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

📝 Ingredients

• flank steak 1.00 lbs cut into 4 equal pieces
• onion(s) 1.00 medium onion cut into quarters
• bay leaves 1.00 bay leaf
• water 4.00 cup
• olive oil 1.00 tbsp divided use 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp
• onion(s) 1.00 large onion thinly sliced
• lime juice 0.25 cup
• garlic 2.00 clove minced
• salt 0.25 tsp
• black pepper 0.25 tsp
• nonstick cooking spray 1.00
• lime 1.00 lime wedges for garnish
• fresh cilantro 0.25 cup chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1In a large saucepan
2. 2combine the beef
3. 3quartered onion
4. 4bay leaf
5. 5and water. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium low. Cover and simmer until the beef is tender
6. 6about 1 hour 10 minutes. Transfer the beef to a cutting board and let cool. To save the broth for another use
7. 7skim any fat and strain the broth
8. 8discarding the bay leaf. Refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 1 month.
9. 9Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium heat Add the sliced onion and cook
10. 10over medium heat
11. 11stirring occasionally
12. 12until the onion is very tender and begins to caramelize
13. 13about 10 minutes.
14. 14Meanwhile
15. 15with two forks
16. 16shred the beef and transfer to a large bowl. Add the lime juice
17. 17garlic
18. 18remaining 1 tsp oil
19. 19salt
20. 20and pepper. Let stand 20 minutes.
21. 21Spray a griddle or nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and heat over mediumhigh heat. Add the beef and caramelized onion and cook
22. 22turning occasionally
23. 23until the beef and onions are browned
24. 24about 8 minutes. Serve garnished with lime wedges and cilantro.