One of my favorite Cuban dishes is vaca frita. It makes me think about the country. This goes well with rice, black bean soup, and either tostones or plátanos maduros (fried ripe plantains). Additionally, you might serve it with a combination of black beans and rice. With a hot Cabernet Sauvignon, it goes well.
| Prep Time: | 15 mins |
| Cook Time: | 50 mins |
| Additional Time: | 40 mins |
| Total Time: | 1 hr 45 mins |
| Servings: | 6 |
Ingredients
- 2 large onions
- 1 (1 1/2-pound) flank steak, cut into 4 pieces
- 1 medium green bell pepper, quartered
- 1 large bay leaf
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons butter
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 medium lime, cut into wedges (Optional)
Instructions
- Cut one onion in half and thinly slice second onion. Set aside.
- Combine flank steak, onion halves, bell pepper, and bay leaf in a large saucepan. Cover with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until meat is easily shredded with 2 forks, about 20 minutes.
- Transfer flank steak to a work surface and let cool, about 10 minutes. Shred cooled meat using two forks and place into a bowl. Discard cooking liquid, or strain and save broth for another use.
- Mix garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl until a paste forms. Mix paste into shredded meat, then stir in onion slices, lime juice, and oil. Cover and marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 1/2 hours.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in small batches, add a thin layer of beef and onion. Season with salt and pepper and cook, turning once or twice, until sizzling and crispy, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a platter and garnish with lime wedges.
- For more flavor, marinate the meat overnight in the refrigerator in Step 4.
- You can use extra-virgin olive oil instead of butter if preferred.
Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 221 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 8 g |
| Cholesterol | 38 mg |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Protein | 15 g |
| Saturated Fat | 5 g |
| Sodium | 268 mg |
| Sugars | 3 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Unsaturated Fat | 0 g |
Reviews
I moved from Tampa to Kentucky and miss my Cuban food. I made Vaca Frita and it was very good. The Flank steak was a little tough no fault of the recipe. I will definitely be making it again. One comment, please change the 15 minute prep time. Lol