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    Home » Tasty Recipes » Cuban Inspired

    June 19, 2018 Beef Recipes

    Instant Pot Cuban Ropa Vieja

    Ropa Vieja literally translates to "old clothes", why is this classic Cuban dish called old clothes? I have no idea, I forgot to ask my dad. But, he did walk me through step by step on how to make this authentic Cuban ropa vieja recipe that I made in the Instant Pot.

    authentic Cuban ropa vieja recipe

    Growing up, I can only remember eating this dish a handful of times. (Crazy, right?! Maybe it's my memories.) Now as a madre, I want to be able to make classic Cuban (and Puerto Rican) dishes to keep the culture alive in mi familia.

    How To Make Cuban Ropa Vieja In The Instant Pot

    authentic Cuban ropa vieja recipe

    Ropa Vieja is traditionally made with skirt steak. I must admit, I struggled to find this. Price Rite did not have it, so I'm am beyond happy Aldi had it! I grabbed two since they were packaged on the smaller side. You want about 2 pounds. You can also use flank steak as well.

    authentic Cuban ropa vieja recipe

    I seasoned my steak with a generous amount of salt, ground black pepper, and oregano. Rub it in and let it sit while you prepare the rest of the dish.

    authentic Cuban ropa vieja recipe

    I decided to go the authentic traditional route with my ropa vieja recipe and used fresh aji dulce peppers. They can be hard to find, I seriously went to three different Latin markets, so call ahead before going. If you don't have access to it, you can use two tablespoons of sofrito.

    authentic Cuban ropa vieja recipe

    This next step is where I did use my favorite kitchen tool (hey, it's 2018) the Instant Pot. If you don't have an Instant Pot, I will post below how to make the ropa vieja on the stove top.

    authentic Cuban ropa vieja recipe

    OMG the moment you open the lid the smell hits you! It is so amazing, and honestly, super simple to make. You see the fat that is on top? While it's cooking, it adds delicious flavor, but when you're ready to shred it, you can just remove it with the side of a fork.

    authentic Cuban ropa vieja recipe

    authentic Cuban ropa vieja recipe

    It literally took me less than two minutes to shred and photograph it! Now throw it back into the Instant Pot, stir it together, taste it and add more salt if needed. At this time, I love to sprinkle some fresh lime juice over it, cover it, and let it sit for a good half hour.

    authentic Cuban ropa vieja recipe

    This is where I say, that's it mi gente....but I promised the traditional stove top method!

    How To Make Ropa Vieja On The Stove

    For the stovetop method, you're going to first, boil your seasoned meat on the stove in a big pot for about 40-60 minutes, or until the beef is tender.

    Once the beef is tender, remove from the pot and shred it. Once shredded set it on the side. Then you're going to empty your big pot, return it to the stove and over medium high heat, add in your oil and saute the rest of the ingredients like the Instant Pot recipe.

    Once the ingredients have been sauteed, you're going to add in your shredded beef and lime juice.

    If there's not enough liquid, add some more water and taste to see if it needs additional salt.

    Now lower the heat to low and allow it to simmer a good 20 minutes before serving.

    Ropa vieja being shredded with two forks

    Instant Pot Cuban Ropa Vieja

    Ropa Vieja is a traditional Cuban dish that is of a stewed shredded beef served over white rice.
    4.59 from 36 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner
    Cuisine: Cuban
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories:
    Author: Latina Mom Meals

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds of skirt steak
    • 1 tablespoon of dried oregano
    • 2 teaspoons of salt
    • 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
    • 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
    • 2 sweet aji peppers chopped
    • 3 cloves of garlic minced
    • 1 whole onion chopped
    • 1 red bell pepper sliced thinly, seeds removed
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1 4 oz can of tomato sauce
    • ½ cup of white wine
    • ½ cup of green olives stuffed with pimentos
    • 1 cup of water
    • lime juice

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl season steak with oregano, salt, and pepper. Set to the side.
    • In the Instant Pot, set the saute setting for 7 minutes. Add oil into the insert. Once oil is hot, add in onions, garlic, peppers, olives, and bay leaf in. Saute for about 4 minutes, stirring often. Next, add in white wine and tomato sauce. Keep stirring until the timer goes off, about another minute. Next, add in water, mix and then drop in steak, being sure to flip a few times to make sure that the sauce covers the steak.
    • Set the Instant Pot on a high pressure setting for 38 minutes, then do a natural release when the times goes off. (Be sure to hit the cancel button when the 38 minute timer goes off.)
    • When the Instant Pot has depressurized, remove the beef and shred it in a separate bowl. Remove the excess fat and return the beef to the Instant Pot. Mix the ingredients together. At this point taste and add additional salt to your liking. At this point, add in lime juice to your liking as well.
    • Serve over white rice.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0g | Carbohydrates: 0g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 0mg | Potassium: 0mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 0IU | Vitamin C: 0mg | Calcium: 0mg | Iron: 0mg

     

     

    More Beef Recipes Category Archive

    • Pan con Bistec | Cuban Steak Sandwich
    • Puerto Rican Oxtail Stew
    • Air Fryer Cheesy Beef Pastelillo
    • Healthy Mango Picadillo

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shantel says

      September 29, 2018 at 3:00 am

      Hello! This may be a silly question, but can this be made in a crock pot?

      Reply
      • Latina Mom Meals says

        October 04, 2018 at 6:12 pm

        Hey there! Yes, you may have to cut it in half, an a half cup to a cup of water and I'd cook on low for 12 hours. 🙂

        Reply
      • Latina Mom Meals says

        October 22, 2018 at 1:43 pm

        Hi, yes Shantel, it can be. Just increase the liquids by adding another cup, cup and a half of beef broth and increase time to about 8-10 hours on low. (Low and slow always is the preferred way.)Perfect to season the night before, place it in the morning before work and boom, dinner is served!

        Reply
        • Shantel says

          November 01, 2018 at 9:02 am

          Thank you!!! I’m soooo going to try this!

          Reply
      • Ed says

        February 17, 2019 at 10:02 pm

        5 stars
        I cooked this recipe in my instant pot for my Cuban wife and her mother. I used flank steak since it just looked better at the store than the skirt steak that day. And I got the "Que rico!" that you want to here. After my mother-in-law insisted we gave her too much, she cleaned the plate! Great recipe

        Reply
        • Latina Mom Meals says

          February 18, 2019 at 11:12 am

          I'm so happy to hear this Ed!!!

          Reply
    2. Mike says

      December 05, 2018 at 7:32 pm

      Silly question.

      When do I add the olives?

      Reply
      • Latina Mom Meals says

        December 06, 2018 at 7:54 am

        Hi Mike! Not a silly question, I updated the instructions. It's at the same time you add your peppers etc. 🙂 Sorry for leaving that part out and thanks for bringing it to my attention. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Winnie says

      December 19, 2018 at 6:50 pm

      Hi there! I can't wait to make this tomorrow, however I haven't been able to find the sweet aji peppers anywhere. Can I use Goya Recaito as a substitute instead? If so, 2 Tbs? Thanks so much! Love rope vieja and can't wait to try your recipe!

      Reply
      • Latina Mom Meals says

        December 19, 2018 at 8:03 pm

        Hi Winnie, yes! And 2 tablespoons sounds good. Please let me know how it goes. 🙂

        Reply
      • Laura says

        August 17, 2019 at 7:37 pm

        I got my aji peppers here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/575213988/fresh-podsaji-dulce-pepper-no-intense?ref=yr_purchases

        I had good luck with the delivery and quality of peppers. I few of the reviews indicate that they did not. I also ordered some seeds so I can grow my own.

        Reply
        • Latina Mom Meals says

          August 22, 2019 at 7:13 am

          Oh my word! Who knew Etsy sold produce! That's amazing to know Laura, thanks for sharing!

          Reply
    4. Ale says

      February 18, 2019 at 3:23 pm

      Hi! I don't understand this comment: "Set the Instant Pot on a high pressure setting for 38 minutes, then do a natural release when the times goes off. (Be sure to hit the cancel button when the 38 minute timer goes off.)". Did you mean do a "quick release"? If not, if I hit cancel, how do I know when the natural release is done?

      Reply
      • Latina Mom Meals says

        February 20, 2019 at 7:33 am

        Yes, a quick release. When you hit cancel, the cooking stops. And just like with a quick release, the valve drops with a natural release. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Rachel says

      July 10, 2019 at 1:43 pm

      Hi! Wanting to make this for my husband and myself! Can this recipe be halved?

      Reply
      • Latina Mom Meals says

        July 10, 2019 at 5:57 pm

        It can! Just not sure if you'll find a small cut of the skirt steak? 🙂

        Reply
    6. Karen Deeds says

      July 20, 2019 at 5:35 pm

      Do you think it’s ok to use flank steak instead of skirt steak?

      Reply
      • Latina Mom Meals says

        July 23, 2019 at 8:06 pm

        Yes, but adjust the timing. Maybe cook for 35 minutes? Let me know how it goes!

        Reply
    7. Deborah says

      January 01, 2020 at 5:42 pm

      What is the amount if using aji Amarillo paste? Looks like an amazing recipe. Totally Keto friendly serving over rice cauliflower! 😊

      Reply
      • Neyssa says

        January 04, 2020 at 3:13 am

        Yes, totally keto friendly! As far as how much, I would start with less! Perhaps a teaspoon or two?

        Reply
    8. Yvonne says

      March 25, 2020 at 6:57 pm

      Ropa Vieja is a dish from Spain and is traditionally made with Flank Steak.

      Reply
      • Neyssa says

        March 27, 2020 at 9:34 pm

        Thank you for that. I do know my father's family originally came from Spain before immigrating to Cuba.

        Reply
    9. clara says

      April 17, 2020 at 9:44 pm

      this was an amazing recipe, thank you

      Reply
      • Neyssa says

        April 18, 2020 at 3:03 pm

        You're welcome! Thank you for trusting me with your meal. 🙂

        Reply
    10. Ruby says

      December 11, 2020 at 5:59 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for the recipe, best way to break in my IP! Had to substitute the white wine with chicken broth but it still came out great. Added capers and raisins. 😋

      Reply
    11. Raquel says

      January 31, 2021 at 8:52 am

      5 stars
      I made this recipe with skirt steak and the flavors and tenderness of the meat was amazing! I also made this with flank steak and while the flavors were good, the meat wasn’t as tender. I recommend sticking to skirt steak.

      Reply

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    Guided by taste, not measurements, I strive to recreate classic Puerto Rican and Cuban recipes treasured by those that have come before us. Read more about me!

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