Best Cuban Frita Burger Recipes

THE CUBAN BURGER 'FRITA'

Steps:

• Mix the ground beef, ground pork, bread crumbs, milk, egg, onion, ketchup, salt, Pimenton de la Vera, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper together in a large bowl until well combined; divide the mixture into 12 equal ball shapes. Place in refrigerator for 3 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the meatballs in the skillet, flattening them with the back of a spatula as they cook, about 7 minutes per side for well done. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 160 degrees F (72 degrees C).

CUBAN FRITA BURGER

Steps:

• Heat oil over high heat in a 12-inch cast iron skillet. Working in two batches, shallow fry hash browns until extremely crisp and dark golden brown like matchsticks (about 5 minutes per batch). Transfer to brown paper or paper towels, season with 1/4-teaspoon salt. Hash browns can be held at room temperature up to four hours.
• In large mixing bowl, combine ground beef with onion, fresh garlic, 1/2-teaspoon paprika, 1/2-teaspoon cumin, 1-teaspoon salt and 1/2-teaspoon pepper. Mix by hand and form into four equal sized loosely-packed balls. Refrigerate while preparing sauces.
• In a small mixing bowl combine ketchup, water, vinegar, brown sugar, 1-teaspoon hot sauce, garlic powder, remaining 1-teaspoon paprika and remaining 1/4-teaspoon cumin. Stir thoroughly, refrigerate.
• In another small mixing bowl combine mayonnaise, lime zest, lime juice and remaining 1 -teaspoon hot sauce. Stir to combine, refrigerate.
• Once oil in cast iron skillet has cooled enough to handle, pour off excess into a disposable container, wipe skillet clean with a paper towel. Heat cast iron over medium-high heat, place two balls of beef in the skillet. Using a sturdy metal spatula smash to 1/2-inch thick patties. Top each patty with 2-teaspoons of the ketchup-based special sauce. Sear the patties 4 minutes, flip, top with a slice of cheese and sear 2 more minutes. Repeat with remaining balls of beef.
• Spread bottom buns with mayo-based special sauce, add burgers, and top each with an equal amount of fried potatoes. Drizzle each potato stacked patty with an additional tablespoon of the ketchup-based sauce and add top bun.