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Ropa Vieja

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5 from 1 review

🥩 Experience the authentic taste of Cuba with this traditional shredded beef dish that delivers melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and rich, complex flavors
🌶️ Transform tough cuts of beef into a spectacular meal that simmers for hours to develop deep flavors and becomes a family favorite

  • Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

– 2 pounds chuck or flank steak

– 1 large yellow onion sliced

– Green, red, and yellow bell peppers sliced

– 4 cloves garlic minced

– 1 teaspoon cumin

– 1 teaspoon oregano

– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

– 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

– 1 teaspoon black pepper

– 1 teaspoon salt

– 2 bay leaves

– 1/2 cup dry white wine

– 1 cup broth

– 16 ounces crushed tomatoes

– 6 ounces tomato paste

– 1 large carrot halved

– 1 large celery stalk halved

– 1 cup green olives

– 1/2 cup roasted red peppers

– 1/4 cup pimientos

– 2 tablespoons capers

– 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley

– Cooking oil for searing

Instructions

1-Creating Ropa Vieja at home is a rewarding process that results in tender, flavorful beef. Start by patting the beef dry and seasoning it with salt and pepper, then sear it in oil until browned on all sides to lock in the juices. This step builds a strong base of flavor from the start.

2-After removing the beef, caramelize the sliced vegetables in the same pot using the flavorful drippings. Add minced garlic and spices next, followed by white wine to deglaze the pot and lift those tasty bits. Stir in the broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and bay leaves, simmering for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.

3-Return the beef along with the halved carrot and celery to the pot, bring it to a boil, then cover and simmer on low heat for 3 to 4 hours until the meat is fork-tender. Once done, remove the vegetables and bay leaves, shred the beef, and mix it back into the sauce. Finally, stir in olives, roasted red peppers, capers, and pimientos, simmering uncovered for 30 minutes to thicken, and finish with fresh parsley for a burst of color and taste.

4-First Step: Prepare all ingredients by slicing the onion and bell peppers, mincing the garlic, and setting aside the spices and liquids.

5-Second Step: In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat and sear the flank steak until browned on all sides.

6-Third Step: Remove the meat and sauté onions, bell peppers, and garlic in the same pot until soft.

7-Fourth Step: Add crushed tomatoes, beef broth, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper to the vegetables and stir to combine.

8-Fifth Step: Return the seared meat to the pot, cover, and simmer for about 2 hours until tender.

9-Sixth Step: Remove the meat, shred it, and return it to the sauce.

10-Seventh Step: Simmer the mixture for an additional 15 minutes and serve hot.

Last Step:

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Notes

🥩 Choose chuck steak cut taller than wider to produce long, tender strands that mimic the traditional “old clothes” appearance
⏰ For the most tender results, don’t rush the cooking time – the low and slow method breaks down the tough connective tissues
🧊 This dish tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to develop, making it perfect for meal prep or entertaining

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Braising/Simmering
  • Cuisine: Cuban
  • Diet: Not Suitable

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 306
  • Sugar: 8
  • Sodium: 680
  • Fat: 14
  • Saturated Fat: 6
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7
  • Trans Fat: 0.5
  • Carbohydrates: 15
  • Fiber: 4
  • Protein: 25
  • Cholesterol: 85