Beef Tocino Recipe

Tocino is a popular Filipino breakfast dish that consists of sweet and savory marinated meat.

In particular, beef tocino is a delicious variation of this dish that combines tender beef with a flavorful marinade.

One of the great things about beef tocino is how easy it is to make at home.

With just a few simple ingredients, you can recreate this classic Filipino dish in your own kitchen.

Plus, by making it yourself, you have control over the ingredients and can adjust the flavors to your liking.

Best Beef Tocino Recipe

This beef tocino recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household. It’s a dish that’s packed with flavor and can be enjoyed any time of day.

The key to this recipe is the marinade. It contains a combination of sweet and savory ingredients that perfectly complement the beef.

The marinade consists of brown sugar, white sugar, salt, garlic powder, red food coloring, all-purpose seasoning (optional), and cooking oil.

Ingredients

Here’s what you need for this beef tocino recipe:

• 1 kilogram Beef, sirloin (thinly sliced)
• 1/4 cup Brown sugar
• 1/4 cup White sugar
• 1 tablespoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 2 drops Red food coloring
• 1/2 teaspoon All-purpose seasoning (any favorite brand, optional)
• 2 tablespoons Cooking oil
• Water

How to Make Beef Tocino

Here’s how to make it:

1. In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, white sugar, salt, garlic powder, red food coloring, and all-purpose seasoning (if using). Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
2. Add the thinly sliced beef to the marinade mixture and make sure that each piece is coated with the marinade. For best results, marinate the beef for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
3. Heat the cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated beef and cook until the meat is browned and caramelized. Make sure to cook the meat thoroughly.
4. If desired, you can add a splash of water to the pan to create a sauce. This will help coat the meat and infuse it with more flavor.
5. Serve the beef tocino hot and enjoy it with steamed rice and a side of fresh vegetables or egg. It’s a satisfying and delicious meal that’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

For the complete list of ingredients and directions, see the recipe card below.

Tips for the Best Beef Tocino

To ensure the best results and a flavorful beef tocino, keep these tips in mind:

• Use thinly sliced beef: Thinly sliced beef allows the marinade to penetrate the meat more easily and results in a more tender and tasty tocino. You can ask your butcher to thinly slice the beef for you or if you have a sharp knife, you can slice it yourself.
• Marinate for a longer time: While marinating the beef for at least 2 hours is recommended, marinating it overnight will result in even more flavorful and tender tocino. The longer the beef sits in the marinade, the more it absorbs the sweet and savory flavors.
• Adjust the sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter tocino, you can increase the amount of brown sugar in the marinade. On the other hand, if you prefer it less sweet, you can reduce the sugar amount to your liking.
• Add spices for extra flavor: Feel free to experiment by adding spices or herbs to the marinade. Some popular options include black pepper, ginger, or even pineapple juice for a tangy twist.

Recipe Variations

While this beef tocino recipe is already delicious on its own, you can always add a personal touch or explore different variations. Here are a few ideas:

• Pork Tocino: Instead of using beef, you can use pork, such as pork tenderloin or pork belly, to make pork tocino. The marinade and cooking process will be the same, or you can try different seasonings to suit your taste.
• Chicken Tocino: If you prefer chicken, you can substitute the beef with boneless chicken thighs or chicken breast. Adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure the chicken is fully cooked.
• Spicy Tocino: For those who enjoy a little heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the marinade to give your tocino a spicy kick.
• Pineapple Tocino: To add a touch of sweetness and tang, you can incorporate freshly squeezed pineapple juice or crushed pineapple into the marinade. This will give your tocino a tropical twist.

Feel free to get creative and experiment with different flavors to find your favorite variation of this delicious Filipino dish!

What to Serve With Beef Tocino

Beef tocino is often enjoyed with steamed rice and a side of fresh vegetables or egg. Here are a few ideas of what you can serve alongside this flavorful dish:

• Garlic Fried Rice: Prepare some aromatic garlic fried rice to complement the sweet and savory flavors of the beef tocino.
• Sunny-Side Up Eggs: A sunny-side up egg adds a delicious creaminess to your plate. The yolk, when broken and mixed with the meat and rice, creates a heavenly combination.
• Atchara: This traditional Filipino pickle made from green papaya, carrots, and bell peppers adds a refreshing and tangy element to balance the richness of the beef tocino.
• Sautéed Vegetables: Serve some stir-fried or steamed vegetables on the side, such as bok choy, snap peas, or broccoli. The crispness and freshness of the veggies complement the richness of the dish.

Feel free to mix and match these suggestions to create a complete and balanced meal that suits your taste.

Storage Tips

If you have any leftover beef tocino, you can store it for future meals. Here are some storage tips to ensure its freshness:

• Refrigerator: Place the cooked beef tocino in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. When reheating, you can briefly pan-fry it or microwave it until heated through.
• Freezer: If you have a larger batch of beef tocino that you want to save for an extended period, you can freeze it. Place the cooled tocino in a freezer-safe container or resealable bags and store it for up to 2 to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Remember to label your containers with the storage date to keep track of its freshness.

Enjoy your homemade tocino recipe at any time by following these storage tips.