Ropa vieja, meaning "old clothes" in Spanish, is a traditional Cuban beef stew with a rich history and a captivating flavor profile. This hearty and flavorful dish has become a beloved staple in Cuban cuisine and is often served as a main course at special occasions and gatherings. The unique combination of tender shredded beef, a flavorful tomato-based sauce, and an array of spices and vegetables makes ropa vieja an irresistible culinary delight. In this article, we will delve into the world of ropa vieja and uncover the secrets to creating an authentic and delicious dish that will transport your taste buds to the vibrant streets of Havana.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
ROPA VIEJA (CUBAN BEEF)
This Cuban braised beef dish literally translates to 'old clothes,' because apparently some people thought the fall-apart meat and colorful strips of onions and peppers, tangled together, looked like old, tattered clothing. You'll love this dish if you're into big, bold flavors, since there's nothing subtle about the seasoning here. Delicious served with beans, rice, and plantain chips. Garnish with more cilantro.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews Beef
Time 11h30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- Cut flank steak in half across the grain. Mix salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Season both sides generously with the salt mixture.
- Heat olive oil in a pot over high heat. Add steaks and cook until outsides are well browned, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove steaks to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add red onion, garlic, and more of the salt seasoning. Cook and stir until starting to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, cloves, and allspice. Cook and stir for 1 minute. Pour in white wine, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in tomato sauce and chicken broth.
- Return beef and accumulated juices to the pot. Season with salt and add bay leaves. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until beef is almost fork-tender, not falling apart, about 2 hours.
- Remove pot from heat and let stew cool to room temperature, at least 45 minutes. Refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight, for best results.
- Remove beef to a plate and set stew over medium heat. Tear beef along the grain into 1/8- to 1/4-inch-wide shreds; place back in the stew. Add bell peppers, poblanos, smoked paprika, capers, olives, and sugar. Stir together and reduce heat to medium. Simmer until peppers are soft and meat is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Turn off heat, remove bay leaves, and stir in cilantro.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 209 calories, Carbohydrate 10.4 g, Cholesterol 27.5 mg, Fat 12.5 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 11.9 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 1275 mg, Sugar 5.1 g
SLOW COOKER ROPA VIEJA (CUBAN SHREDDED BEEF)
Make and share this Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja (Cuban Shredded Beef) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by PanNan
Categories Cuban
Time 8h10m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Rub each side of the steak with Adobo seasoning. Place in slow cooker.
- Slice peppers, onion and garlic and add to the slow cooker along with the olives.
- Mix the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and add to the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 8 hours.
- When cooked, remove the meat from the slow cooker and finely shred with 2 forks. Return the shredded beef to the sauce in the slow cooker and stir.
- Cook the shredded beef on low in the slow cooker another 20 minutes.
- Serve over rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 394.5, Fat 15.9, SaturatedFat 6.1, Cholesterol 115.7, Sodium 714.5, Carbohydrate 18.9, Fiber 4, Sugar 10.1, Protein 39.5
AUTHENTIC CUBAN SHREDDED BEEF, "ROPA VIEJA" CUBANA
When I first tasted this dish I was swept off my feet. It was the most delicious shredded beef recipe I had ever tasted. I quickly learned how to make it from my dear mother-in-law Yoli, short for Yolanda. Over the years I have tweaked it to my families liking. I guarantee You will love this shredded beef recipe. The name is"Ropa...
Provided by Juliann Esquivel
Categories Beef
Time 2h35m
Number Of Ingredients 25
Steps:
- 1. Put brisket in a large pot of cold water add half onion, half green pepper, 1 bay leaf, 3 cloves garlic smashed or crushed and 1 tsp salt cover and cook for about four hours over medium flame until brisket is fork tender and is falling apart. If you have a pressure cooker You can do the same as above; cover and pressurize for one hour. When finished cooking; release steam carefully; remove meat and allow to cool then with two forks beging ripping pieces of meat into shredds with the forks pulling each apart until all is shredded completely. Set aside
- 2. Next in a large deep skillet or saute pan heat the olive oil over medium heat; add the rest of the diced onion, green pepper, remaing garlic, (be sure garlic is smashed or put through a garlic press) saute these veggies until onion is translucent; next add the parsley, cilantro, diced roasted pimento, should only use one pimento, continue to saute until parsley and cilantro are limp. Next add the olives and the wine to the sauteed veggies, continue to saute for about a minute; now add the tomato sauce; ketchup, worcestershire sauce; vinegar; lime juice; bay leaf, and all the dry seasonings. oregano, cumin powder,sazon goya packet,garlic powder,goya adobe seasoning,remaining tsp salt, black pepper,and stir very well. Keep cooking for about 2 minutes until all the seasonings are well mixed into the sauce. Now add the 1/2 cup beef broth. Stir very well and let simmer for about one more minute. Taste a little of the sauce to see if it has enough salt and seasonings you may want to add a little more salt or pepper or a little bit more of ketchup and a kiss of cayanne pepper if you like. If you like a little kick. It's up to your taste liking.
- 3. Now add the meat to the sauce and mix very very well ensuring that the meat is well mixed with this sauce. Saute the meat with the sauce for about three minutes; over a medium low flame so the sauce marries with the meat. Cover with a tight lid lower the flame to very low and leave like this for three minutes. After three minutes have passed uncover mix real good again, and serve on top of fluffy white Cuban rice or my white lime rice. Serve with the fried plantains and a salad. This shredded beef is delicious. Enjoy
- 4. I like to eat the left over shredded beef on toasty Cuban bread the next day or you can serve on toasted French or Italian bread either way it is wonderful. Buen Appetito Save the remaining beef broth for making soup the next day or freeze for another dish.
Tips:
- Choose the right cut of beef: Flank steak, skirt steak, or chuck roast are all good options for ropa vieja. These cuts are tough, but they become tender when cooked slowly.
- Marinate the beef: Marinating the beef helps to tenderize it and add flavor. You can use a variety of marinades, but a simple one made with olive oil, garlic, cumin, and oregano is a good place to start.
- Cook the beef slowly: Ropa vieja is traditionally cooked over low heat for several hours. This allows the beef to become very tender and fall apart easily.
- Shred the beef: Once the beef is cooked, it is shredded into small pieces. This makes it easier to eat and helps to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Use a flavorful sauce: The sauce is what really makes ropa vieja special. There are many different recipes for ropa vieja sauce, but they all typically include tomatoes, onions, garlic, and bell peppers. Some recipes also include spices such as cumin, oregano, and paprika.
- Serve ropa vieja with rice and beans: Ropa vieja is traditionally served with rice and beans. This is a classic Cuban combination that is sure to please everyone at the table.
Conclusion:
Ropa vieja is a delicious and versatile dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you serve it with rice and beans, or use it as a filling for tacos or empanadas, ropa vieja is sure to be a hit.
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