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.
How to Store and Reheat
- Storing: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Warm it gently on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or water if necessary to keep it moist.
Instant Pot Ropa Vieja
Cuban Ropa Vieja is a flavorful and hearty dish made with shredded beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce with bell peppers, onions, and a blend of spices.
Note: Made in a 6-qt Instant Pot
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds flank steak
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 green bell pepper sliced
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 14 ounce (396.89 g) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup (240 g) beef broth
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) cumin
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) paprika
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon (6 g) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) cayenne pepper optional
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup (33.75 g) pitted green olives
- 2 tablespoons (16 g) capers
- 2 tablespoons (32 g) tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons (32 g) white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) 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
Calories: 309kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 35gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 911mgPotassium: 916mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1018IUVitamin C: 52mgCalcium: 84mgIron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Equipment Needed
- Instant Pot – I use a 6-quart Instant Pot Duo Plus to make all of my recipes, but you can use any size or brand of electric pressure cooker. If you’re using an 8-quart pot, you will need to adjust the amount of liquid accordingly, as it requires more water to build steam.
Laura is a passionate home cook and the owner of A Pressure Cooker Kitchen. She is dedicated to helping people create delicious Instant Pot meals with ease. Laura is an expert at developing recipes that can be prepared quickly and easily using a pressure cooker.