Thank you to Lindsay for sponsoring this post.
This “ultimate” version of Cuba’s most famous dish is positively PACKED with flavor!! Make a double batch while you’re at it and you’ll be glad you have the leftovers!
Shredded beef and vegetables that resemble a heap of colorful rags – that’s Ropa Vieja. From the Spanish term for “old clothes”, this is one of Cuba’s most popular and beloved dishes. So popular in fact that it’s one of the country’s designated national dishes.
This dish dates back to the Middle Ages of Spanish Sephardi, a loose adaptation of a dish that remains popular in southern and central Spain. Traditionally it was a way to stretch the leftovers of stews such as puchero or cocida, both of which are garbanzo-based dishes as is the original Spanish version of Ropa Vieja. This dish was later taken to Cuba where the Cubans made it their own.
Central in this dish are beef and tomatoes, both naturally umami-rich ingredients. Added to that are zesty bell peppers, caramelized onions, and to that we’re going to add some additional ingredients and spices that will make your taste buds sing with joy!
Before we continue let’s talk BEEF.
Traditionally Ropa Vieja is made with flank steak.
Have a look around the internet at all the ropa vieja recipes and virtually all of them call for flank. That piqued my curiosity because here’s the thing: Flank steak is from the bottom hard-working muscle area of the cow (ie, very lean/very little fat) so it not only has less flavor than some other cuts of beef, it’s also notoriously tough.
Because of its low fat content, flank steak is best suited to very quick, high heat cooking, like grilling. It’s not the best choice for braising or slow cooking because without the fat content and connective tissue it dries out during the cooking process. For all of these reasons flank steak used to be one of the cheaper cuts of beef. But in recent years the price has sky-rocketed and in many places is double the cost of chuck.
But flank still continues to be used in nearly all ropa vieja recipes out of tradition because of its shape – the grains of the cut yield long strands of shredded beef resembling the dish’s namesake, torn clothing.
Flank steak is unique in that respect with those long tough strands. But I wasn’t willing to sacrifice tenderness, flavor or cost for the sake of having long shreds of beef. So I went to three different butcher shops and chatted with their butchers. First I wanted to see their reaction when I told them I was looking for flank steak for a low and slow-cooked dish. All three raised their eyebrows and asked me why on earth I’d want flank steak for that. They all shook their heads and said that, hands down, the best choice for slow-cooked shredded beef was chuck. Better texture, better flavor and at nearly half the price of flank.
Chuck works so well for slow cooking because the long cooking time over low heat breaks down the cartilage, melts the fat and keeps the beef moist while also adding a ton of extra flavor. It’s by far the most popular beef cut of choice for slow cooking and shredding.
So what about the aesthetics element, those long strands of beef you get from the flank steak? Chuck has short strands that after slow cooking and shredding typically look less pronounced and are mushier. The way around that: Simply ask the butcher to cut you a piece of chuck that is taller than it is wider (the height running with the direction of the grains). That way you’ll get longer strands along with a deliciously flavorful, tender and moist shredded beef.
Today we’re going to make some ultimate Ropa Vieja with a wonderfully rich depth of flavor! In the end you’ll have to make your own judgment call, but I’m pretty confident you’re going to love it!
And at the same time we’re going to take a shortcut and braise the meat in the sauce rather than the traditional method of braising it in water, shredding it and then adding it to the sauce. Doing it the first way releases those flavorful juices from the beef directly into the sauce and saves us a lot of time. To mimic the extra step of making a separate stock, we’re also going to add whole carrots, celery and bay leaves and then discard them at the end, infusing the sauce with some umami qualities and natural sweetness from the vegetables.
For our ropa vieja recipe we’re also adding an array of other classic Cuban and Spanish ingredients such as olives, pimientos and capers. In addition to the red bell pepper that’s caramelized with the onions, we’re also going to add roasted red bell pepper in the end for added smokiness, sweetness and flavor. Lindsay makes all of these fabulous products and we’re using them all to give this dish a wonderful flavor boost.
You may be wondering, “what’s the difference between pimientos and red bell peppers? Aren’t they the same thing?”
A pimiento, also called pimento or cherry pepper, is a variety of red chili pepper that is sweeter and more aromatic than red bell peppers (though some varieties of pimientos are hot). They add a nice element of natural sweetness and flavor to this dish.
All of these ingredients combined with delicious spices result in a truly unforgettable Ropa Vieja – it’ll become a staple dish in your home!
Ropa Vieja only tastes better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld, so this is a perfect dish to make in large batches for leftovers!
Let’s get started!
Pat the beef dry and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over high heat. Once very hot add the beef and brown generously on all sides.
I’m using my Le Creuset Dutch oven. I also have the Lodge Dutch oven which is a fraction of the price. I love both of them and use both on a regular basis.
Transfer the beef to a plate. Do not discard the drippings and blackened bits in the pot, they are key to the flavor.
Thinly slice the onions and bell peppers.
Add the sliced vegetables to the pot and cook over medium heat for 15-20 minutes until caramelized.
Add the garlic and spices and cook for another minute.
Add the white wine and bring it to a rapid boil, deglazing the bottom of the pan (scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan).
Add the broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and bay leaves. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Return the roast to the pot along with the pieces of carrots and celery. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 3-4 hours or until the beef is fork tender and falls apart easily.
Oh, the aroma as you remove the lid!
Discard the celery, carrots and bay leaves.
The sauce is deeelicious!
And it’s only going to get better after we’ve added the remaining ingredients.
Transfer the beef to a plate and shred it with two forks.
Return the shredded beef to the sauce.
And see that beef? We’ve got our long strands of shredded beef PLUS all the flavor that richly marbled chuck is known for.
Stir in the olives, roasted red peppers, capers and pimientos.
I just want to take another look at all those gorgeous colors!
Simmer uncovered to thicken the sauce for 30 minutes.
Oh, heavenly sauce, how I love thee!
Stir in the parsley and add salt and pepper to taste.
Your Ropa Vieja is ready to serve.
And its flavor only improves the next day!
Serve with steamed or yellow rice and black beans.
Enjoy!
Ultimate Ropa Vieja (A National Dish of Cuba)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chuck ask your butcher to cut it taller than wider so you get long strands of beef along the grain or flank steak (see discussion in this post about cuts of beef)
- 1 large yellow onion thinly sliced
- 1 of each large green red and yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup chicken broth chicken broth has a stronger/deeper flavor than beef broth
- 1 16 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 large carrot cut in half
- 1 large stalk celery cut in half
- 1 cup Lindsay Naturals Green Olives rinsed and drained (you can slice them if you prefer)
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced Lindsay Roasted Red Peppers drained
- 1/4 cup Lindsay Pimientos drained
- 2 tablespoons Lindsay Capers rinsed and drained
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Pat the beef dry and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Heat a little oil in a Dutch oven over high heat. Once very hot add the beef and brown generously on all sides. Transfer the beef to a plate. (Do not discard the drippings and blackened bits in the pot, they are key to the flavor.)
- Add the sliced vegetables to the pot and cook over medium heat for 15-20 minutes until caramelized. Add the garlic and spices and cook for another minute. Add the white wine and bring it to a rapid boil, deglazing the bottom of the pan (scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan).
- Add the broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and bay leaves. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Return the roast to the pot along with the pieces of carrots and celery. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 3-4 hours or until the beef is fork tender and falls apart easily. Discard the celery, carrots and bay leaves.
- Transfer the beef to a plate and shred it.
- Stir in the olives, roasted red peppers, capers and pimientos. Simmer uncovered to thicken the sauce for 30 minutes. Stir in the parsley and add salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Thank you to Lindsay for sponsoring this post and to my readers for supporting the brands who make The Daring Gourmet possible!
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Diana Johnson says
I’ve never heard of Ropa Vieja before, but this sounds amazing!
Joy says
I am trying this for the first time today – smells wonderful cooking!
Can’t wait go taste it when it is finished.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, Joy, please let us know what you think!
Lynn Willis says
Hands down THE BEST ropa vieja EVER!!!!! Rave reviews from everyone. A definite keeper. THANK YOU!!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so thrilled to hear that, Lynn, thank you!
The Food Hunter says
this is one of my all time favorite Cuban dishes….i need to try making it at home.
Amanda says
I have never tried Ropa Vieja! I will have to change that! Looks super delicious and healthy with the shredded beef and veggies!
Renee says
I’ll bet this has an amazingly intense flavor. The fact that it’s cooked down like it is leads me to believe it’s pretty incredible tasting, and very tender.
Florentina says
This looks absolutely amazing! The richness of those colors knocked me off my feet, not literally but wow, gorgeous dish!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
I’ve been wanting to make this dish for such a long time. I’m so glad I saw your post! Your recipe looks so rich and colorful and amazing! I could go on…! Lovely!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
This dish just screams flavourful! I love stumbling across a new recipe and this would go over so well with my husband!
Alisa Fleming says
I’ve never had this dish before, but can see why it’s the country’s national entree. It looks SO flavorful!
christine says
This sounds like it has so much flavor! I’ve never heard of this dish but I’m loving the sound of it. And heck yeah, flank steak is crazy expensive. I don’t get it! It used to be soooo cheap and then I think it became trendy so it skyrocketed or something.
Luke says
Try asking your butcher for vacio, also known as bavette in french cooking. Very similar to flank, but much cheaper.
Amanda | The Chunky Chef says
Like you, I’ve always wondered why flank steak was preferred for ropa vieja… so I LOVE that your version uses chuck :D
Lauren Kelly Nutrition says
I have never heard of this before but I need to make this ASAP!
Stephanie says
Oh wow! This looks amazingly flavorful! Can’t wait to try it!
Sabrina says
I can’t believe I’ve never tried this! It sounds delicious!
Brenda @ Sugar-Free Mom says
I love every single thing in this dish! It looks so succulent and I’m pretty much drooling over my keyboard!
TidyMom says
My family would love all the flavors!! sounds and looks amazing!
Joanie @ ZagLeft says
Great idea to use chuck instead of flank, I can only imagine how flavorful it must be. It looks wonderful!
Laura says
This looks amazing! I love roasting meats low and slow, and the flavors sound incredible!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
I just love bouncing from country to country with you through your recipes! Ropa Vieja sounds fantatic!
Isabelle @ Crumb says
Ropa vieja is one of my favourite slow-cooked dishes, and not just because of its hilarious name (though that definitely adds to the appeal).
I love the tweaks you’ve made to the traditional recipe… I also braise my beef directly in the sauce instead of boiling, so that I’m not losing all that delicious beef flavour and collagen, . And the addition of capers AND pimentos AND olives? Yes, please!
Megan | Allergy Free Alaska says
What a beautiful dish! I’ve never heard of it before, but I’d love to try it. Thanks for the recipe!
Rob says
I would like to make this but am wondering what kind of broth and how much? It is not listed in the ingredients.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Rob, thanks for catching that, I’ve added it to the list. It’s 1 cup of chicken broth. That may seem a little strange but chicken broth actually has a stronger and richer flavor than beef broth (interesting, America’s Test Chicken opt for chicken over beef broth for that reason when making French Onion Soup).
EMMA says
America’s Test CHICKEN?
Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen says
Aside from a good tenderloin, chuck is actually my favorite cut of beef to use. And now I’m craving ropa vieja something fierce – I can just SEE the flavor in that pot!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
I have never heard of this before and now I’m feeling deprived! This looks amazing
Kelly @ Nosh and Nourish says
I love how informative your posts are! The info about the beef was really helpful! And this meal of colorful rags (!) looks delish!!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I’ve never had this dish before! I totally need to try it! Looks like the flavors are incredible!
Christina @ The Blissful Balance says
mmmm this was my favorite meal growing up, and still is to this day. My grandmother and mother are from Cuba, and they’ve showed me how to cook dishes like this, picadillo, fricasse de pollo, and more. I treasure their cooking so much!! This looks great!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I seriously cannot wait to try this dish – it loos fantastic!
Nate says
Holy goodness WOW. Made this tonight for some friends and everyone was blown away. Thought there’d be enough leftovers for me to have tomorrow but not a shred of beef was left. You’ve made me a star, thanks for a phenomenal recipe.
Candace Nielson says
This looks absolutely amazing! Seriously, how do you do this, Kimberly?? I’ve been following your blog for over two years and you never cease to amaze me. Your recipes are always hits in our home and I cannot wait to try this, I already know it’s going to be good :)
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks for making my day, Candace :) Thank you for your kind words and support. Happy cooking! :)
Maria Figueroa says
Kimberly THANK YOU for this fantastic recipe! Im 5th Generation Cuban and grew up eating Ropa Vieja! Both my grandmothers, My Father, and my Mother loved this dish, and honestly, when I made this – following your recipe, I thought I’d died and gone to Heaven! (As did my 87yr old Mama!) Thank you, Thank you!! ;)
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you, Maria, coming from you that means a lot. I really enjoyed reading all of your comments and appreciate your sentiments – thank you for sharing. I would love to go back in time and visit pre-Castro Cuba. Thank you for painting that picture for us so we can experience it, at least in part, through your words.
Colin Fry says
Can’t wait to taste this, I have just cooked it and it smells wonderful!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Colin! Let us know what you think once you’ve tried it. And compare it to the leftovers the next day after the flavors have had even more time to meld.
Anonymous says
It was a hit, no leftovers for the next day!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Awesome!!
Nutmeg Nanny says
I LOVE all the flavor you packed into this dish. I can see why this is the National dish of Cuba because it’s looks so amazing.
Katherine T. says
This is soooo good!! I made it two days ago and everyone loved it! (Husband and our 16 year old son and 13 year old daughter.) Our kids have never cared for olives but they ate them in this (I used the Lindsay olives you recommended and you’re right, they’re very mild). They’ve already requested that I make this dish again “very soon” :) Another A+ recipe, Kimberly, thank you!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’s wonderful, Katherine, I’m so happy to hear that, thank you!
Adina says
Absolutely great post, I loved learning about the beef parts. And the pictures are amazing, I am keeping this dish in mind, I would love to taste it soon.
Morgan Lewis, HMQ says
This sounds so fantastic I cannot make it soon enough…thank you for sharing all of it’s history and the methods prior to yours….will let you know how it comes out…The pictures make one want to chew on the pages…
Very truly Yours,
Morgan Lewis
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Morgan :) I just made it again this past week and tried it with chicken this time, also super delish!
Frank Mosher says
I can respectfully assure you, that this is not “the” or “a” national Cuban dish, good as it sounds! It is a very rare time when Cubans have meat! Black beans and rice is the staple and seldom do they incorporate spices into their dishes, certainly, never a bay leaf, or cumin and even oregano is a stretch!!!!Perhaps you are referring to the “Miami” Cubans-which is still very suspect.This is a Spanish-origin dish,and as such, to claim it to be the Cuban national dish is simply absurd! Love the Cubans, been there at least eight times, Meat and spices are not their forte! Still an excellent recipe, but not Cuban.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Frank, with all due respect, I don’t know where you were dining out or who you were talking to the last eight times you were in Cuba but not only is Ropa Vieja Cuban, it is quintessentially Cuban: It’s the country’s national dish. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_dish and hundreds of other references if you Google it.)
Maria Figuetoa says
Thank you Kimberly! My sentiments exactly! – And I’m 5th generation Cuban – born in Havana! (Left after Fidel came into power..) Have a fabulous day, and enjoy your “Flavorful Ropa Vieja!”
Paul Edwards says
I think you are misunderstanding “National Dish” Our National dish was fish and chips. Does not mean we ate it at every meal. Its the dish UK was traditionally noted for. Currently Curry is considered the National dish and that certainly did not originate in UK.Google also agrees with Kimberley.
Happy tasting Paul.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Paul, I lived near Cambridge for 7 years and oh, how I miss those curries and Indian restaurants! And my husband regularly pines for good fish & chips and Cornish pasties (he’s very proud of his Cornish ancestry). I try to keep him content by making them at home but I know as soon as we set foot off the plane the next time we’re in England he’ll be running to the nearest chippy :)
Maria Figueroa says
Hello Frank Mosher,
I respectfully beg to differ with regards to Cubans not using a lot of spices/meats in their cooking…I’m assuming the 8 times you were there was much more recent and long after Fidel assumed power…Take this from a 100% Cubana – born in Havana – forced to leave our beautiful Island in 1963 when I was four..several years after the Communist Tyrant took over, with my Mother, Father, both Grandmothers (who absolutely loved to cook!) ..and would tell you that “Authentic Cuban Cuisine” is some of the most flavorful cuisine one can ever taste! You’re correct that for close to 60yrs,during the rein of Fidel, Cubans that remained had practically no meat, (when they did it was rationed) and practically NO spices..(embargos etc) but prior to his taking over – and you can ask ANY Cuban and they will tell you that Cuba was not only one of the richest,most beautiful Isles in the world – but that the flavors of our dishes screamed spices! It was where the wealthy vactioned for many many years. Just wanted to clarify and educate a little bit..When you speak of the “Miami Cuisine” – you’re probably correct in that a lot of the dishes have been “Americanised” (kinda like “Taco Bell is the furthest thing from “Mexican food out there) – but you can still find Authentic Cuban Cuisine out there..usually your “hole in the wall” family owned restaurants. I have actually lived in CA since my family had to flee, and Ive found several “Authentic” Restaurants out here..(the majority of my family however did relocate to Miami..(a few good restaurants there as well – Growing up and after my daughter was born we visited family every year..I’ve been blessed to have had my maternal Grandmother until she passed at 89yrs, my Paternal Grandmother until 100yrs of age, and my Mother who is still living, driving, lives on her own tho close by and she will be 88 in Dec. – their influence and guidance have been my teachers in the kitchen..and YES, ABSOLUTELY, “Ropa Vieja” is our National Dish along with black beans and rice (and when made by a Cuban, tastes NOTHING like the “canned variety”..they are much more flavorful and “Oregano” is key..I am 57yrs old and remember my history and my roots and have been the “cook” whenever my Father (RIP – we lost him due to a botched surgery) brothers, sister, etc craved some good “homestyle” Cuban Food..Ropa Vieja, Picadillo, Lechon, etc.have always been at the Top of the list, and THIS recipe is about as close to the “real” thing as you can get..INGREDIENTS are VERY Authentic…and one last thing…you are also correct in saying Ropa Vieja has “Spanish” influence – it WAS Christopher Columbus who first layed eyes on Our Tropical Island – and his words were “this is the most beautiful place on earth”..back in the late 1400’s..of course, we all know where he was from. For you to say that Cuban Cuisine is lacking in flavor or spices, simply shows that you my friend, have NEVER tasted “real” Cuban food, and it sounds as silly as saying Cubans don’t like “new cars” and like to live in shacks, never upgrade their Hotels etc etc. because when you visit it’s like going back to 50’s..LOL! It’s called embargos, and a tyranical communist as their leader…bring out your history books, or better yet, google it! (I’m sorry for such a lengthy story, I tend to get annoyed when people make silly comments without knowing what they’re talking about.) I’ll get off my soapbox now…God Bless America! I am very proud to be an American – A Cuban-American.
.
SonjaS. says
Thank you Maria, for this wonderful contribution. Not the soap box, but exactly the fine explanatory essay should sound! I really enjoyed it. –Was looking for a marzipan recipe and discovered this mind spinning blog – thank you Kimberly! — The reason that I clicked on the Ropa Vieja recipe (enlightening or adding to the discussion) is that I view it as a Canarian dish! :-) Columbus set off from Gran Canaria (I know as I visited Casa de Colon in Las Palmas), but whether it was Canaries who influenced the Cubans, or the Cubans who influenced back the Canaries, I don’t know! :-) A simpler version of la ropa vieja that I tried on Tenerife included meat,potatoes, chick peas, onions and peppers, not the olives and capers. This recipe sounds and looks powerful and exciting, especially combined with black beans and white rice for contrast. Powerful in the sense of ‘protein rich’. This kind of stuff will get you through life to your 90s and 100s! Bless you both….
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you, Maria and Sonja :) Yes, this dish originated in Spain in the Middle Ages, also popular in the Spanish Canary Islands. It was later brought to Cuba when the country was colonized by the Spaniards, but the Cubans very much added their own touch and influence to dish. Happy eating! (P.S. I just made a batch of marzipan this weekend to make some pastries but have to make another batch because it somehow all got nibbled away ;)
La Criss says
I just got back from Cuba. I ate ropa vieja in a private home and they told me that it is their national dish. While beef is difficult to get, pork and chicken are staples. They made ropa vieja with shredded pork served over pureed plantains. Other than the olives, the spices and ingredients look the same as the ropa vieja I was served. It was delicious.
Suzi says
Frank being born in Cuba I can assure you are dead wrong. Lol the only reason Cubans might not have any meat or spices right now nownis cause of the government making everyone poor af. Your post is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever read. It’s like saying Japanese people don’t make sushi 😂
Frank Mosher says
Suzi, you have just made my point. i.e. no meat or spices, regardless of whether it is because of the embargo or their own government system. There are some arguments to be made that Fidel took that country out of sheer poverty, and at least took it back from American corporations!!! That was a long time ago-perhaps the present system is not motivating anymore, in fact it is not! BUT, no one goes hungry, free eye laser surgery, free medical, free education for all! Can you find another Caribbean country that offers that-no! In fact the US does not either.
Frank Mosher says
If you actually read your wikipedia reference, you would surely note that it is a Spanish dish! How many times have you eaten in Cuba?? None, because you were not allowed to go there. Pity!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Of course it’s of Spanish origin, Frank. After all, Cuba was colonized by the Spaniards. Much of Cuban cuisine is influenced by the Spanish and Ropa Vieja, Cuba’s national dish, is one example.
Ann Blanco Reyes says
FYI…I am married to a Cuban and have been with “real” Cubans not on resort…in Cuba at least a dozen times. “Real Cubans” do make Ropa Vieja in Cuba despite not much availability of beef and do in fact have access to spices and herbs to make very flavourful and delicious food.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks for confirming, Ann.
Zenia Gallo says
It is a Cuban dish when made this way specially with the flank steak. Cuba was there much before the harsh conditions faced now. And this dish was a very common “Pre-Castro” Cuba. Unfortunately, you don’t see it much now, except on special occasions, due to the scarcity of the ingredients. Whenever a cook has some of the ingredients, others won’t be found. Maybe has the onions, but can’t find the peppers, or the wine or the oregano, etc, etc. And on rare occasions when meat is found, it is promptly made with whatever is on hand. Thanks for showcasing this delicious Cuban dish.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks for sharing these insights, Zenia.
Maria Figueroa says
Referencing your comment to Kimberly – I cant say if she was or wasnt allowed to visit Cuba, but Im 5th generation Cuban – BORN in Havana! Your comments only show your ignorance…No matter how many times YOU say you’ve been there! – And, that being said, and judging by your comments – YOU, have NEVER tasted Authentic Cuban Cuisine ..
Paul Edwards says
Discard the carrots and celery ? Cooks treat surely 😊. I will give this a go with Thai beef and let you know ! Can’t wait actually. Best wishes.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’s great, Paul! Let us know what you think. And yes, cook’s treat for sure :)
Margot says
I had a hard time finding a whole chuck roast in Japan. It has to be preordered from my butcher. My favorite butcher suggested using wagyu beef shin because I couldn’t wait. I also had to roast my own peppers because Lindsay products are also hard to find in Japan. As for the pimientos, I had no choice but to use the sweetest fresh red bell pepper I could find. And since I love olives (I know what I like), I think I made a nice choice. So anyway, anyway, I made this the other night and it was so delicious! My husband and I almost ate the whole pot. It goes so well with newly cooked Japanese rice too. The meat just melted in our mouth. Oh, and to think I almost didn’t buy limes! What a wonderful surprise. This recipe is a treasure, thank you for sharing it. Love, love love.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I am absolutely thrilled to hear that, Margot! And seriously, are you trying to make us all jealous with that Japanese wagyu beef?? :) I really appreciate the feedback, thank you!
Cathy | Lemon Tree Dwelling says
Yum! This is just oozing with flavor!!!
Barbara Macey says
Can’t wait to try this—your recipes (country to country) are always a hit. Thank you ever so much. You make your followers stars in the kitchen.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Barbara, I appreciate that! :)
Deborah says
What are your thoughts about making this in a crock-pot and what would be the cook time?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Deborah, for the absolute best flavor the different steps of browning the meat and sauteing the vegetables are absolutely crucial to the end result. There really is just no comparison between this and crock-pot versions. However, after you’ve done Steps 1-4 you can transfer everything to a crock pot at Step 5 just for the long cooking portion. I’d say 3-5 hours on HIGH or 6-8 hours on LOW. You’ll just need to taste the beef to see if it’s tender enough or needs to be slow cooked a little longer. And then, Step 7, add the remaining ingredients in for the last 30 minutes.
David says
Hi Kimberly!
How much oil? I don’t see it in the recipe and I am going to make this tonite even if I have to guess. Planning on using olive oil.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi David! Awesome, I’ve been craving this myself and plan on making it again very soon. You just a need a tablespoon or two of oil, just enough to be able to brown the meat. Happy cooking!
David says
-also_
I have made the Jaeger Schnitzel and the Geschnetzeltes and both were yummy. Comfort food at its best!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’s terrific, David, thanks so much for letting me know!
Anonymous says
I used this recipe tonight and it tasted like home. I couldn’t give a better compliment than that.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’ll take that as the ultimate compliment – thanks so much!
Tamara says
I just arrived home yesterday from a trip to Cuba. My friend and I stayed in a little town called Brisas del Mar just East of Guanabo for a few days and it was suggested we eat at one of the small, local restaurants a block away. The restaurant owner’s brother was visiting and could speak English well enough to describe the menu and recommended that we try the traditional Cuban dish “Ropa Vieja”. Unfortunately we were there later in the day and there was none left :-(. My friend and I were so disappointed that we didn’t get a chance to try it and left Cuba with this as our only regret. But now that I found the recipe online, I will suggest that we get our families together so we can all try this amazing looking recipe together. Thanks for sharing the recipe and can’t wait to try it!!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Oh Tamara, I would have been so bummed too, darn it! I hope you and your friends and families have a wonderful get together over this pot of Ropa Vieja. Happy cooking and let us know how it goes!
Alex says
This was Ropa Vieja perfected. I really also enjoyed the history of the dish and explanation as to why certain ingredients are key in making this an incredible dish. Thank you so much for sharing with us!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you, Alex, I’m so glad you enjoyed it and appreciate the feedback!
Heather says
I only have shredded carrots. Should I use those or skip carrots altogether
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Heather! That’s purely a matter of personal preference and whether you want some shredded carrot in the final dish. I wouldn’t have a problem including them :)
CubanCooker says
I wouldn’t call this Ultimate Ropa Vieja since you completely changed the original dish. It is made with flank steak and not just because it “shreds easily” as you claim. If you’ve had real ropa vieja, made by someone who is Cuban, you’d know there is no flavor lacking in this dish because of the cut of the meat. While I appreciate your unique take on this classic dish, no real Cuban would ever call this adaptation Ropa Vieja let alone “Ultimate”.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks for your input. Several of my Cuban readers disagree with you and it’s okay to disagree. Of course the original, simpler version has a wonderful flavor. This version simply has more going on, a greater complexity of flavors, hence my “ultimate” take on a classic. As for the cut of meat, any butcher will tell you that chuck roast has far more flavor than flank in a slow-simmered dish like this – that point is not debatable.
Faye says
I lived in Fort Lauderdale for about 40 years. I miss eating ropa vieja at Don Arturo Cuban restaurant but I now live in the Philippines I guess I have to cook it myself. We do not have black beans to go with it though. Yummmm. Oh well. My loss!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Faye, yes, you’ve got to try this! It will be wonderfully delicious, even without the black beans :) Happy cooking!
Anonymous says
Faye, this was my sisters fav Cuban restaurant. Ate many meals there. I am sorry to say that they have now closed. So disappointed. Great people and great food. I plan to try this recipe very soon.
Richard says
Looking at your recipe and the comments got me thinking. I will have to try using the chuck to see how it compares. Everyone in my family uses flank steak. I think my grandma’s recipe was the best, but that is what I grew up with. Many of the ingredients you have used I have never seen used in Ropa Vieja in the past. Doesn’t mean others don’t traditionally use those spices/ingredients, just means my family hasn’t. Wouldn’t it be boring if everything was the same? Some unsolicited advise for your Cuban/Cuban-inspired recipes: keep the raw onions and bell peppers; and use red, orange, and yellow bell peppers instead of green. The raw veggies impart a much needed layer of flavor. Over the years I have learned to partition the onions into thirds. I will carmelize 1/3, sweat 1/3, and leave 1/3 raw for the stewing/cooking process. The melded flavors give you the complex flavors you are wanting while bringing back the raw flavors that are necessary to stay true to the original ingredients. The omission of the green bells are purely preference since they are strong and caustic. My family uses reds for their Cuban dishes.
This is a quintessential Cuban dish even though it did not originate in Cuba. The number of variations in Cuban/Cuban-American families is probably as numerous as red sauce variations in Italian/Italian-American families.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Richard! Yes, flank steak is what’s normally used, I simply deviated for the reasons I mentioned in my post. My personal preference is the richer flavor that comes from the higher fat content of chuck, but that certainly isn’t to say that flank steak doesn’t also taste good, it does. And yes, some of the ingredients in my version are not found in traditional Cuban ropa vieja – hence the term “ultimate” because it includes some ingredients that really give this already wonderful dish just that much more flavor and also makes it visually more interesting. Thanks for sharing your process! I agree, in many dishes it isn’t even the ingredients so much that make the difference as the technique involved.
Pat says
I totally agree with using the colorful ‘orange pepper’ instead of the green! For years now I can not eat the green – they assault my stomach & intestinal tract! But I can and do eat the red, yellow & orange with no problems. Many people do not truly realize that as the peppers, like other vegetable color changes, grow & change their colors the chemical properties, nutrients change. As for the Thanksgiving holiday dinner – my mother would make the most fantastic large roasted goose stuffed with apples & oranges, herbs & spices (different mixes) or a large roast of lamb with garlic, herbs, & mint jelly! yum, yum My mother was full German, one grandma was full Italian, the other German with many Hungarian influences and with others that visited – we had FOOD of all sorts in that house growing up!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Pat, I can just imagine the wonderful cooking that took place in that home with all those wonderful culinary influences! And what I wouldn’t do to sit down to a marvelous goose dinner like that again (my Oma in Stuttgart used to make goose for Christmas). It’s near impossible to even find goose here in the U.S. I’ll have to look into special ordering one at some point. Thanks for sharing, Pat!
Lindsey says
Since you want a shredded consistency, have you thought of using brisket? I wonder if that is the cut originally used by the Sephardic immigrants who brought the dish to Cuba.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Lindsey, yes, brisket is generally a good choice for slow cooking and shredding, it’s just that it creates short shreds instead of the long strands that are the preferred look for ropa vieja.
Patricia says
Greetings, Kimberly. I am looking forward to trying this recipe just as soon as I possibly can. As odd as it may sound, I am thinking of making it as our family Easter Dinner, just to have something different from the usual turkey and ham. However, as soon as I first read the recipe, I said to myself, “Self, forget the rice, this would be unspeakably delicious spooned over a thick slab of crusty country bread that has been darkly toasted and slathered in butter . . . ” But that’s just me. Like another reviewer, I too would cringe at the idea of discarding the carrots and celery. In my kitchen, they would go into my freezer as potential soup or sauce ingredients. I am 68 years old, and was raised on the philosophy of, “Use it up, wear it out; make it do, or do without.” And also, “Waste not, want not.” Thank you for your time and trouble in sharing this very tempting recipe. By the way, on speculation alone, I would rate your recipe with five stars, but I’m not sure if you want that, or to have me come back and rate it after I try it for real, and not just in my imagination . . .
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Patricia, I think serving Ropa Vieja for Easter sounds like a wonderful idea! We had the same discussion this past Thanksgiving and Christmas about being “turkey’d” and “ham’d” out and going for something completely different. And served over toasted crusty country bread slathered in butter? Marvelous. I share the same philosophy as you – the “discarded” vegetables used to make a base sauce like this are always eaten on the side with the rest of the meal. Once you’ve tried this dish, yes, please do come back and rate it – thank you!
Liz says
Anyone else have trouble shredding the beef? Smells delicious, but it’s been cooking almost four hours and still not at all shreddable. Got some hungry kids here.
Gregg says
Hi, this sounds like it will be good, but as beef is not available for the average Cuban to eat do you know what meat they use instead? I was thinking of trying it with pork shoulder roast. What do you think?
P.S. Love your blog!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Gregg, thank you! Beef is what has traditionally been used in Cuba for this dish. But under circumstances of late, meat of any kind, along with many other foods, are hard to come by. So I’m sure that Ropa Vieja is a now a rare luxury in Cuba. For Cubans living in the U.S. beef is still what is used.
First Timer Ropa Vieja Maker says
I just finished making the ropa vieja for my family and they loved it! I followed the recipe and the directions exactly and it came out delicious! Thank you so much! 😋
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, I’m thrilled to hear that, thank you!
Danae says
If using pork what cut do you recommend? And would the amount of meat/cooking times be the same?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Danae, pork shoulder is probably most commonly used for shredding and the cooking time would be about the same. Check it after 3 hours for tenderness to determine if it needs to cook longer.
Cheryl says
Okay. So I saw this dish on Maryland Public Television (MPT) late Sunday night. I had bought some flank steak from Costco already, so i decided to make this on Monday. Let’s just way that it was a major hit. Your method and recipe matches what they did so I used it. My husband, who runs a Caribbean catering business, went back for seconds. I will be doing this again.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Cheryl, thanks so much!
Mariela says
This looks delicious! Will this recipe work using a 6qt crockpot slow cooker? Will I be able to follow the same instructions?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Mariela, yes you can. Follow all the steps as instructed and once you get to Step 5 you can add all the ingredients to the slow cooker. You may need to cook it a bit longer – on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours – you’ll just need to check it and when the beef is tender it’s done.
Mariela says
Can I also do steps 2-3 in the crockpot or do I need a Dutch oven?
Mariela says
Sorry, I meant steps 2-4
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Browning the meat and caramelizing the vegetables is essential for getting the best flavor. You could simply throw everything in a crockpot but it won’t taste anywhere near as good.
Audrie Elena Franco says
This looks good but I’m quite skeptical. Quite a deviation from authentic cuban which I’ve been making my entire adult life.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Yes, there are definitely some deviations – good ones in my opinion. Give it a try and let us know what you think!
Anonymous says
Sorry for non-enthusiastic review, but I followed the recipe exactly, and this did not taste like Cuban Ropa Vieja that I have tasted numerous times ( in the States, unfortunately not been to Cuba). It tasted like luxurious Chili without the heat and beans. Way too tomato-y. Disappointed.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it!
Nathan Lombough says
Not sure what this person was expecting, but ropa vieja is supposed to be very tomato-based. I’ve been to Cuban restaurants where they dump entire bottles of ketchup in their ropa vieja. Terrific recipe by the way, Kimberly. I’ve made it twice already and it was a big hit. This is my go-to recipe every time the craving hits.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Nathan, and appreciate the feedback!
Maria says
Hmm I’m from Cuba don’t ever remember carrots salary are Dutch ovens but the rest of the recipe is good we don’t have Ovens of any kind back home most of our stoves are outside you know like back in the eighteen-hundreds here like a rack and stones,we use pressure cookers makes the meat soft…but the rest of the recipe is on point…
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks for the insight, Maria!
Alexandra says
I made this last night and it was absolutely fantastic. Mine was a bit saucier, I think I was a bit free-flowing with the wine and broth, but simply incredible. Thanks for the recipe. Easy to follow, and well worth the effort!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Alexandra, thank you!
Cori Landon says
This was SO delicious! Everyone in my family loved it. I made it exactly as directed and the combination and balance of flavors was perfect. Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, Cori, I’m so happy to hear that, thank you!
Ron G says
Ookay so I made this dish, it seemed like a acquired taste initially.On day 2 it tasted much better.the servings were more than enough eat alone so I froze half. 3 weeks later I pulled out the leftovers and OMG …original,modified,classic, ultimate. This dish is amazing and just gets better.
I’ve been waiting for a special occasion to make this dish again.my occasion:why wait any longer.Simple to make yet complex flavors united.THANK YOU
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Ron! I agree, the leftovers taste even better. I haven’t tried freezing it yet but you’ve convinced me I need to do it :) Thanks again for the feedback, I’m so glad you enjoyed the ropa vieja!
Theo G says
I love this dish! I first had Ropa Vieja in the North West of Cuba. It was truly delicious! I had it again in Havana before leaving (not as good as before but still yum) since returning to England i wanted to make this dish but instead of beef, i used some of the tougher cuts of venison from the local hunter. Works a treat!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’ll bet that was a treat indeed, Theo, thanks for sharing!
Rene' says
Just returned last night from Havana. We traditionally serve a meal highlighting the foods of a recently visited country with our family. Your recipe will be the center star of our family meal of Cuba very soon. Thank you for the suggestion of substituting chuck for the flank
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
What a wonderful tradition, Rene’. I hope you had a fabulous time in Cuba and enjoy this ropa vieja!
Stacey says
I made this recipe tonight. Tweaked the recipe slightly by adding fresh jalapeno for some added heat. This was my first time cooking Ropa, therefore, I was a bit nervous to how it would turn out. Pleasantly surprised how delicious it was. Thanks for the recipe!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Stacey, thank you!
Julie says
I just returned from Cuba and wanted to find a good recipe. My Cuban friend’s mom uses olives in her recipe so I was happy to find your recipe. I made the dish and it was delicious. I almost prefer the chuck roast for a bit more fat and flavor. Thanks!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, Julie, I’m so happy to hear that – thank you! I hope you had a great time in Cuba!
C. Guerra says
It’s a good dish and a good recipe, BUT the Bational
Dish of Cuba it is NOT. I am Cuban and the son
Of Cuban historian J. Guerra Aleman and author of
“Cuba Inginita” an intense historical four volumes of Cuban history.
The National Dish of Cuba is Arroz con Pollo (Yellow rice and chicken). This dish was officially declared by legislation to be the National Dish of Cuba.
Please correct. Thank-you.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi C., most countries have more than one national dish (e.g., Germany and England where I’m from both have least 4 national dishes). And Ropa Vieja is indeed one of Cuba’s. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_dish
Vikki says
I can’t believe there is more than one person that took the time to read and respond with their disapproval for you calling this one of Cuba’s traditional dishes. This is actually one of the first dishes that comes to mind when I think of Cuba. Aside from that….I have my Dutch oven on the stove & my Ropa Vieja is well on its way. This is my first time making it and I’m so excited to see how it comes out. Thank you for sharing!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That is exciting, Vikki, I hope you enjoy it and please let us know what you think once you’ve tried it!
Vikki says
I wish I could post a picture, it came out amazing! My husband & I both loved it. It was one of the best versions I’ve ever had. I didn’t have everything on hand so omitted the celery & carrot as well as tomato paste and added fresh okra I brought in from the garden. It was perfect! Thank you so much for sharing.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic! I’m thrilled to hear that, Vikki, thank you!
Fidel says
Funny, my mom use to start “un potaje de frijoles colorados” early in the morning. It would “resucitar al los muertos” and she would add flank steak to it. After a few hours, she would pull it out of the “pottage” and once cool to the touch, she would pull it. She would then make her tomato stew magic and it was TERRIFIC! My favorite was when she had as sides; tostones, ensalada de berro y aguacate and a nice tall flan.
This looks very similar to my moms, although much more nuanced.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That sounds marvelous and served with those sides and dessert – heaven!
Heather says
Made this for my husband for Father’s Day and he loved it! I used 2 flatiron steaks and they fell apart after 2 1/2 hours. Perfect! Thank you!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Terrific, Heather, I’m so glad it was a hit and that your husband enjoyed it! Thanks so much for the feedback!
Mister Butler says
I apologize but I’m a newcomer and just wrote lengthy post, praising you all for this thread/ site. And then asking a question, because I’ve lost threads before and figured at least I could always come back to this specific thread ssince I both saved it my phone AND email it to myself. Then poof …. my entire comments vanished.
Here is my question: do any of you all have a beef Barbacoa recipe that you especially like? I think it was traditionally used for goat, (barbacoa de chivo, if i remember correctly).
Thank you for any comments or links you can offer.
Mats Henriksson says
I used beef knuckle instead of flank steak, doubled the garlic because I like it and omitted the roasted red peppers as I forgot to buy them. Came out great! I’ll do this again for sure! Thanks! =0)
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Mats, thank you!
Tim Wiedman says
This was absolutely incredible!! The most flavorful ropa vieja I’ve had, and I’ve had many. I’ll be making this again and again. Thank you!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so happy to hear that, Tim, thank you!
Natalie says
Can this be done in the slow cooker? In what order would I need to add the ingredients?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Natalie, yes it can. Follow everything as outlined up to step #5 and then place everything in the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 or longer until the beef is fork tender and easily shreds. Shred the meat and add the remaining ingredients as outlined and cook for another 30 minutes.
tashima hawkins says
I actually made this dish tonight and it was delicious! The recipe was very simple to follow and the pictures helped to keep me on track. My family truly enjoyed dinner. I also made moros rice and plantains. Our dinner was accompanied by mojitos! If you haven’t tried this recipe do so…you will be so pleased! The next time I prepare this dish I will add more oregano and marinate the meat overnight.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Tashima, thank you!
Henry Horris says
Thanks for this amazing recipe! I made it for some friends and we were all blown away by the wonderful combination of flavours – and the chuck was just perfect!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Henry, thanks so much!
Ann A says
I just made this last night and it is AMAZING, especially on some steamed jasmine rice! When I was looking up recipes for this dish, I was deciding between yours and a recipe that had much less ingredients and a tad easier to make since it was all just thrown in a crockpot. I am so so so glad I chose yours! All the ingredients and spices blend together so beautifully. Thank you ladies for the wonderful recipe!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks so much, Ann, I thrilled you enjoyed it!
Joe Peterson says
Absolutely incredible. Just finished off the leftovers for lunch and it tastes even better than yesterday. This will become a regular in our home.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Terrific, Joe, thanks so much!
Jo-Elle | The Yorkshire Pudding says
Hi Kimberly! I’m hosting a Cuban themed dinner party tomorrow night and stumbled upon this recipe weeks ago during preparations. I’ve made it today, taking your advice that it’ll taste even better tomorrow and I have to say I can’t wait! It’s awesome today so will be mind blowing tomorrow! Thank you so much and keep up the good work! Hugs from across the pond! Xoxo p.s I want my house to smell like this forever!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you, Jo-Elle, and hugs right back to you! Your Cuban themed party sounds fantastic, wish we were neighbors :)
Jo-Elle | The Yorkshire Pudding says
I can’t wait it’s going to be brilliant! Our friends recently visited Cuba on their honeymoon so we’re reliving it for them. I wish we were neighbours too! Although I’m sure you wouldn’t appreciate the weather 🙄 Xoxo
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Lol! After having come through a record cold and wet spring and now a record dry and hot summer, I think I’d gladly swap with you! :) By the way, I lived in Cambridgeshire England for 7 years and consider it my second home. We’re taking a family holiday there next year with our kids and will be spending 3 glorious weeks touring the UK – can’t wait!
Jo-Elle | The Yorkshire Pudding says
Oh wow that’s amazing! Cambridgeshire is so beautiful! I’m in West Yorkshire in the soggy, flood-soaked hills! It’s so amazing to meet you! Your blog is awesome! Xoxo
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks so much, Jo-Elle, it’s so nice to meet you too and I hope you’ll visit again! :)
Thomas says
Great post! Have nice day ! :)
Alan Boyce says
Words cannot describe how amazing the flavor of this is. I’ve had ropa vieja on many occasions throughout Florida and in the homes of friends. This is hands down the best I’ve ever had and that is saying a lot because I’ve had some great ones.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That makes me very happy to hear, Alan, thanks so much!
claudia says
I just prepared this dish and added a couple of jalapeños and one habanero and it is amazing, glad I prepared about 4 pounds of beef because everybody had seconds and prepared their next day work lunch. I served it with Mexican style rice, refried beans and flour tortillas. this is going to be a keeper and will prepare it soon again. a Very Hearty fall/winter dinner.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Claudia, I’m thrilled you you enjoyed it! It’s a regular in our home as well and my husband always looks forward to taking leftovers with him to work :)
Aija says
Made it today and everyone LOVED it!!! Loved shopping for this recipe and making it and reading all the back stories and learning about the beef cuts. I have had this meal before but with different recipes – this one by far wins the gold. Next time I will use a bigger pot and double everything, absolutely delicious!!!!!!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hooray!! I’m so glad to hear that, Aija, thank you!
Sandra Hjort says
This is seriously one of the best meals I’ve ever made! SO much flavor! We had leftovers the next day and they tasted even better. THANK YOU FOR THIS AMAZING RECIPE!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Sandra, thanks so much!
Shawn says
I am not Cuban but Cuban food is my favorite and I have been eating ropa Vieja since I was a little girl and I’m 42 now and have been making it myself for at least 15 years. All Cuban food to me is very flavorful!!! But this is my favorite and is easy to do. I love it.
Anonymous says
I️ am Cuban and we bebe put carrots in ropa vieja it’s actually a simple dish does not take 4 hours to cook
Janet says
Amazing dish! Made it for a dinner party for 14. Doubled the recipe. Served it with black beans, yellow rice and plantains. My guests raved about it and begged for the recipe. Family members said it was definitely a keeper so I will be preparing it again. I had it at Gloria Esteban’s hotel restaurant in Vero Beach and loved it so much could hardly wait to prepare it at home. Still love to cook and try new things at 92!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
How fun, Janet! I’m absolutely thrilled to hear it was a hit, thank you so much for the feedback. Happy continued adventures in cooking!
Misty says
My husband and I love to cook and we also love to challenge each other. My challenge was Cuban food. So I came across this recipe and this turned out so good! The depth of flavor is great! Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’s such a fun thing you guys have going on, Misty! I’m thrilled to hear this was a hit, thank you!
Angie says
Made this yesterday and oh my it was delicious! I didn’t have oregano or allspice but used a little Italian seasoning and mace but it was still so very good! I just cooked it covered in the oven instead of on top of stove so I could have my cooktop free for cooking other stuff. Will definitely be making this again. Only thing I can say is unfortunately I bought chuck roast at Walmart since I was there and it wasn’t the best so next time to the local market where I usually buy meat. Great recipe! I love it!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Angie, I’m so glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
ANGIE says
Getting ready to make it again this weekend since my sister-in-law and brother-in-law didn’t get to be here last time and cannot wait to eat it again with homemade empanadas, black beans, rice and for dessert tres leches cake!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
You’re making me hungry, Angie, your dinner menu sounds fabulous!
Angie says
It was delicious! Got my chuck from the market where so usually get meat instead of Walmart this time and it was fabulous! My brother and sister-in-law loved it! They are world travelers and eat all over the world so to impress them is an accomplishment for sure! Glad I read that someone froze leftovers cause this makes a lot! Will be freezing some for later.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Awesome, Angie, thanks so much for letting us know and I’m happy it was a hit!
Doug Wilton says
Absolutely amazing!! Finished up the rest today and can’t wait to make it again!
Becca says
All I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!! Everyone LOVED this!!!
Susie says
Made this tonight. It was amazing!! Thank you
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Terrific, Susie, thanks so much!
Keith Smith says
We were inspired by the dish by an episode of “The Finder”, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2119909/?ref_=ttep_ep9, and we were interested in trying to recreate this incredible dish (please watch the episode, it is awesome). We search and found this wonderful recipe. I was impressed with the authors passion for this dish and that is what made us choose this for our family (I loved him being so excited with the colors that the picture was repeated so that you could look at it again). This was an absolutely incredible dish and I highly recommend this version. I took pictures along the way as well. As the episode states, “A Meal”, is a great dish with great people and this was a great part of a wonderful evening for us. Thanks for sharing.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Keith, I’m so happy you enjoyed this and really appreciate the feedback – thank you!
Donna says
Can this be done using an instant pot using pressure cooking? This sounds like a great recipe and excited to try it. Thanks!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Donna, yes it can but you’ll definitely still want to follow the steps to brown the meat and caramelize the veggies first in order to get the best results in flavor, then add everything to the Instant Pot in step 5.
Debbie says
Made this tonight for the first time tonight. It’s one of my favorite things to order anytime we have Cuban food and I will never order it again because this was amazing!! I can’t wait to have leftovers tomorrow!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Woohooo! I’m thrilled to hear that, Debbie, thanks so much!
Ashley F says
Can this be made in the crockpot too? Cooking is not my favorite but eating is! I bought all of the ingredients assuming it was crockpot until I just read it fully lol
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Ashley, after you’ve followed the steps to brown the meat and saute the vegetables then yes, you can cook it in the crockpot.
Ashley F says
How long would you recommend in the crockpot on low?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’d aim for 6-8 hours on low. Check to see if the meat is tender and cook longer if needs be.
Les Pane says
Tasty, but in Cuba this would not be made with beef, which was illegal until very recently. In Cuba the dish is made with pork. Also, not quite as flavorful, as all those herbs and spices would not, and in many places still are not, available in restaurants or homes.
Dorys says
Actually, being a 1st generation American born Cuban, I can guarantee that this dish was made with beef in Cuba… before Castro.
Alan says
I’ve made this twice now and it is a wonderful dish. A go to for company. Made the day ahead it’s much better. I save the parsley and salt and pepper for reheating. I’ve used chuck and a little larger piece, closer to 3 lbs. I also rub it with a bit of adobo seasoning as well as the salt and pepper prior to browning. I’ve used the hot smoked paprika as well as the mild. Still a toss up as to which I prefer. Oh, and we love garbanzo beans so I add half a can drained to the stew as the roast is cooking.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Alan, thanks so much for the feedback!
Jay Young says
Kimberly, My wife gave me an Instant Pot for my birthday, and I trying to find ways to use it for my favorite recipes. Can you give me some advice on how I could use the pressure cooker function to make the Ropa Vieja? Thanks so much.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Jay, I wish I could help but I’m one of the few out there who doesn’t have or use an Instant Pot! Perhaps one of our readers can offer some insights…
Barbara says
I absolutely love your recipe!!! This has been my family’s all time favorite for years. Well I just joined the Instant Pot nation and was searching for away to convert your recipe. Have you had any updates on this? Thank you for sharing your amazing talent!!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you, Barbara! No updates I’m afraid. You may have to pioneer the Instant Pot conversion on this one :)
Angela says
Thank you for this amazing recipe! I started cooking a few days ahead for a graduation party. My family taste-tested the sauce and gave me high-fives! It’s hard to find flank steak where I live, so I opted for Boston butt pork, which shreds nicely, and I believe a true Cuban would appreciate this dish. Tomorrow I aim to slow cook the black beans I’ve soaked and start making yellow rice from scratch. I hope to find recipes as helpful and on spot as this one.
By the way, for the record, we just ate at a local authentic Cuban restaurant to taste the ropa vieja and picadillo. We preferred the heartiness of the ropa vieja—-at first bite, I literally jumped for joy, because this recipe tastes like the Leo’s, the Cuban restaurant owner!!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so happy to hear that, Angela, thank you, and I hope the graduation party is a success!
Jess says
I made this last night and it was wonderful! My 15 yr old said it was the best dinner ever. I served it with yellow rice and black beans. Sooo good. Thank you!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so glad to hear that, Jess, thank you!
Ken Clark says
Okay…I came across your recipe after my son said he had picked this dish to bring to school for a class project. I look at the ingredients and my first thought was…he has lost his mind, that’s too much cooking for a class project. After I cooked it and tried some before he took it to school…OH MY…I was hooked. Awesome dish!!! I tried it again a few days afterwards, but I used chicken instead of beef and I love the chicken more. Either way, we have found our new favorite dish.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That is so awesome, Ken! Your son has great taste and you’re an awesome dad for having taken this on. I’m so glad you enjoyed it and hope your son’s class did as well. I’ll bet it was delicious with chicken too, especially with dark meat/bone-in pieces. I’ll have to try it! Thanks for the feedback!
~Tammy~ says
My (grown but at home) sons went to help my mother in Texas for a few days. They came back taking about a dish called Ropa Veija Grandma had made. I asked for the recipe, and she said she’d seen it in a magazine, but had actually looked online when she decided to make it, and advised me to “just look up “Old Clothes” and look through the recipes.
I found YOUR recipe for this, which was NOT the one my Mom had made for the guys.
At our house, this recipe is my secondary “go to” roast recipe. I added a few touches of my own, and we have this at least every other month! The first couple of times, I left out the green olives, as I was not an olive fan. Last time, i had some olives on the side- and OH MY! What was I afraid of? Today’s pot has everything! (plus a bit of ginger and cinnamon!)
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’s fantastic, Tammy, I’m absolutely thrilled to hear that, thanks so much!
Jessica A. says
This is worth writing a review. I’ve been cooking for 35yrs and am known for my cooking. With almost every recipe, I adjust but there was no need. This recipe is divinley delicious. I’m very particular about cooking and I cannot say enough. This is a must try recipe.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That is a compliment indeed, Jessica, thank you so much for the feedback!
Laura Seutz says
Hi Kimberly, I am writing this as this wonderful dish is simmering away! It not only was fun to make, it looks and smells delicious!! I have a question – instead of simmering on the stove, what do you think about doing the simmering part in a crockpot?
Thanks again for such an incredible dish! Laura
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Laura, that’s exciting!! Yes, you can absolutely cook it in a crockpot for the simmering portion. I’d aim for the usual 6-8 hours on LOW or 4-5 hours on HIGH. Happy eating! :)
Scoop says
Have tried a variety of Ropa Vieja recipes and this one is now my favourite. I live in Panama and we enjoy it here as well. The key is cooking down the peppers and onions, then adding the spices and liquid so that you already almost have the sauce. The added jarred peppers and olives elevate this dish and give it a zing it needs.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’s awesome, Scoop, thanks so much for the feedback!
Roger Alan says
Ropa vieja with paprika and cloves?
This is the ONLY recipe for ropa vieja I’ve ever seen with those ingredients, and the result was predictably regrettable.
So, no, sorry, and to each his/her own, but these are NOT flavors I associate with this classic dish I’ve been eating for nearly 50 years.
If you want a classic rope vieja, stay away from this one.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I couldn’t agree more, Roger: This ISN’T a “classic” ropa vieja nor does it claim to be. Note the title of the recipe: “Ultimate Ropa Vieja.” This recipe is for those who want to venture beyond the basic version and experience a massive boost in flavor. Agreed, if you just want the basic ropa vieja, look elsewhere. Cheers.
Mike Thompson says
Absolutely INCREDIBLE!!!! Made the recipe as written and had some friends over for dinner. Not a drop of it was left and everyone was asking for the recipe. Thank you!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Mike, I’m so glad it was a hit, thank you!
Kristyn says
Wow..this looks so tasty!! I have never tried it, but I am excited to! Looks packed with so much flavor!
Sommer says
I love trying new recipes especially when they turn out as wonderful as this one!
Cheryl Sousa says
Easy recipe packed with flavor!! thanks for a great recipe
Katerina says
Oh my goodness, this looks incredibly delicious!! I can’t wait to try this recipe!!
Kellie H says
Love the bold, vibrant flavors in this easy recipe!
Carleen says
Hi,
I don’t know if I did something wrong, but I had to add like 3-4x as much water to it than the recipe called for. It kept getting dehydrated 🤔 Just thought I’d mention it in case other people have had similar issues.
Smells delicious though. Can’t wait to taste it!
Anonymous says
I followed the recipe exactly, but when I took the meat out to shred it didn’t shred very easily. I typically only do shredded meat in the crockpot or very low oven, so I’m wondering what I could have done wrong. When we get to the step to cover on summer for 3-4 hours, can we put it in a low oven instead? Would that make it shed better? Otherwise, everything is delicious, just a little tough on the meat.
Phyllis says
WONDERFUL !!
As I was enjoying this recipe, I had and idea of substituting catfish, because it reminded me of Catfish Courtboullion, but these ingredient would make it Catfish Courtboullion on steroids. Have you ever tried the sauce ingredients with fish. I thawed out fish this morning and will make it over the weekend, except to sub catfish for the beef. I understand that would totally not go with the “name” of the dish. Will come back here to let you know how it came out. By the way, would there be a recipe for what I am describing? I just know it will be as wonderful with fish and I cant wait to make it.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’s a fabulous idea, Phyllis, definitely let us know how it turns out!