Prepare to be wowed by this classic Colombian dish! Sabana de Res is a traditional beef recipe from Colombia, smothered in Sabana de res sauce, this traditional Latin American dish is a must try for anyone who loves a delicious and hearty meal. You'll love this cooked beef dish along with it's fantastic mouthwatering flavors.
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What Is Sabana De Res?
Sabana De Res is a traditional Colombian recipe made with beef that is grilled or fried. The beef is then covered with a savory Sabana sauce that includes tomatoes, garlic, onions, sesame seeds, Pasilla and Guajillo chillis and more.
Traditional Columbian Beef Recipe
This popular Latin American dish is often served for special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries but can also be enjoyed any day of the week! It’s a great option for dinner parties and gatherings as it is relatively easy to prepare and cook.
Why This Recipe Works
- Authentic Taste: Experience the rich, traditional flavors of this classic Latin American dish.
- Easy to Follow: Clear, step-by-step instructions make this recipe accessible for all skill levels.
- Impressive Presentation: The thinly pounded beef makes for a visually stunning meal.
🥘 Ingredients
This Sabana De Res recipe is really easy to make! With just 10 minutes of preparation time, you'll have this tasty dish ready in no time. Here are the ingredients needed for this Latin American dish.
- Beef Steak: The star of the dish, providing a hearty and protein-rich base.
- Olive Oil: Used to sauté and sear the steak, enhancing its flavor and texture.
- Garlic Cloves or Minced Garlic: Infuses the dish with a robust, savory flavor that complements the beef.
- Pasilla Chili and Guajillo Chili: Add a depth of smoky heat to the dish.
- Sesame Seeds: Provide a nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
- Beef Broth/Stock: Deepens the overall flavor of the dish and adds moisture.
- Onion: Adds a sweet, caramelized flavor when sautéed with the beef.
- Crushed Tomatoes: Add acidity and sweetness, balancing the richness of the beef and cheese.
- Lime Juice: Cuts through the richness of the dish with a burst of tangy freshness.
- Avocado: Provides a creamy, cooling contrast to the heat of the chilies.
- Cream Cheese: Adds a tangy creaminess that balances the spicy and savory flavors.
- Rice: Serves as a filling, neutral base that soaks up the flavors of the dish.
- Freshly Chopped Cilantro: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note to the dish.
- Cojita Cheese: Provides a salty, tangy element that complements the rich flavors.
- Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper: Enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔄 Substitutions & Variations
- Meat Swap: Use chicken or pork instead of beef for a different take on this dish.
- Mild Version: Skip the Guajillo and Pasilla chilies or use bell peppers for a milder flavor.
- Cheese Options: Try queso fresco, parmesan, or shredded mozzarella for a unique twist.
🔪How To Make Sabana De Res?
Here are our step by step instructions for cooking this Sabana De Res recipe.
Step One: Start by preparing the beef for the dish. Cut your beef into thin slices, then season with a bit of salt and pepper.
Step Two: Heat a pan over medium heat, and add some olive oil or vegetable oil. Sear until the beef is tender. Once cooked set the steak aside and let meat rest.
Step Three: Place your onion slices, garlic cloves, sesame seeds and chilies into the pan. Saute until the onions become translucent.
Step Four: Transfer the sauteed ingredients to the blender or food processor. Now add the can of crushed tomatoes, beef broth and lime juice. Blitz the ingredients into a sauce.
Step Five: Place the delicious Sabana De Res back into the skillet or Instant Pot. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted.
Step Six: Plate your Sabana De res Sauce. Add cooked rice and then top with your fried steaks. (flank steak or beef sirloin). Garnish the Sabana De Res with cojita cheese, avocado slices and fresh Cilantro for a flavorful dish.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Marinate Thoroughly: Allow your beef to marinate well—ideally for a few hours or even overnight—in a blend of garlic, spices, and a touch of citrus. This step not only tenderizes the meat but also infuses it with deep, rich flavor.
- Sear for a Flavorful Crust: Before slow cooking or braising, give your beef a quick, high-heat sear. This caramelizes the exterior and locks in juices, ensuring a delicious crust that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
- Monitor Cooking Time: Whether you’re braising or slow-cooking, keep a close eye on the beef to avoid overcooking. A well-cooked Sabana de Res should be tender but still hold its structure, offering a satisfying bite.
- Finish with a Fresh Touch: Just before serving, consider adding a splash of fresh lime juice or a sprinkle of chopped cilantro. This not only brightens the rich, savory flavors but also adds a delightful contrast that elevates the dish.
💭 FAQs
The Sabana beef and sauce is generally cooked in a skillet or frying pan and can certainly be cooked in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker using the saute or browning function.
Pasilla chilis are relatively mild compared to other types of Mexican chillies, so they will not make your Sabana De Res dish too spicy. The Pasilla and Guajillo chilli peppers give this classic Latin American dish a hint of smoky flavor without too much heat.
Pasilla and Guajillo chillis can often be found in international or Latin American grocery stores, but if you can’t find them locally, they are also available online.
The best type of meat to use for Sabana De Res is either flank steak, skirt steak, or sirloin beef steak. All of these cuts are fairly lean and tender and will hold up to the flavor of the Sabana De Res sauce.
Yes, you can certainly use garlic powder instead of minced fresh garlic for this recipe. I prefer to use cloves and saute them before adding to the blender.
Yes, Sabana De Res tastes even better the day after it is cooked so it’s a great dish to prepare in advance. To make ahead of time: cook all ingredients as per the instructions, then let cool before placing in an airtight container. Reheat when needed.
If you want a delicious flavor that everyone will love stick to beef broth or beef stock. If you wan to use chicken broth then that's okay but the beef flavor makes this classic dish perfect!
For the best flavours and textures, try topping your Sabana De Res dish with a mix of cotija cheese, cream cheese and fresh cilantro. You can also top the dish with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese or shredded mozzarella for an extra cheesy version. Another popular cheese for this dish is chihuahua cheese or queso fresco.
You can store any leftover Sabana De Res Sauce in an airtight container for 2-3 days in your fridge. To freeze your Sabana de Res sauce, place the cooled sauce into a ziplock bag or air tight container
🧂Serving Suggestions
Here are some top suggestions of what to serve with Sabana De Res:
- Guacamole - A Simple Mango Guacamole would also go great with Sabana De Res. You might also want to try Pico De Gallo or a Tomato Salsa as a side for your Columbian Dinner.
- Rice - Sabana De Res goes really well with rice and helps turn this Columbian beef dish into a well rounded meal. You can cook regular White Rice or try cooked Mexican Red Rice.
- Beans - Refried Beans or Black Bean Salsa With Streetcorn is another great side dish to serve with your Sabana De Res recipe.
- Mashed Potatoes - You might want to pair your Sabana beef and sauce with the savory flavor of Mashed Potatoes.
- Tortillas - Flour or corn tortillas will help make this meal a lot more filling and are definitely a popular option to serve with this satisfying dish.
- Plantains - Sweet plantain slices are always a great side dish for Latin American dishes like Sabana De Res. Try our Plaintain Tortillas recipe for something special!
- Salad - Not all side dishes need to be savory, why not try a fresh Avocado Salad on the side as well? Put together your favorite salad ingredients for a light and refreshing accompaniment.
🍽 Related Recipes
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Sabana De Res Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Slice Beef Steak
- 2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 Garlic Cloves or Minced Garlic
- 1 Piece Pasilla Chili
- 1 Piece Guajillo Chili
- 2 Tablespoons Sesame Seeds
- ¼ Cup Beef Broth or Beef Stock
- 1 Medium Onion Sliced
- 1 Can Crushed Tomatoes
- ¼ cup Lime Juice
- 1 Avocado sliced
- 1 Tablespoon Cream Cheese
- 1 Cup Rice
- 1 Tablespoon Freshly Chopped cilantro
- ¼ Cup Cojita Cheese
- Pinch Kosher Salt
- Pinch Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- Start by preparing the beef for the dish. Cut your beef into thin slices, then season with a bit of salt and pepper.
- Heat a pan over medium heat, and add some olive oil or vegetable oil. Sear until the beef is tender.
- Once cooked set the steak aside and let meat rest.Place your onion slices, garlic cloves, sesame seeds and chillies into the pan.
- Saute until the onions become translucent.
- Transfer the sauted ingredients to the blender or food processor.
- Now add the can of crushed tomatoes, beef broth and lime juice. Blitz the ingredients into a sauce.
- Place the delicious Sabana De Res back into the skillet or Instant Pot. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted.
- Plate your Sabana De res Sauce. Add cooked rice and then top with your fried steaks. (flank steak or beef sirloin).
Notes
Nutrition
We hope you enjoy your delicious and flavourful Sabana De Res dish. For best results, follow our recipe exactly. Be sure to watch our Sabana De Res video! It's pretty useful and easy to follow. This Colombian / Mexican Cuisine is sure to be a hit with family and friends! Buen Provecho!
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