One of the fastest dishes in Cuban cooking — Bistec de Palomilla is a thin, pounded sirloin steak bathed in a garlicky lime marinade, flash-fried in a hot pan, and crowned with a tangle of sautéed onions. It is a weeknight staple of the Cuban home, ready in minutes once the marinade has done its work. Served with white rice, black beans and tostones, it turns an ordinary evening into a meal worth lingering over.
Bistec de Palomilla
One of the fastest dishes in Cuban cooking — Bistec de Palomilla is a thin, pounded sirloin steak bathed in a garlicky lime marinade, flash-fried in a hot pan, and crowned with a tangle of sautéed onions.

Step by stepInstructions
- Pound the steaks between sheets of plastic wrap until about ¼ inch (6 mm) thick.
- Whisk the garlic, lime juice, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper together, and pour over the steaks; marinate for 20 to 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering.
- Cook the steaks for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through; remove to a plate and keep warm.
- In the same skillet, sauté the onion rings until golden and soft, about 5 minutes, scraping up the browned bits.
- Spoon the onions and pan juices over the steaks, shower with parsley, and serve immediately with lemon wedges, white rice and tostones.
💡 Chef tips & storage
Palomilla is traditionally cooked through, but the pounding and marinade keep it tender — do not skip either. Use a very hot pan and cook in batches so the steaks sear instead of stew.

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