Authentic Cuban Steak Recipes

CUBAN STEAK WITH BLACK BEANS AND RICE

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium high. Combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, the garlic, 1 teaspoon each cumin and oregano and the lime juice in a small baking dish. Add the steak, turn to coat and season well with salt and pepper; set aside at least 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the black beans with their liquid, the rice, 1 cup water, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon each cumin and oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 17 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Combine the bell peppers, onion, remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and a big pinch each of salt and pepper in a large bowl. Grill the peppers and onion, turning occasionally, until browned in spots and crisp-tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Return to the bowl, add the olives and toss. Grill the steaks until browned, about 3 minutes per side for medium rare; transfer to a cutting board.
• Fluff the rice and divide among plates. Slice the steak and serve with the rice, vegetables and lime wedges.

ROPA VIEJA (CUBAN BEEF)

Steps:

• Cut flank steak in half across the grain. Mix salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Season both sides generously with the salt mixture.
• Heat olive oil in a pot over high heat. Add steaks and cook until outsides are well browned, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove steaks to a plate.
• Reduce heat to medium. Add red onion, garlic, and more of the salt seasoning. Cook and stir until starting to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, cloves, and allspice. Cook and stir for 1 minute. Pour in white wine, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in tomato sauce and chicken broth.
• Return beef and accumulated juices to the pot. Season with salt and add bay leaves. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until beef is almost fork-tender, not falling apart, about 2 hours.
• Remove pot from heat and let stew cool to room temperature, at least 45 minutes. Refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight, for best results.
• Remove beef to a plate and set stew over medium heat. Tear beef along the grain into 1/8- to 1/4-inch-wide shreds; place back in the stew. Add bell peppers, poblanos, smoked paprika, capers, olives, and sugar. Stir together and reduce heat to medium. Simmer until peppers are soft and meat is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Turn off heat, remove bay leaves, and stir in cilantro.

CUBAN STEAK SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Cut the steak into 2 even pieces and place in a sealable plastic bag or container. Place the olive oil, cilantro, basil, parsley, lime juice, garlic, and 1 tablespoon salt in a blender and mix until smooth. Reserve 1/2 cup of the herb-oil mixture and refrigerate. Add the remaining mixture to the meat, distribute evenly, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Slice ciabatta loaf lengthwise and remove excess bread from inside, if desired.
• Remove the meat from the marinade; discard marinade. Place on a paper towel, wiping off any excess marinade. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon canola oil. Once the pan is hot, add meat and cook until medium-rare, about 4 to 5 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Place meat on a cutting board and cover with foil. Repeat with other piece of meat, only adding more oil if necessary.
• Place bread directly on oven rack and toast, about 5 minutes.
• Heat remaining tablespoon of oil in the grill pan over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until just beginning to brown but still crisp, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and season with salt, to taste.
• Take the reserved herb-oil mixture and brush the inside of both halves of bread. Slice steak thinly on the bias and place on the bottom half of the bread. Top with onions and then remaining bread. Slice into quarters and serve.

CUBAN MARINATED STEAK

Steps:

• Place cumin seeds into a small skillet over medium heat; stir constantly until seeds turn dark brown and smell toasted, about 1 minute. Immediately pour seeds into a bowl to stop the cooking. Mix cumin seeds with orange juice, vegetable oil, steak seasoning, lime juice, and oregano in a bowl.
• Place steaks into a large resealable plastic bag, pour orange juice marinade over the meat, and squeeze out air. Seal bag and turn it over several times to coat meat with marinade. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes, or longer for extra flavor.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove steaks from marinade, shaking off any excess. Discard used marinade. Grill steaks on the preheated grill until seared on the outsides and still slightly pink in the centers, 6 to 8 minutes per side. An instant-read meat thermometer inserted sideways into the center of the thickest steak should read 145 degrees F (65 degrees C). Let steaks rest for 3 minutes before slicing.

CUBAN SKIRT STEAK AND VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Place garlic, lime juice, cumin seeds, oregano, and parsley in a food processor. With machine running, slowly add 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons oil until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
• Pat steak dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add steak. Cook, turning once, until golden brown, 2 to 5 minutes a side, depending on thickness. Transfer to a plate.
• Pour off fat from pan; wipe clean. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil, onion, and bell pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are just browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add corn; cook until browned, about 2 minutes. Return steak with juices to pan along with 1/3 cup garlic sauce. Cook, tossing, 1 minute.
• Meanwhile, preheat a griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium. Butter both sides of bread halves. Cook, pressing with a spatula and flipping once, until golden, 5 minutes a side. Serve steak and vegetables with toasted bread and remaining garlic sauce.