Hawaiian cuisine is one of the most fascinating in the world. It combines influences from the native Polynesians and Japanese, Chinese, Filipino and European settlers. The result is a cuisine that is a true fusion of dishes from all over the world.

One of the dishes that truly embodies this fusion is this beef tomato recipe from Hawaii, which has Spanish and Asian origins. This dish comes together quickly, and you can prepare it in as little as 25 minutes.

This dish has everything you need for a fan favorite. The stir-fried vegetables and beef are coated in a delightful sauce bursting with umami flavor. Add in some fresh tomatoes and serve it over rice, and you have a complete meal that everyone will enjoy.

If you are interested in expanding your culinary horizons and trying out this delightful Hawaiian chopped steak recipe, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about beef tomato and the perfect recipe to try at home.

What Is Beef Tomato?

Beef tomato, also known as beef tomato stir fry or simply beef tomato, is a popular dish in Hawaiian cuisine. Traditionally made with stewing beef and tomatoes simmered with onion, garlic, and soy sauce, this dish has become a staple in Hawaiian homes. The meat is tender and the tomato sauce is rich and savory, making it an authentic comfort food.

This dish originated from the combination of Spanish and Asian influences in Hawaiian cuisine. The Spanish brought beef, tomatoes, and onions to Hawaii, while the Asian settlers brought the stir-fry cooking method and soy sauce.

Many love this dish for its savory and umami flavor, as well as its quick cooking time and easy preparation. It also has an outstanding balance of meat, vegetables, and carbohydrates, making it a satisfying meal.

Beef Tomato

Beef tomato, also known as beef tomato stir fry or simply beef tomato, is a popular dish in Hawaiian cuisine. Traditionally made with stewing beef and tomatoes simmered with onion, garlic, and soy sauce, this dish has become a staple in Hawaiian homes. The meat is tender, and the tomato sauce is rich and savory, making it an authentic comfort food.

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Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

Total Time 25 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Hawaiian

Servings 4

Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound Beef, thinly sliced (use sirloin or flank steak)
• 2 Tbsp Vegetable oil
• 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
• ½ cups Shoyu
• 2 Tbsp Brown sugar
• ⅓ cups Oyster sauce
• 1 Tbsp Mirin
• 1 Tbsp Rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
• Salt and pepper
• 1 Small onion, sliced
• 1 Red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 Thumb of ginger - slices
• 4 Cloves of garlic - minced
• 2 Tomatoes - cubed
• 2 Green onions - sliced

Instructions

 

• Begin by preparing your meat and vegetables. Slice the vegetables the same size so they cook evenly. You can save money by buying pieces of flank or sirloin and slicing them. If you opt to slice the meat yourself, freeze it for about 15 minutes to make it easier to cut.
• In a medium bowl, mix the shoyu, brown sugar, oyster sauce, mirin, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Whisk this together aggressively until well combined.
• Add salt and pepper to the sliced beef. Make sure all sides of the meat are well seasoned.
• In a large frying pan, add the vegetable oil and turn the heat to high. Wait until the pan is ripping hot and the oil starts to smoke to add the beef. Do not overcrowd the pan. The objective is to brown the meat. If your pan is not large enough, don't hesitate to brown the beef in batches; set them aside after the beef slices are browned. You will finish cooking them later.
• In the same pan, add your onions and bell peppers and reduce the heat to medium-high. Cook the vegetables until the onions become translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
• After the onions turn transparent, add the tomatoes and cook for several minutes.
• Pour the sauce you made in step two into the pan and scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze it.
• Return the browned beef slices to the pan and mix until the vegetables, beef, and sauce is well incorporated.
• Cook for several minutes more until the beef cooks though, the vegetables are tender, and the sauce begins thickening.
• Add your cornstarch to a small bowl and mix it with cold water. This mixture is known as a slurry. Add a small amount of slurry to your sauce to thicken it. Continue to add the slurry until your sauce reaches the desired thickness.
• Remove from the heat, garnish with green onions, and serve with freshly steamed white rice.

Keyword beef tomato, chop steak hawaii

Tips & Tricks for Beef Tomato

The following are some tips to help you achieve the best results in this beef tomato recipe.

• Make sure to slice your beef thinly so it cooks quickly and evenly.
• If you want extra vegetables, try adding mushrooms or bok choy. Don’t be afraid to experiment with other kinds of vegetables. You can make this dish with practically any vegetable of your choice.
• Do not substitute white vinegar for rice wine vinegar. Rice wine vinegar is mild, and replacing it with traditional white vinegar will completely throw off the balance of this dish.

• If you are ambitious, marinate the beef in the sauce for up to 24 hours before cooking this chop steak Hawaiian recipe; it will add a whole new depth of flavor to this dish.
• To make this dish spicier, add some chili paste or Sriracha sauce. Alternatively, you can also use fresh chili pepper and sautee them with the other vegetables.
• You can store this dish in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat by stir-frying over high heat until warmed through.
• A high smoke-point oil like avocado oil is a great way to get a great sear on your beef.
• This dish also makes for an excellent filling for tacos or burritos. Just omit the rice and serve with tortillas instead. If you want to serve this with tacos or burritos, serve the sauce on the side. Otherwise, your tacos and burritos will be soggy.

Nutrition Information of Beef Tomato

One serving of this dish (about 1 cup) has about 320 calories, 17 grams of fat, 19 grams of protein, and 18 grams of carbohydrates. It also contains 5 grams of fiber and 740 milligrams of sodium. Serve with a side salad to increase your vegetable intake and create a perfectly balanced and healthy meal.

Conclusion

Beef tomato is a delicious and easy dish you can enjoy as part of a family dinner or meal prep for the week. It’s versatile, flavorful, and packed with protein and vegetables. Give it a try for your next stir-fry night!