America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

Steak Tips with Tomatillo Salsa and Refried Black Beans

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on February 6, 2014

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Steak Tips with Tomatillo Salsa  and Refried Black Beans

Ingredients

1 pound tomatillos, husks and stems removed, rinsed, dried, and halved2 jalapeño chiles, stemmed, seeded, and minced½ cup minced fresh cilantro 2 garlic cloves, mincedSalt and pepper 1 ½ pounds sirloin steak tips, trimmed and cut into 1 ½-inch pieces3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 onion, chopped fine1 teaspoon ground cumin 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed

Instructions

  1. Pulse tomatillos in food processor until coarsely chopped, about 8 pulses. Transfer to fine-mesh strainer set over bowl and let drain for 5 minutes; reserve 3/4 cup liquid. Combine half of jalapeños, 1/4 cup cilantro, half of garlic, drained tomatillos, and 1/4 cup reserved tomatillo liquid in bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Pat steak dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Cook steak until browned all over and meat registers 125 degrees (for medium-rare), 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to plate and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and onion to now-empty skillet and cook over medium heat until just softened, about 2 minutes. Add cumin, remaining jalapeño, and remaining garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add beans and remaining 1/2 cup reserved tomatillo liquid. Using potato masher, coarsely mash beans. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve steak with beans and salsa.
Steak Tips with Tomatillo Salsa  and Refried Black Beans

Steak Tips with Tomatillo Salsa and Refried Black Beans

Headshot of America's Test Kitchen
By America's Test Kitchen
Save

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 pound tomatillos, husks and stems removed, rinsed, dried, and halved
2 jalapeño chiles, stemmed, seeded, and minced
½ cup minced fresh cilantro
2 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and pepper
1 ½ pounds sirloin steak tips, trimmed and cut into 1 ½-inch pieces
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped fine
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed

Ingredients

1 pound tomatillos, husks and stems removed, rinsed, dried, and halved
2 jalapeño chiles, stemmed, seeded, and minced
½ cup minced fresh cilantro
2 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and pepper
1 ½ pounds sirloin steak tips, trimmed and cut into 1 ½-inch pieces
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped fine
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed

Ingredients

1 pound tomatillos, husks and stems removed, rinsed, dried, and halved
2 jalapeño chiles, stemmed, seeded, and minced
½ cup minced fresh cilantro
2 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and pepper
1 ½ pounds sirloin steak tips, trimmed and cut into 1 ½-inch pieces
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped fine
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed

Why This Recipe Works

Bright, tangy tomatillos balance the ­richness of the steak.

Instructions

  1. Pulse tomatillos in food processor until coarsely chopped, about 8 pulses. Transfer to fine-mesh strainer set over bowl and let drain for 5 minutes; reserve 3/4 cup liquid. Combine half of jalapeños, 1/4 cup cilantro, half of garlic, drained tomatillos, and 1/4 cup reserved tomatillo liquid in bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Pat steak dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Cook steak until browned all over and meat registers 125 degrees (for medium-rare), 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to plate and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and onion to now-empty skillet and cook over medium heat until just softened, about 2 minutes. Add cumin, remaining jalapeño, and remaining garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add beans and remaining 1/2 cup reserved tomatillo liquid. Using potato masher, coarsely mash beans. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve steak with beans and salsa.

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

This is a members' feature.