If you grew up in Miami or ever wandered through a Cuban ventanita with the smell of sizzling onions and paprika in the air, then you know what a Frita Cubana is. But if you’ve never had the pleasure—let me introduce you to the burger that walked so all others could run. Authentic, delicious and unique this burger will ever bring nostalgia or blow your mind.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The Frita is not your average burger. It’s a juicy Cuban-style patty made with a mix of beef, pork (sometimes chorizo!), and smoky spices, served on a soft Cuban roll and topped with crispy shoestring fries, onions, and a punchy, paprika-rich sauce. It’s messy. It’s bold. And it’s downright addictive. This recipe is my ode to my roots—every bite takes me back to late nights in Little Havana, sitting on a plastic chair outside a frita stand with music in the background and greasy fingers I didn’t care to wipe. Pure bliss.
Whether you’re Cuban or just Cuban at heart, this recipe brings that sabor home.! Ground beef comes together quickly and is simmer in a tomato based savory sauce and fully loaded with olives, raisins and diced potatoes!
Here are few reasons why this will become your new favorite ground beef recipe:
Easy – The burger itself is super simple & only has a few ingredients, but they all shine and have a purpose to maximize flavor in every bite.
Delicious – From the unique burger blend, to the tomato-based kinda spicy frita sauce and all the way to the impossibly crispy & light homemade shoestring fries – this is flavor personified.
Authentic – Originally originated in Cuba and passed down to be improved and elevated in the diverse Miami culture, this burger has held true through all generations and is a classic for Cuban bbqs.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
- Spiced Beef-Chorizo Blend – Fatty ground beef is preferred (75/15 at least) blended with chorizo, ketchup and bunch of authentic Cuban spices like cumin & paprika.
- Ketchup + Apple Cider Vinegar + Hot Sauce – The base to the sauce that brings the burger to life. Used to baste while cooking for deep caramelization & flavor.
- Onions – Onion is present in both the burger blend & griddled.
- Potatoes – Or as we call them – papitas! Arguable the best to eat potatoes because they’re light & crispy and let’s face it, there’s never enough on the plate.
How to make a Frita Cubana
#1. Make burger blend & form into patties.
#2. Make frita sauce
#3. Peel & shred potatoes.
#4. Soak in cold ice water to remove excess starch
#5. Dry thoroughly and shallow fry until golden brown & crispy.
#6. Cook patties with onions and frita sauce.
#7. Build & enjoy!
If you liked this Frita Cubana recipe, check out some other popular Cuban recipes on the blog!
Authentic Frita Cuban (Frita Burger)
Ingredients
Burger Blend
- 1 lb ground beef 75/15
- 1/2 lb chorizo no casing
- 1/4 cup onion shredded
- 4 garlic cloves grated
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1/4 cup onion finely diced
- sliced Swiss cheese
Frita Sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup water
Shoestring Fries (Papitas)
- 3 russet potatoes peeled & shredded
Instructions
Burger Blend
- Mix all ingredients above and form into 4 oz patties.
- In a pan on medium high heat, gently smash with a spatula or anything heavy.
- Layer diced onions over top and drizzle with the frita sauce.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side then flip and drizzle the other side with sauce as well.
- After 1 min, top with sliced Swiss cheese. Once melted, remove from the pan.
- Layer your burger with some of that frita sauce on the bottom, 1 or 2 patties and as much fries as your heart desires.
Frita Sauce
- Mix all ingredients together until smooth. Pour into a squeeze bottle.
Shoestring Fries (Papitas)
- Peel and shred russet potatoes.
- Soak in cold ice water for 10 minutes to remove excess starch.
- Thoroughly dry with paper towel.
- Shallow fry in avocado oil until golden brown & crispy. Immediately season with salt.
