A Cuban shared a video on TikTok where she claims that ground beef has become the most accessible meat for the "average Cuban," due to the high prices of chicken and pork in the market.
In the video shared on the account @briana5254, the young woman states that currently, a pound of ground beef costs around 300 Cuban pesos (CUP), which is equivalent to approximately 1 US dollar (USD) at the unofficial exchange rate. In contrast, she points out that a pound of chicken is about 500 CUP (almost 2 USD), and that pork is even more expensive, making it unaffordable for many workers who rely solely on their state salaries.
"It's something that every ordinary Cuban can buy with their salary at least once a month," she comments in the video, where she demonstrates the preparation of a homemade picadillo served with congrí, fried ripe plantains, and tomato salad.
The young woman explains that for the sofrito, she used garlic, onion, chili pepper, and complete seasoning, along with pepper and salt to taste. She mentions that she prefers to add herbs like cilantro, parsley, and cumin at the end to better preserve their aroma, and that green onion is an essential final touch.
During the recording, he also mentions that he bought six cakes for 400 CUP (around 1.30 USD), which reflects the general level of prices for prepared foods on the Island.
The testimony adds to the ongoing complaints from citizens about the rising prices of basic goods in Cuba, where state salaries remain well below the actual cost of living.
For many families, picadillo—made with chicken, pork, or processed mixtures—now represents the most affordable option for including animal protein in their diet.
In a context marked by inflation and scarcity, scenes like the one shared on social media have become common: creativity in the kitchen and constant adjustments to make the money last until the end of the month.
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