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    Home » Puerto Rican Recipes » Bistec en Salsa (Cube Steaks in Tomato Sauce)

    Published: May 8, 2020 Modified: Mar 16, 2025 by Catherine Arena 10 Comments

    Bistec en Salsa (Cube Steaks in Tomato Sauce)

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    Bistec en Salsa (Puerto Rican Cube Steaks in Tomato Sauce) Pinterest image.
    Bistec en Salsa (Puerto Rican Cube Steaks in Tomato Sauce) Pinterest image.

    Bistec en Salsa, a staple in Puerto Rican kitchens; tender cube steak is marinated in simple spices, then simmered in a rich tomato sauce until it’s melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Serve with rice for the perfect comforting meal!

    Bistec en Salsa (Cube Steaks in Tomato Sauce) serve in a white bowl with a side of yellow rice with corn and avocado.

    Bistec en Salsa (Cube Steaks in Tomato Sauce) is one of those dishes that instantly feels like home. Seasoned very similarly to our bistec encebollado, then simmered in a rich, savory tomato sauce until it practically melts in your mouth.

    These steaks pair excellently with Puerto Rican Yellow Rice with Corn, there’s just something about this combo that really works perfectly! It’s also amazing with arroz blanco (Puerto Rican white rice) and a side of habichuelas guisadas (Puerto Rican beans). No matter which rice you choose, don’t forget to add some fresh avocado slices and crispy garlic tostones or plátanos fritos on the side!

    Ingredients You Will Need

    Ingredients needed to make this recipe.

    The Key to Perfect Bistec

    The key to perfect bistec en salsa is two fold. First, let the steaks marinate for a few hours, or overnight. This step allows the spices and the vinegar blend to soak into the steaks, making them incredibly tender and so full of flavor.

    Secondly, while the steaks cook through in just 30 minutes, the real magic happens when you let it simmer on medium-low heat for about an hour and a half. This slow cooking process breaks down the steaks, making them so tender. Patience is key here, take your time and let the flavors develop. The longer it cooks, the more delicious it becomes, and the result is melt-in-your-mouth steaks that are delicious and tender.

    Instructions

    Cube steaks in a glass bowl topped with seasonings.

    Step 1: Place the cube steaks in a bowl and season both sides generously with adobo and the blended garlic, oregano, and vinegar mixture. Drizzle in the oil.

    Toss the steaks, ensuring they’re fully coated in the marinade.

    Cover and let marinate for a few hours. TIP: Best if left to marinate overnight.

    Cube steaks cooking in a pot.

    Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the cube steaks along with the marinade. Add the wine. Cover the pan and let it cook for 10 minutes.

    Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 40 minutes, allowing the flavors to deepen and the steaks to tenderize.

    The onions and tomato sauce added to the pot.

    Step 3: Uncover, flip the steaks over, and then add the onions and pour in the tomato sauce.

    Stir in ¼ to ½ cup of water.

    Cover the pan and let it simmer for another 30 minutes, or until the steaks are tender and easily fall apart with a fork.

    Bistec en Salsa (Cube Steaks in Tomato Sauce) fully cooked in a pot.

    Step 4: If the liquid starts to reduce too much, add a little more water to keep the steaks tender, flavorful and saucy. Cook for a few more minutes to thicken the sauce slightly.

    Other Delicious Puerto Rican Dishes

    • Puerto Rican Almojábanas served inside a bowl lined with parchment paper and a side of mayoketchup.
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    • Piononos Boricuas served on a white platter.
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    • Camarones al Ajillo cooked in a cast iron skillet topped with lime wedges and a side of avocado slices and white rice.
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    • Jibarito Sandwich (Sandwich de Toston) served on a white platter with a side of cilantro garlic aioli.
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    Did you try this recipe? Please leave a ⭐ review below!

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    📖 Recipe

    Bistec en Salsa (Cube Steaks in Tomato Sauce) serve in a white bowl with a side of yellow rice with corn and avocado.

    Bistec en Salsa

    Bistec en Salsa is a staple in Puerto Rican kitchens! Tender cube steak is marinated in simple spices, then simmered in a rich tomato sauce until it’s melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Serve with rice for the perfect comforting meal!
    4.50 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Puerto Rican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 545kcal
    Author: Catherine Arena

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds cube steaks rinsed
    • 2 tablespoons vegetable or corn oil
    • ¼ cup white or apple cider vinegar
    • ¼ cup dry red wine (optional)
    • 6 garlic cloves peeled
    • ¼ cup tomato sauce
    • 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning
    • ¼ teaspoon dry oregano
    • 2 large onions cut into slices

    Instructions

    Marinade

    • Add garlic and oregano to a mortar and mash with the pestle.
      Then add the vinegar and mix well.
      Note:  If you do not have a mortar and pestle, add the garlic, oregano and vinegar to a mini food chopper or blender and blend until smooth.

    Seasoning

    • Place the cube steaks in a bowl and sprinkle both sides with adobo. Top the steaks with the blended garlic, oregano, and vinegar mixture. Drizzle in the oil. Toss the steaks, ensuring they’re fully coated in the marinade.
      Cover and let marinate for a few hours. Note: Best if left to marinate overnight.

    Cooking

    • Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the cube steaks along with the marinade. Add the wine. Cover the pan and let it cook for 10 minutes.
      Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 40 minutes, allowing the flavors to deepen and steaks to tenderize.
    • Uncover, flip the steaks over, and then add the onions and pour in the tomato sauce.
      Stir in ¼ to ½ cup of water.
    • Cover the pan and let it simmer for another 30 minutes, or until the steak is tender and easily falls apart with a fork. The cube steaks are done.
      Tip: If the liquid starts to reduce too much, add a little water to keep the steaks tender, flavorful and saucy and cook for a few more minutes to thicken slightly.

    Serving

    • Serve with white or yellow rice. Drizzle steaks with sauce from pan.

    Notes

    Recipe Notes:
    Adobo: When seasoning the steaks with adobo, be mindful not to overdo it. Simply sprinkle both sides as you would if you were adding salt or any other dry seasoning. Using too much can make the steaks overly salty, so a light, even coating is best.
    Traditional Serving Ideas: Serve this dish with yellow rice with corn, or arroz blanco (Puerto Rican white rice) and a side of habichuelas guisadas (Puerto Rican beans). Plus a side of avocado slices for an authentic meal.
    Storing Leftovers: Place leftovers in a container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4 | Calories: 545kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 163mg | Sodium: 214mg | Potassium: 954mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 70IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Click the stars above or below to rate or leave a comment down below!

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    • Alcapurrias de Yuca (Cassava Fritters) sitting on top of plantain leaves with a side of hot sauce.
      Authentic Alcapurrias de Yuca
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      Puerto Rican Flancocho
    • Alcapurrias (alcapurrias puertorriqueñas) served on a white platter with hot sauce.
      Homemade Alcapurrias

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Biana says

      May 10, 2020 at 10:13 am

      This looks so delicious! I love making beef with veggies, so will definitely be trying this.

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        May 11, 2020 at 5:37 am

        Thank you Biana!

        Reply
    2. Sophie says

      May 10, 2020 at 9:58 am

      That sauce was the star of the dish. My family loved every bit of it.

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        May 11, 2020 at 5:38 am

        Awww, I’m so happy to hear that Sophie!

        Reply
    3. Alison says

      May 10, 2020 at 8:28 am

      Such a flavorful tomato sauce that pairs well with the steak.

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        May 10, 2020 at 9:12 am

        Thanks Alison! So yum!

        Reply
    4. Alice | SkinnySpatula says

      May 10, 2020 at 4:57 am

      This looks like a very comforting recipe. I love adobo seasoning and your recipe gives me an excuse to use it more 🙂

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        May 10, 2020 at 6:10 am

        Thanks Alice! It sure is comforting!

        Reply
    5. Amanda Wren-Grimwood says

      May 10, 2020 at 4:06 am

      That looks so tasty and easy to do and I love how the sauce comes together.

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        May 10, 2020 at 4:32 am

        Thanks Amanda! It’s delicious!

        Reply
    4.50 from 8 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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