Season 09 - Dinner / S09D10
Ropa Vieja with White Rice and Avocado
Story
Don Luis leaned against the kitchen counter, the soft clink of a wooden spoon against a cast iron pot echoing through the warm room. “You know,” he began with a nostalgic smile, “ropa vieja means ‘old clothes’… but I promise you, nothing about this recipe tastes worn out!” As he shredded the tender beef with his fork, the scent of cumin and bell peppers danced in the air like an old salsa record spinning in the background. Luna and Toby laid by his feet, the smell drawing their tails to wag rhythmically, like they too remembered the days when Abuela would serve this dish with love and a big spoonful of white rice. Today, Don Luis is making it just the way she did—flavorful, comforting, and always served with slices of creamy avocado 🥑 on the side, like a hug on a plate. Time, Nutrition & Cost
Ingredients
- 2 lbs flank steak or chuck roast 🥩
- 1 tbsp olive oil 🫒
- 1 large onion, sliced 🧅
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced ❤️
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced 💚
- 4 garlic cloves, minced 🧄
- 1 tsp cumin 🌱
- 1 tsp smoked paprika 🌶️
- 1 bay leaf 🍃
- 1 cup tomato sauce 🍅
- 0.5 cup beef broth 🥣
- Salt & pepper to taste 🧂
- 2 cups cooked white rice 🍚
- 2 ripe avocados, sliced 🥑
- Optional: green olives for garnish 🫒
Instructions
- 1Sear the beef: In a large pot, heat olive oil and sear the beef on both sides until browned. Remove and set aside.
- 2Sauté the veggies: In the same pot, add onions, bell peppers, and garlic. Sauté until soft and fragrant.
- 3Add seasonings: Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, bay leaf, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Bring to a simmer.
- 4Simmer the beef: Return the beef to the pot, cover, and cook on low heat for 2 hours until tender.
- 5Shred & combine: Remove the beef, shred it with forks, then return it to the sauce. Mix well and simmer uncovered for 10 more minutes.
- 6Serve it up: Plate the ropa vieja over a bed of white rice and top with avocado slices. Add olives if you like that briny pop!
About the narrator
Don Luis · A character for three generations
Don Luis is the brand character and narrator for this catalog: a warm voice for Puerto Rican family recipes tested by the real creator behind the brand. The project carries three generations of flavor and writes each recipe step by step so any kid can follow it.
Read our mission →