Bistec en Salsa Verde (Beef Strips in Green Salsa)
Thin strips of beef and tender potato in a vibrant tomatillo sauce. A weeknight Mexican staple with beans and tortillas.
Made with Salsa verde (cooked tomatillo salsa) and Frijoles de la olla (pot beans). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.54 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Boil the potato chunks in salted water for 8 minutes until just tender. Drain.
8 min - 2
Season the beef strips with the salt. Heat the oil in a wide pan over a high heat. Brown the beef in 2 batches for 2 to 3 minutes each, until golden. Remove.
6 min - 3
Lower the heat, add the onion to the same pan and cook for 4 minutes. Add the garlic for 1 minute.
5 min - 4
Pour in your ready made salsa verde (see the base recipe) and the water. Bring to a simmer, add the potatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
- 5
Return the beef and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the beef is cooked through and the sauce clings.
4 min - 6
Warm your ready made pot beans (see its base recipe) until steaming hot. Scatter the bistec with coriander and serve with the beans.
Tips
- Slice the beef across the grain as thinly as you can. Chilling the steak for 20 minutes makes it firmer and easier to cut.
- Brown the meat in batches. Crowding the pan steams it and makes it grey.
- Do not overcook after returning the beef or it turns chewy.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours. Keep up to 3 days in the fridge. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What cut of beef is best?
Sirloin or rump steak sliced thin cooks quickly and stays tender. Skirt steak also works. For a long simmer, use chuck instead and cook for 1 hour 30 minutes.
Can I make it hotter?
Yes. Add a chopped serrano chilli with the onion, or serve with a hot salsa such as habanero salsa on the side.
More made with salsa verde (cooked tomatillo salsa)
Empanadas de Rajas y Queso Oaxaca (Poblano and Cheese Empanadas)
VNFEnchiladas Suizas (Swiss Style Chicken Enchiladas)
EFNFChimichangas de Carnitas con Salsa Verde (Crispy Pork Chimichangas)
EFNFSopes de Chorizo (Thick Masa Cups with Chorizo)
GFEFNFSee every dish made with salsa verde (cooked tomatillo salsa)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.