Traditional Cuban Ropa Vieja.

Traditional Cuban Ropa Vieja

Cuban ropa vieja is one of the most traditional and iconic dishes in creole cuisine. Its peculiar name comes from the shredded look of the beef, but its flavor is intensely homemade and delicious. Learn how to prepare it easily using classic ingredients.

🥩 Ingredients to tenderize the meat:

  • 2 ½ pounds of beef (flank steak)
  • 1 piece of green bell pepper
  • 1 piece of red bell pepper
  • 1 whole onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • ½ gallon of water

 

 

👨‍🍳 Preparing the meat:

Cut the meat into medium pieces. In a pressure cooker, add the water, meat, bell peppers, onion, garlic cloves, and salt. Cook for approximately 30 minutes or until the meat is very tender.

Remove the meat, let it cool down, and shred it into thin strips using your hands or a fork.

🍅 Ingredients for the sofrito (Cuban stir-fry base):

  • 8 garlic cloves
  • 1 whole onion
  • 1 small green bell pepper
  • ½ red bell pepper
  • ½ cup tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • Black pepper to taste

🔥 Preparing the sofrito:

Cut the vegetables into medium strips. Heat the olive oil in a pan and sauté the onion and bell peppers. Crush the garlic with a pinch of salt and add it in.

Add the cumin and oregano, mix well, then incorporate the tomato sauce and ketchup. Cook until the sofrito is well blended.

Add the shredded beef and mix with the sofrito. Add black pepper to taste and raise the heat slightly.

Pour in one and a half ladles of the broth used to cook the meat. This adds juiciness and extra flavor. Adjust the salt if necessary. Cover the pot, lower the heat, and let it simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.

ℹ️ Additional information:

  • Servings: 8 portions
  • Prep time: 30 minutes (tenderizing the meat) + 30 minutes (preparing and cooking)
  • Category: Meats
  • Cuisine: Cuban

💡 Tip:

Serve it with white rice, fried ripe plantains , and a mixed salad. A complete meal with all the flavor of Cuba!

Did you enjoy this recipe? Leave us a comment with your questions, suggestions, or tell us how you make ropa vieja at home. We love hearing from you!

🏷️ Tags: cuban ropa vieja, creole cuisine, cuban recipes, beef, traditional cuban dishes, cuban traditional food, authentic cuban cooking

For the original version in Spanish, visit: Ropa Vieja Cubana – Receta Criolla .