Ropa Vieja: A Flavorful Cuban Classic
Experience the rich, comforting flavors of ropa vieja, a traditional Cuban dish that combines tender shredded beef with vibrant peppers and spices. Perfect for family dinners or impressing guests, this dish is as delightful to prepare as it is to eat. Served over rice or with tortillas, ropa vieja is a culinary journey worth savoring.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 180 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow cooking
- Cuisine: Cuban
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs flank steak
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers (mix of red and green)
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 14 oz crushed tomatoes (canned)
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep your ingredients by chopping the onion and bell peppers and mincing the garlic.
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the flank steak for about 5-7 minutes per side until browned.
- Remove the steak and add onions, bell peppers, and garlic to the pot. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, beef broth, cumin, oregano, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Return the seared steak to the pot. Cover and simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours until fork-tender.
- Shred the beef with two forks and return it to the sauce before serving over rice or with tortillas.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg