We're making the Cuban staple, vaca frita in an Instant Pot. The process of making vaca frita is a labor of love. The beef is twice cooked to ensure it's tender yet crispy on the exterior.
Growing up, vaca frita was one of my favorite dishes. It's one of my favorite comfort foods and my mom still makes it for me when she knows I need some cheering up. It's a Cuban staple that's available at most Cuban restaurants
What does Vaca Frita mean?
Vaca frita translates to fried cow. It's a Cuban beef dish typically made using flank steak with suateed garlic and onion.
What do you eat vaca frita with?
Vaca frita is traditionally paired with white rice, and black beans or plantains. Some people have recently created vaca frita sandwiches with the beef sandwiched in a bun topped with tomatoes, potato sticks and cheese. Either option is delicious!
Ingredients needed
- Flank steak
- Bay leaves
- Salt
- Sazon completa
- Water
- Yellow Onions
- Garlic
- Lime
- Vegetable oil
How do you make Cuban vaca frita?
- Place the water, salt, bay leaves sazon completa and beef into your Instant Pot and set for 40 minutes at high pressure in the meat/stew setting
- Once the 40 minutes are up, release the steam and remove the beef from the pot. Reserve about ½ cup of the broth from the Instant Pot.
- Using a meat tenderizer or fork, shred the beef to your desired size. Place the shredded beef on a large plate or cutting board and top with the garlic, lime juice of one lime and onions and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add two tablespoons of oil. You don't want to over crowd the pan, so you may need to sear the meat in two batches.
- Once the oil is hot, add in your beef, onions and garlic. Baste the meat with that reserved broth while it's sautéing. Flip the meat every couple of minutes until it reaches your desired crispness.
Substitutions
If you cant find flank steak, you can use chuck roast instead.
Storage
Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for upto 4 days.
Looking for more Latin dishes?
Cuban Vaca Frita Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 lbs flank steak
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sazon completa
- 6 cups water
- 1 medium sized yellow onion sliced
- 4 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 large lime
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Place the water, salt, bay leaves sazon completa and beef into your Instant Pot and set for 40 minutes at high pressure in the meat/stew setting
- Once the 40 minutes are up, release the steam and remove the beef from the pot. Reserve about ½ cup of the broth from the Instant Pot.
- Using a meat tenderizer or fork, shred the beef to your desired size. Place the shredded beef on a large plate or cutting board and top with the garlic, lime juice of one lime and onions and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add two tablespoons of oil. You don't want to over crowd the pan, so you may need to sear the meat in two batches.
- Once the oil is hot, add in your beef, onions and garlic. Baste the meat with that reserved broth while it's sautéing. Flip the meat every couple of minutes until it reaches your desired crispness.
Video
Notes
- You don't want to over crowd the pan, so you may need to sear the meat in two batches.
- Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for upto 4 days.
- If you cant find flank steak, you can use chuck roast instead.
- You can freeze the remaining broth and use it for soups
Sara says
Delicious! So simple and I found a new favorite meal to make!
Yvonne says
Flank steak has gotten pretty expensive. If I'm going to spend that kind of money then it's Ropa Vieja on the table!