Ropa Vieja is a tasty Cuban dish made by cooking shredded beef with onions, peppers, olives, tomato sauce, and spices like cumin and oregano. It’s like a juicy and tender beef stew that’s packed with flavor! And guess what?
Making it is super easy. You basically just toss everything into the pot and let it cook. There’s hardly any prep work involved. The only tough part? Waiting for it to be ready! If you use a slow cooker, it’ll take all day, but if you use an Instant Pot, it’ll only be a couple of hours.
Either way, it’s mostly hands-off time, so you can relax while it cooks. Serve this delicious stew with some white rice, black beans, and fried sweet plantains for a satisfying meal!
Instant Pot Ropa Vieja Recipe
Equipment
- Instant pot
Ingredients
For the Beef Seasoning:
- 2 pounds Flank steak chopped into big chunks
- 2 tsp Kosher salt
- 1 1/2 tsp Sazon you can use a store-bought packet like Goya or Badia Sazon con culantro & achiote
- 1 tsp dried Oregano
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp Cumin
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
For the Pot:
- 1/2 cup Tomato paste that’s about one can
- 1/3 cup Dry white wine or you can use more chicken broth if you prefer
- 2 1/2 cups Chicken broth
- 1 tsp Olive oil
- 1 large Yellow or white onion sliced (make sure it’s not the sweet kind)
- 1/2 green bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1/2 Red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 4-6 cloves Garlic quartered
- 1 large Carrot chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup Pitted green olives sliced
- 2 large Bay leaves
- 3 tbsp chopped Cilantro optional
Instructions
Using an Instant Pot:
- Season your beef with salt, Sazon, cumin, dried oregano, garlic powder, and black pepper. Give it a good rub so all those flavors mix together nicely.
- In a bowl, mix together the tomato paste, white wine, and chicken broth.
- Fire up your Instant Pot and hit the sauté button. Add a dash of olive oil and toss in your onions, bell peppers, and garlic. Let them sizzle for about 3 to 4 minutes until they soften up, then hit cancel.
- Nestle your seasoned beef into the onion mix so it’s all cozy. Add in the carrots, olives, and bay leaves (and cilantro if you’re feeling fancy).
- Pour that tasty tomato sauce you made earlier over the beef, then cover up your Instant Pot.
- Set it to sealing and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes. Once it’s done, unplug the Instant Pot and let the pressure release naturally.
- Time to shred that beef right in the pot and bid farewell to those bay leaves.
- Serve up your Ropa Vieja however you like – over rice, in bowls, in tacos – and don’t forget to sprinkle some extra cilantro on top if you’re into that! Enjoy the flavor explosion!
Notes
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, no problem! Just hit the sauté button on your Instant Pot after cooking, and let it boil away until the liquid reduces to your liking. Adjust it to your taste buds and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts:
| Nutrition | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 355 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 12g |
| Protein | 36g |
| Fat | 16g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Cholesterol | 65mg |
| Sodium | 982.5 mg |
| Fiber | 3g |
Can Ropa Vieja Be Made With Other Meats Besides Beef?
Yes, Ropa Vieja can be made with other meats besides beef. In times when beef is not readily available or as a personal preference, you can substitute beef with other meats such as chicken, pork, or even lamb. The key is to ensure that the meat is tender and shreds easily, just like traditional Ropa Vieja.
How Do You Reheat Ropa Vieja?
Reheating Ropa Vieja on the stovetop is the way to go for that delicious flavor revival. Simply place the dish in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
To prevent the meat from drying out, add a splash of liquid like broth. Stir occasionally to ensure even warming. It’s quick, efficient, and keeps that Ropa Vieja tasting just as good as the first time around!