Ropa Vieja

Ropa Vieja

Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 40 minutes
Total Time2 hours 10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Servings: 6
Author: David Buckingham

Equipment

  • Instant Pot

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs sirloin tip roast cut into 6 large chunks
  • 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 3/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil
  • 1 large yellow onion halved and thinly sliced
  • 2 red, orange, and/or yellow bell peppers stemmed, reseeded, and sliced into thin strips
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp bittersweet smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp tumeric
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/4 cup capers rinsed and drained
  • 1/4 cup jarred pimento peppers chopped, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins
  • 1 tbsp sherry vinegar or white wine vinegar

Instructions

  • Season the beef on all sides with salt and pepper.Put the avocado oil in the Instant Pot and press “Sauté”, then push “Adjust” to increase the heat to “more”. When the avocado oil is hot, and the beef and brown for 10 minutes, turning the pieces over halfway through. Use tongs to transfer the beef to a plate.
  • Add the onion and peppers to the pot and sauté, stirring frequently, for 3-4 minutes, until softened somewhat and reduced in volume. Stir in the garlic, oregano, and spices and cook for about a minute. Pour in the wine and let it bubble away for 2-3 minutes, until most of the liquid is gone.
  • Add the tomatoes and bay leaves, and press “Keep Warm/Cancel”. Return the beef to the pot along with any juices on the plate, and stir to combine. Place the lid on the Instant Pot, making sure the valve is turned to “Sealing”. Push “Manual” and use the plus button to increase the time to 40 minutes. Cooking will begin automatically.
  • When the time is up, push “Keep Warm/Cancel” and let the pressure release naturally (this takes 15-20 minutes; a manual pressure release can negatively impact the texture of the meat).
  • Carefully remove the lid, transfer the meat to a plate, and shred it with two forks. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Return the meat to the pot along with the capers, pimientos, raisins, and sherry vinegar, and stir. Push “Sauté” and cook for about 10 minutes, until the cause is thickened. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Serve hot alongside white or yellow rice, guacamole, and tostones or fried sweet plantains.