Beef ampalaya is not a traditional Filipino recipe but it was well accepted as one of the favorite Filipino dishes. It has some oriental blend with the addition of oyster sauce and black beans which are widely used in Chinese and other Asian cuisines. Cooking is simple, all you need is to saute the ingredients and simmer for a few minutes then you have a tasty beef ampalaya dish.

Preparing the ampalaya or bitter gourd is simple. To remove the bitter taste, soak it first in water with few teaspoons of rock salt for a few hours. Don’t squeeze the ampalaya with salt which some people recommend as it is not effective. Using baking soda is also as good method. Use it instead of salt with water and soak the ampalaya for a few hours then rinse before cooking.

Print Recipe 4.84 from 6 votes How to Cook Beef Ampalaya (Beef with Bitter Gourd) Beef ampalaya is not a traditional Filipino recipe but it was well accepted as one of the favorite Filipino dishes. Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 15 mins Total Time 30 mins Servings: 6 servings Calories: 312 kcal Author: Manny Ingredients 1/2 kilo beef tenderloin slice into strips

1 large bitter gourd or ampalaya

1 small size onion chopped

2 cloves garlic minced

1/4 cup oyster sauce

1/8 cup soy sauce

1/2 tsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

2 Tbsp salted black beans optional

cooking oil for sauteing Instructions How to cook beef ampalaya: Marinade the beef strips with soy sauce and pepper at least 15 minutes.

In a small wok or large skillet heat oil and stir fry the beef strips until it turns brown and sizzles. Set aside.

Heat oil again and saute garlic, onion and ampalaya.

Then add the oyster sauce, black beans and 1/4 cup water and simmer for at least 3 minutes.

Add the cooked beef and put a little magic sarap, about 1/2 tsp. then add the sugar.

Season with salt and mix then simmer again for a few seconds.

Turn off heat and serve hot. Video Watch the Video on How to Cook Beef Ampalaya: