The Best Filipino Beef Salpicao

Ths Beef Salpicao is perfect for busy nights as this whole dish comes together in 15 minutes. Faster than takeout! You need to give this recipe a try! 

Inspired by another recipe on this site, this main dish perfectly complements an amazing side. With Thai Butterflied Shrimp, Chicken Sausage, and Garlic Fried Rice.

What is Beef Salpicao?

The name 'salpicao' comes from the Spanish word 'salpicar,' meaning 'to sprinkle' or 'to splash.' This totally fits how the dish is made—meat (usually beef or chicken) gets marinated and then cooked fast with tasty spices, giving each bite a burst of flavor.

Ingredients for Beef Salpicao

• Rib-eye steak cut into cubes
• Garlic cloves sliced thinly
• Worcestershire sauce 
• Garlic
• White Onion
• Cold butter 
• Low sodium soy sauce
• Brown sugar or Oyster Sauce
• Black pepper
• Avocado oil for frying 

See recipe card for quantities.

How to make this classic Filipino Beef Salpicao

Make crispy garlic and shallots. Remove and set aside.

In the same oil, sear the beef for 2 minutes on each side.

Remove the beef and and add the sauce ingredients. Add the cold butter at the end to create a velvety sauce.

Put the beef back in, toss, and serve! Enjoy!

Step 1: Make the crispy garlic and shallot

In a pan over medium heat, add 3 tablespoon of avocado oil (or olive oil, in case you don't have it on hand). Once the oil is heated, carefully add the thinly sliced garlic. Cook garlic and shallots until it turns golden brown and becomes irresistibly crispy. Remove the garlic from the pan, use paper towels to remove excess oil. 

Step 2: Pan Sear the Ribeye

With the garlic-infused oil still in the pan, turn up the heat to medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized ribeye cubes and sear them to perfection. Pan-searing creates a delicious caramelization on the beef. About 2 minutes on each side. Remove the beef and set aside.

Step 3: The sauce 

Add the chicken stock or water, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, or oyster sauce. Add the cold butter to the pan, allowing it to melt and coat the beef, providing a luxurious richness. Adjust the seasoning with oyster sauce, salt and pepper to taste.

Step 4: Garnish and Enjoy! 

Stir the beef until well combined. Allow the flavors to meld for an additional 2-3 minutes. Just before serving, taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle the fried garlic garnish over the beef. Serve this with freshly steamed white rice, your favorite veggies or salad and garnish with green onions. 

Substitutions

• Ribeye steak: Sirloin steak, NY strip steak, beef tenderloin or any kind of steak cut. 
  
• Garlic Cloves Sliced Thinly: You can use crispy garlic from most Asian grocery store to save time. I do not recommend it. Fresh garlic is always best.
  
• Worcestershire Sauce: Equal parts soy sauce and apple cider vinegar, with a dash of hot sauce (adjust to taste).
  
• Garlic (in general):  Garlic powder, Garlic paste, Garlic salt, and Garlic flakes
  
• White Onion:  Yellow onion, Sweet onion, and Red onion
  
• Cold Butter: Use room temperature butter melt or replace with an equal amount of tablespoon of olive oil for a healthier alternative.
  
• Chicken stock: you can use beef cubes and water or just use water.
  
• Low Sodium Soy Sauce: Regular tablespoons soy sauce (or oyster sauce), but use a bit less to control sodium content, or you can use tamari for a gluten-free option.
  
• Oyster Sauce: You can use brown sugar or any sweetener to substitute.
  
• Ground Black Pepper: White pepper or red pepper flakes can be used as a substitute for freshly ground pepper, adjusting the quantity based on your preferred level of heat.
  
• Avocado Oil for Frying: When selecting cooking oils for this recipe, make sure to consider their saturated fat content. Substitute avocado oil with olive oil and sunflower oil since all three have lower levels of saturated fat compared to oils like coconut oil or palm oil.

Variations

Spicy - Add ground black pepper, chopped chili peppers or red pepper flakes to the oyster sauce marinade to add a spicy kick.

Citrusy Kick - Marinate the beef in a mixture of soy sauce, orange juice, and lime juice to achieve that refreshing citrus flavor.

All-Filipino - Pair your beef salpicao with garlic fried rice or sinangag.

Teriyaki - Instead of using soy sauce for the marinade, use teriyaki sauce to achieve a sweet and savory flavor.

Vegetarian - Use tofu or seitan instead of meat and marinate in soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of liquid smoke to achieve that meaty flavor.

Equipment

You do not need fancy equipment to make this beef salpicao recipe.

• Wok or a cast iron
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons

How to store and reheat

If you happen to have leftovers, refrigerate it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Reheating Beef Salpicao:

Reheat it on a stove top, add 2 tablespoon of water and saute for 4 minutes. You can microwave it to but it might make the beef chewy. I prefer to heat everything on a frying pan for maximum flavor.

Beef Salpicao recipe - FAQs

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Pairing

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