Authentic Cuban Ropa Vieja: A Family Recipe That Will Make Your Mouth Water

Get ready to discover the magic of Ropa Vieja, a beloved Cuban dish that will fill your home with amazing smells! This shredded beef stew is so tender it falls apart with just a fork. The name "Ropa Vieja" means "old clothes" in Spanish because the shredded meat looks like colorful, torn-up cloth.

What Makes Ropa Vieja So Special?

Ropa Vieja is more than just food - it's a piece of Cuban history. Every Cuban family has their own special way of making it. Some use different meats, like my dad who once secretly used venison instead of the traditional flank steak! The meat cooks for hours until it's super tender, soaking up all the tasty flavors from peppers, garlic, and wine.

The Secret to Perfect Ropa Vieja

The magic happens when you cook everything in the same pot. First, you sear the meat to lock in the juices. Then, the vegetables cook in those same tasty bits left in the pot. This makes everything taste amazing! The long cooking time in the oven makes the meat so soft it falls apart.

What Do You Need to Make Ropa Vieja?

Here's everything you'll need to make this yummy dish:

Main Ingredients:

• Flank steak

• Red, orange, and green peppers

• Onion

• Garlic cloves

• Cooking wine

• Red wine vinegar

• Chicken/Beef bouillon

• Four cups of water

• Extra virgin olive oil

• Tomato Sauce

• Tomato Paste

• Salt and Pepper

How Do You Cook Ropa Vieja?

Making Ropa Vieja is fun and easy! Here's how to do it:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cut up the garlic cloves and peppers

2. Cut the flank steak into pieces and season them with salt and pepper

3. Heat extra virgin olive oil in a big pot

4. When the oil is hot, sear the meat until it's brown

5. In the same pot, cook the peppers, garlic, and onions

6. Add vinegar, cooking wine, chicken/beef bouillon, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and four cups of water

7. Put the seared steak back in

8. Put the pot in the oven for 3 hours at 300 degrees F

What Can You Serve With Ropa Vieja?

Ropa Vieja tastes great with white rice and black beans. You can also add sweet plantains on the side. Some people like to put a little hot sauce on top to make it spicy!

Traditional Cuban Ropa Vieja

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:

• 2-3 pounds flank steak

• 1 each: red, orange, and green pepper, sliced

• 1 large onion, sliced

• 4-5 garlic cloves, minced

• 1/4 cup cooking wine

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar

• 2 chicken/beef bouillon cubes

• 4 cups water

• 2 small cans tomato sauce

• 1 small can of tomato paste

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

• salt and pepper

Now you know how to make tasty Ropa Vieja! This dish is perfect for family dinners or when you have friends over. Remember, the longer it cooks, the better it tastes. Have fun cooking!