Dive into the rich flavors of Cuban cuisine with this Instant Pot Ropa Vieja recipe. Ropa Vieja, which translates to “old clothes,” is a dish that beautifully showcases the art of transforming simple ingredients into something truly magnificent.
The tender, shredded beef, simmered in a vibrant tomato-based sauce with bell peppers, onions, and a medley of spices, brings the essence of Cuba right to your table. Thanks to the Instant Pot, this traditionally time-consuming dish is made effortlessly, without sacrificing any of its authentic flavors.
Why You’ll Love It
- Quick and Easy: The Instant Pot reduces cooking time significantly, making this classic dish weeknight-friendly.
- Flavorful: Each bite is packed with rich, complex flavors, from the tang of olives and capers to the warmth of cumin and paprika.
- Versatile: Serve it with rice, in tacos, or alongside plantains for a meal that never gets boring.
- Leftover Friendly: This dish tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep.
Helpful Tips
- Cutting the Beef: Slicing the beef into chunks before cooking ensures it cooks evenly and shreds easily.
- Deglazing: Don’t skip deglazing the pot with white wine; it adds depth of flavor and ensures all the tasty bits are incorporated into the sauce.
- Natural Pressure Release: Allowing the pot to release pressure naturally ensures the meat stays tender and juicy.
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Instant Pot Ropa Vieja
Ingredients
- 2 pounds flank steak
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 green bell pepper sliced
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 14 ounce crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup pitted green olives
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish
- Cooked white rice for serving
Instructions
- Season the flank steak with salt and pepper. Set the Instant Pot to “Saute” mode and add the olive oil. Once hot, sear the flank steak on both sides until browned, then remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the chopped onion, bell peppers, and garlic. Saute for a few minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, bay leaves, olives, capers, tomato paste, and white vinegar.
- Return the seared flank steak to the Instant Pot, nestling it into the sauce.
- Close the Instant Pot lid and set to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” mode for 60 minutes on high pressure.
- Once the cooking time is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for 10-15 minutes, then carefully release any remaining pressure.
- Remove the flank steak from the Instant Pot and shred it using two forks.
- Return the shredded beef to the sauce in the Instant Pot and stir to combine.
- Serve the Ropa Vieja over cooked white rice, garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley.
Nutrition
Laura is a home cook, with 25 years experience behind the stove, who spends an extraordinary amount of time in the kitchen cooking. She loves making new recipes and finding wonderful new things to eat, both at home or abroad. She spends a lot of time researching, crafting, and perfecting her recipes.
Halved the salt and used celery salt. Capers added enough salt.1/2 tsp cumin, as it tends to overpower. Smoked paprika, and added saffron to the rice.
Excellent recipe.
Glad you liked it Barry!