Ropa Vieja with White Rice

Ingredients

• For the Ropa Vieja:
• 2 lbs flank steak or beef chuck roast
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 0.5 cup sofrito (onions, peppers, garlic, cilantro blend)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 cup diced tomatoes 🍅
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 0.5 cup dry white wine (optional for depth) 🍷
• 2 bay leaves
• 0.5 cup green olives, sliced
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
• For the White Rice:
• 2 cups white rice
• 4 cups water
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 0.5 tsp salt

Instructions

1. 11️⃣ Sear the Beef
2. 2Season the beef with salt, pepper, and cumin.
3. 3Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
4. 4Sear the beef for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
5. 52️⃣ Build the Flavor Base
6. 6In the same pot, add sofrito, onion, bell peppers, and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes until fragrant.
7. 7Stir in paprika, oregano, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth.
8. 8Return the beef to the pot, add white wine (if using), bay leaves, and red pepper flakes.
9. 93️⃣ Slow Cook to Perfection
10. 10Cover and simmer over low heat for 2.5-3 hours, flipping the beef halfway through.
11. 11Once the meat is tender, remove and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the sauce and mix well. Stir in the sliced green olives.
12. 124️⃣ Cook the White Rice
13. 13In a saucepan, bring water, olive oil, and salt to a boil.
14. 14Add rice, stir, and cover. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes or until fluffy.
15. 155️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!
16. 16Plate the Ropa Vieja over a bed of white rice and garnish with fresh cilantro.