How to Make Cuban Croquetas (Croquettes)

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How to Make Cuban Croquetas (Croquettes)

This recipe for tasty croquetas uses chicken but ham is really popular too. You can also use fish, potato or cheese.

Felicia Gustin

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Step 1 of 28

Croquetas are found at Cuban food stands as well as birthday partes, weddings and quinceñeras. There are countless versions so feel free to adapt to your own tastes. (This is a photo of Old Havana.)

Step 2 of 28

Confession: I decided to make croquetas because I had some left over chicken. But I wasn't going to make a Snapguide because I didn't have exact measurements for the ingredients.

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But then my daughter (who is away at college) begged me to make a guide so she could make them too. So this is for her and all of my Snapguide friends. This is her leaping for joy!

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First you want to make a basic white/ bechamel sauce. Use your own recipe or follow mine. In a large, deep skillet, melt butter.

Step 5 of 28

All melted!

Step 6 of 28

Add flour and whisk until smooth.

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Gradually add milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.

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Simmer until mixture is thickened.

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Like this!

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Meanwhile finely chop the onion. Or finely chop it with a knife on the cutting board.

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Then in another pan, sauté the finely chopped onions and garlic (optional) in butter.

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Meanwhile put your pieces of chicken in a food processor ( you can also use a meat grinder or blender) and grind it until it is finely chopped.

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Like this. You can also use cooked ham, fish, potato or cheese. Whatever you use, you want it this consistency.

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Finely chop the parsley in the food processor.

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If you don't have a food processor, you can chop the parsley with a knife. Just make sure it's really finely chopped.

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Now put the chicken, parsley, onions, garlic, nutmeg, salt and pepper into the white sauce and mix it all together. Cook for a few more minutes until mixture is thick.

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Remove mixture from heat. Let cool. Then cover and put in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours or overnight. The mixture will get really firm which makes it easy for you to make the shapes.

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Next, shape the chilled, firm mixture into the croquettes (about 3 inches long, 3/4 inch in diameter).

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A close-up shot. You can actually put these back in the refrigerator to firm up again. Or you can go to the next step which is to coat with egg and breadcrumbs.

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Roll each croqueta in beaten egg.

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Roll around until it's completely covered in egg.

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Next put it into the breadcrumb bowl. (Check out my guide on how to make homemade breadcrumbs too!)

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Thoroughly coat the croquettes with the breadcrumbs

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Pat the breadcrumbs so the croqueta is thoroughly covered and be sure to shake off any excess breadcrumbs.

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Here are the breaded croquetas ready to be fried.

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To firm them up first, I'm putting them back in the refrigerator for a while. Croquettes can even be refrigerated overnight until ready to fry. Or frozen for a later date.

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When you're ready to go, fry the croquetas in hot oil until golden brown. Remove when done and drain on paper towel.

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You did it! Now enjoy!

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!

Felicia Gustin

Bay Area, California USA

I love to create! All kinds of things. Food, crafts, jewelry, art, photos, theater, events, history, social justice. My proudest creation is my daughter!

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4 Tablespoons Butter for white sauce

⅓ Cups Flour for white sauce (more or less)

1 ¼ Cups Milk for white sauce (more or less)

4 Cups Ground chicken (or ham, fish, potato or cheese)

½ Cups Finely Chopped Onion (sautéd in butter)

1 Tablespoon Chopped parsley

1 Teaspoon Salt

½ Teaspoons Pepper

1 Tablespoon Dry sherry

2 Eggs

2 Cups Bread Crumbs

Canola or other vegetable oil

¼ Teaspoons Nutmeg (optional)

4 Garlic cloves (optional)

True that! But at least you can drive up to L.A. I live in the Bay Area and there is nada!

Felicia Gustin (author) 2 months ago

Lol! LA, has great places to eat Cuban food, here in Orange County..(not so much)😑

Amy Prim-prijatel 2 months ago

I mean ropa vieja! 😜

Felicia Gustin (author) 2 months ago

Now you can make these at home, Amy! Though I've had the croquetas from Porto's in L.A. and they were delicious! I've also heard El Cochinto Restaurant is great too for Cuban food. I've eaten at Versailles a couple times (my daughter lives in L.A.) but I think it's mediocre and not so good. But my daughter who is Cuban likes their rope vieja. 😎

Felicia Gustin (author) 2 months ago

YEAAAAA!! I'm from Miami & I miss it soooo much! I now live in SoCal & finding Cuban food if few in far between!! you rock!!!;)Thank you!!;)

Amy Prim-prijatel 2 months ago

@ Hugo - seguro no hay croquetas el los calles de Berlín pero ahora puedes hacerlo tu en tu casa. ¡Disfruta!

Felicia Gustin (author) 9 months ago

I cant wait to try this meal.

Sigrun Gibson 9 months ago

Gracias! Llevo tiempo viviendo en Berlín y echaba mucho de menos las croquetas! :)

Hugo Muñoz 9 months ago

And be sure to include what kind you made.

Felicia Gustin (author) 10 months ago

Thanks for all the great comments. If any of you make these, send me a photo and I'll include it in the guide to share with others. Email it to me at feliciagustin@yahoo.com

Felicia Gustin (author) 10 months ago

Thank YOU!!!! Making tomorrow- chilling in fridge tonight!!!

Chandra Bredel 10 months ago

Great guide! Will be trying some of your recipes. Reminds me of when I use to live in Miami!

Nancy N 10 months ago

What a wonderful new way to use leftovers This is going on the menu soon. Thank you.

Karen Larard 10 months ago

So glad you all are enjoying my guides. I hope to put up more soon. I really love sharing these with all of you and getting your feedback.

Felicia Gustin (author) 10 months ago

You did a very good job at the directions, please do more!

Kathleen Schwenk 10 months ago

Thanks , my family are waiting for me to make it, I hope it will be good as yours

Khadidja Keita 10 months ago

Awesome guide!! My mouth is watering Felicia. You did a wonderful job putting this guide together for your daughter. I hope to try one day.

Bobbi Bellardine 10 months ago

awesome. i always make croquettes with mashed potato and filled with sauted minced beef and veggies. this is a new stuff from me ☺ thanx for sharing

Putri Chaerul 10 months ago

Hi Khadidja - actually the measurements are there. Click on the supplies button at the bottom of the first (& all pages) to see those. Enjoy!

Felicia Gustin (author) 10 months ago

Thank you for the recipe even without the measure it looks so yummy

Khadidja Keita 10 months ago

Thanks HW - so Glad you enjoyed the guy. This recipe does have a lot of steps but it is worth it in the end. 😘

Felicia Gustin (author) 10 months ago

This is great. I love the way you put this together, the small steps & all the pictures are so helpful.

Holly . 10 months ago

@ Sasha. I never made Cuban bread but I might have a recipe somewhere for it. In terms of ropa vieja, that one is in my head so I'll need to figure out exact measurements and ingredients. My daughter loves that one too so maybe I'll get on that sooner than later.

Felicia Gustin (author) 10 months ago