Ropa Vieja
Cocina Con Fujita pressure-cooks the flank steak whole, shreds it, and folds it back into a sofrito built from the braising broth.
Ropa vieja carries a name that translates roughly to "old clothes," a nod to the shredded beef's resemblance to worn, fraying fabric. In Cuban cooking, it is the kind of dish that appears at Sunday tables alongside white rice, black or split-pea potaje, and sliced avocado. Cocina Con Fujita pressure-cooks the flank steak with whole aromatics before shredding, then builds a sofrito and folds the meat back in with a ladle or two of the reserved braising broth, letting everything simmer covered until the cooking liquid pulls into the beef.
What you'll need
Serves 4 · Video says 4 servings
- 2½ lbs / 1.1 kgfalda real (carne rez)Flank steak2½ lbs / 1.1 kgFlank steakfalda real (carne rez)
- 2hojas de laurelBay leaves2Bay leaveshojas de laurel
- 6 wholebolitas de pimienta negra enteroBlack peppercorns6 wholeBlack peppercornsbolitas de pimienta negra entero
- 2 mediumcebollaOnion2 mediumOnioncebolla
- 10 clovesdiente de ajoGarlic10 clovesGarlicdiente de ajo
- 1½ tbspsalSalt1½ tbspSaltsal
- 1 smallají verdeGreen bell pepper1 smallGreen bell pepperají verde
- 1 tbsp / 15 mlketchupKetchup1 tbsp / 15 mlKetchupketchup
- ½ cup / 120 mlsalsa de tomateTomato sauce½ cup / 120 mlTomato saucesalsa de tomate
- ½ cup / 120 mlaceite de oliva virgen extraOlive oil½ cup / 120 mlOlive oilaceite de oliva virgen extra
- ¼ tspcominoGround cumin¼ tspGround cumincomino
- ¾ tsporéganoDried oregano¾ tspDried oreganoorégano
- to tastepimienta fresca molidaBlack pepperto tasteBlack pepperpimienta fresca molida
- ½ gallon / ~2 litersaguaWater½ gallon / ~2 litersWateragua
- 1 wholeají maduroRipe pepper (ají maduro)1 wholeRipe pepper (ají maduro)ají maduro
Cook it through
One step at a time.
- Step 101Step 01 / 08
Load pressure cooker
Cargar la olla de presiónPour ½ gallon / ~2 liters of water into a pressure cooker. Add the 2 whole garlic cloves, 1 whole onion, 1 whole green pepper, 1 piece of ripe/red pepper, 2 bay leaves, 6 whole black peppercorns, and 1 tsp salt.
Timer · 3 minIn the app · Timer3 min - Step 202Step 02 / 08
Cut and add beef
Cortar y agregar la carneCut the 2½ lbs / 1.1 kg flank steak into 2–3 large pieces (cut in half or thirds). Add the beef to the pot. Seal the pressure cooker and cook at pressure for about 25 minutes, until the meat is very tender and falls apart easily.
By feel · Watch the potBy FeelNo timer — watch the pot. - Step 303Step 03 / 08
Shred the beef
Deshilachar la carneRemove the beef from the pot and let it cool enough to handle. Reserve the broth — do not discard it. Shred the beef with your hands or two forks to your preferred thickness.
Timer · 8 minIn the app · Timer8 min - Step 404Step 04 / 08
Prep sofrito vegetables
Preparar los vegetales del sofritoSlice the remaining small green bell pepper into thin batons, removing the white pith to avoid bitterness. Dice the second onion into medium pieces. Crush the 8 garlic cloves together with a pinch of salt using the flat of a knife or a mortar.
Timer · 10 minIn the app · Timer10 min - Step 505Step 05 / 08
Sauté onion and pepper
Sofreír cebolla y ajíHeat ½ cup / 120 ml olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sliced green pepper and sauté until softened and slightly wilted, about 5 minutes.
By feel · Watch the skilletBy FeelNo timer — watch the skillet. - Step 606Step 06 / 08
Add garlic and spices
Agregar ajo y especiasAdd the crushed garlic to the pan and stir well. Then add the ground cumin and dried oregano, mixing everything together. Add the ketchup and tomato sauce and stir to combine.
Timer · 3 minIn the app · Timer3 min - Step 707Step 07 / 08
Add beef and braise
Agregar la carne y cocinarRaise the heat slightly and add the shredded beef to the sofrito. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Add 1–1½ ladles of the reserved beef broth to help the flavors penetrate the meat. Stir well, taste and adjust salt, then cover and reduce heat to low (number 3). Simmer for 10–15 minutes until the flavors meld.
By feel · Watch the panBy FeelNo timer — watch the pan. - Step 808Step 08 / 08
Plate and serve
Presentar y servirServe the ropa vieja alongside white rice, a side of potaje (bean stew), and a simple avocado and tomato salad.
By feel · Watch the panBy FeelNo timer — watch the pan.
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Get Whisq for iOSPour ½ gallon / ~2 liters of water into a pressure cooker. Add the 2 whole garlic cloves, 1 whole onion, 1 whole green pepper, 1 piece of ripe/red pepper, 2 bay leaves, 6 whole…
Heat ½ cup / 120 ml olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sliced green pepper and sauté until softened and slightly wilted, about 5 minutes.
Serve the ropa vieja alongside white rice, a side of potaje (bean stew), and a simple avocado and tomato salad.
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