Flan de Puerto Rico
A creamy custard with a caramelized crust, infused with orange zest and a touch of cinnamon. This puerto rican-inspired mediterranean ready in about 150 minutes pairs large eggs, whole milk, orange zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 200 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: In a saucepan, combine 3/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup water, and 1/4 cup butter. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns amber.
- Step 2: Pour the caramel into a flan mold, tilting to coat the bottom. Let cool for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: In a bowl, whisk 3 eggs, 1 cup whole milk, 1 tbsp orange zest, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 4: Pour the custard into the caramel-lined mold. Chill for 4 hours or overnight. Run a knife around the edges, invert onto a plate, and serve chilled.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Flan de Puerto Rico take to make?
Total time is about 150 minutes (30 min prep + 120 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Flan de Puerto Rico?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep large eggs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Flan de Puerto Rico?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Flan de Puerto Rico for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Flan de Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rican mediterranean like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★☆☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
