Beef Tapa Recipe

Mak Erot

3 min read

·

Mar 30, 2025

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Beef Tapa Recipe: A Delicious Filipino Breakfast Staple

Filipino cuisine is known for its vibrant flavors and unique dishes, and Beef Tapa is a prime example. This savory, sweet, and slightly salty cured beef is a breakfast staple in the Philippines, often served with garlic fried rice and eggs. This recipe will guide you through making your own delicious Beef Tapa at home.

What is Beef Tapa?

Beef Tapa is a cured beef dish, similar to jerky but with a distinctive Filipino twist. It's marinated in a flavorful blend of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and pepper, resulting in a tender and intensely flavorful meat. The curing process tenderizes the beef, making it incredibly easy to chew. While it's traditionally made using flank steak, you can also use sirloin or other cuts.

Ingredients You'll Need:

• 1 lb Beef Flank Steak (or sirloin): This is the star of the show! Choose a good quality cut for the best results.
• 1/2 cup Soy Sauce: Provides saltiness and umami flavor.
• 1/4 cup Sugar: Balances the saltiness and adds sweetness.
• 6 cloves Garlic, minced: Adds a pungent and aromatic flavor.
• 1 teaspoon Black Pepper, freshly ground: Enhances the overall flavor profile.
• 1/4 cup Calamansi Juice (optional): Adds a bright citrusy note (Lime juice can be substituted).
• 2 tablespoons Cooking Oil: For frying the Tapa.

Instructions: The Step-by-Step Guide

Marinating the Beef:

1. Slice the beef: Cut the beef flank steak thinly against the grain. This ensures tenderness. Aim for slices about 1/8 inch thick.
2. Combine the marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, black pepper, and calamansi juice (if using).
3. Marinate the beef: Add the sliced beef to the marinade, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful it will be!

Cooking the Beef Tapa:

1. Heat the oil: In a large skillet or pan, heat the cooking oil over medium heat.
2. Fry the beef: Add the marinated beef to the hot pan, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry in batches if necessary to avoid steaming the meat.
3. Cook until golden brown: Fry the beef until it is golden brown and slightly crispy on both sides. This will take about 3-5 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of your slices.
4. Drain excess oil: Once cooked, remove the beef from the pan and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.

Serving Suggestions:

Beef Tapa is incredibly versatile. Here are a few serving suggestions:

• Classic Filipino Breakfast: Serve with garlic fried rice and fried eggs.
• Tapsilog: The ultimate Filipino breakfast trifecta: Tapa, Sinangag (garlic fried rice), and Itlog (fried egg).
• Burrito Filling: Use it as a flavorful filling for burritos or tacos.
• Rice Bowl Topping: Add it as a protein-packed topping for your rice bowls.

Tips for the Best Beef Tapa:

• Use high-quality beef: The better the beef, the better the Tapa will taste.
• Don't overcrowd the pan: This will prevent the beef from frying properly and could result in steaming instead of crisping.
• Adjust the sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet Tapa, reduce the amount of sugar.
• Experiment with spices: Feel free to add other spices to your marinade, such as onion powder, paprika, or chili flakes.

This recipe will help you create a delicious and authentic Filipino Beef Tapa. Enjoy! Remember to share your culinary creations using #BeefTapaRecipe.