Name: Cuban-Style Beef Stew (Ropa Vieja!)
Prep time: 120 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 155 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 2 lbs flank steak (cut in pieces); 2 cups water ((enough to cover the meat in the pot)); 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/3 cup olive oil; 1 small onion (thinly sliced); 1 green bell pepper (thinly sliced lengthwise); 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced lengthwise); 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1/4 cup dry cooking wine ((vino seco)); 4 ounces tomato sauce ((1/2 cup)); 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon oregano; 1 bay leaf; Salt + pepper to taste

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The ultimate comfort food. Hearty beef stew made Cuban-style with shredded flank stead, bell peppers, onions and a flavorful tomato sauce.

In case you’re new here… hi, I’m Jamie and I love comfort food. Growing up Hispanic pretty much means you eat comfort foods not only on Sunday but every day of the week. Beef stew is a perfect example of a hearty comfort food.

When I hear “stew” though, I think of something completely different. I think of chunks of meat and vegetables in a pot, slowing cooking to perfection. Cuban beef stew however is not too far off. Cuban beef stew is made with flank steak, shredded and added to a homemade tomato sauce. It’s beyond flavorful and always reminds me of my childhood.

We call Cuban beef stew – ropa vieja.

What is ropa vieja?

Ropa vieja literally translates to ‘old clothes’ which I always found hilarious. The idea behind this crazy name is that the shredded meat resembles a pile of old clothes. In case you’re curious, this definitely does NOT smell like old clothes. It smells delicious and cozy and perfect all around. I love ropa vieja on top of white rice. The rice soaks up all the sauce and it’s just so OMG YUM.

There are many Cuban beef stew recipes online and in cookbooks. This one is straight from the OG herself – my mom.

I was literally on the phone with her for 45 minutes trying to figure out measurements. See, Cuban kitchen legends, like my mom, don’t know measurements. They’ve been cooking with “un poquito” (a little bit) for years. How her food manages to always taste exactly the same when she never uses measurements is beyond me! Alas, we figured it out, ingredient by ingredient.

How to make Cuban-Style Beef Stew

Ok, I know at first glance it seems like this recipe is super tedious to make however I can assure you most of the recipe is hands-off! Here’s how you can make ropa vieja at home.

In a Dutch oven, cook flank steak with water and salt at medium-low until the meat is tender, about 2 hours. See this is the hands-off part. You can also use a pressure cooker instead which takes about 30 minutes. I’m sure the Instant Pot may work here too but I don’t own one so I can’t really say. Once the meat has cooked through, shred it with two forks and set aside.

Now, you’re going to heat olive oil at medium heat in a large skillet. Add green pepper, red pepper, onion, garlic, and dry cooking wine. Sauté for a few minutes. Add tomato sauce, ground cumin, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the veggies have softened.

Add the shredded meat to the skillet. Stir to combine with sauce. Cover and cook on low for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, without letting it dry out. The result is a flavorful, saucy stew that will smell AMAZING. I love to serve ropa vieja over rice with sweet plantains but you can enjoy it in sliders, tortillas (ropa vieja tacos!), or with cauliflower congri.

My mom’s recipe will forever be my favorite and I hope it becomes your fave too!