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
- 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.
My Aunt’s bife acebolado… Bife acebolado!
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine
January 27, 2014 at 6:57 pmWhat 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.
Denise Browning
January 28, 2014 at 7:22 amThanks a lot, Chris! He’s crazy for it!!!
Juliana
January 27, 2014 at 10:21 pmYum! 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 😀
Denise Browning
January 28, 2014 at 7:23 amI hope you can visit Porto de Galinhas one day, Juliana…You’d love it!
Sugar et al
January 28, 2014 at 12:56 amI 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:-)
Denise Browning
January 28, 2014 at 7:24 amI am looking forward to see your beach photos soon, Sonali! Australia is simply stunning!!!
Gintare @Gourmantine
January 28, 2014 at 5:24 amIt’s funny how the most simple dishes are the ones that slave our hearts. I love everything with caramelized onions 🙂
Denise Browning
January 28, 2014 at 7:25 amThat’s true, Gintare! I am crazy for caramelized onions as well and I use it in many, many dishes…
Little Cooking Tips
January 28, 2014 at 12:52 pmYummy 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!
Denise Browning
January 28, 2014 at 3:31 pmPanos 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!!!!
Coffee and Crumpets
January 28, 2014 at 4:28 pmThis steak looks fabulous!! Love how thin and quick it is! I can see why this is your hubby’s favourite!
Denise Browning
January 28, 2014 at 5:16 pmThanks, Nazneen! Wishing you a great week!
Deb
January 29, 2014 at 11:26 amNot 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!
Denise Browning
January 29, 2014 at 12:54 pmThanks so much, Deb!!!! You are always so sweet!!! xx
John@Kitchen Riffs
January 29, 2014 at 6:21 pmGosh, terrific recipe! This looks wonderful — this could be my favorite, too. Love the pictures! Totally fun post — thanks.
Denise Browning
January 30, 2014 at 7:18 amThank you, John, for always stopping by!
Liz
January 29, 2014 at 7:16 pmYUM! 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 🙂
Denise Browning
January 29, 2014 at 8:48 pmThanks so much, Liz! I hope you make this beef for Bill sometime. xx
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com
January 30, 2014 at 2:12 pmDenise, your girls are beautiful! And I love pan-fried steak + onions! I pan fry flank steak all the time – my husband loves it!
Denise Browning
January 30, 2014 at 5:54 pmThanks, Julia! My husband is also a fan of steaks… Hehe!
Purabi Naha | Cosmopolitan Currymania
January 31, 2014 at 10:50 amThanks 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! 🙂
Denise Browning
January 31, 2014 at 2:00 pmThanks, Purabi! I hope everyone else enjoy it as much as we do…
Mi Vida en un Dulce
January 31, 2014 at 11:38 amOh yes, that is paradise…!!!
Denise Browning
January 31, 2014 at 2:01 pmThanks, Nydia! It is my piece of paradise…
Dedy@Dentist Chef
February 3, 2014 at 12:39 amwow, 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!!!
Denise Browning
February 3, 2014 at 7:18 amThanks, Dedy! I would love to visit Bali one day…It is for sure one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Luck you!
Amira
February 3, 2014 at 11:42 pmLook 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.
Denise Browning
February 4, 2014 at 7:24 amThank you for always stopping by, Amira! I’d love to try your version with veal.
Lail | With A Spin
February 4, 2014 at 9:21 amI 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.
Denise Browning
February 4, 2014 at 10:34 amThanks, Lail! My girls are the apple of my eyes…
Daniela
February 4, 2014 at 7:56 pmI understand your has and so well, Denise if he has cosen this dish for his favorite!
It looks so rich and tasty,mmh.
Daniela
February 4, 2014 at 7:59 pmSorry 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…..
Denise Browning
February 5, 2014 at 11:54 amNo 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!
Nancy/Spicie Foodie
February 11, 2014 at 7:35 pmWhat 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.
Denise Browning
February 11, 2014 at 9:32 pmHi, 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.
Raymund
February 19, 2014 at 12:59 pmI would enjoy that piece of meat any time of the day
Denise Browning
February 19, 2014 at 1:28 pmSo do I, Raymund! 🙂