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Ropa Vieja (Cuban-Style Braised Beef)
Recipes
Ropa Vieja (Cuban-Style Braised Beef)
12 servings
4 hours, 35 minutes total (Active 35 minutes)

Ingredients

  • 2 large sweet onions
  • 2 large red bell peppers
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 boneless beef chuck (or shoulder) roast (about 3 lb)
  • 2 tablespoons sazón (or complete) seasoning
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ¾ cup dry red wine (or beef stock)
  • 1 (28 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 2 cups no-salt-added beef stock (or broth)
  • 1 (5.75 oz) jar sliced Spanish olives
  • 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro

Steps

    1. Preheat large stockpot on medium-high 2–3 minutes. Slice onions and peppers thinly; chop garlic finely. Coat beef with seasoning (wash hands).
    2. Place 2 tablespoons oil in pot and add beef. Cook 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned. Remove beef from pot.
    3. Pour remaining 2 tablespoons oil into pot, then add onions, peppers, garlic, paprika, oregano, cumin, and bay leaves. Cook and stir 6–8 minutes until vegetables are tender. Pour in wine; cook and stir 2 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, vinegar, and stock. Return beef to pot and bring to a boil.
    4. Reduce heat to medium and cover. Simmer 3–4 hours until beef is 195°F (for shreddable). Drain olives. Shred beef (using 2 forks), then stir in olives. Chop cilantro finely. Sprinkle beef with cilantro; serve.

The doneness temperatures for medium rare and medium stated above are traditional temperatures used for cooking beef, but are not recommended by the USDA. To maintain food safety, the USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145°F, as measured using a food thermometer, with a 3-minute rest time before carving.

Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with soap and water after any contact with raw meat, seafood, or eggs.
Do not reuse marinades.
Do not rinse raw meat.

If fruits and vegetables are part of this recipe, be sure to wash thoroughly.

Amount per 1⁄12 recipe serving: Calories 390, Total Fat 24g, Sat Fat 7g, Trans Fat 0g, Chol 110mg, Sodium 820mg, Total Carb 11g, Fiber 3g, Total Sugar 6g, (Incl. 0g Added Sugars), Protein 29g, Vitamin D 0%, Calc 4%, Iron 15%, Potassium 15%