Best 9 Easy Ropa Vieja Stew Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant streets of Cuba with Ropa Vieja, a traditional shredded beef stew that embodies the country's rich flavors and history. This beloved dish, meaning "old clothes" in Spanish, is a testament to the resourcefulness and creativity of Cuban cuisine. Originating from humble beginnings, Ropa Vieja has evolved into a delectable stew that showcases the perfect balance of savory, tangy, and slightly sweet notes.

Our collection of Ropa Vieja recipes offers a diverse range of options to tantalize your taste buds. From the classic Cuban Ropa Vieja, brimming with tender beef, vibrant sofrito, and aromatic spices, to the tantalizing Colombian Ropa Vieja, featuring a unique blend of beef, pork, and chorizo, each recipe promises an explosion of flavors.

For those seeking a vegetarian alternative, our Jackfruit Ropa Vieja is a delightful plant-based rendition that captures the essence of the traditional dish, using young jackfruit as a meat substitute. And if you're looking for a quick and hassle-free option, our Instant Pot Ropa Vieja delivers the same authentic flavors in a fraction of the time.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

ROPA VIEJA RECIPE



Ropa Vieja Recipe image

Our version of Cuban ropa vieja eliminates the two-pot approach, for better beefy flavor and more efficient prep.

Provided by Daniel Gritzer

Categories     Beef Stew     Mains

Time 2h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 19

2 1/2 pounds (1.1kg) beef flank steak (see note)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons (45ml) vegetable oil, plus more if needed
1 large yellow onion (about 15 ounces; 415g), sliced
3 red, yellow, and/or orange bell peppers (about 8 3/4 ounces; 250g each), stemmed, seeded, and thinly sliced
8 medium cloves garlic (3/4 ounce; 25g), minced
1 tablespoon (15ml) tomato paste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 cup (120ml) dry white wine
1 (14-ounce; 396g) can peeled whole tomatoes in their juices, crushed
1 cup (240ml) homemade or store-bought chicken stock, plus more if needed
2 bay leaves
1 medium carrot, halved crosswise
1 celery rib, halved crosswise
1/2 cup (90g) pimento-stuffed olives, sliced into thirds
1 small handful chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems (about 1/2 loosely packed cup)
Cooked rice and pinto or black beans, for serving

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Cut flank steak into large pieces that will fit on the bottom of a Dutch oven in 2 batches. Season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches, add steak and cook, turning, until browned, about 6 minutes per batch. Transfer steak to a plate and set aside.
  • Stir in tomato paste, cumin, oregano, and allspice and cook, stirring and scraping, for 1 minute.
  • Cover Dutch oven and transfer to oven, then let cook until beef is very tender, about 1 1/2 hours.
  • Stir in olives, return Dutch oven to medium heat, and simmer until juices have reduced just enough to coat the beef in a rich, saucy glaze. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in cilantro, then serve with rice and beans.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 360 kcal, Carbohydrate 23 g, Cholesterol 84 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 33 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 695 mg, Sugar 10 g, Fat 15 g, ServingSize Serves 6 to 8, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

EASY ROPA VIEJA STEW



Easy Ropa Vieja Stew image

Use your slow cooker for this meaty Cuban classic, which offers bold flavors without a lot of hands-on time. -Denise Nyland, Panama City, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 6h25m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 boneless beef chuck roast (2 pounds), cut in half
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large onions, coarsely chopped
2 large green peppers, coarsely chopped
4 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
1 habanero pepper, seeded and minced
3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup water
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
4 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
2 teaspoons pepper
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup pimiento-stuffed olives, coarsely chopped
Hot cooked rice, optional

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, brown beef in oil on all sides. Transfer meat to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Add onions and peppers. Combine tomatoes, water, garlic, cilantro, beef bouillon, pepper, cumin and oregano; pour over vegetables., Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until meat is tender. Remove beef; cool slightly. Skim fat from cooking juices; stir in olives. Shred beef with two forks and return to slow cooker; heat through. Serve with rice if desired. Freeze option: Transfer individual portions of stew to freezer containers and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little water if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 306 calories, Fat 16g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 74mg cholesterol, Sodium 821mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 25g protein.

ROPA VIEJA



Ropa Vieja image

The way tender flank steak shreds into thin pieces gives this dish the name that translates literally to "old clothes." My abuela would first cook the meat in her stovetop pressure cooker, shred it and then simmer it with the tomato, onion and bell pepper sauce. In my take on this Cuban classic, I like to braise the meat right in the sauce, so all the juices marry together giving it even more depth. Some versions of ropa vieja skip the olives, capers or pimientos, but I love their salty contrast.

Provided by Gabriela Rodiles

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 1/2 pounds flank steak
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
1/2 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/4 cup vino seco (see Cook's Note) or sherry cooking wine
One 15-ounce can tomato sauce
1 cup beef stock
1 bay leaf
1 lime, juiced
1/4 cup pimiento-stuffed olives, halved crosswise, capers or diced pimientos, or a combination of all three, optional
White rice and Cuban black beans, for serving

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Pat the flank steak completely dry with a paper towel. Cut in half or thirds (across the grain) if needed to fit into your pot in a single layer. Season with 2 teaspoons salt.
  • Heat the olive oil in a medium Dutch oven or a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches if necessary, add the steak in a single layer and cook until a deep brown crust develops, 5 to 8 minutes on each side. Remove to a plate and set aside.
  • Add the onions and peppers to the same pot. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and a few cracks black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin and oregano; stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until it starts to develop color, about 1 minute. Add the vino seco to deglaze and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Add the tomato sauce, beef stock and bay leaf. Stir to incorporate. Nestle the steak in the sauce, submerging it slightly. Be sure to add any accumulated juices from the plate.
  • Cover and cook in the oven until the meat shreds easily with two forks, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
  • Transfer the pot back to the stovetop. Remove the steak to a cutting board or medium bowl and shred into long thin pieces using two forks. Meanwhile, simmer the sauce over low heat until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Return the steak to the pot and stir to combine. Add the lime juice and olives, capers or pimientos, if using.
  • Serve with white rice and black beans.

ROPA VIEJA (CUBAN MEAT STEW)



Ropa Vieja (Cuban Meat Stew) image

A filling beef meal, Ropa Vieja is a main course of shredded and braised beef with plenty of healthy, tasty vegetables like onions, peppers and olives. Our GOYA® Ropa Vieja recipe is sure to satisfy the hungriest of appetites. Lots of rice adds a fluffy texture to a full plate, too. Serve Ropa Vieja with GOYA® Frozen Ripe Plantains for a classic Latin pairing.

Provided by Goya

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Goya®

Time 3h

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 tablespoons Goya Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 ½ pounds flank steak, cut in 3-inch x 4-inch pieces
Goya Adobo with Pepper, to taste
2 large yellow onions, finely chopped
1 ½ green bell peppers, finely chopped
1 (6 ounce) jar Goya Sofrito
3 teaspoons Goya Minced Garlic
1 (8 ounce) can Goya Tomato Sauce
1 packet Sazon Goya with Coriander and Annatto
1 packet Goya Powdered Beef Bouillon
¼ teaspoon Goya Ground Black Pepper
1 cup Goya Spanish Olives Stuffed with Minced Pimientos, sliced
1 (2 ounce) jar Goya Capers
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
2 cups cooked Canilla Extra Long Grain Rice

Steps:

  • Heat oil in large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Season meat with Adobo. Add steak to pot and cook in batches, flipping once, until well browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer meat to a plate. Lower heat to medium. Stir in onions and peppers. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add sofrito and garlic to pot; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Stir in 3 cups of water, tomato sauce, Sazon, beef bouillon and pepper. Bring mixture to a boil. Return beef to pot. Lower heat to medium low and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes. Stir in olives and capers. Cover pot; simmer until meat shreds easily with fork, 1 - 1 1/2 hours, adding more water in 1/4 cup measurements, if pot becomes dry. Transfer meat to work surface; shred meat with two forks. Bring remaining sauce to a boil. Mix meat and cilantro into sauce. Serve with white rice.

AUTHENTIC CUBAN ROPA VIEJA (SHREDDED BEEF RECIPE)



Authentic Cuban Ropa Vieja (Shredded Beef Recipe) image

Learn how to make the best authentic ropa vieja with this classic Cuban recipe! This slow-cooked shredded beef dish is made with tenderized flank steak, sofrito, and spices, all simmered in a flavorful tomato-based sauce. This recipe requires only 25 minutes of hands-on work once the meat is tenderized.

Provided by Jamie Silva

Categories     Dinner     Main Course     Main Dish

Time 2h35m

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 lbs flank steak (cut into 4 pieces)
Water ((enough to cover the meat in the pot))
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup diced onion
1 medium green bell pepper (thinly sliced lengthwise)
1/4 cup jarred red pimientos (thinly sliced lengthwise)
4 cloves garlic (minced)
1/4 cup dry cooking wine ((vino seco))
4 ounces tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 bay leaf
Salt + pepper to taste

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven, add the meat with water and salt. Cook at medium-low until the meat is tender, about 2 hours. (In a pressure cooker, this takes about 40 minutes). Transfer to a plate. Shred meat and set aside.
  • In a skillet, heat olive oil at medium heat. Add green pepper, onion, and pimientos. Sauté for 1-2 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
  • Add dry cooking wine, tomato sauce, ground cumin, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the shredded meat to the skillet and stir to combine with the sauce. Cover and cook on low for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, without letting it dry out. Remove bay leaf and serve over white rice and sweet plantains. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 serving, Calories 419 kcal, Carbohydrate 5.2 g, Protein 43 g, Fat 23.9 g, SaturatedFat 6.8 g, Cholesterol 83 mg, Sodium 583 mg, Fiber 1.4 g, Sugar 2.5 g

ROPA VIEJA (CUBAN BEEF)



Ropa Vieja (Cuban Beef) image

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

1 (1 1/2-pound) flank steak
2 teaspoons kosher salt, or more to taste
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large red onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic, sliced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
½ cup white wine
1 ½ cups tomato sauce
1 ½ cups chicken broth
2 bay leaves
2 bell peppers, sliced
1 poblano pepper, sliced
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons capers, drained
1 cup pimento-stuffed green olives, sliced
1 teaspoon white sugar, or to taste
⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro

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

OLD CLOTHES (BEEF STEW): ROPA VIEJA



Old Clothes (Beef Stew): Ropa Vieja image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 (2 1/2-pound) flank steak, halved lengthwise
2 bay leaves
1 carrot, sliced
2 onions, julienne
1 tablespoon dry oregano
1 red pepper, julienne
1 green pepper, julienne
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup sherry
2 cups whole tomatoes, canned
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and pepper
Serving suggestion: white rice

Steps:

  • Boil the flank steak with bay leaves, carrots, 1 onion, and oregano with enough water to cover the ingredients. Cook for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  • Drain and let the meat cool, cut into 2-inch cubes and then shred.
  • Saute the remaining onion, peppers, and garlic in olive oil until translucent. Deglaze with sherry. Add tomatoes and cumin. Cook for 15 minutes. Add the shredded meat and cook for 1/2 hour. Season with salt and pepper.

EASY ROPA VIEJA STEW



Easy Ropa Vieja Stew image

Make and share this Easy Ropa Vieja Stew recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Lizzie Rodriquez

Categories     Easy

Time 6h25m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 lbs boneless beef chuck roast, cut in half
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large onions, coarsely chopped
2 large green peppers, coarsely chopped
4 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
1 habanero pepper, seeded and minced
3 (14 1/2 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup water
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
4 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
2 teaspoons pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup pimento stuffed olive, coarsely chopped
hot cooked rice (optional)

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, brown beef in oil on all sides. Transfer meat to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Add onions and peppers. Combine tomatoes, water, garlic, cilantro, beef bouillon, pepper, cumin and oregano; pour over vegetables.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until meat is tender. Remove beef; cool slightly. Skim fat from cooking juices; stir in olives. Shred beef with two forks and return to slow cooker; heat through. Serve with rice if desired. Yield: 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 254.8, Fat 11, SaturatedFat 3.8, Cholesterol 75, Sodium 410.5, Carbohydrate 14.5, Fiber 3.8, Sugar 7.6, Protein 26.8

CUBAN MEAT STEW (ROPA VIEJA)



Cuban Meat Stew (Ropa Vieja) image

This meat stew is delicious and easy. A nice change of pace, and it makes the house smell so good. Serve with rice and a salad, or crusty bread. From a Goya cookbook--Best of the Americas-Carribean.

Provided by ciao4293

Categories     Stew

Time 2h40m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 1/2 lbs flank steaks, cut in 4 x 5 inch strips
all purpose adobo seasoning
3 tablespoons olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 1/2 cups finely diced onions
1 1/2 cups finely diced green peppers
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (8 ounce) can spanish style tomato sauce (such as Goya)
1 (6 ounce) jar sofrito sauce (such as Goya)
3 cups water
1 packet sazon goya with coriander and annatto (again, such as Goya)
1 packet beef bouillon (I used about 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon Beef Base)
1 ounce jar capers, rinsed
10 large pimento-stuffed green olives, sliced

Steps:

  • Season steak with Adobo.
  • In large skillet, heat oil on medium high, brown meat on both sides, remove and keep warm.
  • Lower heat to medium, add garlic, onion and green pepper, cook-stirring often for about 10 minutes.
  • Stir in black pepper and tomato sauce and cook, stirring often for about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the sofrito, water, sazon and bouillon and bring to a boil.
  • Return the meat to the pan, cover, lower the heat, and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring it occasionally.
  • Add in the capers and olives, continue to simmer covered, until the meat is tender and shreds easily.
  • This should take about 1-1/2 hours.
  • You can add more water 1/4 cup at a time if the sauce gets too dry.
  • To serve, shred the meat with 2 forks and mix back into sauce.

Tips:

  • For a more flavorful Ropa Vieja, use a combination of beef cuts, such as chuck roast, flank steak, and skirt steak.
  • Don't overcook the beef. The meat should be tender but still have a little bit of a chew to it.
  • Use a good quality tomato sauce. A homemade sauce is best, but you can also use a store-bought sauce if you're short on time.
  • Add vegetables to the stew to make it more nutritious. Some good options include bell peppers, onions, carrots, and celery.
  • Serve Ropa Vieja with rice, beans, or plantains. You can also serve it on its own as a main course.

Conclusion:

Ropa Vieja is a delicious and flavorful stew that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give Ropa Vieja a try. You won't be disappointed!

Related Topics