Ropa Vieja

Ropa vieja is a Cuban dish that consists of pulled beef. To make this dish, you need a cut of meat that can be pulled/shredded to absorb all the flavor of its delicious sauce. I use 2nd-cut brisket, and I don’t make it spicy but you can always add some jalapeno pepper if you want some heat. I used the Instant Pot but you can also make it in a dutch oven or a slow cooker (see directions for each method below). Serve it with rice and tostones or plantains!

Ingredients

• 2lb 2nd-cut brisket
• 1-2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1/2 yellow onion
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 small yellow bell pepper
• 1 small red bell pepper
• 1 small orange bell pepper
• 1 small green bell pepper
• 1/2 cup olives
• 3 oz tomato paste
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 2 bay leaves

Directions

Prep

1. Season the brisket with salt, pepper, and oregano. Set aside.
2. Julienne the onion and the bell peppers.

Directions for Instant Pot, Dutch Oven, and Slow Cooker below. Choose your cooking method and follow the corresponding directions.

Instant Pot

1. Set the Instant pot to saute for 20 minutes. Add oil.
2. Saute onions, garlic and bell peppers for 5-10 minutes.
3. Add olives, tomato paste, water and white wine. Continue stirring until the timer goes off.
4. Place the brisket in the instant pot and move it around to make sure it is covered by the sauce. Add the bay leaves.
5. Set the instant pot to high pressure for 1 hour. Set the valve to sealing and once the time ends you can let it naturally release or you can do a quick release.
6. Remove the meat from the pot and use two forks to shred it.
7. Place the pulled beef back in the pot and mix it with the sauce.
8. Serve it over rice and… enjoy!

Dutch Oven

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2. Add 2 tbsp oil to a dutch oven or oven-safe pot over medium heat.
3. Saute onions, garlic and bell peppers for 5-10 minutes.
4. Add olives, tomato paste, water and white wine. Continue stirring for 5-10 more minutes.
5. Place the brisket in the pot and move it around to make sure it is covered by the sauce. Add the bay leaves.
6. Cover and place in the oven for approximately 3 hours or until the beef is tender and can be shredded.
7. Remove the meat from the pot and use two forks to shred it.
8. Place the pulled beef back in the pot and mix it with the sauce.
9. Serve it over rice and… enjoy!

Slow Cooker

1. Add 2 tbsp oil to a pot over medium heat.
2. Saute onions, garlic and bell peppers for 5-10 minutes.
3. Add olives, tomato paste, water and white wine. Continue stirring for 5-10 more minutes.
4. Pour it into the slow cooker and add the brisket. Move it around to make sure it is covered by the sauce. Add the bay leaves.
5. Turn the slow cooker on high and cook for 4-5 hours.
6. Remove the meat from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred it.
7. Place the pulled beef back in the pot and mix it with the sauce.
8. Serve it over rice and… enjoy!