Vaca Frita Recipe (Cuban Fried Beef)

User Reviews

5.0

6 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    10 mins

  • Cook Time

    2 hrs 10 mins

  • Servings

    8

  • Calories

    229 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    Cuban

Vaca Frita Recipe (Cuban Fried Beef)

Vaca frita is a Cuban recipe of cooked shredded beef marinated in juicy citrus, then fried with onions until nice and crispy, delicious with white rice.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 2 pound flank steak
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 5 cloves fresh garlic chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
  • 1 large onion (white or yellow) sliced
  • Fresh chopped parsley, lime slices (for garnish)
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Instructions

  1. Place the flank steak into a large pot and cover with water (use beef stock or bouillon for more flavor). Add the bay leaf and sprinkle in salt. Cover and simmer over low heat for 1 hour, or until the meat becomes very tender (shreddable). Remove from heat to cool. (Keep the broth for another use, or discard).
  2. Shred the beef in a large bowl. Add the lemon juice, lime juice, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. You can refrigerate overnight for more flavor development.
  3. When you're ready to fry the beef, drain the beef and squeeze out the marinade with your fingers.
  4. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan to medium-high heat. Add the shredded beef and fry until the beef starts to crisp up, about 7-8 minutes. The beef often sticks to the bottom of the pan, which is normal.
  5. Add the onion and fry the slices for 5 minutes to soften, and until the beef becomes nice and crispy.
  6. Serve with fresh chopped parsley sprinkled over the top. Goes great with white rice.

Notes

  • Serving size is 4 ounces (115 g). Nutritional information estimated without rice.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 229kcal (11%) Carbohydrates 4g (1%) Protein 25g (50%) Fat 12g (18%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Cholesterol 68mg (23%) Sodium 61mg (3%) Potassium 438mg (13%) Fiber 0.4g (2%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 6IU (0%) Vitamin C 7mg (8%) Calcium 33mg (3%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 229 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 229kcal 11%
Carbohydrates 4g 1%
Protein 25g 50%
Fat 12g 18%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 68mg 23%
Sodium 61mg 3%
Potassium 438mg 9%
Fiber 0.4g 2%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 6IU 0%
Vitamin C 7mg 8%
Calcium 33mg 3%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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5.0

6 reviews
Excellent

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