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.
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…
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)…
… and also curiosities like this natural reef pool, in the shape of the map of Brazil…
… A true paradise, wouldn’t you agree?
Well, enjoy the view, and Tia Graça’s bife acebolado!!!
xx
Tia Graça's Bife Acebolado (Aunt Graça's Pan-Fried Steak and Onions)
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
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
My Aunt’s bife acebolado… Bife acebolado!
What a delectable dinner Denise no matter what you serve it with. I love all your versions. I can see why this is a favorite with your husband.
Thanks a lot, Chris! He’s crazy for it!!!
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 😀
I hope you can visit Porto de Galinhas one day, Juliana…You’d love it!
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:-)
I am looking forward to see your beach photos soon, Sonali! Australia is simply stunning!!!
It’s funny how the most simple dishes are the ones that slave our hearts. I love everything with caramelized onions 🙂
That’s true, Gintare! I am crazy for caramelized onions as well and I use it in many, many dishes…
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!
Panos and Mirella, thanks so much for your readership and kindness…I wish this beef could be shipped to Greece ASAP. 🙂 Wishing you both a marvelous week!!!!
This steak looks fabulous!! Love how thin and quick it is! I can see why this is your hubby’s favourite!
Thanks, Nazneen! Wishing you a great week!
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!
Thanks so much, Deb!!!! You are always so sweet!!! xx
Gosh, terrific recipe! This looks wonderful — this could be my favorite, too. Love the pictures! Totally fun post — thanks.
Thank you, John, for always stopping by!
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 🙂
Thanks so much, Liz! I hope you make this beef for Bill sometime. xx
Denise, your girls are beautiful! And I love pan-fried steak + onions! I pan fry flank steak all the time – my husband loves it!
Thanks, Julia! My husband is also a fan of steaks… Hehe!
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! 🙂
Thanks, Purabi! I hope everyone else enjoy it as much as we do…
Oh yes, that is paradise…!!!
Thanks, Nydia! It is my piece of paradise…
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!!!
Thanks, Dedy! I would love to visit Bali one day…It is for sure one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Luck you!
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.
Thank you for always stopping by, Amira! I’d love to try your version with veal.
I saw this on FB and pinterest on my phone but never got around to come and comment until now. I absolutely love this dish. Delicious.
Your girls are gorgeous, Denise and so is that beach.
Thanks, Lail! My girls are the apple of my eyes…
I understand your has and so well, Denise if he has cosen this dish for his favorite!
It looks so rich and tasty,mmh.
Sorry for the tipos , my I Pad went just crazy, correcting things on it’s own.
It should read:
I understand your husband so well if he has chosen…..
No worries. It is hard to type an I-pad and also on cell phones. Thank you, Daniela, for leaving a comment. I do appreciate it. Wishing you a great day!
What a sweet and delicious post. I don’t think I’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting Brazilian food. This would be a great start. Thank you for sharing your Tia’s recipe.
Hi, Nancy! Welcome to FBTY!!! I hope you try my Auntie’s recipe sometime. You won’t regret it. It is a very simple, homey dish yet delicious.
I would enjoy that piece of meat any time of the day
So do I, Raymund! 🙂