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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.

⏱ 20 minPrep time
🔥 15 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 Cuban KitchenCategory
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Bistec de Palomilla - Cubain recipe

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.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Pound the steaks between sheets of plastic wrap until about ¼ inch (6 mm) thick.
  2. 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.
  3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering.
  4. Cook the steaks for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through; remove to a plate and keep warm.
  5. In the same skillet, sauté the onion rings until golden and soft, about 5 minutes, scraping up the browned bits.
  6. 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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Recipe details

Prep20 min
Cook15 min
Servings4
CategoryCuban Kitchen
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →