Vaca Frita
Vaca Frita is a classic Cuban dish featuring shredded, marinated, and pan-fried flank steak that is crispy on the edges and tender inside. Known for its bold garlic and citrus flavors, it is a beloved comfort food often served with rice and black beans.
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Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds
- 6 cloves
- 1/4 cup
- 1/4 cup
- 3 tablespoons
- to taste
- to taste
- 1 medium, sliced
Where this dish lives in the atlas
Dishes can belong to more than one culinary culture. These claims show origin, variation, diaspora, influence, or contested relationships when the atlas has source-backed context.
- OriginPrimary displayUncited · medium confidence
Cuban
Backfilled from legacy dishes.culture_id during Phase 0B research-ingest foundation.
Last updated 4/1/2026
Originating in Cuba, Vaca Frita reflects the island's Spanish and Caribbean culinary influences, traditionally prepared by Cuban families using readily available beef cuts and citrus marinades.
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