Cuban Beef Recipes

What cuts of beef are used in Cuban recipes?

Popular choices include sirloin, beef round, cube steak, flank steak, and stew meat—affordable, widely available, and perfect for Cuban cooking. These cuts are pan-fried, breaded, braised, stewed, and shredded in classic dishes.

What influences shape Cuban cuisine?

Cuban food is a vibrant fusion of Spanish, African, French, and Chinese influences. It’s bold, uncomplicated, and packed with flavor.

Now, let’s dive into these delicious Cuban beef recipes—scroll through and find your favorite!

Cuban Picadillo

Picadillo is ground beef simmered in tomato sauce with aromatics, herbs, and spices. It’s easy to make, budget-friendly, and full of flavor. Some add raisins and capers for a sweet-savory twist, while this version includes fried potatoes and olives. A perfect weeknight meal when time and money are tight!

Sopa de Res

Sopa de Res is a Cuban-style beef soup that’s easy, affordable, and full of flavor. Tender beef round chunks simmer in a rich broth with onions, garlic, and spices, then finished with potatoes and carrots. Like most Cuban dishes, it’s best served with white rice.

Bistec de Palomilla

Bistec de Palomilla is a Cuban classic, popular in restaurants and homes alike. This thin-cut top sirloin is generously seasoned, pan-fried, and topped with sautéed onions. Serve it with white rice and black beans for a traditional Cuban meal.

Bistec en Cazuela

Bistec en Cazuela, or "steak in a pot," features thin top sirloin steaks simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce with garlic and plenty of onions until fall-apart tender. Serve it with white rice to soak up the delicious sauce.

Bistec Empanizado

Bistec Empanizado is a thin-cut steak, usually top sirloin or beef round, seasoned, coated in cracker meal, and fried until golden brown. Served with lime wedges, this popular Cuban dish is easy to make at home. Pair it with tostones, white rice, and beans for a satisfying meal.

Cuban-Style Meatballs

At my house, meatballs weren’t served over spaghetti—they were served on a bed of white rice. In this recipe, ground chuck is seasoned with classic Cuban spices like garlic powder, cumin, oregano, diced onions, and parsley. The meatballs are fried until golden, then simmered in a rich tomato sauce with more onions and garlic.

Carne con Papas

Carne con Papas, or “beef with potatoes,” is a hearty Cuban dish featuring braised beef round simmered in a rich tomato sauce until tender. Potatoes are essential, with carrots and olives as common additions.

Vaca Frita

Vaca Frita is shredded, pan-fried flank steak with a crispy crust and bold flavor. This classic Cuban dish takes time to tenderize the meat but is well worth it. Serve it with rice, beans, and plenty of lime wedges!

Pan con Bistec

Pan con Bistec is a classic Cuban steak sandwich, popular in Miami’s cafeterias and restaurants. It features seasoned, pan-fried top round or sirloin, topped with sautéed onions and crispy potato sticks, all pressed on Cuban bread until perfectly toasty.

Bistec a Caballo

Bistec a Caballo is Cuba’s take on steak and eggs. This simple dish features seasoned, pan-fried thin steak served over a bed of French fries and topped with a fried egg—preferably with a soft yolk.

Cuban Cube Steak

Need a quick, flavorful dinner for a busy night? This Cube Steak is the answer! It’s easy to make, budget-friendly, and tender. Serve it with white rice and beans for a hearty, affordable meal.

Ropa Vieja

Ropa Vieja is tender, shredded beef simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce with onions, garlic, and spices. This recipe keeps it simple, letting the saucy beef shine! Traditionally made with flank steak, it’s a flavorful cut that needs slow cooking to become perfectly tender.