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Vaca Frita Recipe (Cuban Crispy Shredded Beef)

Vaca Frita Recipe (Cuban Crispy Shredded Beef)
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Experience the vibrant flavors of Cuban cuisine with this easy-to-make Vaca Frita Recipe (Cuban Crispy Shredded Beef). This dish features tender, marinated flank steak that is boiled to perfection and then pan-fried until crispy, creating a delightful contrast in textures. The savory garlic and citrus marinade infuses each bite with bold flavor, making it an excellent choice for family dinners or gatherings. Serve it with fluffy white rice and zesty lime wedges for a meal that will impress your guests and leave everyone wanting more. Perfect for leftovers, this recipe is not only delicious but also versatile—customize your serving options to suit any occasion!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs flank steak
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (2 limes)
  • 6 tablespoons neutral oil (divided)
  • 4 cloves garlic (finely minced)
  • 1 tablespoon complete seasoning
  • Salt + pepper to taste
  • 1 medium white onion (thinly sliced)
  • Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

  1. In a Dutch oven or large pot, add flank steak, bay leaves, salt, and enough water to cover the meat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook at medium-low until tender, about 1 to 1.5 hours. If using a pressure cooker, this will take about 30-40 minutes. Strain and save the beef broth for another recipe.
  2. Transfer the boiled flank steak to a platter. Use two forks or your fingers to shred the meat until it resembles pulled beef.
  3. In a large bowl, combine shredded meat with fresh lime juice, 2 tablespoons of oil, minced garlic, complete seasoning, and salt + pepper to taste. Gently toss everything together and let it marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  4. Heat remaining oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove meat from marinade (discard marinade). Add shredded beef in an even layer to the skillet without crowding.
  5. Pan-fry for about 5 minutes undisturbed while pressing down with a spatula until crispy. Flip and pan-fry for another 4 minutes on the other side until sizzling and crisp.
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in sliced onions and sauté with beef until softened, about 4-5 minutes.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliataste.com/vaca-frita-recipe-cuban-crispy-shredded-beef/