5 from 4 votes
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.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs 15 mins
Servings:
8
Calories:
229 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Cuban
Ingredients
- 2 pound flank steak
- 2 bay leaf
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 5 cloves garlic chopped, fresh
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1 large onion sliced, white or yellow
- parsley for garnish, fresh chopped parsley, lime slices
- lime for garnish, fresh chopped parsley, lime slices
Instructions
- 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).
- 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.
- When you're ready to fry the beef, drain the beef and squeeze out the marinade with your fingers.
- 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.
- Add the onion and fry the slices for 5 minutes to soften, and until the beef becomes nice and crispy.
- Serve with fresh chopped parsley sprinkled over the top. Goes great with white rice.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Serving size is 4 ounces (115 g). Nutritional information estimated without rice.
Nutrition Information
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%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 229
% 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.