Easy Bistec a la Mexicana: Mexican Style Steak Made Vegan

Bistec a la Mexicana or Mexican style steak is a flavorful dish perfect for a quick weeknight meal. This easy recipe is traditionally made with beef, and cooked in a tomato sauce with green chiles, onion, and spices. Let me show you how to make it vegan!

What is Bistec a la Mexicana?

Bistec a la Mexicana, also known as Mexican-style steak, is a classic dish that combines tender beef with a flavorful blend of jalapeños or serrano peppers, onions and tomatoes.

The word “bistec” means steak in Spanish. The phrase “a la Mexicana” means Mexican style.

A la Mexicana also refers to the use of traditional Mexican ingredients that represent the three colors of the Mexican flag; green, white, and red.

This hearty meal, guisado or stew, is commonly served all over Mexico, just ask any Mexican and they’ll tell you that it reminds them of home…it’s comfort food.

It was one of my favorite dishes growing up when I still ate meat. Sometimes my mom would also serve potatoes with it and it was just heaven for me.

This mouthwatering dish is a staple in Mexican cuisine, known for its bold flavors and vibrant colors. It’s also one of those traditional Mexican meat-based recipes that’s incredibly easy to veganize!

Ingredients Used

The traditional ingredients used in this simple recipe aren’t many and are all staples in most homes.

• Traditionally for the “bistec de res” or beef steak, cuts like sirloin or flank steak are used. We are going to be using mushrooms – more on this below.
• Ripe roma tomatoes
• White onions
• Jalapeño peppers or serrano chile for a spicier dish.
• Garlic
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cumin powder
• Maggi sauce*
• Olive oil or vegetable oil of choice

Substitutions

I love making this dish with mushrooms, but if available to you, you could use any type of vegan beef, like Beyond Steak. Another option is seitan steak, just prep it by thinly slicing.

Maggi sauce, you can find it in most grocery stores, Amazon, and in Hispanic food stores it may be called “jugo Maggi”.

Try to get the Mexican bottles because those are made with soy protein, whereas the others are based on wheat.

In a pinch if you can’t find this liquid seasoning you could swap it for soy sauce – just don’t use something like Worcestershire sauce because that’s a completely different flavor that isn’t used in Mexican cooking.

Additionally Worcestershire sauce isn’t vegan, though there are vegan brands available.

Vegan Bistec a la Mexicana: A Plant-Based Twist

As mentioned above, instead of beef, oyster mushrooms or portobello mushrooms will be used as a delicious and satisfying alternative for the beef strips. Both mushrooms are delicious and work excellent.

Since we are making vegan bistec a la Mexicana we are going to also be using some Maggi sauce to add more of a “beefy” and umami flavor to the dish.

Oyster Mushrooms as a Substitute for Beef

Oyster mushrooms are a fantastic option for creating a vegan version of bistec a la Mexicana and countless other Mexican meat dishes.

You may have noticed I’m a big fan of them and use them often in my veganized Mexican recipes.

Oyster mushrooms have a mild flavor and a texture that is remarkably similar to meat when cooked. They have a “meaty” bite to them and take on the seasonings used, quite well.

• Tacos de Bistec or Mexican Steak Tacos (Made Vegan)
• Vegan Birria Tacos
• Birria Tamales
• Vegan  Tamales Rojos
• Tamales Verdes Recipe
• Vegan Pozole Verde Recipe
• Menudo Made Vegan
• Easy Mexican Mushroom Recipe: Champiñones a la Mexicana
• Easy Vegan Mushroom Shawarma Recipe
• Easy Vegan Fajitas Recipe
• Braised Oyster Mushrooms and Potatoes in Red Salsa
• Vegan Fried Chicken
• Torta de Milanesa de Pollo

Portobello Mushrooms as a Substitute for Beef

Another excellent option for vegans is to use portobello mushrooms as a substitute for beef.

Portobello mushrooms have a rich and meaty flavor, making them an ideal choice for recreating the savory taste of traditional steak.

I love making fajitas, carne asada, vegan steaks and vegan burgers with portobello mushrooms.

How to Make Bistec a la Mexicana

Amigos this recipe is so incredibly easy to make, you don’t need to put a lot of time or effort into it. It is a delicious “meaty” dish in a flavorful, rich tomato sauce that’s perfect for a weeknight meal.

• Step 1: Heat the oil in a large skillet. Once hot arrange the mushrooms on it and season with the spices and Maggi sauce or Jugo Maggi.

• Step 2: Cook the mushrooms until golden brown and a little crispy. Then remove from the pan and set aside.

• Step 3: Add a little oil to the pan and then sauté the onion until soft. Then add the chile peppers, minced garlic, and chopped tomato. Cook until the tomato breaks down. You can add a 1/4 cup of water or unsalted vegetable broth to help make the tomato mixture more saucy.

• Step 4: While the vegetables are cooking, roughly chop or slice the cooked mushrooms.

• Step 5: Add the chopped tomatoes back to the pan and cook another few minutes. Taste and if desired adjust the seasonings.

• Step 6: Serve and enjoy!

FAQ

How to Serve

This veganized delicious recipe of a classic of comida mexicana, can be served with refried frijoles refritos, warm tortillas or homemade flour tortillas, and avocado slices.

You could also sprinkle with some chopped cilantro, and you want to eat with rice, then I suggest my arroz blanco recipe.

• refried beans either pinto or black beans
• homemade vegan flour tortillas
• arroz blanco

Additionally you can serve this dish as a taco or filling for burritos, wraps or quesadillas. It’s even delicious on rice bowls or with quinoa.

How to Store

Allow any leftovers to cool to room temperature before storing in an airtight container.

Vegan bistec a la Mexicana will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days when made with mushrooms. If you’re using vegan steak or seitan steak it can be 4 to 5 days.

How to Reheat

Reheat leftovers on the stove in a pan over medium heat until warmed through.

If you’re using mushrooms you can also reheat by microwaving it. If using seitan steak or other vegan steak, microwaving may yield a rubbery texture.

Bistec a la Mexican Recipe

Bistec a la Mexicana is a truly delightful dish that brings the vibrant flavors of Mexico to your plate. This vegan version of the classic recipe that will satisfy your cravings. So, gather your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy an incredibly flavorful meal that’s ready in about 30 minutes.

¡Buen provecho!