Want something new for dinner? How about Filipino Arroz a la Cubana? It’s a fun mix of ground beef, rice, a fried egg, and caramelized saba bananas.
It’s a weird name for a Filipino dish, and the combination might sound just as unusual to some. But it works, I tell ya!
You get savory beef, fluffy rice, a fried egg with a golden, runny yolk, and sweet bananas. Mix them all together, and you’ve got an exciting combination of flavors and textures.
It’s also easy to customize. Use your favorite ground beef recipe, whatever rice you have, and finish it with a fried egg and bananas.
It’s simple, satisfying, and a great way to turn everyday ingredients into a fun meal.
What Is Arroz a la Cubana?
Arroz a la Cubana is a Filipino dish made with seasoned ground beef, rice, a fried egg, and fried saba bananas. Mix everything together, splash on some Worcestershire sauce, and you’ve got sweet, savory, and umami all in one bite.
The name means “Cuban-style rice” in Spanish, although the exact origins of the dish are unclear. In Spain, you’ll find a much simpler version with rice, fried egg, tomato sauce, and sometimes fried banana.
The Filipino version has evolved into its own dish, adding seasoned ground beef and fried saba bananas to make it a heartier, more filling meal.
Arroz a la Cubana Ingredients
Arroz a la Cubana has four main components. Put them all together, and you have a complete meal on one plate.
- Ground beef. Keep it simple with onion, garlic, salt, and pepper, or use your favorite ground beef recipe.
- Rice. Use any rice you like. White, brown, black, or even leftover fried rice all work.
- Eggs. I like mine sunny-side up so the runny yolk mixes into the rice and beef.
- Saba bananas. Fry them until golden and caramelized. If you can’t find saba, ripe plantains work, too.
How to Make Arroz a la Cubana
If you have leftover rice, you’re already one step ahead.
1. Cook the Ground Beef: Saute onion and ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, salt, and pepper. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it into crumbles, until browned and cooked through.
2. Fry the Bananas: Heat a thin layer of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the saba bananas for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden and caramelized.
3. Fry the Eggs: In the same skillet, fry the eggs sunny-side up. Season with salt.
4. Put It All Together: Divide the rice among four plates. Add the ground beef, a fried egg, and saba banana to each plate. Serve and enjoy!
How to Customize Your Arroz a la Cubana
- Use any ground beef dish. My mom likes to keep the ground beef simple, just like the recipe below. But any ground beef recipe works here. I used leftover Honey Ground Beef for mine and it was delicious!
- Any rice works, too. Use whatever you have, whether it’s white, brown, or black rice. I used black rice for mine, which just shows how easy this dish is to customize. And if you have leftover rice sitting in the fridge, even better. Give it a quick fry and boom, it’s ready for your Arroz a la Cubana.
- Swap the saba. If you can’t find saba bananas, you can use plantains instead. Just make sure they’re ripe so you still get that sweet flavor and caramelized outside.
- Cook the egg your way. I love a sunny-side-up egg with a runny yolk, but you can fry yours however you like. Over easy, over medium, or even scrambled will work.
- Sprinkle with Worcestershire sauce. I’m not sure if everyone eats Arroz a la Cubana this way, but in our household, we mix everything together and sprinkle Worcestershire sauce on top. It adds a big hit of umami and makes the dish even more flavorful.
More Easy Asian Dinner Recipes
Jollibee Honey Ground Beef Rice (20-Minute Recipe)
Arroz a la Cubana (Filipino-Style)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 cups cooked rice
- 4 large eggs
- 2 saba bananas halved lengthwise
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
- Add the ground beef, salt, and pepper. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking the beef into crumbles, until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
- Heat a thin layer of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the bananas for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until golden and caramelized. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, fry the eggs sunny-side up. Season with salt.
- Divide the rice among four plates. Top each with ground beef and a fried egg, then add the fried saba banana on the side. Enjoy!
