Steak Tostones

---

JUMP TO RECIPE

Crispy tostones piled with juicy seasoned steak is the kind of meal that brings everyone to the kitchen before the plate even hits the table.

This Rivera Cabana Steak Tostones recipe is inspired by the warm, family-style flavors of Puerto Rican cooking: golden fried green plantains, tender steak, and fresh toppings layered together into a fun, filling dish. It feels special enough for a weekend dinner, but casual enough for a family night, game day spread, or beachy backyard meal.

Think of it as a crunchy, savory plantain base with all the comfort of a steak dinner on top. Each bite has that perfect mix of crisp edges, seasoned meat, and cool, delicious toppings. It is the kind of food made for sharing, passing plates, and going back for one more.

Golden tostones topped with steak make a beautiful family-style plate.

A quick note before you cook

This recipe works best with flank steak. If you don't have plantains you can just serve the steak over rice with some guacamole or other sides.

What makes steak tostones so good

Steak tostones work because they bring together two textures that love each other.

The tostones are crisp on the outside, tender in the center, and sturdy enough to hold toppings. The steak adds savory richness. Then the toppings bring freshness, creaminess, heat, crunch, or brightness depending on what you choose.

This style of dish is also easy to serve in different ways. You can make smaller tostones for party bites, larger ones for dinner plates, or set up a topping bar so everyone builds their own.

If your family enjoys Puerto Rican food, steak, and tostones, this is a playful way to bring those favorites together.

Ingredients

For the tostones

• [Amount] green plantains

• [Amount] frying oil

• [Amount] salt

  
  

For the steak

• 1-2 lbs flank steak

• 2-3 heaping TBS Sofrito

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1/2 tsp oregano

• 2 TBS minced garlic

• 1.5 TBS adobo

• 1 TBS sazon

• salt and pepper

• 1/4 diced onion

• 1/4 diced red pepper

• 1/2 can tomato sauce

  
  

For the toppings

• Guacamole

• Picked onions

• Mayo Ketchup

• Cilantro for garnish

  
  

Firm green plantains are the base for crisp homemade tostones.

How to prepare the tostones

Tostones are made from green plantains, not ripe yellow plantains. Green plantains are firm, starchy, and ideal for frying until crisp.

The traditional method uses a two-step fry. The plantain pieces are cooked once, flattened, then cooked again until golden and crisp. This gives the tostones their signature texture.

Use your exact recipe details in the steps below.

1. Prepare the plantains

   Peel the green plantains using your preferred method. Cut them into slices about 2 inches thick

   
   

2. Heat the oil

   Add enough oil to the pan to create a layer about 1 inch deep. Heat oil to 350 degrees.

   
   

3. Fry the plantains the first time

   Add the plantain pieces to the oil. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.

   
   

4. Flatten the plantains

   Remove the plantains and flatten each piece using the bottom of a mug, plate or tostonera. You could also use a lemon juicer if you prefer them in little cup shapes.

   
   

5. Fry the tostones a second time

   Return the flattened plantains to the oil. Cook for another 3-4 minutes or until crispy and golden.

   
   

6. Season the tostones

   Transfer to a paper towel covered plate. Season with salt or your chosen seasoning while warm.

   
   

How to cook the steak

The steak should be flavorful, tender, and easy to bite once it sits on top of the tostones. Thin slices, small pieces, or chopped steak can all work, depending on how you want to serve the dish.

1. Prepare the steak

   Cut flank steak into thin slices against the grain

   
   

2. Season the steak

   Add steak to a large ziplock or dish and season with 1 TBS adobo, 1 packet/1TBS sazon, 1tsp cumin, 1/2tsp oregano, 1tsp garlic powder, 1tsp onion powder, 2-3TBS sofrito, 1/2 can tomato sauce. and salt and pepper. It is best to let this marinate over night but you can also let it marinate for 15 minutes while you prep your plantains and sides.

   
   

3. Heat the pan or grill

   Heat 2TBS of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.

   
   

4. Cook the steak

   Cook the steak until it's finished to your liking (about 5-10 minutes)

   
   

5. Assemble your plate

   Serve over rice or just with tostones. Add whatever toppings you would like. Avacado, Guac, Mayo-Ketchup, Pickled onions, etc...

   
   

How to assemble the steak tostones

Once the tostones are crisp and the steak is ready, assembly is quick.

1. Arrange the tostones

   Place the warm tostones on a serving plate, platter, or tray.

   
   

2. Add the steak

   Top each tostón with cooked steak.

   
   

3. Layer on toppings

   Add guacamole, pickled onions, mayo-ketchup or pique, and any other sauce or garnish.

   
   

4. Serve right away

   Steak tostones taste best while the plantains are still crisp and warm.

   
   

Cook the steak until tender, then slice it for topping the tostones.

Helpful cooking tips

A few small details can make steak tostones easier to prepare and more fun to serve.

• Use green plantains The plantains should be firm and green. Ripe plantains will be sweeter and softer.

  
  

• Do not overcrowd the pan Fry the plantains in batches so they cook evenly and stay crisp.

  
  

• Flatten gently but firmly The tostones should spread out, but they should not fall apart.

  
  

• Season while warm Salt and seasoning cling better right after frying.

  
  

• Cut steak into easy bites Since the steak sits on a tostón, smaller pieces make the dish easier to eat.

  
  

• Serve soon after assembling The longer toppings sit on crispy tostones, the more the texture softens.

  
  

Serving suggestions

Steak tostones can be served as an appetizer, party platter, or main dish. For a family meal, set the toppings in small bowls and let everyone build their own.

They pair well with:

• A simple green salad

• Rice and beans

• Avocado or a creamy topping

• A bright sauce or drizzle

• Fresh herbs or garnish

• A cold tropical drink

  
  

For parties, make the tostones bite-sized and serve them on a large platter. For dinner, make them larger and add a generous amount of steak and toppings.

Make-ahead notes

Tostones are best fresh, but you can still plan parts of the recipe ahead.

• Prep toppings in advance and keep them chilled.

• Season or marinate the steak the night before.

• Cut plantains shortly before cooking so they stay fresh.

• Fry and assemble close to serving time for the best crunch.

Serve the tostones with toppings so everyone can build their own plate.

Share your steak tostones

If you make this Rivera Cabana Steak Tostones recipe, I would love to hear how you serve it. Leave a comment below with your favorite toppings, your steak tips, or the way your family builds their plates.

You can also share this recipe with someone who loves crispy plantains, cozy family dinners, or Puerto Rican-inspired comfort food. A plate of steak tostones is even better when it brings people to the table.