Ropa Vieja Recipe

Name: Ropa Vieja
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 flank steak (1 1/2 to 2 pounds); Kosher salt and black pepper; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 carrot, cut in large hunks; 1 medium onion, peeled and quartered; 4 large cloves garlic, crushed; 2 or 3 bay leaves; 2 cups beef broth or stock (to make your own, see page 169); 1/4 cup olive oil; 1 medium onion, chopped; 1 large green pepper, finely diced; 1 or 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced; Pinch plus 2 teaspoons kosher salt; Pinch plus 1 teaspoon black pepper; 4 large cloves garlic, finely chopped; 2 cans (16 ounces each) tomato sauce or 4 cups Mutha Sauce (page 165); 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 4 to 6 cups Perfect Rice (page 117); 10 ounces fresh or frozen sweet peas, cooked; 2 red peppers, roasted, peeled, seeded, and cut into strips

Servings: persons

1 flank steak (1 1/2 to 2 pounds)
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 carrot, cut in large hunks
1 medium onion, peeled and quartered
4 large cloves garlic, crushed
2 or 3 bay leaves
2 cups beef broth or stock (to make your own, see page 169)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large green pepper, finely diced
1 or 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
Pinch plus 2 teaspoons kosher salt
Pinch plus 1 teaspoon black pepper
4 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 cans (16 ounces each) tomato sauce or 4 cups Mutha Sauce (page 165)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons dried oregano
4 to 6 cups Perfect Rice (page 117)
10 ounces fresh or frozen sweet peas, cooked
2 red peppers, roasted, peeled, seeded, and cut into strips

1
Preheat the oven to 325.
2
Season the flank steak with salt and pepper.
3
Schlepp a heavy 12-inch skillet over to the stove and heat the olive oil in it.
4
Brown one side of the steak for about 4 minutes over high heat.
5
Flip it over and add the carrots, onions, garlic, and bay leaves around the edges.
6
Season everything with another pinch of salt and pepper.
7
Brown the meat and veggies for 4 to 5 minutes more to get some nice caramelization going on.
8
Add the broth.
9
Bring just to a boil, cover, and pop into the oven and simmer til the beef is fork tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
10
Take the beef out of the pan and wrap it tightly in foil, saving all those tasty veggies and cooking juices.
11
Let the beef rest for about 20 minutes, and then shred it with your fingers into long stringy pieces along the grain of the meat.
12
Meanwhile, strain out the bay leaves and the veggies.
13
Return the cooking liquid to the pan and boil everything down til youve got 1 cup of liquid.
14
Mix the shredded beef back into the liquid in the pan.
15
Make a batch of sauce.
16
Heat the oil in a skillet and cook the onions, green peppers, and jalapenos with a pinch of salt and pepper til soft.
17
Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more.
18
Stir in the tomato sauce.
19
Simmer for 15 minutes.
20
Season with the cumin, oregano, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper.
21
Add the shredded beef, simmer til heated through, and then check for seasonings.
22
Spoon Perfect Rice around the edges of a serving platter, and heap up the Ropa Vieja in the middle.
23
Top it off with peas and red pepper strips.
24
Let the feast begin.

1094

kcal

Calories

Fat

178

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 21 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 flank steak (1 1/2 to 2 pounds), Kosher salt and black pepper, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 carrot, cut in large hunks, and more.

Yes, Ropa Vieja falls under the Soups & Stews category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Ropa Vieja

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions