Steak with Onions (Puerto Rican Style)

Cooking is a beautiful way to connect with family, and the aroma of steak cooking with onions brings back the fondest memories. The vibrant smell fills the kitchen, instantly transporting you back to gatherings filled with laughter and delicious food. Steak with onions is not just a meal; it’s a celebration of flavor and tradition.

In Puerto Rican culture, meals are a gateway to togetherness. Friends and family often gather to savor the rich tastes of the islands, and this steak recipe reigns as a favorite. Each ingredient blends harmoniously, creating a savory dish that dances on your taste buds. Whether served at a family meal or a festive gathering, steak with onions evokes heartwarming nostalgia for everyone at the table.

This recipe features simple ingredients where the star of the show is the steak, beautifully paired with caramelized onions and spices. The tender meat pairs perfectly with the flavorful sauce, making each bite utterly satisfying. Let’s dive into the preparation of this delightful Puerto Rican-style dish.

Steak with Onions: The Basics

Fundamentals

Understanding steak with onions begins with grasping the key components. Cube steak, known for its tenderness, serves as a fantastic base for this recipe. It’s essential to marinate the steak, allowing it to soak up the flavors of the spices and seasonings. This brief moment of patience transforms the meat into a flavorful delight, ensuring every bite is a culinary pleasure.

Another cornerstone of this dish is the onions. Their sweetness caramelizes beautifully, complementing the savory steak perfectly. Garlic and spices enhance the overall taste, creating a well-rounded dish that captures the essence of Puerto Rican cuisine. Together, these elements work in harmony, resulting in a dish that’s not only delicious but also evocative of cherished gatherings around the dinner table.

Adding ingredients like adobo and sazón further elevates the dish, imparting that distinct Puerto Rican flavor. Each spice brings its own unique character, harmonizing to create a balanced flavor profile. The combination of these flavors ignites the senses, drawing everyone in for seconds and thirds.

Preparation/Setup

Setting up to prepare your steak with onions is as enjoyable as savoring the final dish. Start by gathering your ingredients and ensuring everything is at hand. This step simplifies your cooking process, allowing for a smoother experience. You’ll need cube steak, sliced onion, olive oil or annatto oil, vinegar, garlic, and an array of spices.

Marinating the steak comes next. Mix the vinegar, adobo, sazón, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper, and crushed garlic cloves to create a flavorful marinade. Coat the cube steak in this mixture, ensuring it absorbs every bit of flavor. Let it sit for at least an hour if possible, or even overnight for greater tenderness and taste.

While the steak marinates, prepare the onions. They’ll add an essential sweetness that enhances the overall dish. Thinly slice the onion and have it ready for the cooking process. Once the steak is marinated and the onions are sliced, you’re all set to bring your creation to life in either a pan or a pressure cooker.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need for your scrumptious steak with onions:

• 4 lbs cube steak
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil (or annatto oil, divided)
• 2 tbsp vinegar
• 2 tsp adobo (or to taste)
• 1 tsp sazón
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp ground oregano
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp granulated sugar (for browning, optional)
• 4 cloves garlic (crushed, divided)
• 1/2 tbsp sofrito
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp pimento stuffed olives (diced, optional)
• 1 bay leaf (optional)
• 3/4 cup water (more if needed)

Directions

1. Marinate the Steak: In a bowl, mix 2 tbsp vinegar, adobo, sazón, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper, 2 crushed garlic cloves, and optional sugar. Coat the cube steak in the marinade and let it sit for at least one hour.

2. Heat Oil: In a large pan or pressure cooker, heat 1 tbsp of olive or annatto oil over medium heat.

3. Cook Onions: Add the sliced onions and sauté until they become translucent and slightly caramelized. This takes about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.

4. Sear the Steak: In the same pan, add more oil if needed and brown the marinated steak for about 3-4 minutes on each side. This step builds flavor and richness in the meat.

5. Combine Ingredients: Return the onions to the pan with the steak. Add the crushed garlic, sofrito, tomato sauce, diced olives (if using), bay leaf, and water. Stir well to combine.

6. Cook: For the pan method, cover and let simmer on low for 30-40 minutes. If using a pressure cooker, seal the top and cook on high pressure for about 20-25 minutes.

7. Adjust Consistency: After cooking, check the sauce. If it’s too thick, add a little more water. Adjust seasonings to taste.

8. Serve: Once cooked, remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes. Serve hot with rice or your favorite side dishes.

Experimenting with the Cooking Technique

Technique

Achieving the perfect steak with onions requires mastering your cooking method. Both pan and pressure cooker approaches have their merits. The pan method allows for more nuanced flavor development as the ingredients meld together over low heat, deepening the dish’s character.

Conversely, the pressure cooker dramatically reduces cooking time while maintaining the moisture needed for tender steak. The choice of method truly depends on your timeframe and desired outcome. Both result in a mouthwatering final dish.

Tips/Tricks

• Marination Time: For the most flavorful steak, consider marinating overnight. This helps the spices infuse deeply into the meat.

• Temperature Control: During cooking, keep an eye on the heat. Medium heat enables even cooking, preventing the steak from seizing up and becoming tough.

• Customize: Don’t hesitate to add your favorite spices or adjust seasoning levels. Cooking is about personal expression, so make it your own!

Perfecting Your Steak Dish

Perfecting Results

The key to a successful steak with onions lies in balancing flavors. Taste your sauce before serving. If it feels flat, consider adding a dash more adobo or a pinch of salt to elevate the taste.

Adjusting the sauce’s consistency can also improve the dish. If it’s too thick, a splash of water can help reach the desired result. Conversely, if it’s too thin, allow it to simmer a bit longer.

Troubleshooting/Variations

If you find your steak tender but lacking flavor, check your marination time. Also, ensure you’re using fresh spices, as they may lose potency over time.

For variations, consider adding vegetables like bell peppers or carrots for added texture and nutritional value. Experimenting with different ingredients can yield new and exciting interpretations of your dish.

Serving Ideas and Storage Tips

Serving/Presentation

When serving your steak with onions, presentation can enhance the experience. Serve it over a bed of white rice or alongside golden mashed potatoes. Garnish with fresh herbs for a pop of color and flavor.

Consider family-style presentation—placing the dish in the center of the table encourages sharing and community. This meal fosters connection, just as it celebrates culture.

Pairings/Storage

Although steak with onions is delightful on its own, consider pairing it with sides like rice, plantains, or a fresh salad to create a complete meal.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, gently warm it on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if needed to keep it juicy and flavorful.

This recipe for steak with onions celebrates the flavors of Puerto Rican cuisine and transforms simple ingredients into a heartwarming meal. Its rich taste and inviting aroma will make it a cherished addition to your culinary repertoire.

Steak with Onions (Puerto Rican Style)

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• Author: emma
• Total Time: 100 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Diet: None

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Description

A flavorful Puerto Rican dish featuring tender cube steak marinated and sautéed with sweet caramelized onions and a blend of spices.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 lbs cube steak
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil (or annatto oil, divided)
• 2 tbsp vinegar
• 2 tsp adobo (or to taste)
• 1 tsp sazón
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp ground oregano
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp granulated sugar (for browning, optional)
• 4 cloves garlic (crushed, divided)
• 1/2 tbsp sofrito
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp pimento stuffed olives (diced, optional)
• 1 bay leaf (optional)
• 3/4 cup water (more if needed)

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Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix 2 tbsp vinegar, adobo, sazón, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper, and 2 crushed garlic cloves. Coat the cube steak in the marinade and let it sit for at least one hour.
2. In a large pan or pressure cooker, heat 1 tbsp of olive or annatto oil over medium heat.
3. Add the sliced onions and sauté until translucent and slightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
4. In the same pan, add more oil if needed and brown the marinated steak for about 3-4 minutes on each side.
5. Return the onions to the pan with the steak. Add the crushed garlic, sofrito, tomato sauce, diced olives (if using), bay leaf, and water. Stir well to combine.
6. Cover and let simmer on low for 30-40 minutes or cook in a pressure cooker on high pressure for about 20-25 minutes.
7. Check the sauce consistency; add more water if it’s too thick. Adjust seasonings to taste.
8. Once cooked, remove from heat and let rest for a few minutes. Serve hot with rice or your favorite side dishes.

Notes

For the most flavorful steak, consider marinating overnight. Customize seasoning levels to your preference.

• Prep Time: 60 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Puerto Rican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 40g
• Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: steak, onions, Puerto Rican, recipe, marinated, family meal, savory