Beef Tapa is marinated in fish sauce, brown sugar, and fresh garlic. This Kapampangan delicacy is easy to prepare and freezable, making a great breakfast meal!
This recipe is for a type of tapa popular in my province, Tarlac, called tapang damulag. While the other Filipino beef tapa we have on the blog is made of thinly sliced beef sirloin and takes its flavor from freshly squeezed calamansi juice, soy sauce, and minced garlic, the version we have here uses carabao meat seasoned with fish sauce, brown sugar, and garlic.
Although each uses a different set of marinades and meat, they’re prepared the same with equally delicious results. Perfect for Tapsilog meals!
Ingredient notes
- Carabao meat- also known as damulag; if not available, substitute with beef cut such as bottom round. If you prefer a whole type of meat altogether, try my chicken tapa recipe.
- Fish sauce– adds salty umami and savory flavor
- Brown sugar– acts as a sweetener and helps with caramelization
- Garlic– boosts flavor; fresh is best, but garlic powder will work in a pinch
- Ground black pepper-adds spice
How to make tapa damulag
Marinate– Combine fish sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and pepper in a bowl. Add meat and massage with the marinade to coat it fully. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for about 2 hours or overnight. Do not marinate for too long, lest the taste becomes overly salty.
Pan Fry– Carabao meat can be tough to chew and might benefit from tenderizing before frying. Add about 1 cup of water to the pan and simmer the meat until tender. When the liquid is mostly absorbed, add oil and cook the meat, turning as needed, until lightly browned and caramelized.
How to serve and store
- Serve beef tapa with garlic fried rice and sunny-side-up eggs for a hearty and tasty all-day breakfast. Enjoy with spiced vinegar for dipping or atchara as a sweet and tangy condiment.
- Cooked tapa will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To store longer, transfer the uncooked meat to an airtight container or resealable bag and freeze it for up to 3 months for future cravings.