Vaca Frita

Vaca frita, which translates to "fried cow" in English, is a traditional Cuban dish made with shredded beef that is marinated, pan-fried, and then simmered until crispy and flavorful.

Vaca Frita

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs flank steak, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup sour orange juice
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 2 limes, cut into wedges

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the sliced flank steak, sour orange juice, minced garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
  2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef and cook until browned and crispy, about 5-7 minutes per side.
  3. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, sauté the sliced onion and bell pepper until softened.
  4. Return the beef to the skillet and cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Serve the vaca frita with lime wedges and enjoy!

Cooking & Preparation

Preparation time:
20 minutes
Cooking time:
2 hours
Total time:
2 hours
Cooking method
Stovetop

Nutritional facts per 1 serving

Calories
350 per serving
Protein
25g
Carbohydrates
10g
Fat
20g

Supplies

Large bowl Skillet

Tools

Knife Cutting board Citrus juicer

Serving suggestions

Serving suggestions: Vaca frita is traditionally served with white rice, black beans, and fried plantains.

Tips & tricks

Tips: For extra flavor, you can add a splash of white wine or vinegar to the beef marinade.

Cost

$20