Traditional Cuban Shredded Tasajo Dish.

 

Cuban Shredded Tasajo: Tradition with a Countryside Flavor

Cuban Shredded Tasajo is a classic dish from rural Cuban cuisine. Its preparation takes time, but the result is an explosion of deep flavors that evoke customs and traditions. Learn how to prepare this ancestral dish with all the grandmother’s tricks.

🥩 Main Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ pounds of tasajo (preferably from Montevideo)
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 green bell pepper
  • 1 and ½ large onions
  • 6 plum tomatoes
  • 8 garlic cloves
  • 1 small can of tomato sauce
  • 5 oz of extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup of dry wine
  • 2 tablespoons of ketchup
  • Ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste

 

 

👨‍🍳 Preparing the Tasajo:

Rinse the tasajo thoroughly and remove all visible fat. Cut it into large pieces following the grain of the meat. Soak it overnight in plenty of water to remove excess salt and rehydrate it.

The next day, discard the soaking water, rinse, and cut into smaller pieces. Then, boil it in a pressure cooker until tender and fully desalted. Let it cool and shred it by hand.

🍅 Ingredients for the Sofrito:

  • Bell peppers and onion cut into thin strips
  • Peeled and chopped tomatoes
  • Garlic mashed with salt
  • Tomato sauce, ketchup, and dry wine
  • Black pepper and salt to taste

🔥 Preparing the Sofrito:

In a large pot, heat the oil and sauté the bell peppers and onion until soft. Add the mashed garlic and lightly brown it.

Add the tomatoes and mix well. Then add the tomato sauce, dry wine, and ketchup. Cook over low heat to concentrate the flavors and reduce the tomato’s acidity.

Sprinkle black pepper and adjust the salt. Add the shredded tasajo and mix everything together. Pour in a little of the cooking broth from the tasajo, raise the heat, and cook covered for 10 minutes. Then let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

ℹ️ Additional Information:

  • Servings: 8 portions
  • Preparation time: 8 to 10 hours (for desalting and tenderizing the meat) + 1 hour and 30 minutes (for full preparation and cooking)
  • Category: Meats
  • Cuisine: Cuban

💡 Tip:

This dish goes perfectly with white rice, fried green plantains and a fresh salad. The most authentic Creole flavor on your table!

Did you try this recipe? Tell us how your aporreado turned out or if you have a family version. Your experience could inspire other readers!

🏷️ Tags: aporreado de tasajo, creole cuisine, Cuban recipes, shredded beef, traditional Cuban dishes, Cuban countryside food, authentic Cuban cooking

For the Spanish recipe, visit: Aporreado de Tasajo Cubano: Sabor Genuinamente Criollo.