Cuban Ropa Vieja Recipe
Cuban ropa vieja is a classic Cuban dish full of flavor. This Cuban ropa vieja recipe is simple to make at home. Tender shredded beef cooks slowly with peppers, onions and a rich tomato sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds flank steak or skirt steak
- 1 large onion sliced
- 1 large red bell pepper sliced
- 1 large green bell pepper sliced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the beef
- Season beef with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large pot. Brown beef on all sides.
Sauté the vegetables
- Add onions, red and green peppers and garlic to the pot. Cook until onions are soft and fragrant.
Add tomatoes and spices
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, paprika, cumin, oregano and bay leaf. Mix everything evenly for rich flavor.
Add beef broth
- Pour in beef broth. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently. Cook until beef is very tender, about 1.5-2 hours.
Shred the beef
- Remove beef from pot. Shred it using two forks carefully, keeping the pieces long and thin for classic texture.
Combine beef with sauce
- Return shredded beef to the pot. Stir well with vegetables and sauce. Let it simmer for another 10 minutes for full flavor.
Taste and adjust seasoning
- Check the sauce for salt and pepper. Adjust seasoning if needed for perfect balance and flavor.
Garnish and serve
- Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro on top. Serve hot with rice, beans or your favorite sides.
Notes
- Use flank or skirt steak for best results
- Cook low and slow for tender beef
- Slice peppers and onions thin for soft texture
- Do not skip the shredding step
- Add a splash of lime for extra freshness