Bistec Ranchero

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Mazola® Corn Oil.

Bistec Ranchero screams Northern Mexico. Literally translated, it means “Ranch-Style Beef.”

For me, this guisado is different from Bistec a la Mexicana which only has jalapenos. Any recipe that is “ranch-style” must include roasted poblano peppers, in my humble opinion.

There are variations of this dish, depending on where you come from. My family is from Durango, the best Northern state in Mexico. (Slightly biased here)

Today, I’m sharing with you how we make this recipe on our family ranch.

Ingredients

• Thin Beef cut into cubes to fit a fork.
• Mazola® Corn Oil – you’ll need this twice. Once to coat the poblanos and then again when cooking the beef.
• Poblano peppers – look for long, not oddly shaped ones so they can roast easier.
• Potatoes – we are using Russet potatoes, but any type works. Just know that smaller, thin skin potatoes will affect cooking time.
• Onion – Please see the recipe for the exact amount. We will be using it for the sauce and the guisado.
• Jalapenos – Swap them out for serranos. However, please note that serrano peppers are spicier.
• Tomatoes – These are Roma tomatoes.
• Garlic – They are roasted with the skin on to prevent them from burning.
• Water – A good swap-out option is beef broth.
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cumin – Ground or whole, whatever you have is fine. We love this spice in the North.
• Oregano – Ground or whole is fine.

What kind of meat is bistec meat?

Bistec is the Spanish word for steak. However, in Mexico, you’ll see cuts of beef labeled “bistec.”

They are usually thin cuts of beef. You might even see them as beef strips.

Any cut of thin beef works in this recipe. Just chop it down into small pieces to fit your fork.

Instructions

• Brush the poblanos with Mazola® Corn Oil.
• Roast the poblanos along with the ranchero salsa ingredients.
• Blend the sauce ingredients.

I’m using foil paper on top of a skillet. This will make cleaning up easier.

The Mazola® Corn Oil will make peeling the skin easier.

How to Roast in the Oven:

Press the Broiler button.
Put all the roasting ingredients on a sheet pan.
Broil for 7 minutes. Remove the garlic. Turn the rest of the ingredients.
Return to the broiler for an additional 7 minutes.

• Cover the roasted poblanos in plastic to steam.
• After 10 minutes, remove and peel the skin.
• Cut off the stems and remove the seeds.
• Slice into strips.

Save yourself a step and do this ahead of time.

Roasted poblano peppers freeze well.

They last up to 6 months in the freezer in a sealable plastic bag with the air removed.

• Heat the Mazola® Corn Oil and add the seasoned beef.
• Cook the sauce for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Mazola® Corn Oil is a heart-healthy* cooking oil that has multiple purposes for you and your family – baking, grilling, even good for marinades. It is neutral in flavor.

Move to the next step when the liquid is almost gone. Uncover the last 5 minutes.

• Once the liquid is completely gone, add the diced potatoes.
• Cook for 5 minutes then add the onions and garlic.
• Stir to combine.

The bigger the potatoes, the longer they will need to cook.

After you add the onion and garlic, give it all one big stir to combine.

• Add the ranchero-style salsa, water, and poblano peppers.
• Cover and cook for 10 minutes, or until potatoes are ready.

Once the potatoes are cooked, your steak ranchero is ready! The sauce should be thick and rich.

If the potatoes are NOT done after 10 minutes, add a little more water. Stir and cover again for 5 minutes.

Make it a full meal by adding zucchini, broccoli, or green beans.

Side Dishes

Arroz Mexicano
Refried Beans
Ensalada de Nopales
Corn Tortillas

This juicy Bistec Ranchero is a traditional Mexican dish that’s jam-packed with flavor. Serve with your favorite side or as bistec tacos. It is a favorite that is sure to please any crowd.

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Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!

*Very limited and preliminary scientific evidence suggests that eating about 1 tablespoon (16 grams) of Corn Oil daily may reduce the risk of heart disease due to the unsaturated fat content in Corn Oil. FDA concludes that there is little scientific evidence supporting this claim. To achieve this possible benefit, Corn Oil is to replace a similar amount of saturated fat and not increase the total number of calories you eat in a day. One serving of this product contains 14 grams of Corn Oil.

**Corn oil is a cholesterol-free food that contains 14g of total fat per serving. See nutrition information on product label or at Mazola.com for fat and saturated fat content.