Casado Tico Completo (Seared Steak or Tofu, Black Beans, Plantains & Cabbage Slaw) – Authentic Costa Rica Recipe
Costa Rica’s quintessential everyday feast uniting caramelized-onion steak, beans, and sweet plantains.
- Country of Origin
- 🇨🇷 Costa Rica (Central America, Americas)
- Dietary Profile
- omnivore
- Prep Time
- 15 min
- Cook Time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Signature Staples
- Thinly sliced marinated beef (bistec encebollado), Black beans and rice, Sweet maduros and lime slaw, Salsa Lizano (tangy vegetable-spice sauce), Cilantro
Ingredients for Casado Tico Completo (Seared Steak or Tofu, Black Beans, Plantains & Cabbage Slaw) (4 Servings)
- 1.25 lbs (or 2.5 cups) thinly sliced marinated beef (bistec encebollado), prepped into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 cups black beans and rice, washed and trimmed
- 1 cup sweet maduros and lime slaw
- 1 medium onion and 3 cloves garlic, finely minced with Salsa Lizano (tangy vegetable-spice sauce)
- 1.5 tbsp traditional Costa Rica seasoning (cilantro, sweet bell peppers, garlic)
- 2.5 tbsp traditional cooking oil, sea salt, cracked black pepper, and fresh citrus or herbs
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Heat oil in a wide heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Sauté onion, garlic, and Salsa Lizano (tangy vegetable-spice sauce) for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add thinly sliced marinated beef (bistec encebollado) and black beans and rice along with cilantro, sweet bell peppers, garlic, searing for 8–10 minutes while tossing occasionally.
- Deglaze the pan with a splash of broth or citrus so the caramelized fond coats every bite.
- Garnish with sweet maduros and lime slaw and serve straight from the skillet.