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Tia Graça’s Bife Acebolado and A Trip to Paradise…

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Bife acebolado (pan-fried steak with onions) is one of my husband’s favorite Brazilian dishes… from my Aunt (Tia) Graça!!!!  He has been asking me to post this recipe here for almost 2 years. 🙂  I finally got a word with my aunt by phone past week, who kindly explained the details of her bife acebolado recipe — a five-ingredient, super quick, homey, and delicious steak-and-onion dish that has won over many faithful fans in the family, including myself!!!  Talking about my aunt’s bife acebolado recipe always transports my thoughts to her paradise (mine as well): Porto de Galinhas Beach!!!  She owns a house there, and divides her time between Porto de Galinhas Beach and Recife, the capital of my home state of Pernambuco.

My children with Aunt Graça and her dog in Porto de Galinhas Beach...

Tia Graça’s bife acebolado recipe in its original form does not incorporate caramelized onions.  Even though I tend to prefer my onions caramelized, I decided to post my aunt’s recipe as it is.  After waiting patiently for so long, I think my husband deserves to have a taste of a true favorite!!!  I also know that many readers of mine appreciate quick, authentic recipes, and would not have the time to spend 45-60 minutes just to caramelize the onions.

Bife acebolado can either be accompanied by rice, beans, and a fresh salad (my aunt’s way), be served up  simply with shoestring potatoes or French fries, or made into a sandwich.  It’s really up to you!  Since we generally do not eat meats for breakfast in Brazil, bife acebolado is served at lunch or dinner time.  But if you enjoy eating steak for breakfast, I won’t stop you! 🙂  That could be a great way to start your day…

Bife Acebolado (Pan-Fried Steak-and-Onion) -- A super easy and tender steak, ideal for busy weekdays!!!

Now, come travel a little with me through some images of Porto de Galinhas, considered one of the best beaches in Brazil…with its lush tropical views, jangadas (traditional sailboats), typical handicrafts,  lively nights, and of course, its tantalizing tropical fruits (such as cajá, depicted below)…

Porto de Galinhas Beach...

Porto de Galinhas Beach, Brazil

Porto de Galinhas Beach...

… and also curiosities like this natural reef pool, in the shape of the map of  Brazil…

Porto de Galinhas Beach, Brazil

… A true paradise, wouldn’t you agree?

Well, enjoy the view, and Tia Graça’s bife acebolado!!!

xx

bife-acebolado-fácil
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5 from 5 votes

Tia Graça's Bife Acebolado (Aunt Graça's Pan-Fried Steak and Onions)

A quick, easy, homey, and delicious Steak-and-Onion recipe...
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 13 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes
Servings 3
Author Denise Browning

Ingredients

  • 1 lb New York strip steak thin cut (let steaks come to room temperature 30 minutes prior to cooking)
  • 1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons salt
  • Freshly squeezed juice of 1 lime
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper optional
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1 slice large yellow onion thinlyinto rings and separated

Instructions

  • Cover both sides of each New York strip steak (mine were 3 steaks, totalling 1lb) with a sheet of plastic wrap. On a flat surface, beat each side (not too hard!!) with a meat mallet to tenderize the meat. Note: Use the side of the mallet with the spikes on it.
  • Season all the steaks on both sides with salt, lemon, and pepper (optional). Cook immediately, or let seasoned steaks rest for 10-15 minutes at room temperature to absorb seasonings. It's up to you!
  • Heat a large, heavy-bottomed frying pan (don't use nonstick) over high heat. Place the steaks in the pan (single layer) and let cook undisturbed for about 2-4 minutes. Flip the steaks using tongs or a spatula and cook for additional 2-4 minutes (medium to medium-well). Transfer the steaks to a serving plate and let rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
  • To cook the onions: In the same pan where steaks were just cooked, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat (large burner) and add the onion rings. Cook for about 5 minutes (season with a pinch of salt after cooking for an initial 2-3 minutes), stirring constantly. My Aunt likes to place one single steak on top of the onions and let cook undisturbed on medium heat for about 1 minute. According to her, this helps the onions to absorb the rich steak flavor. Serve onions on top of the steaks and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

If you would like to have your thinly sliced, onion rings caramelized, please follow only steps 2 and 3 of this recipe.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Comment and rate the recipe. Also follow us on Pinterest at @easyanddelish for more delish recipes.

My Aunt’s bife acebolado… Bife acebolado!

Bife Acebolado (Pan-Fried Steak-and-Onion) -- A super easy and tender steak, ideal for busy weekdays!!!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Juliana

    Yum! Que saudades deste bife…yours look awesome…so flavorful Denise…
    The pictures are great…I have never been to this part of Brazil…need to pay a visit there.
    Have a great week ahead my dear 😀

    Reply

  3. Sugar et al

    5 stars
    I love the simplicity of this steak. So delicious! And what a whole lot of beautiful photos. I truly wish I can visit in the near future. Incidentally, I posted beach photos too today:-)

    Reply

  4. Gintare @Gourmantine

    5 stars
    It’s funny how the most simple dishes are the ones that slave our hearts. I love everything with caramelized onions 🙂

    Reply

  5. Little Cooking Tips

    5 stars
    Yummy yummy yummy! You now got us craving for a nice steak like yours!:) Darn it it’s 21:00pm here already!:)
    Beautiful recipe Denise, but more importantly: beautiful post, with all the background on your Tia and Brazil. You make it so easy to enjoy your posts!
    Have a great Tuesday Denise!

    Reply

  7. Deb

    Not sure what I enjoy more the tempting steak or the irresistible photos! A recipe that is quick to prepare and has outstanding flavor is a family favorite with good reason!

    Reply

  9. Liz

    YUM! Bill would be thrilled to come home to this dinner! And stop teasing us with those gorgeous beach scenes…how I long to be on one 🙂

    Reply

  11. Purabi Naha | Cosmopolitan Currymania

    Thanks to your aunt for sharing this recipe to you, so that you could share with the world! The acebolado looks so inviting, Denise. I want that! 🙂

    Reply

  13. Dedy@Dentist Chef

    wow, such delicious looking NY strips steak Denise!!!
    Lucky you visiting such a great paradise, i hope i got a mt chance…
    Btw, i hope you’ll visiting Bali and Lombok in Indonesia,another side of heaven in the earth!!!

    Reply

  14. Amira

    Look at the color of the water!!! how beautiful this beach is.. really very relaxing and calming view. Your dish is great I’ve made something like this when I was in Egypt with veal and I like to caramelize the onion too. Thanks for sharing your aunt’s recipe.

    Reply

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