Ropa Vieja (Shredded Beef Stew)

Ingredients

• For the Ropa Vieja:
• 2 lbs flank steak (or chuck roast), cut into large pieces 🥩
• 1 tbsp olive oil 🫒
• 1 onion, thinly sliced 🧅
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced 🔴
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced 🫑
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes 🍅
• 1 cup beef broth 🥣
• 0.5 cup dry white wine 🍷
• 1 tsp cumin 🏺
• 1 tsp smoked paprika 🌶️
• 0.5 tsp oregano 🌿
• 1 tbsp tomato paste 🍅
• 0.5 cup green olives, sliced 🫒
• 1 tbsp capers 🌿
• Salt & pepper to taste 🧂
• Fresh cilantro for garnish 🌿
• For Serving:
• White rice 🍚
• Sweet plantains 🍌

Instructions

1. 11️⃣ Sear the Beef 🔥
2. 21️⃣ Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
3. 32️⃣ Sear the beef on both sides until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
4. 42️⃣ Sauté the Aromatics 🌶️🧄
5. 53️⃣ In the same pot, add onions, bell peppers, and garlic.
6. 64️⃣ Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
7. 73️⃣ Build the Sauce 🍅
8. 85️⃣ Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, white wine, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.
9. 96️⃣ Stir well to combine all the flavors.
10. 104️⃣ Slow Cook to Perfection 🕰️
11. 117️⃣ Return the seared beef to the pot, cover, and let it simmer on low heat for 2.5–3 hours, or until the beef is tender and easily shreds.
12. 125️⃣ Shred & Finish 🥩✨
13. 138️⃣ Remove the beef from the pot and shred it with two forks.
14. 149️⃣ Return the shredded beef to the sauce, then stir in olives and capers.
15. 15Let it simmer for an additional 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
16. 166️⃣ Serve & Enjoy 🇨🇺🍽️
17. 171️⃣1️⃣ Plate the Ropa Vieja over white rice and serve with sweet plantains on the side.
18. 181️⃣2️⃣ Garnish with fresh cilantro and enjoy the bold, savory flavors of Cuba!