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Bife à Cavalo (Horseback-Riding Steak)

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Yes, I can hear you laughing!  I have to admit…Horseback-Riding Steak or Bife à Cavalo (in Portuguese) is a hilarious name for a steak.  But perhaps instead of having a smile on your face you have a big question mark over your head… Well no, it is not what you might  be thinking– this is NOT horse steak!!! Wheeeewwww… I hope you are feeling relieved now. 🙂 

Let me explain. Bife à cavalo is a traditional dish both in Brazil and in Portugal, consisting of a grilled (or sometimes deep-fried) beef steak, with fried eggs on top.

Horseback-Riding Steak (Bife `a Cavalo) -- Quickest and most easy-to-prepare steak!!!

In Brazil bife à cavalo is usually served with rice and beans and a salad, or just fries.  Its name is an allusion to the appearance that the fried eggs are “riding” the steak as on horseback. 

Although bife à cavalo is a dish originally from France (Bifteck à Cheval or Steak à Cheval), it became popular in Brazil and Portugal.  It is also well-known and appreciated in Argentina (Bife a Caballo), Colombia (Bistec a Caballo), Peru and Chile (known in these countries as “A lo Pobre”), and other South American countries where accompaniments vary from region to region.

Only cuts that can be grilled or deep fried — such as flank steak and rib eye, are used to prepare bife à cavalo.  I usually use rib eye steak to prepare mine because it is available everywhere.  Personally, I also like to eat my bife à cavalo sandwiched between 2 slices of bread.  Well, one thing is for sure: No matter what accompaniments one chooses, bife à cavalo is one of the best dishes that one can cook and eat.  Why?  First, because bife à cavalo is simple and super-quick to prepare.  Second, it is tender and beyond-delicious, providing double sources of protein (steak and eggs).

This was the first time that my 7 year-old and 6 year-old were introduced to bife à cavalo, and they were hooked at first bite.  And what’s more,  they didn’t even need a side serving of fries.  I can still remember the expression of enjoyment on their little faces…

Horseback-Riding Steak (Bife `a Cavalo) -- The quickest and most easy-to-prepare Steak!!!

 Enjoy as much as we did… or as we say in Brazil, “Bom Apetite!”

xx

Bife-à-Cavalo
5 from 7 votes
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Bife à Cavalo (Horseback-Riding Steak)

A traditional dish in both Brazil and Portugal, consisting of a grilled or sometimes deep-fried steak, with fried eggs on top.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 2
Author Denise Browning

Ingredients

  • 2 rib eye steaks 3/4-inch thick, 15-ounce
  • 1 teaspoon salt divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper divided
  • 1 tablespoon Tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 fried eggs also known as sunny-side up eggs
  • 1/4 cup small diced yellow onion
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or cilantro

Instructions

  1. Remove steaks from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes minutes prior to cooking. Season each steak on both sides with a mixture of 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
  2. Heat a large, non-stick frying pan over high heat, melt the butter and stir in the oil. Cook the steaks for about 3-4 minutes per side (medium-rare to medium) or 5-6 minutes per side (medium-well to well done) and transfer to a plate. Meanwhile, cook the fried eggs in another frying pan.
  3. Once steaks have been transferred to a plate, cook onions over medium heat for about 1-2 minutes in the same frying pan that the steaks were cooked in, utilizing the pan drippings, and stirring occasionally. Remove onions from the pan and place on top of the steaks. Top each steak with one fried egg and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley or cilantro on top. Serve immediately accompanied by fries or rice, beans, and a fresh salad. Enjoy!

Horseback-Riding Steak (Bife `a Cavalo) -- The quickest and most easy-to-prepare Steak!!!!

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Comments

  6. Amira

    Hmmm this sounds great, Only one problem… in my house they- hubby and kids- eat their meat well done.. and I have a huge problem with meat since we landed here in the US. I can not find a cut that is tender enough to be well done when fried… I keep boiling and boiling and boiling the meat for 3 – 4 hours until it is done enough for my family. I am going to try them for me 🙂 and may be will make a chicken version for them… fair enough? Thanks dear for the recipe….
    P.S.: It really sounded weird …LOL

    Reply

  10. Nami | Just One Cookbook

    5 stars
    This post make me drool big time. I LOVE eating a meal like this. Fried egg on top! In Japan we say one egg per day for health, and it’s so frustrating because my mom used to cook an egg for me in the morning, but I also want to put fried egg on top of a food for dinner! Not to mention I love egg sandwich too…. anyway… I love eggs, and this steak is AWESOME!

    Reply

    • Denise Browning

      Although we serve this dish in Brazil with fries and other accompaniments, I do prefer mine between 2 slices of bread, as a sandwich. If you try this dish, you won’t regret it! Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

      Reply

    • Denise Browning

      I had no idea that in Greece there is a version of this dish made with pork chops. I’d love to try your version as well. Thanks a lot for pointing out the double word/typo ‘minutes’. I’ll correct it in a sec. Wishing you both a wonderful weekend!

      Reply

  12. Lisa

    This looks so amazing Denise! My kids would be so happy to have Bife A Cavallo for dinner. They love meat and I don’t make it enough to satisfy their carnivorous appetites. I’m going to surprise them with this. Thanks so much for the inspiration. PS I found your blog on Pinterest and I’m looking forward to exploring!

    Reply

  13. Gintare @Gourmantine

    5 stars
    This is something that would make my hubs very very happy. I’m sure he’d squeeze between two pieces of baguette too 🙂

    Reply

  18. Kumar's Kitchen

    5 stars
    one of our friends loves steaks….and we are just imagining how happy she would be if we serve her this sunny looking,hearty breakfast on one fine winter morning,thanks for the inspiration Denise,we will just have to work our way through this well explained recipe for a happy friend 🙂

    Reply

    • Denise Browning

      Hi, Kumar! I hope you introduce this dish to your friend. Everyone that have eaten, loved it. That’s why it is not only popular in Brazil but also in many other countries from South America. Enjoy!

      Reply

  21. Hanna @ MakeFor365.com

    Get out of my head!!! This is exactly what I need with maybe some horseradish cauliflower and some crunchy bread. It looks positively divine!

    Reply

    • Denise Browning

      Hi, Lea Ann! I hope you enjoy this dish. It became a real family fave…Both my husband and little children love it. In Brazil, the deep-fried steak is a variation to the method described on the recipe above. Wishing you a great week!!!

      Reply

  23. "Jim" Ketchum

    When I lived in Recife I at this all the time. – a few, small super hot red peppers that had be cured in Alcohol on the side and I was a happycamper.

    Reply

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