Cuban Golden and Juicy Vaca Frita.

 

Cuban Vaca Frita: Creole Flavor and Tradition in Every Bite

Vaca frita is one of those dishes that define the essence of Cuban cuisine: simple, flavorful, and filled with that pleasant creole aroma. Here I show you how to prepare it so it turns out juicy on the inside and golden on the outside, just as tradition dictates.

🥩 Main ingredients:

  • 2 pounds of beef (flank)
  • 1 and ½ onion
  • ½ green bell pepper
  • 1 ripe tomato
  • 2 limes
  • 1 tablespoon of salt
  • 8 ounces of olive oil or lard
  • 1/8 teaspoon of ground black pepper
  • 8 garlic cloves
  • 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro

 

 

👨‍🍳 Step-by-step preparation:

Remove excess fat and membranes from the meat, cut it into pieces, and place it in a pressure cooker along with half a bell pepper, a tomato cut in half, half an onion, and two whole garlic cloves. Add enough water to cover it, add salt, and cook for 40 minutes until very tender and flavorful.

Meanwhile, cut the remaining onion into thin strips, chop the cilantro, and mash the garlic cloves with a little salt. Squeeze the limes and set the juice aside.

When the meat is ready, allow it to cool and shred it. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

In a medium skillet, heat most of the oil and sauté the onion until golden without letting it become too soft. Add the garlic and cilantro, mix well, and add the lime juice. Remove from heat and set aside.

In another large skillet, heat the rest of the oil over high temperature. Place the meat and let it brown on both sides, achieving a crispy texture on the outside and tender on the inside. Just before serving, drizzle it with part of the reserved mojo and serve the rest on the side so everyone can add more if they like.

ℹ️ Additional information:

  • Servings: 8 portions
  • Total time: 50 minutes (initial preparation and cooking) + 30 minutes (final cooking)
  • Category: Meats
  • Cuisine: Cuban

💡 Suggestion:

Serve this vaca frita with steaming white rice, yuca with mojo and avocado salad to enjoy a truly creole lunch.

Did you try making this recipe? Tell us about your experience, share your tips, and leave your comments. We love reading you!

🏷️ Tags: cuban vaca frita, creole cooking, beef recipes, cuban dishes, traditional recipes, authentic cuban cuisine

For the Spanish version, visit: Vaca Frita: Un Exquisito Plato Típico Cubano.