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Ropa Vieja

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๐Ÿฅฉ Enjoy the rich, tender flavors of traditional Cuban Ropa Vieja, a slow-cooked shredded beef stew filled with vibrant vegetables and spices.
๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Perfect for meal prep or family dinners, this recipe allows the flavors to deepen overnight and pairs wonderfully with rice and beans.

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

Ingredients

– 2 pounds chuck beef, cut taller than wider for long strands (flank steak can be used as an alternative)

– 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced

– 1 large green bell pepper, thinly sliced

– 1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced

– 1 large yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced

– 4 cloves garlic, minced

– 2 teaspoons ground cumin

– 2 teaspoons dried oregano

– 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

– 1 teaspoon ground coriander

– 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

– 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

– 2 teaspoons salt

– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

– 1/2 cup dry white wine

– 1 cup beef broth

– 16-ounce can crushed tomatoes

– 6-ounce can tomato paste

– 2 bay leaves

– 1 large carrot, cut in half

– 1 large stalk celery, cut in half

– 1 cup green olives, rinsed and drained

– 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, drained

– 1/4 cup pimientos, drained

– 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained

– 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley

– Cooking oil (amount as needed for browning)

Instructions

1-First, pat the 2 pounds of chuck beef dry and season it with 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Heat cooking oil in a Dutch oven over high heat and brown the beef on all sides; remove and set it aside, keeping the drippings for extra flavor.

2-Next, add the sliced onions and bell peppers one large yellow, one large green, one large red, and one large yellow to the pot and cook over medium heat until they caramelize, about 15-20 minutes.

3-Stir in the 4 cloves of minced garlic, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves, and cook for 1 more minute to release their aromas. Deglaze the pot with 1/2 cup dry white wine, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom. Then, add 1 cup beef broth, one 16-ounce can crushed tomatoes, one 6-ounce can tomato paste, and 2 bay leaves; let it simmer for 5 minutes.

Continuing the Cooking Process: Return the beef to the pot along with 1 large carrot cut in half and 1 large celery stalk cut in half, bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 3-4 hours until the beef is fork-tender. Once done, remove the carrot, celery, and bay leaves, transfer the beef to a plate, and shred it with forks. Mix the shredded beef back into the pot along with 1 cup green olives, 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, 1/4 cup pimientos, and 2 tablespoons capers; simmer uncovered for 30 minutes to thicken the sauce.

Finally, stir in 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve with steamed or yellow rice and black beans for a complete meal. This step-by-step approach, like the one outlined for authentic Cuban recipes on this helpful site, ensures a rich and satisfying result.

Last Step:

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Notes

๐Ÿ”ฅ Sear the beef first to enhance flavor.
๐Ÿฅ• Use whole carrot, celery, and bay leaves during cooking to boost sauce umami; remove before shredding.
โฒ๏ธ This dish can be prepared in a slow cooker; sear ingredients first, then cook low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6.
โ„๏ธ Freezes well for up to 3 months and tastes better the next day.
๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Serve with rice, black beans, and fried plantains for an authentic Cuban meal.

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Searing, simmering, shredding
  • Cuisine: Cuban

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 306
  • Sugar: 8 grams
  • Sodium: 1026 milligrams
  • Fat: 14 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 6 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 15 grams
  • Fiber: 4 grams
  • Protein: 25 grams
  • Cholesterol: 78 milligrams