This wholesome Tapsilog recipe is the iconic Filipino breakfast or tapa (cured beef), sinangag (garlic fried rice), and itlog (fried egg), creating a savory and satisfying meal. It’s filling, super delicious, and a complete meal to start your day! Here’s how to make a natural Tapsilog at home, step-by-step.
Table of contents
What is Tapsilog
Tapsilog is a popular Filipino breakfast dish, and a type of silog, a popular Filipino meal combination, named by combining three components. Tap-silog consists of these 3 main components: tapa, which is cured or marinated beef; sinangag, which refers to garlic fried rice; and itlog, meaning fried egg.
Here’s a through description of the Filipino wordplay, Silog, broken down:
- Si – Sinangag (garlic fried rice)
- Log – Itlog (fried egg)
- “Silog” meals are known for their combination of rice, egg, and a main protein.
Common Silog variations include:
- Tapsilog: Tapa (cured beef) + Sinangag + Itlog
- Tocilog: Tocino (sweet cured pork) + Sinangag + Itlog
- Longsilog: Longganisa (Filipino sausage) + Sinangag + Itlog
- Bangsilog: Bangus (milkfish) + Sinangag + Itlog
- Hotsilog: Hotdog + Sinangag + Itlog
- Flavor Profile: Silog meals are savory, often with a mix of sweetness from meats like tocino and longganisa, paired with garlicky rice and a runny egg.
- Popular Add-ons: Often paired with side dishes like atchara (pickled papaya) or a vinegar dipping sauce for a tangy contrast.
Silog is well-loved for being versatile, filling, and easy to customize, making it a staple in Filipino dining.
This hearty and flavorful meal is often enjoyed in the morning, providing a filling start to the day. The combination is not only delicious, but also embodies the Filipino culture of enjoying hearty meals at breakfast.
Ingredients
The ingredients for this tapsilog recipe are good for 2-3 people depending on serving size.
TAPA (Beef):
- ½ lb beef sirloin or tenderloin, thinly sliced (to make extra tender I suggest velveting the meat first, then be sure to pat very dry)
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp calamansi juice (or lemon juice as a substitute)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp cornstarch
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp canola or avocado cooking oil for frying
For the Sinangag (Garlic Fried Rice):
- 3 cups cooked white rice, cooled
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp canola or avocado cooking oil
- Salt, to taste
ITLOG (Egg):
- 2-3 large eggs
- 1 tbsp canola or avocado Cooking oil for frying
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Equipment Needed for Tapsilog
- Mixing Bowl: For marinating the beef.
- Frying Pan: To cook the tapa (beef) and fry the eggs.
- Large Pan or Wok: For preparing the sinangag (garlic fried rice).
- Spatula: For stirring and breaking up the rice while cooking.
- Measuring Spoons: To measure out ingredients like soy sauce, sugar, and cooking oil.
- Knife: For slicing the beef and chopping garlic.
- Cutting Board: To prepare the ingredients.
- Cooking Utensils: Such as a spoon for stirring and serving.
Instructions
1. Marinate the Beef
- In a bowl, combine soy sauce, calamansi juice, brown sugar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the beef slices and mix well.
- Let the beef marinate for at least 30 minutes, or for more flavor, refrigerate overnight.
2. Cook the Tapa
- In a frying pan, heat cooking oil over medium-high heat.
- Remove meat from the marinade and try to remove some of the marinade so the slices are not too wet.
- Lay the slices down, and do not move them so they sear.
- Fry the marinated beef slices for about 3 minutes one side, flip for another minute, or until browned and slightly caramelized. Remove immediately and plate.
3. Prepare the Sinangag (Garlic Fried Rice)
- In a large pan or wok, heat cooking oil over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook until golden brown and fragrant.
- Add the cooled rice, breaking up any clumps with a spatula. Toss with garlic until well-coated and heated through.
- Season with salt to taste.
4. Fry the Itlog (Egg)
- Heat your pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the oil.
- Crack each egg into the pan and fry to your preferred doneness—sunny side up is traditional for Tapsilog. Remove immediately and plate.
5. Serve and Enjoy!
- On a plate, serve a generous portion of garlic rice, tapa, and a fried egg.
- Optionally, garnish with sliced tomatoes, atchara (pickled papaya), or a side of vinegar dipping sauce.
Tips for the Perfect Tapsilog
- Marinating Overnight: For a richer flavor, marinate the beef overnight in the refrigerator.
- Tenderize the Meat: I like a little cornstarch in the marinade to create more tender tapa. You can also velvet the meat.
- Using Leftover Rice: Garlic fried rice is best with cold, day-old rice to get that perfect fried texture. Be sure to use the sinangag recipe for the best sinangag. Do not burn the garlic!
- Adjusting Sweetness: Traditional tapa can be a bit sweet, so feel free to add more or less sugar to suit your taste.
How to Serve Tapsilog
Either serve straight from the pans and plate, or plate every element and lay everything out, family-style, on the dining table.
Serve your Tapsilog with a strong cup of barako coffee or a refreshing iced tea for an authentic Filipino breakfast experience!
Enjoy your Tapsilog, and let us know how it turns out!
Tapisilog Recipe (Filipino Breakfast with Tapa Beef)
This wholesome recipe combines tapa (savory-sweet marinated beef), sinangag (garlic fried rice), and itlog (sunny fried eggs) for a powerhouse of a breakfast! Try this Filipino breakfast to start your day, up and running strong.
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Servings: people
Calories: 379kcal
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl: For marinating the beef.
- Frying Pan: To cook the tapa (beef) and fry the eggs.
- Large Pan or Wok: For preparing the sinangag (garlic fried rice).
- Spatula: For stirring and breaking up the rice while cooking.
- Measuring Spoons: To measure out ingredients like soy sauce, sugar, and cooking oil.
- Knife: For slicing the beef and chopping garlic.
- Cutting Board: To prepare the ingredients.
- Cooking Utensils: Such as a spoon for stirring and serving.
Ingredients
For the Tapa (Beef):
- ½ lb beef sirloin or tenderloin thinly sliced (to make extra tender I suggest velveting the meat first, then be sure to pat very dry); add more beef for larger servings
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- ½ tbsp calamansi juice or lemon juice as a substitute
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ tsp cornstarch
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp canola or avocado cooking oil for frying
For the Sinangag (Garlic Fried Rice):
- 3 cups cooked white rice cooled
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp canola or avocado cooking oil
- Salt to taste
For the Itlog (Egg):
- 2-3 large eggs
- 1 tbsp canola or avocado Cooking oil for frying
Garnish
- sawsawan
- sliced tomatoes, pickled papaya, cucumbers
Instructions
Marinate the Beef
- In a bowl, combine soy sauce, calamansi juice, brown sugar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the beef slices and mix well.3 tbsp soy sauce, ½ tbsp calamansi juice, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 3 cloves garlic, ½ tsp cornstarch, ½ lb beef sirloin or tenderloin
- Let the beef marinate for at least 30 minutes, or for more flavor, refrigerate overnight.
Cook the Tapa
- In a frying pan, heat cooking oil over medium-high heat.1 tbsp canola or avocado cooking oil for frying
- Remove meat from the marinade and try to remove some of the marinade so the slices are not too wet.
- Lay the slices down, and do not move them so they sear.
- Fry the marinated beef slices for about 3 minutes one side, flip for another minute, or until browned and slightly caramelized. Remove immediately and plate.
Prepare the Sinangag (Garlic Fried Rice)
- In a large pan or wok, heat cooking oil over medium heat.1 tbsp canola or avocado cooking oil
- Add the minced garlic and cook until golden brown and fragrant. Remove the fried garlic into a small bowl and set it aside.5 cloves garlic
- Add the cooled rice, breaking up any clumps with a spatula. Toss back in the garlic and mix everything until well-coated and heated through.3 cups cooked white rice
- Season with salt to taste.Salt
Fry the Itlog (Egg)
- Heat your pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the oil.1 tbsp canola or avocado Cooking oil for frying
- Crack each egg into the pan and fry to your preferred doneness—sunny side up is traditional for Tapsilog. Remove immediately and plate.2-3 large eggs, Salt and black pepper
Serve and Enjoy!
- On a plate, serve a generous portion of garlic rice, tapa, and a fried egg.
- Optionally, garnish with sliced tomatoes, atchara (pickled papaya), or a side of vinegar dipping sauce.sawsawan, sliced tomatoes, pickled papaya, cucumbers
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Tapisilog Recipe (Filipino Breakfast with Tapa Beef)
Amount per Serving
Calories
379
% Daily Value*
Fat
7
g
11
%
Saturated Fat
2
g
13
%
Trans Fat
0.01
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
2
g
Cholesterol
151
mg
50
%
Sodium
1095
mg
48
%
Potassium
426
mg
12
%
Carbohydrates
53
g
18
%
Fiber
1
g
4
%
Sugar
4
g
4
%
Protein
27
g
54
%
Vitamin A
159
IU
3
%
Vitamin C
2
mg
2
%
Calcium
69
mg
7
%
Iron
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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