Yessss, let’s go full Cuba comfort mode! 🇨🇺🔥
Ropa Vieja (literally “old clothes” because of the shredded meat vibes) is Cuba’s national dish — and for good reason. It’s rich, slow-braised shredded beef in a savory tomato sauce with peppers, onions, olives, and that classic Latin heat. Deep flavor. Big soul.
🥩🌶️ Cuban Ropa Vieja
(Shredded beef in tomato-garlic-pepper goodness — tender, saucy, and bold.)
🛒 Ingredients:
- 2–2.5 lbs flank steak or chuck roast
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- ½ cup green olives (sliced or whole)
- 1 tbsp capers (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: splash of dry white wine or a pinch of sugar
🔥 How to Make:
- Sear the beef:
- Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or heavy pot
- Sear beef until browned on both sides → remove and set aside
- Sauté aromatics:
- In the same pot, cook onions and peppers until soft
- Add garlic, cumin, oregano, paprika → stir 1–2 mins
- Build the sauce:
- Add tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, broth, bay leaf, and a little salt
- Return beef to pot, cover and simmer low for 2.5–3 hours (or until it shreds easily)
- Shred + finish:
- Remove beef, shred with forks
- Return to pot with olives + capers → simmer 15 more mins to absorb that flavor
- Adjust seasoning, hit with a splash of wine or squeeze of lime for brightness
🍽️ Serve With:
- Classic: white rice + black beans
- Or try: fried plantains, yuca, Cuban bread for mopping up that sauce
- Garnish: chopped cilantro, squeeze of lime
📝 Caption Ideas:
- “Cuba’s favorite comfort dish — deep flavor, tender meat, and a whole lotta soul.”
- “Ropa Vieja: because shredded beef should never be boring.”
- “Fall-apart beef. Bright olives. Smoky tomato sauce. One spoon = vacation mode.”
- “When dinner tastes like it took all day (because it did). Worth it.” 💯
🎥 Reel Flow:
- Steak searing with that juicy brown crust
- Bell peppers & onions sizzling down
- Tomato sauce bubbling, beef going back in
- Forks shredding that meat
- Final spoon swirl + saucy rice plate with steam rising = 🔥🔥🔥
Want a slow cooker version, spicy twist, or even a Ropa Vieja taco remix? Say the word and I’ll remix it!
