Vaca Frita Beef

10 min prep time
1 hr, 30 min cook time
4servings
Recipe by Ingrid Hoffmann Source Latin Comfort Foods Made Healthy Photo by Mittera
Vaca Frita Beef

How to Make Vaca Frita Beef

Vaca Frita, or "fried beef", is a decadent Cuban dish of tender, crispy pan-fried beef. This healthier version features leans flank steak simmered for over an hour. Then the beef is shredded and pan-fried with just a little bit of cooking oil spray. Save the broth from the simmered beef for future cooking, like for a soup base or for cooking rice.

Receta en Español aqui
10 min prep time
1 hr, 30 min cook time
4servings
1/2 cup
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Step-By-Step Instructions:

  1. In a large saucepan, combine the beef, quartered onion, bay leaf, and water. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium low. Cover and simmer until the beef is tender, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Transfer the beef to a cutting board and let cool. To save the broth for another use, skim any fat and strain the broth, discarding the bay leaf. Refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 1 month.
  2. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium heat Add the sliced onion and cook, over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is very tender and begins to caramelize, about 10 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, with two forks, shred the beef and transfer to a large bowl. Add the lime juice, garlic, remaining 1 tsp oil, salt, and pepper. Let stand 20 minutes.
  4. Spray a griddle or nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and heat over mediumhigh heat. Add the beef and caramelized onion and cook, turning occasionally, until the beef and onions are browned, about 8 minutes. Serve garnished with lime wedges and cilantro.
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Nutrition facts

4 Servings

  • Serving Size
    1/2 cup
  • Amount per serving Calories 220
  • Total Fat 11g
    • Saturated Fat 3.1g
    • Trans Fats 0g
  • Cholesterol 60mg
  • Sodium 200mg
  • Total Carbohydrate 6g
    • Dietary Fiber 1g
    • Total Sugars 2g
    • Added Sugars 0g
  • Protein 23g
  • Potassium 380mg
  • Phosphorous 195mg
Ingredients
flank steak (cut into 4 equal pieces)
1 lbs
medium onion (cut into quarters)
1
bay leaf
1
water
4 cup
olive oil (divided use)
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp
large onion (thinly sliced)
1
lime juice
1/4 cup
garlic (minced)
2 clove
salt
1/4 tsp
black pepper
1/4 tsp
nonstick cooking spray
1
lime wedges
for garnish
chopped fresh cilantro
for garnish

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Hi @Cheryl! Thank you for your interest in this recipe—you can find the English version here: https://www.diabetesfoodhub.org/recipes/vaca-frita-beef.html. Enjoy!

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I wish this was in english too ... I'd like to make it but can't read spanish