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    Home >> Cuban

    Cuban Vaca Frita - Latin Style Flank Steak

    Published: Jun 20, 2023 by Analida · • Word count:1789 words. • About 9 minutes to read this article. • This post may contain affiliate links ·

    603 shares
    • 145
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    A collage of photos with text overlay showing Cuban vaca frita on a white plate.

    Vaca Frita in Spanish translates to Fried Cow? Holy Cow!! Imagine a slow stewed flank steak that is fall apart tender, shredded, seasoned with some spice, citrus and garlic then fried to get delicious crispy edges. This is an amazing dish! Its rich flavors and funky name has made it a favorite of Americans, especially in Miami and other southern cities that host a large Cuban  population.

     

    An overhead photo of Cuban vaca frita on a white platter and a plate with rice and slices limes.
    Jump to:
    • Cuban cuisine
    • My first Cuban meal
    • Ingredients and prep work to make vaca frita
    • Step by step photos to make vaca frita
    • Side dishes to serve with vaca frita
    • Other Latin American recipes
    • Cuban Vaca Frita Recipe

    Cuban cuisine

    Cuban food has diverse influences, from European to African to Antillean. As with Latin American food, Cuban food is humble, yet incredibly flavorful. Again, the ingredients are basic, easy to obtain and also inexpensive.  Cuba has a very rich culinary history and you can read more about it over at Cuban Heritage.

    Vaca Frita is a close cousin to Ropa Vieja , with one basic difference: Ropa Vieja is cooked only once while Vaca Frita is cooked twice: once when the meat is stewed and again when pan-fried, hence its colorful name! Ropa vieja also has similar seasonings but it adds tomatoes.

    The origins of Vaca Frita are also akin to those of Ropa Vieja, which hails from the Canary Islands (off the western coast of north Africa.) The ingenuity of these people in turning a not so palatable cut of meat into something flavorful and tender is nothing short of amazing.

    A white plate with Cuban vaca frita along with rice and onions.

    My first Cuban meal

    My first brush with Cuban food was many years ago. While I was growing in Panama I would tag along on business trips to Miami. Even at an early age, and with an undeveloped palate, I found Cuban food to be exploding with flavor.  Vaca frita became an instant favorite of mine. Now when my husband and I travel to Florida on occasion one of my first items on the agenda is to eat Vaca Frita, accompanied of course by black beans and rice!!

    I think you will find Vaca Frita to be a nice addition to your family mealtime. If you are not fond of rice and beans, french fries or  mashed potatoes are a great alternative side dish.

    Ingredients and prep work to make vaca frita

    • Flank steak works best but you can also use chuck roast. Cut it into a couple pieces to lay flat in your Dutch oven or instant pot.
    • Beef broth for stewing in the Dutch oven or Instant Pot.
    • Bay leaves, cilantro, peppercorns, garlic cloves and rough chopped onion go into the broth for stewing.
    • Lime juice, lemon juice and orange juice are used in the marinade.
    • Oregano, cumin, black pepper, salt and minced garlic are added to the juice of the marinade.
    • Onions sliced thin are added to the pan after the steak has been fried.
    • Sliced lime wedges to squeeze over the beef when serving.
    • White rice, black beans and tostones are great side dishes.

    Step by step photos to make vaca frita

    A photo showing the ingredients to make Cuban vaca frita and the stewing step.
    • Step 1: Gather your ingredients and have them measured, chopped and ready to go: flank steak, beef broth, bay leaves, cilantro, peppercorns, garlic cloves, lime, lemon, orange, oregano and salt.
    • Step 2: Dutch oven directions: Add the beef broth and flank steak to a large Dutch oven then add the bay leaves, onion, garlic, cilantro, pepper corns. Cut the steak into pieces 2 or 3 pieces if it won't lay flat. in the broth. Heat on high until it boils and then cover. Turn the heat to low for 1.5 hours until it is fork tender and separates easily. Instant Pot directions: Place the same ingredients into the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 40 minutes, allow a natural release for 10 minutes then vent.
    A photo showing making that marinade and shredding the flank steak.
    • Step 3: While the flank steak is simmering or pressure cooking prepare the marinade by adding the lime juice, lemon juice, orange juice, salt, garlic, oregano, cumin and pepper to a bowl and whisk to combine.
    • Step 4: Once the flank steak is tender remove it from the broth and place on a cutting board and shred with two forks. You want very think strips of meat separated along the grain. Save the broth from the Dutch oven or Instant Pot to cook with the onions later.
    A photo showing adding the marinade and then frying the steak in a skillet.
    • Step 5: Place the shredded beef into a bowl and pour over the marinade and mix to combine. Allow to sit for 30 minutes.
    • Step 6: Add the olive oil to a large skillet on medium high heat and fry the beef. Leave all the steak in place until you get very brown crispy edges on the bottom. Once it is crispy you can flip parts of the beef over to fry the other side. You can work in batches if you do not have enough room for all the beef in your skillet. Add the fried flank steak to a serving platter and cover with foil to keep warm while you cook the onions.
    A photo showing deglazing the pan and adding onions to caramelize them.
    • Step 7: Once all the beef has been fried add 1 cup of the strained beef broth from stewing the flank steak to the skillet to deglaze the pan. Stir to remove the crispy brown bits of steak left in the pan. Those bits bring a lot of flavor to the onions. Add the onions.
    • Step 8: Simmer the onions in the broth until tender and most of the broth has cooked off.
    How long can I store the vaca frita in the refrigerator?

     Once the beef has cooled you can store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

    How do I reheat the vaca frita?

    Reheat the vaca frita in the microwave for 2-3 minutes and stop to stir every 30-45 seconds until hot.  Once reheated do not cool and store again in the refrigerator, consume it right away. So only reheat the amount you will consume.

    Can I freeze vaca frita?

    Yes, allow the beef to cool and you can freeze in airtight containers for up to 2 months.  You can vacuum pack the beef for up to 6 months.

    What cut of beef can I use for vaca frita?

    You typically use flank steak but a chuck roast or brisket will work well.

    Side dishes to serve with vaca frita

    • Black beans and rice is a traditional side with with bold flavors!
    • Fried yuca is a root vegetable with a creamy texture.
    • Tostones are twice fried green plantain.

    Other Latin American recipes

    If you love Latin food then you have to try some of my all time favorite dishes or bookmark them for later. Here are some of the most popular ethnic dishes, along with their history and ingredients to make at home.

    • Pernil is Puerto Rican stye slow roasted pork shoulder.
    • Mexican Pork Carnitas: Make this in the slow cooker and then broil for crispy goodness.
    • Cuban Ropa Vieja: A true comfort food of slow cooked beef served over rice.
    • Shrimp Ceviche: A citrus cured fish or shrimp appetizer with some kick.
    • Chicken tinga is a shredded Mexican style dish you can make in the slow cooker.
    A photo of vaca frita on a white plate with caramelized onions and slices limes.

    Cuban Vaca Frita Recipe

    Cuban vaca frita is a classic dish and you will love the crispy bits of beef that is pan seared to finish the flavorful beef dish.  This flank steak slow simmered in aromatics, shredded and then fried in a pan. This is truly one amazing Latin American dish! 
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main dish
    Cuisine: Cuban
    Keyword: authentic, flank steak, pan fried steak, slow cook
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 2 hours hours
    Servings: 5 servings
    Calories: 352kcal
    Author: Analida Braeger

    Ingredients

    Simmering Ingredients:

    • 2 lbs flank steak
    • 4 cups beef broth
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 6-8 springs cilantro tied with kitchen twine
    • 1 tsp peppercorns
    • 3 garlic cloves roughly chopped
    • 1 onion cut into chunks

    Marinade:

    • ¼ cup lime juice fresh
    • ¼ cup lemon juice fresh
    • ¼ cup orange juice fresh
    • ½ tsp salt paleo diet: sea salt
    • 1 tsp oregano dried
    • 2 tsp cumin ground
    • ½ tsp black pepper ground
    • 2 cloves garlic minced

    Frying Ingredients

    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 onion sliced thin

    Instructions

    • Dutch Oven directions: Add the beef broth and flank steak to a large Dutch oven then add the bay leaves, onion, garlic, cilantro, pepper corns. Cut the steak into pieces 2 or 3 pieces if it won't lay flat. in the broth. Heat on high until it boils and then cover. Turn the heat to low for 1.5 hours until it is fork tender and separates easily. Instant Pot directions: Place the same ingredients into the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 40 minutes, allow a natural release for 10 minutes then vent.
    • While the flank steak is simmering prepare the marinade by adding the lime juice, lemon juice, orange juice, salt, garlic, oregano, cumin and pepper to a bowl and whisk to combine.
    • Once the flank steak is tender remove it from the broth and place on a cutting board and shred with two forks. You want very think strips of meat separated along the grain. Save the broth from the Dutch oven to cook with the onions later.
    • Place the shredded beef into a bowl and pour over the marinade and mix to combine. Allow to sit for 30 minutes.
    • Add the olive oil to a large skillet on medium high heat and fry the beef. Leave all the steak in place until you get very brown crispy edges on the bottom. Once it is crispy you can flip parts of the beef over to fry the other side. You can work in batches if you do not have enough room for all the beef in your skillet.
    • Add the fried flank steak to a serving platter and cover with foil to keep warm while you cook the onions.
    • Once all the beef has been fried add 1 cup of the strained beef broth from the Dutch oven to the skillet to deglaze the pan. Stir to remove and the crispy brown bit left in the pan. Add the onions.
    • Simmer the onions in the broth until tender and most of the broth has cooked off.
    • Serve the onions over the flank steak. Lime wedges go nicely and also black beans with rice. Add salt to taste.

    Notes

    Frequently Asked Questions:
    How long can I store the vaca frita in the refrigerator?
     Once the beef has cooled you can store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
    How do I reheat the vaca frita?
    Reheat the vaca frita in the microwave for 2-3 minutes and stop to stir every 30-45 seconds until hot.  Once reheated do not cool and store again in the refrigerator, consume it right away. So only reheat the amount you will consume.
    Can I freeze vaca frita?
    Yes, allow the beef to cool and you can freeze in airtight containers for up to 2 months.  You can vacuum pack the beef for up to 6 months.
    What cut of beef can I use for vaca frita?
    You typically use flank steak but a chuck roast or brisket will work well.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 1048mg | Potassium: 890mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 139IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 4mg

    Originally published February 2014 and updated June 2023.

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    603 shares
    • 145

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kim~madeinaday

      September 21, 2015 at 3:58 pm

      My husband loves Cuban food, I haven't tried enough to decide yet! This dish looks great!Thanks for linking on Merry Monday! Sharing your post today on my G+ Come back next Monday for another great party share! Party opens Sunday night! Have a great week!
      Best,
      Kim

      Reply
      • Analida

        September 23, 2015 at 6:15 pm

        Cuban food rocks! I will be posting more Cuban dishes.Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
    2. Kristen

      January 19, 2016 at 8:40 am

      How can you go wrong with this--looks fabulous! I would love this on a sandwich the next day too!

      Reply
      • Analida

        January 19, 2016 at 7:52 pm

        Kristen, it would be awesome on a sandwich. I must confess I've never done that, but why not?

        Reply
    3. Denise Wright

      January 19, 2016 at 1:16 pm

      Yum! I love how this is cooked twice. I bet it's tender yet has that nice browned flavor. I have never heard of this but now I sure want to try it. I love all your recipes! They are so usual to me. I'm half Lebanese so I've had some unusual middle eastern food but you have a bit of every thing on this site. Keep it coming!

      Reply
      • Analida

        January 19, 2016 at 7:51 pm

        Thanks Denise! I didn't know you were half Lebanese. I love Middle Eastern food, the flavors are amazing. I like to dabble in many foods of different cultures.

        Reply
      • Arlene

        October 27, 2019 at 3:29 pm

        Hi Analida! This flank steak dish looks amazing, but that is not the traditional Cuban vaca frita. For this dish, the flank steak is prepared as above for the first step, but then it is cooled, shredded, then pan fried to a crisp in small batches with sliced onions and garlic.

        Thanks!

        Arlene Rodriguez

        Reply
    4. Jade @ Jonesin' For Taste

      January 19, 2016 at 6:12 pm

      I can never get enough Cuban food! This is another dish i have to try.

      Reply
      • Analida

        January 19, 2016 at 7:50 pm

        Go for it Jade. Ins't Cuban food amazingly delicious?

        Reply
    5. Joy @ Joy Love Food

      January 19, 2016 at 6:35 pm

      Flank steak is one of our favorite cuts of beef, we usually grill it, this sounds like a wonderful preparation and we love Cuban flavors, so I will have to try it soon!

      Reply
      • Analida

        January 19, 2016 at 7:49 pm

        It's really yummy! Yes, flank steak is great!!! Let me know how it turns out.

        Reply
    6. Caroline | carolinescooking

      January 20, 2016 at 8:38 am

      Cuban food is still one I am learning on (it didn't really get to the UK while I was there and sadly I have never been) but I like all I come across and this too sounds delicious. our photos make it so tempting too!

      Reply
      • Analida

        January 20, 2016 at 7:32 pm

        Thanks Caroline! Yes, Cuban food is delicious, so full of flavor. My husband is the photographer, 🙂
        I admit my photography skills are not the greatest.

        Reply
    7. lovelife

      May 11, 2018 at 6:40 pm

      5 stars
      Seems I just gained 10 pounds by lusting after the meal. Can’t wait to have a share of this nice preparation.

      Reply
      • Analida

        May 12, 2018 at 10:56 am

        You are funny!
        Yes, sometimes I also feel that I gain weight just by looking at food! 🙂 I think you would like this dish; it is so flavorful.

        Reply
    8. Jay

      September 22, 2018 at 3:46 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent

      Reply
      • Analida

        September 23, 2018 at 8:57 am

        Thanks!

        Reply
    9. Holly Schubert

      October 01, 2024 at 11:38 am

      5 stars
      YUM!!
      Supper Yummmy!!
      The family loved it...
      Thank you!!

      Reply
      • Analida

        October 02, 2024 at 12:03 pm

        Thanks Holly! I am so glad your family loved the vaca frita!!

        Reply

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    Analida profile pictureI have been researching and creating ethnic recipes for over 20 years. I love to share "mostly healthy" easy and affordable ethnic recipes using fresh ingredients, with a bit of culture and food history sprinkled in.... Read more-->

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