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Ropa Vieja Recipe

Ropa Vieja Recipe

A traditional Cuban dish made with shredded beef, peppers, and spices, served with rice and beans.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Cuban
Servings 6 servings
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Instant Pot
  • Skillet

Ingredients
  

Seared Beef

  • 6 cloves garlic whole
  • 2-2.5 lbs beef chuck roast or flank steak
  • 1 tablespoon oil

For the Ropa Vieja recipe

  • 2 cans (8 ounce) tomato sauce
  • 1 green bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 1 medium onion thinly sliced
  • 1 can (4 ounce) chopped green chilies
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup beef broth for pressure cooker only!
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro more for serving

Serving

  • white rice
  • cuban-style black beans

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • SEARING THE MEAT: Take the beef chuck roast and using a small paring knife, make 3 small 'x' marks into the meat. Take 3 cloves of garlic and insert them into the 3 'x' marks so that the clove is completely inserted into the thickness of roast. Season both sides of the meat generously with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet or do this directly in your saute pan for the pressure cooker. Add the beef in one piece and fry on each side for 5 minutes, turning only when the exterior is browned. This will splatter a bit but don't cover the pan as the meat will end up steaming rather than searing.
  • SLOW COOKER: Chop the remaining 3 cloves of garlic into thin slices and add to the slow cooker along with all the remaining ingredients. Cover and let cook on the low setting for 7-8 hours.
  • INSTANT POT: Once the beef has seared, remove it to a plate and saute the onions, peppers, and garlic in the remaining oil for 30 seconds. Add all the remaining ingredients and cover. Set the pressure cooker to cook for 20 minutes per pound. Once the timer goes off, allow a natural pressure release.
  • SHRED: Shred the beef with the forks and give it a stir. If it doesn't shred easily, slow cook or pressure cook for additional time as needed. Taste for seasonings, season with additional salt and pepper as desired.
  • TO SERVE: Serve over a bed of rice with cuban-style black beans on the side topped with additional cilantro and a few lime wedges. You can also use the shredded beef for burritos, breakfast quesadillas, or tacos! The possibilities are endless!

Notes

Leftover beef can be kept in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 30gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 15mg
Keyword Comfort Food, Cuban Beef, instant pot, Ropa Vieja, Shredded Beef, slow cooker
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