How to Make Delicious Ropa Vieja in 5 Simple Steps

Ropa vieja is a traditional Cuban dish that is not only easy to make but also incredibly delicious. The dish gets its name from the Spanish words for “old clothes”, but don’t let that deter you from trying it out. Made with tender shredded beef, this dish is full of bold flavors and textures that are sure to satisfy any meat lover’s cravings.

To make ropa vieja, you don’t need any fancy ingredients or advanced cooking skills. In fact, all you need is some simple seasoning, a few vegetables, and some patience. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned home cook, this recipe is perfect for anyone who wants to embrace the flavors of Cuban cuisine. So, put on some music, grab a glass of wine, and let’s get cooking!

10 Easy Steps to Make Ropa Vieja Like a Pro

If you’re a lover of Cuban cuisine, then you’ve probably heard of ropa vieja. This savory and flavorful dish is a staple in Cuban households and is enjoyed by people all over the world. If you’ve never tried it, now is the perfect time to learn how to make ropa vieja at home. With just a few simple steps, you can prepare this delicious dish in no time. Here are 10 easy steps to make ropa vieja like a pro:

Step #1: Gather Your Ingredients

The first step to making ropa vieja is gathering all the necessary ingredients. You will need 2 pounds of flank steak, 1 large onion, 1 green bell pepper, 4 garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, 2 bay leaves, 2 cans of crushed tomatoes, 1/4 cup of olive oil, and 1/4 cup of dry white wine.

Step #2: Prep Your Meat

Take your flank steak and cut it against the grain into thin strips. Season the meat with salt and pepper and set it aside.

Step #3: Prep Your Vegetables

Chop up your onion and green bell pepper into thin slices. Mince your garlic cloves.

Step #4: Sauté Your Vegetables

Heat up your olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Sauté your onion and green bell pepper until they are soft and slightly caramelized, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add your minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step #5: Brown Your Meat

Add your seasoned flank steak to the pot with the vegetables and brown it on all sides, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Step #6: Add Your Spices

Add your ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika, bay leaves, and white wine to the pot with the beef and vegetables. Mix everything together until well combined.

Step #7: Add Your Crushed Tomatoes

Add your canned crushed tomatoes to the pot and mix everything together until well combined.

Step #8: Simmer Your ropa vieja

Lower the heat to medium-low and let your ropa vieja simmer for about 2 to 3 hours until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened.

Step #9: Serve Your ropa vieja

Once your ropa vieja is ready, serve it hot over a bed of white rice. You can also garnish it with chopped cilantro or scallions.

Step #10: Enjoy Your Delicious Ropa Vieja

Now that you know how to make ropa vieja, it’s time to sit down, relax, and enjoy this delicious and flavorful dish. Share it with your friends and family and impress them with your newfound culinary skills. Bon appetit!

Ingredients You Will Need

Making ropa vieja requires a few basic ingredients that you may already have in your kitchen or can easily find at your local grocery store. Here are the main ingredients you will need:

1. Beef

The star ingredient of ropa vieja is beef. You will need around 2-3 pounds of flank steak, skirt steak, or beef chuck roast. These cuts of beef have enough fat and flavor to create a juicy and tender texture after cooking.

2. Tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes are the best choice for making this dish. You will need around 3-4 large tomatoes. Make sure they are ripe and firm.

3. Bell Peppers

Green and red bell peppers add sweetness and color to the dish. You will need 2-3 bell peppers cut into thin slices.

4. Onion

You will need one medium-sized onion, finely chopped. The onion adds a sweet and savory flavor to the dish.

5. Garlic

You’ll need a few fresh garlic cloves finely chopped to add extra flavor to the dish.

6. Beef Broth

You need beef broth to cook the beef and make the sauce. You can use store-bought beef broth or make your own broth by simmering beef bones in water for several hours.

7. Bay Leaves

Bay leaves are a must in ropa vieja. They add a unique herbal flavor to the dish. You will need 2-3 bay leaves.

8. Cumin

Cumin is a popular spice used in Latin American cuisine and adds a smoky flavor to the dish. You need around 1 teaspoon of cumin.

9. Oregano

Oregano is another common herb used in Latin American cuisine and adds a robust and earthy flavor. You need 1 tablespoon of dried oregano.

10. Salt and Pepper

Don’t forget to season your ropa vieja with salt and pepper according to your taste.

Ingredients for Ropa Vieja

Ropa Vieja is a popular Cuban dish that dates back to the 16th century. It is made with shredded beef that is slow-cooked with onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and spices to create a flavorful and tender dish. If you want to make it at home, here are the ingredients you will need:

Preparing the Beef

The first step in making ropa vieja is preparing the beef. It is important to use flank or skirt steak for this recipe because it has the right amount of fat and connective tissue that will make the meat tender and flavorful. Follow these steps:

Cutting the Meat

Begin by cutting the beef into large pieces, about 2 to 3 inches wide. This will make it easier to shred later.

Browning the Meat

Next, heat a large skillet over high heat and add the meat. Brown the meat on both sides for about 2-3 minutes until it develops a nice crust. This will add flavor to the final dish.

Cooking the Meat

Once the meat is browned, transfer it to a large pot or slow cooker. Add the water, bay leaf, and salt. Cover the pot and cook over low heat for 2 to 3 hours until the meat is fork-tender and falls apart easily.

Preparing the Sauce

While the beef is cooking, you can prepare the sauce for the ropa vieja.

Sautéing the Vegetables

In the same skillet you used to brown the meat, add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Sauté over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until they are soft and fragrant.

Adding the Tomatoes and Spices

Add the canned tomatoes, cumin, oregano, and black pepper to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to stir well and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

Cooking the Sauce

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 minutes until it thickens and the flavors are well combined.

Mixing the Beef and the Sauce

Once the beef is fork-tender, remove it from the cooking liquid and let it cool for a few minutes. Use two forks to shred the beef into thin strips.

Add the shredded beef to the sauce and mix well. Simmer the mixture over low heat for another 15-20 minutes until the beef is fully coated with the sauce and heated through.

Serving the Ropa Vieja

Ropa vieja is traditionally served with white rice, black beans, and fried plantains. You can also serve it with a side salad or some crusty bread. Garnish the dish with chopped cilantro or parsley for added flavor and color. Enjoy!

Enjoy Your Delicious ropa vieja!

Congratulations! You have successfully made a mouth-watering dish that will leave your taste buds craving for more. Ropa vieja is not only delicious, but also nutritious. The process may be a bit complicated, but with practice, you can master it and make it like a pro. So go ahead and try it out for yourself, and don’t forget to share it with your family and friends. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and we hope to see you again soon for more amazing recipes!