Ropa Vieja
Ropa vieja is a traditional Cuban dish that captivates with its rich flavors and tender, shredded beef. Simmered in a vibrant tomato sauce with bell peppers and spices, this one-pot wonder is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Its nostalgic aroma brings memories of family gatherings, making each bite an exquisite experience. Enjoy ropa vieja over rice or tortillas for a hearty meal that will impress your guests and have them asking for seconds.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6 people 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Cuban
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs flank steak
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep your ingredients by slicing onions and bell peppers, and mincing garlic.
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sear the flank steak until browned on both sides (about 4-5 minutes per side). Remove beef from pot.
- In the same pot, add onions, bell peppers, and garlic; sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, cumin, bay leaves, and return the seared beef to the pot. Cover with water or broth until submerged.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 2-3 hours until meat is tender enough to shred easily.
- Shred beef with two forks and return it to the sauce before serving over rice or tortillas.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg