Onions and Tomatoes
Beef lovers, you’ll love this quick Colombian Carne en Bistec steak dish cooked with onions, tomatoes and cumin. The onions and tomatoes create a flavorful sauce which is wonderful served over rice.
Carne en Bistec – Colombian Steak
Serve this with an egg on top and it’s called Bistec a Caballo. My Mom is Colombian, and made this dish all the time when I was a kid, it was one of my favorites! A few other Latin recipes I love, Carne Machacada (Cubes Steak with Peppers and Onions) Carne Guisada and Garlic-Lime Marinated Pork Chops.
If I had to describe Latin cuisine in one word, it’s definitely flavor and comfort. My friends and family love when I cook some of the Latin dishes I grew up eating, for me those dishes are my comfort food. Picadillo, Sancocho, Pollo Guisado are all dishes that feel like home to me.
You’ll find variations of this recipe in different South and Central American countries and regions. Some finely chop the tomatoes and onions, some use scallions in place of onions which is also delicious. As a kid I used to push the onions away, but now I just love them. For me, the egg on top is a must but it’s totally optional.
Helpful Tips
- Have all your ingredients prepped before you start cooking.
- Slice the steaks very thin so they cook fast.
- Serve over cauliflower rice or sauteed veggies to make it low-carb.
- Sirloin tip side steak or London broil is a great option, it’s extra lean steak with very little marbling. This cut usually needs to marinate or be cut very thin so that it won’t be tough. Here is a great reference I like to refer to often for the 29 lean cuts of beef. If your budget permits, buy grass fed beef which is lower in saturated fat and cholesterol, and higher in omega-3 fatty acids, which are considered heart-healthy.
More Beef Recipes you might enjoy:
- Carne Asada Steak Salad
- Steak Kebabs with Chimichurri
- Crock Pot Picadillo
- Soy Marinated Flank Steak
- Broccoli Beef
Colombian Carne Bistec - Colombian Steak with Onions and Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 lbs sirloin tip steak, sliced very thin
- kosher salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 4 tsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, sliced thin or chopped
- 1 very large tomato or 2 medium tomatoes, sliced thin or chopped
- cooked rice and fried eggs, optional for serving
Instructions
- Season steak with 1 teaspoon salt and garlic powder.
- Heat a large frying pan until VERY HOT.
- Add 2 tsp of oil then half of the steak and cook less than a minute on each side until browned.
- Set steak aside, add another teaspoon of oil and cook remaining steak. Set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium, add another teaspoon of oil and add the onions.
- Cook 2 minutes, until soft then add the tomatoes.
- Season with more salt, to taste, about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon. Add black pepper and cumin and reduce heat to medium-low.
- Add 1/4 cup of water and simmer a few minutes to create a sauce, add more water if needed and taste adjust seasoning as needed.
- Return the steak to the pan along with the drippings, combine well and remove from heat.
- Serve over rice or veggie rice for a low carb option with a sunny-side up egg on top.
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Can you cook the steak in the crockpot instead of frying it?
Absolutely delicious! This recipe is a keeper ❤️❤️
So my mom passed away back in October, and I only say this to say that, this reminded me of her steak so much that I almost teared.
It was my first attempt cooking steak, ever. And it was delicious, I made it with your Dominican beans recipe (also delicious!), white rice and a banana (I’m Dominican, we eat steak with a banana, don’t ya judge me cause the sweet and savory just goes together lol).
Thank you for this simple yet delicious recipe. I only tweaked it slighting by adding sliced green peppers into the steak, cooking that before the onions.
I am so sorry for your loss. I am glad you enjoyed it!
What an umami bomb! Browning the onions after the steak boosts the flavor of all the ingredients. I used whole cumin seeds lightly crushed, which played up the bite of the pepper. And the tomato-beef pan sauce….yum! Will serve this often. Thank you for all your wonderful recipes, Gina. You’ve made eating healthy easy, interesting, satisfying and delicious!
Delicious and quick. What more could anyone want?
no takis es fuego
One of my go to recipes for cold days. Decided to try this as a sandwich today and I may like it even more.
I accidentally bought thin steak for a recipe that called for a thicker cut. I did a quick search and found this flavorful gem instead. I used a 28 oz can of petite diced tomatoes (with the liquid) and everything came out PERFECTLY! My picky 7 year old asked for more. This recipe is so easy that it’s hard to believe it turns out so well. This one is a total winner!
Thanks Jennifer!
I made this for my Columbian step-daughter and son-in-law when visiting them. She was touched that I thought of making this. It is an easy, flavorful and make again type of recipe! Make it lower carb with cauli-rice!
wow, wow, wow! Everyone LOVED this!!! A definite keeper 😉