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cuban hamburger (frita cubana)

review
Private Recipe by
Raven Higheagle
Prescott, AZ

As legend has it, these highly seasoned burgers got their start in a Cuban sausage factory. In order to make sure the seasoning for the chorizo sausage was perfect, a small amount of the sausage filling was quickly fried up and tasted. Eventually, the samples became a popular midday snack.

yield serving(s)
prep time 1 Hr 30 Min
cook time 30 Min
method Pan Fry

Ingredients For cuban hamburger (frita cubana)

  • FOR THE SLIDERS
  • 2 Tbsp
    olive oil
  • 2 clove
    garlic, peeled and crushed
  • 1 sm
    onion, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp
    hot paprika
  • 2 Tbsp
    smoked paprika
  • 4 tsp
    kosher salt
  • 2 tsp
    ground cumin
  • 1/2 c
    ketchup
  • 3 Tbsp
    worcestershire sauce
  • 1 lb
    7 ounces ground beef, preferably chuck
  • 8 oz
    ground pork
  • FOR THE POTATO STICKS
  • 2
    russet potato, unpeeled and cut into matchsticks or thin strips
  • vegetable oil, for frying
  • kosher salt

How To Make cuban hamburger (frita cubana)

  • 1
    To make the sliders place the olive oil and garlic in a sauté pan set over medium-high heat.
  • 2
    When the garlic begins to sizzle (about 45 seconds), add the onion and sauté until the onion becomes limp and translucent, about 3 minutes
  • 3
    Add both paprikas, salt and cumin and stir to combine.
  • 4
    Place the onion and garlic mixture, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce in a blender and puree until smooth.
  • 5
    Place the beef and pork in a medium bowl and pour the puree over the meat. Using your hands, work the puree into the meat until well mixed.
  • 6
    Allow the meat mixture to rest in the refrigerator for about 1 hour.
  • 7
    Roll about 1/4 cup of the meat mixture into a ball and lightly flatten into a patty about 1/2-inch thick. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
  • 8
    To make the potato sticks, line a dish with paper towels and set aside.
  • 9
    Pour 2 inches of oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed pot. Place the pot over high heat and wait for the oil to reach 375°F on a deep-fry thermometer
  • 10
    If you don’t have a deep-fry thermometer, you can test the oil temperature by dropping a couple of potato sticks in the oil—if bubbles rise up around the potatoes, it’s ready.
  • 11
    Sprinkle a small amount (about a four-finger pinch) of the potato sticks into the hot oil Small batches keep the potatoes from forming into one large mass.
  • 12
    When the potatoes cook to a golden brown color, in about 2 minutes, remove them from the oil with a slotted spoon and place on the paper towel–lined dish to drain
  • 13
    Immediately season with salt. Repeat with the remaining potato sticks until all are cooked, drained, and salted.
  • 14
    Some of the potato sticks will have stuck together. When they have cooled, gently break apart.
  • 15
    To assemble the sliders layer a mound of potato sticks on the bottom bun, place a patty over it, then top with another mound of potato sticks and the other half of the bun. Serve.
  • 16
    Note: You can substitute store bought potato sticks for the homemade ones and you can grill the burgers.
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