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Vegetarian, Americas

Cuban style plantain tortilla

A Cuban plantain tortilla is a thick omelet made with ripe plantains and soft onions, served with rice, black beans, and salad. For 4 people, it takes 45 minutes, is easy to make, and costs €2.00 per serving. The key is letting the plantains caramelize fully before you add the eggs.

A thick tortilla made of ripe plantains and onions, Cuban style, with rice, black beans and a small salad.

Cuban style plantain tortilla
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.00
Calories per person
650 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Very ripe plantains are what make this tortilla work, they soften as they cook and bring a natural sweetness that balances the richness of the eggs and the softness of the onions. The result is a thick omelet, golden outside, tender inside, with a caramelized note that echoes Central American and Caribbean cooking.

It's a complete meal that comes together easily on a weeknight, with rice and black beans adding protein and substance, and a lime dressed salad bringing freshness. Kids usually love the sweet edge of the plantain, and this tortilla works just as well for a simple dinner as it does for surprising guests with something a little different.

The ingredients

4 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • very ripe plantains 3
  • onions 2
  • garlic 1 cloves
  • green lettuce 1
  • lime 1

Dairy

  • eggs 6

Pantry

  • riceoften in the pantry 250 g
  • canned black beansoften in the pantry 400 g
  • olive oiloften in the pantry 6 tbsp
  • saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Eggs

The step by step recipe

  1. Peel the plantains, cut them into cubes, and brown them in 3 tablespoons of oil with the sliced onions. 12 min

    Go for black plantains, they're sweet and soften nicely as they cook.

  2. Beat the eggs with salt and pepper in a bowl, then add the warm plantains and onions.

    Let the plantains cool slightly first, the egg won't set too fast on contact.

  3. Pour everything into an oiled skillet and cook over medium heat, then flip the tortilla using a plate. 12 min

    Slow cooking keeps the inside soft and moist.

  4. Meanwhile, cook the rice and warm up the beans with the chopped garlic. 11 min

    A few drops of vinegar in the beans give them more depth.

  5. Serve the tortilla cut into wedges with the rice, beans, and lime flavored salad.

    The tortilla also tastes great warm, and it's perfect the next day.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick plantains that are almost black, that's when they're sweetest and caramelize best in the pan.
  • Use a medium nonstick skillet, the tortilla will be thicker and easier to flip in one motion with a plate.
  • Don't oversalt the eggs, the caramelized plantain already brings plenty of flavor on its own.

The variations

  • If you can't find plantains, swap in firm, slightly sweet bananas, the result will be milder but close.
  • For a richer version, stir a bit of shredded cheese into the eggs before pouring them into the pan.
  • For kids in a hurry, cut the tortilla into small squares and serve with just the rice, skipping the beans and salad.

What to serve it with

  • Plain white rice
  • Garlicky black beans
  • Green salad with lime

Storage

The tortilla keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It's good cold or warm, reheated for a few minutes in a skillet or microwave. Store and reheat the rice and beans separately the same way.

Questions about this dish

Can you use regular bananas instead of plantains?

Yes, firm, not very sweet bananas can work in a pinch. The flavor will be less caramelized and closer to cooked banana, but the texture stays pleasant.

Do the plantains need to cook before you mix them into the eggs?

Yes, that's the key step. Golden, warm plantains blend well into beaten eggs, while hot plantains would set the eggs too fast.

Can you make this tortilla ahead of time?

Yes, it can be made several hours ahead and eaten warm or cold. It's actually a dish that tastes even better the next day, much like a Spanish tortilla.

How do you flip the tortilla without breaking it?

Place a large plate over the skillet, flip the whole thing in one firm motion, then slide the tortilla back into the pan to cook the other side. Medium heat keeps it from tearing.

How long does it take to make a Cuban style plantain tortilla?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a Cuban style plantain tortilla?

About 650 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a Cuban style plantain tortilla cost?

About €2.00 per serving, or €8.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains eggs. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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