Yuca Frita
Venezuelan Fried Yuca
A beloved Venezuelan street food and side dish, Yuca Frita features tender, boiled yuca that is then deep-fried to a perfect golden-brown crisp on the outside, while remaining fluffy and soft within. It's a delicious alternative to french fries, often served with a vibrant guasacaca sauce.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg (about 2.2 lbs) Yuca (cassava)
- enough to cover yuca Water
- 1 tablespoon, plus more to taste Salt
- enough for deep frying (at least 3-4 inches deep in pot) Vegetable oil or other neutral high-heat oil
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the yuca: Peel the yuca thoroughly, removing the tough brown outer skin and the pinkish inner layer. Cut the yuca into large chunks, about 2-3 inches long. Locate and carefully remove the tough, fibrous central core from each piece. Rinse the prepared yuca under cold water.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Boil the yuca: Place the prepared yuca chunks in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add 1 tablespoon of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-high and simmer. Cook until the yuca is fork-tender but not falling apart, approximately 20-25 minutes. You should be able to easily pierce a piece with a fork.
⏱️ 25 minutes - 3
Drain and dry: Carefully drain all the water from the pot. Let the yuca sit in the colander for about 5-10 minutes to allow excess moisture to evaporate. Pat the yuca pieces dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving a crispy exterior when frying.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Heat the oil: Pour the vegetable oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, ensuring it's at least 3-4 inches deep. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 175°C (350°F). Use a thermometer to ensure accuracy. If you don't have a thermometer, a small piece of yuca dropped into the oil should sizzle immediately and float to the surface.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Fry the yuca: Carefully add the dried yuca chunks to the hot oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 5-8 minutes, or until the yuca is golden brown and crispy on all sides. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain the oil temperature.
⏱️ 8 minutes - 6
Drain and season: Remove the fried yuca from the oil using a slotted spoon or spider strainer and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain any excess oil. Immediately sprinkle generously with salt while still hot. Taste and add more salt if desired.
⏱️ 1 minute - 7
Serve: Serve the Yuca Frita hot, ideally with a side of guasacaca (Venezuelan avocado sauce) or your favorite dipping sauce.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the yuca is completely dry after boiling and before frying to prevent oil splattering and to achieve maximum crispiness.
- ✓Removing the tough central fiber before boiling makes the yuca more tender and easier to eat.
- ✓For an extra crispy texture, you can double-fry the yuca: boil, cool, fry once until pale, cool again, then fry a second time until golden brown.
- ✓The ideal oil temperature is crucial for crispy, non-greasy yuca. Too low, and it will be oily; too high, and it will burn before cooking through.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Garlic Yuca Frita: Add a few cloves of garlic to the boiling water, or toss fried yuca with minced garlic and parsley.
- Baked Yuca Frita: Toss boiled and dried yuca with oil and seasonings, then bake at 200°C (400°F) until golden and crisp.
- Spicy Yuca Frita: Serve with a spicy dipping sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the salt seasoning.