Mexican Steak Tartare | Carne Apache Recipe | Mexican Recipes (2024)

Published: · Updated: by Mely Martínez

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The Mexican version of Steak Tartare has almost the same ingredients as thepico de gallosalsa, which are onion, tomato, and lime juice. For this reason, this dish is sometimes calledCarne a la Pico de Gallo, althoughCarne Tártara,Carne Apache, andCeviche de Carneare more popular names for it.

Of course, we love to change things and make them our own, and so the ingredients for carne tártara vary from region to region.

Mexican Steak Tartare Recipe - Carne Tartara

Mexican Steak Tartare | Carne Apache Recipe | Mexican Recipes (1)

Some optional items include capers, olive oil, cucumbers, and radishes. So, here you have a basic recipe for Carne tártara that you can enjoy and change to your liking! My personal version includesKikkoman soy sauce, because it is a flavor enhancer and a very versatile ingredient that can be used in many different cuisines (and Mexican food is not an exception)!

This appetizer is all the rage with men, it is meat after all! In Mexico, men enjoy preparing carne tártara and having it with cold beers, while watching a soccer game with friends or just having a good time with the family.

How to make Mexican Steak Tartare

JUMP TO FULL INSTRUCTIONS

DIRECTIONS:

Mexican Steak Tartare | Carne Apache Recipe | Mexican Recipes (2)
  • Place meat in a glass bowl and stir in the lime juice. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 4 hours.(Please check the ingredients list below)
  • After 4 hours, drain all the liquid from the bowl. Make sure to drain as much as possible.
Mexican Steak Tartare | Carne Apache Recipe | Mexican Recipes (3)
  • Gently mix in the red onions, serrano peppers, tomato, and cilantro. Stir with a fork carefully.
  • Pour in the Kikkoman soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce, and mix again. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over corn tostadas or saltine crackers.
Mexican Steak Tartare | Carne Apache Recipe | Mexican Recipes (4)
Mexican Steak Tartare | Carne Apache Recipe | Mexican Recipes (5)

I’m so happy to be able to partner again withKikkomanand bring you this recipe (from my husband’s family!) using their soy sauce. This sauce is very versatile for adding flavor to your recipes, and you can also use it as a traditional browning sauce.

Kikkoman soy sauce is traditionally brewed and, like a fine wine, is aged for several months to develop its characteristic rich, yet mellow flavor, appetizing aroma, and distinctive reddish-brown color. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get cooking! #KikkomanSabor

¡Buen provecho!
Mely,

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Kikkoman. The opinions and text are all mines.

More recipes:
Steak Quesadilla
Steak Ranchero

📖 Recipe

Mexican Steak Tartare | Carne Apache Recipe | Mexican Recipes (6)

Mexican Steak Tartare

Mely Martínez

The Mexican version of Steak Tartare has almost the same ingredients as the pico de gallo salsa, which are onion, tomato, and lime juice. For this reason, this dish is sometimes called Carne a la Pico de Gallo, although Carne Tártara, Carne Apache, and Ceviche de Carne are more popular names for it.

5 from 6 votes

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Resting Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Beef

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4 servings

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound beef tenderloin ground or finely chopped
  • ¾ cup lime juice
  • 2 tablespoon Kikkoman soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ cup red onion chopped
  • 2 serrano peppers finely minced
  • 1 cup tomato finely chopped
  • ½ cup cilantro finely chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Place meat in a glass bowl and stir in the lime juice. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 4 hours.

  • After 4 hours, drain all the liquid from the bowl. Make sure to drain as much as possible.

  • Gently mix in the red onions, serrano peppers, tomato, and cilantro. Stir with a fork carefully.

  • Pour in the Kikkoman soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce, and mix again. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over corn tostadas or saltine crackers.

Notes

  • This appetizer is usually served with corn tostadas, saltine crackers, and nowadays even with iceberg lettuce.
  • Optional topping: diced avocado, olive oil, hot sauce or more Kikkoman soy sauce to your liking.

Nutrition

Calories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 22gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 646mgPotassium: 621mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 495IUVitamin C: 23.2mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 3.4mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Beef

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  • Liver and Onions

Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Aaron Chavez

    I would call this Ceviche de Carne because it is cooked in lime; similar to Ceviche de Pescado or Cerviche de Camaron. "Tartare" is traditionally, chopped raw meat with seasonings and garnishes. I like that you specify tenderloin because it is lean. You wouldn't want to make this with a fatty cut like chuck and you definitely don't want to do this with pre-packaged ground beef.

    Reply

    • Mely Martínez

      Hello Aaron, I hope you can read the ingredient list. It clearly states beef tenderloin ground or chopped.

      Reply

  2. Emmanuel Sanchez

    Just tried this today because a German buddy of mine had brought something similar to a bbq... oh my goodness. This was phenomenal!!!! I think I may add more tomato and serrano next time just because 🙂

    Thanks a million Mely!!!

    Reply

  3. nick

    what is the longest you could let the meat soak in the lime juice??

    Reply

    • mmartinez

      Hello Nick,
      I had left the meat in the fridge from one day to another, but it changes in taste. Still really good.

      Reply

  4. NanciD

    Mexican Steak Tartare | Carne Apache Recipe | Mexican Recipes (11)
    Mely, I love your recipes, you are my fero (food-hero)!!:) if you didn't know it, by appearance one might thinks it would be complicated, but, not so, it is a simple yet so tasty recipe, and you're so right, a man's favorite to accompany their drinks. I love this delicious appetizer, my new go-to!!.Thank you!!!!

    Reply

    • mmartinez

      Hello Nanci,
      Thank you for your kind words. Enjoy the recipe. This "carne tartara" is really tasty!

      Reply

  5. Unknown

    When do you cook the meat?

    Reply

    • mmartinez

      Hello,

      The meat is cooked by the lime juice.

      Reply

    • Sandra Rocha

      Mexican Steak Tartare | Carne Apache Recipe | Mexican Recipes (12)
      The acid in the lime juice cooks the meat just like in ceviche.

      Reply

Mexican Steak Tartare | Carne Apache Recipe | Mexican Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What kills the bacteria in steak tartare? ›

For those worried about bacteria, chefs know how to kill them off, typically in a process that includes submerging the beef in boiling salt water for ten seconds, then dropping it into a bucket of ice water for 10 more.

What is carne Apache in English? ›

If you've never had carne apache before, you can think of it as beef tartare meats ceviche. In other words, it's a chopped raw beef dish—as classic steak tartare is—seasoned with just what you'd expect in a ceviche: lime, chile, tomato, onion and cilantro.

What is the best cut of meat for steak tartare? ›

Tartare calls for the best-quality meat; you'll eat it raw, so go for the good stuff — rib eye or flatiron is a nice way to go. To get a perfectly diced steak for tartare, freeze the beef until it is just firm, about 15 minutes, before slicing.

How long does it take for carne Apache to cook? ›

Cover the container and let "cook" for about 4 hours mixing occasionally. Just before serving cut up the avocados and mix in the Carne Apache. After about 4 hours the hamburger will be cooked (brown) by the lime juice and it will also Look Cooked. Serve on tostada shells.

Why don t people get sick from beef tartare? ›

Eating raw meat is a risky business, but poisoning from steak tartare is rare because the dish is usually served only in high-end restaurants where hygiene is the rule and the meat is supplied by reliable butchers.

How do people not get sick from steak tartare? ›

First, chefs dunk the beef into the boiling water for ten seconds, which kills off the vast majority of bacteria on the surface that can make diners sick. They then place it in the ice water, immediately halting any cooking to preserve the raw texture and character of the beef.

What is carne Apache made of? ›

Here's a basic recipe for Carne Apache:

1 pound of extra-lean ground beef. 8 ounces (1 cup) of freshly squeezed lime juice. 3/4 to 1 cup of diced tomato. 1/4 cup of diced onions.

Where does carne Apache come from? ›

A popular street food in Mexico, Carne Tártara or Carne Apache is a dish of ground beef cured in lime juice, like a ceviche.

What does carne mean in Mexico? ›

Carne means meat . Asada means roasted, but in Mexico carne asada is understood as either meat cooked on a grill or a cookout. If I say “me gusta la carne asada” it means I like grilled meat.

Can you use grocery store beef for tartare? ›

Yes, you can use supermarket beef for tartare as long as you are shopping at high-quality, high-end grocers or butchers that meet the qualifications recommended for eating raw or undercooked meat. The store should be clean and fresh, without odors. The meat should be bright red, odorless, and of the highest quality.

Can you use filet mignon for steak tartare? ›

While flank and skirt steak are great for grilling, you want beef tenderloin—home to prized cuts like filet mignon and chateaubriand—for tartare. Why? Because the tenderloin is home to the most tender meat on the animal (it's built right into the name, after all).

What does lemon juice do to raw meat? ›

Acids like lemon juice, lime juice and vinegar break down raw meat, allowing the marinade's oil and spices to deeply penetrate and infuse the meat with flavor and moisture. They dig out little pathways in the meat and allow the marinade to seep in.

What does lime juice do to steak? ›

Lime juice has previously been shown to break down connective tissues and affect tenderness in a positive manner (Hinkle, 2010).

Is Carne Apache good? ›

Carne Apache is also similar to ceviche because the beef is cooked by the acids of the lime juice. At first, I was not sure about eating this dish. I did try it and I must say, “I really like this recipe for Carne Apache, It is absolutely delicious!” If you try it I am positive that you will like it too.

What kills raw meat bacteria? ›

Cooking to the right temperature (whether frying, baking, broiling, boiling or grilling) kills germs on meat and poultry, so washing these products is risky and not necessary for safety.

Can you cook bacteria out of steak? ›

These pathogenic bacteria are able to invade our bodies or produce toxins to cause illness. They cannot be seen or smelled on the meat, but can generally be killed by normal cooking conditions (i.e. cooking to a core temperature of at least 75°C instantaneously or other effective time/ temperature combinations).

How do you remove bacteria from beef? ›

In order to kill these bacteria, it's important to cook all foods to a safe internal temperature. The CDC lists the following temperature guidelines for several common types of food: poultry, whole or ground: 165°F (74°C) whole cuts of meat (beef, pork, lamb, or veal): 145°F (64°C)

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