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Instant Pot Ropa Vieja Recipe

Instant Pot Ropa Vieja Recipe

Ropa Vieja is like a big warm hug from Cuban kitchens! It's this amazing dish made with beef that's been slow-cooked with onions, peppers, olives, and a bunch of tasty spices like cumin and oregano. Think of it as a flavor fiesta served over fluffy white rice with a side of yummy black beans. It's the kind of dish that makes you feel all cozy inside and is perfect for family get-togethers or when you just want to treat yourself.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine cuban
Servings 5
Calories 355 kcal

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!