Crispy Fried Yuca with Cilantro Sauce
Golden on the outside, soft on the inside: this is how fried yuca turns out when prepared with care. In this version, we serve it with a fresh, slightly citrusy cilantro sauce that enhances the flavor and makes it irresistible as a snack or side dish.
🥘 Ingredients
For the yuca
- 2.5 lbs yuca, peeled and cut into chunks (previously cooked yuca can be used)
- 1/2 lemon (juice only)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 3 liters water
- Lard or vegetable oil, enough for frying
For the cilantro sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 3 garlic cloves, mashed or finely minced
- 1/2 lemon (juice)
- Lemon zest (approx. 1 teaspoon)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Preparation
1) Initial cooking of the yuca
Heat the water in a pot over medium-high heat. When it boils, add the yuca and a splash of lemon juice to keep it white. Cover and cook until nearly tender. Add salt towards the end. The yuca should not become too soft to allow cutting without breaking.
2) Drain, cool, and portion
Remove from heat, drain well, and place the pieces on a board to cool and dry. Remove the central fibrous core and cut into sticks of your preferred size.
3) Creamy cilantro sauce
In a glass or ceramic bowl, mix the sour cream with lemon zest. Add the mashed garlic, mayonnaise, chopped cilantro, and juice of half a lemon. Season with salt, add avocado oil, and mix until combined. Taste and adjust salt. Cover and refrigerate while frying the yuca.
4) Frying to crisp perfection
Heat lard or oil in a thick skillet to about 350 °F (175 °C). Fry the yuca in batches, turning for even browning. Since the yuca is already cooked, it will only need a few minutes until golden and crispy on the edges.
5) Drain and serve
Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Serve immediately with the cilantro sauce for dipping while hot.
ℹ️ Recipe Details
- Servings: 6
- Total time: 60 minutes (30 min initial cooking + 30 min frying and sauce)
- Category: Croquettes and Fried Dishes
- Cuisine: Cuban
✅ Tips for perfect results
- Yuca should be “al dente” after initial cooking: this prevents it from breaking during cutting or frying.
- Dry the pieces thoroughly before frying to avoid splattering and improve crispiness.
- Using lard gives a more traditional flavor; vegetable oil yields a milder profile.
- The sauce develops more body and flavor after chilling for 20–30 minutes.
📌 Suggested Tags
fried yuca, Cuban fried foods, side dishes, traditional cuisine, easy recipes, cilantro sauce
📣 Did you enjoy this recipe?
Share how it turned out in the comments, save the recipe, and share it with your family and friends. Keep exploring the flavors of our cuisine!
For the original version in Spanish, visit: Yuca Frita con Salsa de Cilantro al Estilo Cubano.
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