Dominican Steak Recipe
Introduction
Dominican Steak is a flavorful and tender beef dish that’s perfect for any meal. Marinated with simple spices and cooked slowly to absorb its own juices, it offers a delicious taste of Caribbean home cooking.

Ingredients
- 2 pounds steak
- 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Adobo seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
- 4 cloves garlic
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 lime
- 3 cups water
- 1/2 red onion
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1/2 green bell pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the steak with Adobo seasoning, ground black pepper, lime juice, low-sodium soy sauce, ground oregano, and crushed garlic cloves. Mix well to coat the meat thoroughly. Marinate for better flavor, though this step is optional.
- Step 2: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and add cooking oil. When hot, add the beef, reduce heat to medium, stir once, cover, and cook until the meat releases and absorbs its own juices.
- Step 3: When the pan is dry of juices, add water one cup at a time, covering and cooking the meat until tender. Continue adding water as needed if the meat is not yet tender.
- Step 4: Repeat this process until the steak is tender. This can take about 50 minutes and about 3 cups of water, depending on the cut.
- Step 5: Once tender, add the chopped red onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper to the pot. Stir to combine, add a few tablespoons of water, cover, and cook for about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat.
- Step 6: Serve the Dominican Steak hot alongside rice, rice and beans, fried plantains, or your favorite sides.
Tips & Variations
- Marinating the steak overnight enhances the flavor but is not required for a delicious result.
- Use different cuts of beef like sirloin or flank steak based on your preference and adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Add a small diced potato or carrot towards the end of cooking for extra heartiness.
- For a spicier version, include a chopped chili pepper with the onions and bell peppers.
Storage
Store leftover steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of water to keep it moist.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of meat instead of steak?
Yes, you can substitute with other beef cuts like chuck or brisket, but cooking times may vary to achieve tenderness.
Do I need to marinate the steak overnight?
Marinating adds more depth of flavor but is optional. Even without marinating, the dish turns out tasty due to the seasonings and slow cooking.
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Dominican Steak Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Dominican Steak is a flavorful and tender beef dish marinated with vibrant seasonings and slow-cooked until perfectly juicy. This traditional Dominican recipe combines a blend of spices, garlic, lime, and bell peppers, simmered on the stovetop to develop rich, deep flavors, perfect to serve alongside rice, beans, or fried plantains.
Ingredients
Meat and Marinade
- 2 pounds steak
- 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 lime, juiced
Cooking Liquids
- 3 cups water
- Cooking oil (amount to generously coat pan, approx. 2 tablespoons)
Vegetables
- 1/2 red onion, sliced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, sliced
Instructions
- Marinate the Steak: In a large bowl, combine the 2 pounds of steak with 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning, ground black pepper to taste, juice of 1 lime, 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon ground oregano, and 4 cloves of minced garlic. Mix thoroughly, coating the meat evenly. Let it marinate for enhanced flavor, although this step is optional.
- Brown the Beef: Heat cooking oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until hot. Add the marinated beef to the pot, lower the heat to medium, stir to spread the meat evenly, then cover. Allow the beef to cook in its own juices until the pan no longer releases liquid.
- Simmer with Water: Gradually add 3 cups of water one cup at a time to the beef. Keep the pot covered and cook the meat, allowing it to absorb the water and become tender. Continue adding water in 1-cup increments if the meat is still not tender, adjusting time as needed depending on meat cut.
- Cook Until Tender: Typically, the steak will be tender after approximately 50 minutes with 3 cups of water absorbed. Stir occasionally and check tenderness.
- Add Vegetables: Once the meat is tender, add 1/2 sliced red onion, 1/2 sliced red bell pepper, and 1/2 sliced green bell pepper to the pot. Stir to combine, add a few tablespoons of water to create steam, cover and cook for about 2 minutes. Then turn off the heat.
- Serve: Serve the Dominican steak hot alongside your choice of rice, rice and beans, or fried plantains for a complete and authentic meal.
Notes
- Marinating the steak enhances the flavor but can be skipped to save time.
- The cooking time depends on the cut and thickness of the steak; adjust water and time as needed.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to keep salt levels controlled.
- For more tender meat, consider simmering longer with additional water.
- This dish pairs well with traditional Dominican sides like moro de guandules (rice with pigeon peas) and tostones.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Dominican
Keywords: Dominican steak, beef recipe, stovetop beef, Latin American cuisine, marinated steak, Caribbean recipe

