When I’m looking for a meal that will satisfy even the heartiest of appetites, I turn to dishes such as grilled churrasco with chimichurri sauce, Steak Diane, air fryer steak, Peruvian lomo saltado, slow cooker pot roast, hamburger casserole, and this super flavorful ropa vieja. I have a great local Cuban restaurant that makes the best ropa vieja – it’s perfectly tender shredded beef with the most amazing savory flavor. I’ve since learned how to make this dish at home, and I have to say, my version is just as good as what you’d get at a restaurant!
Ropa Vieja Ingredients
To make this recipe, you will need olive oil, chuck roast or flank steak, kosher salt, black pepper, yellow onions, red bell pepper, garlic, dry white wine, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, bay leaves, green olives and cilantro.
How Do You Make Ropa Vieja?
Start by browning your meat in a Dutch oven pot. Remove the meat from the pot, then cook your vegetables until tender. When the veggies are soft, add garlic, seasonings, tomatoes and a little white wine. Return the meat to the pot, then cover the pot and place it in the oven. Let the meat simmer in the oven for at least 3 hours or until it’s very tender. Shred the meat, then stir in olives. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve immediately.
Tips For The Perfect Dish
I recommend taking the extra few minutes to brown your meat. It adds so much more flavor to the dish. Ropa vieja will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and will last for 2 months in the freezer. Serve the finished dish with a variety of sides such as cilantro lime rice or black beans and rice. Don’t forget the sweet plantains, also known as maduros! If you don’t want to use wine, substitute an equal amount of beef broth instead.
Flavor Variations
This dish is fabulous as-is, but you can easily customize the ingredients to suit your tastes.
Protein: Instead of beef, try using chicken thighs or pork shoulder for a less traditional, but still delicious option. Vegetables: You can add some extra veggies to this dish such as carrots, green bell peppers, capers, celery or potatoes. Flavorings: Feel free to stir in some tomato paste, red chili flakes or parsley for even more flavor.
This dish is perfect for a family dinner, or for a cold day when you want to warm up with a little comfort food!
Ropa Vieja Video
