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    Home » Cuban

    Cuban Beef Ropa Vieja

    Published on October 2, 2022 - Updated on May 6, 2023 by Chef Rodney - Leave a Comment - This post may contain affiliate links.

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    cuban beef ropa vieja
    This Classic Ropa Vieja is one of the most popular dishes in Cuba. The sauce gives the Beef a superb flavor keeping the meat moist.
     
    cuban ropa vieja

    One of my absolute favorite Cuban dishes to make is Ropa Vieja. I previously made a Turkey Ropa Vieja but this time I wanted to make the Beef version.

    cuban ropa vieja

    Ropa Vieja has been a Cuban dish since the late 1850s. My good friend from Cuba tells me it appears on the menu of almost every restaurant in Cuba.

    Ropa Vieja means "Old Clothes" in Spanish. But like I've said before, this Cuban dish tastes much better than "Old Clothes".

    shredded beef simmering in pot

    There are many different ways to make Ropa Vieja but I am trying to make this recipe as authentic as I can. If you are going to make Ropa Vieja you might as well make it like it's supposed to.

    white cooking wine

    🥃 Alcohol Warning

    Please take into consideration that some of the alcohol in this recipe may not completely burn off and the remains could be of significant concern to recovering alcoholics, parents, and others who have ethical or religious reasons for avoiding alcohol.
     
    ropa vieja with white rice

    💭 Ingredient Substitution

    You can also use flank steak or skirt steak instead of the chuck roast. Use what you have on hand. I usually have a chuck roast in the freezer so that is what I use for this recipe.

    cuban ropa vieja

    Additionally, you can use any kind of onion you have on hand but I would stick with either a yellow onion or a sweet onion. While this recipe calls for very little hot sauce (⅛ teaspoon), you can leave it out completely if you want.

    cuban national dish

    You can use whatever brand hot sauce you want, Tabasco or Frank's Hot Sauce or any other chili pepper sauce you want. Again this is optional if you don't want to add a little heat to this delicious dish.

    beef ropa vieja

    While you can serve this meat on its own, it is typically served with a side of rice. If you are going to make rice a perfect time would be during the last step when you are simmering the beef in the tomato sauce.

    cuban ropa vieja

    For more great recipes with Chuck Roast, I suggest you check these recipes out:

    • slow cooker beef enchiladas
      Slow Cooker Beef Enchiladas
    • Slow Cooker Roast Beef Sandwiches
      Slow Cooker Roast Beef Sandwiches
    • bbq beef sandwiches
      BBQ Beef Sandwiches
    • chipotle beef barbacoa
      Instant Pot Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa

    📋 Gather your Ingredients

    You will need the following ingredients to make this Cuban Beef Ropa Vieja recipe (see recipe card for quantities): Chuck Roast (or flank steak or skirt steak), Kosher Salt, Ground Black Pepper, Olive Oil, Yellow Onion, Green Bell Pepper, Garlic Cloves, Bay Leaves, Water, Red Bell Pepper, Tomato Sauce, Dry White Wine, Dried Oregano, Paprika, Ground Cumin, Spanish Green Olives, Fresh Parsley and Hot Sauce.

    🥣 How to make Cuban Beef Ropa Vieja

    MAKE THE BRAISED BEEF
    Season
    the chuck roast with salt and pepper.
    In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Sear the beef for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown.
    Reduce the heat to low and add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, bay leaves, and water to the pan to surround the beef but not completely submerge it.
    Cover the pot and simmer for 2 ½ hours, or until the beef is fork-tender. Flip the beef at the 1-hour mark adding more water if needed.
    Remove the beef, and discard the remaining ingredients reserving ¾ cup of the broth. Once the beef is cool enough to handle, use two forks to shred the meat. Set aside.
    MAKE THE SAUCE
    In the same pot used to cook the beef, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until tender. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
    Return the shredded beef to the pot.
    Pour in the tomato sauce, white wine, and the reserved broth. Add the oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Lower the heat to low and cook, covered, for 15 or 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    Fold in the olives, parsley, and Hot Sauce.

    Cuban Beef Ropa Vieja

    Cuban Beef Ropa Vieja

    This Classic Ropa Vieja is one of the most popular dishes in Cuba. The sauce gives the Beef a superb flavor keeping the meat moist.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 3 hours hrs
    Total Time 3 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Cuban
    Servings 8
    Calories 332 kcal

    Equipment

    • Dutch Oven

    Ingredients
     

    FOR THE BEEF

    • 2 lbs Chuck Roast, flank steak, or skirt steak
    • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
    • ½ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
    • 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 1 Yellow Onion, halved
    • 1 Green Bell Pepper, quartered
    • 4 Garlic Cloves, smashed
    • 2 Bay Leaves
    • 3 to 4 cups Water

    FOR THE SAUCE

    • 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 1 Yellow Onion, diced
    • 1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
    • 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
    • 15 oz Tomato Sauce
    • ½ cup Dry White Wine
    • 1 tablespoon Dried Oregano
    • 1 tablespoon Paprika
    • 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
    • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
    • ½ cup Spanish Green Olives, sliced
    • 2 tablespoon Fresh Parsley, chopped
    • ⅛ teaspoon Hot Sauce, or to taste

    Instructions
     

    MAKE THE BRAISED BEEF

    • Season the chuck roast with salt and pepper.
    • In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Sear the beef for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown.
    • Reduce the heat to low and add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, bay leaves, and water to the pan to surround the beef but not completely submerge it.
    • Cover the pot and simmer for 2 ½ hours, or until the beef is fork-tender. Flip the beef at the 1 hour mark adding more water if needed.
    • Remove the beef, and discard the remaining ingredients reserving ¾ cup of the broth. Once the beef is cool enough to handle, use two forks to shred the meat. Set aside.

    MAKE THE SAUCE

    • In the same pot used to cook the beef, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until tender. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
    • Return the shredded beef to the pot.
    • Pour in the tomato sauce, white wine, and the reserved broth. Add the oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Lower the heat to low and cook, covered, for 15 or 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Fold in the olives, parsley, and Tabasco.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 332kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 24gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 78mgSodium: 1068mgPotassium: 699mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1331IUVitamin C: 39mgCalcium: 67mgIron: 4mg

    Nutritional information provided for this recipe is based on 1 serving. This information is an estimate and may vary based on several factors. If nutritional information is important to you and your diet, please verify this recipe with a Registered Dietitian.

    Tried this Recipe?Leave a Comment below and share a picture on Instagram and tag @hot_rods_recipes and hashtag #hotrodsrecipes!

    More Delicious Cuban Recipes

    • cuban meatballs
      Traditional Cuban Meatballs (Albondigas)
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      Cuban Corn Stew (Guiso De Maiz)
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