Bistec Ranchero (Ranch Style Steak)

If you’re looking for a healthy weeknight dinner that guarantees to impress your family, then you need this Steak Ranchero in your life. This Mexican-inspired recipe is made with fork-tender sirloin, potatoes, onions, and peppers, all tossed in a flavorful tomato sauce. It’s wholesome, easy to make, and absolutely bursting with flavor. 

Let’s be real, are there any meat lovers out there who wouldn’t drool over the classic steak and potatoes combo? Think of this delicious meal as the Mexican version.

This dish can be prepared from start to finish in under 40 minutes making it the perfect entree for weeknight meals and dinner parties alike.

I love serving it alongside toppings like fresh avocado, sliced jalapenos, and cilantro, then packing everything into some warm tortillas. You could also serve it over rice, cauliflower rice, black beans, or refried beans.

This homemade Steak Ranchero is a favorite in my household, although with this homemade Beef Birria. So I know it’s going to be a hit for you too.

We also love this dish with chicken or shrimp, like in this Pollo Ranchero and Camarones Rancheros. And when we have guests, I always serve it with these Frijoles Charros.

Bistec Ranchero Ingredients

To make this healthy weeknight dinner, you will need the following key ingredients:

• Sirloin steak. Steak is the main ingredient of this classic Mexican dish. I prefer to use lean sirloin steak, but flank steak or ribeye will also work well. Just make sure you slice the meat nice and thin.
• Potatoes. You can use any kind of potatoes you like. I prefer Yukon gold or red potatoes.
• Onions and peppers. You will need an onion, along with poblano pepper and jalapeno pepper. These add tons of flavor to the dish but feel free to remove the jalapeno seeds for less heat.
• Tomatoes. To form the tomato base of this dish, I like to use a combination of fresh Roma tomatoes and canned tomato sauce. Feel free to add canned diced tomatoes if you don’t have any fresh tomatoes on hand.
• Spices. I like to keep things simple with salt, pepper, and cumin. If you want a little extra flavor or heat, feel free to add smoked paprika, chili powder, or cayenne pepper.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Here are my top tips and tricks to help you make a mouth-watering dish:

• Switch up the meat. While you can switch up the cut of beef you use to make this dish, you can also change the type of meat. Chicken thighs and pork tenderloin both work great as well.
• Spice things up. If the poblano and jalapeno peppers aren’t spicy enough for you, try adding 1-2 chipotle peppers to the mix. You could also add serrano peppers or hot sauce. Or make extra Ranchero sauce on the side for serving.
• Add more veggies. Looking for a veggie-packed meal? Feel free to add some additional vegetables like cauliflower, zucchini, mushrooms, or kale.

How to Serve Steak Ranchero

Traditional Bistec Ranchero is served with warm, fresh tortillas and your favorite toppings. However, this Mexican beef dish works great with just about anything (or by itself). Not sure where to begin? Here are some of my favorite ways to serve this dish:

• Stuffed into tortillas. This dish is traditionally served with warm tortillas like a traditional carne asada. I love stuffing Bistec Ranchero into some corn tortillas and topping them off with sliced avocado and fresh cilantro. Yum! 
• Served over rice. A bowl of brown rice or quinoa is great for sopping up all the delicious juices in this dish. For a low-carb meal, try pairing this dish with my Mexican Cauliflower Rice.
• Loaded onto burrito bowls. Looking for a healthy and delicious protein to top off your favorite burrito bowls? Well, you’re in luck. Serve Steak Ranchero atop a colorful bowl filled with brown rice, beans, greens, and cheese for an easy and delicious meal.
• On top of salads. Got a Mexican or Southwest-style salad in need of a little protein? Believe me when I say Bistec Ranchero is the perfect way to finish it off. Some of my top choices include this Southwest Quinoa Salad and this Black Bean and Corn Salad.

How to Store Leftovers

Leftover Bistec Ranchero is perfect for tacos, salads, wraps, bowls, or really anything you’re in the mood for. It’s also fantastic on its own for a protein-packed meal!

To store leftovers, allow them to cool before transferring them to an airtight storage container. Then, you can store them in one of two ways:

• In the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
• In the freezer for up to 3 months.