Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Sala'o Cuban Restaurant & Bar - Live music›Vaca Frita Recipe

Vaca Frita Recipe

Inspired by Sala'o Cuban Restaurant & Bar - Live music
Time2h
Serves4

Crispy, pan-seared shredded flank steak topped with Cuban mojo.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

Method

Preparation of Flank Steak

  1. 1

    Boil the Steak

    In a large pot, add the flank steak, 1 cup of water, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, bay leaves, salt, black pepper, cumin, oregano, and 2 cloves of crushed garlic. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

  2. 2

    Simmer

    Once boiling, reduce heat to low and cover the pot. Simmer for about 1.5 hours or until the steak is fork-tender.

  3. 3

    Shred the Steak

    Remove the steak from the pot and let it cool slightly. Shred the steak using two forks.

Making the Mojo Marinade

  1. 4

    Prepare the Mojo

    In a bowl, combine the lime juice, orange juice, remaining 2 cloves of minced garlic, remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and chopped cilantro. Mix well.

Cooking the Vaca Frita

  1. 5

    Sear the Steak

    In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the shredded steak and sear until crispy, about 4-5 minutes on each side.

  2. 6

    Add Mojo

    Once crispy, pour the mojo marinade over the steak and cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

  3. 7

    Serve

    Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired.

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