Bret'S Favorite Spanish Shredded Beef Stew(Ropa Vieja - Old Clothes)
Ropa Vieja is a flavorful Spanish shredded beef stew with tender beef, tomatoes, peppers, and spices, perfect for hearty meals and sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. boneless beef chuck ⓘ
- 1/2 c. water
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 2 medium onions, sliced ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. oil ⓘ
- 1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chiles, drained ⓘ
- 3 medium tomatoes, chopped ⓘ
- 2 green peppers, cut into 1/2-inch pieces ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. vinegar ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. ground cloves ⓘ
Instructions
- Cut beef into 1/2-inch pieces.
- Combine beef, water, salt, pepper, and bay leaf in a pot and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours until beef is tender, adding water as necessary.
- Remove beef from broth and pull apart into shreds.
- Stir shredded beef, sliced onions, chopped garlic, drained green chiles, chopped tomatoes, green peppers, vinegar, cinnamon, and ground cloves into the broth.
- Heat the mixture to boiling, then reduce heat.
- Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider marinating the beef in the spices and vinegar for a few hours or overnight. You can substitute the green chiles with diced jalapeños for an extra kick. If you don't have fresh tomatoes, use a can of diced tomatoes instead. To save time, use pre-shredded beef or even rotisserie chicken for a quicker version of this dish.
Serving Suggestions
This flavorful stew pairs beautifully with rice, making it a hearty meal. Serve alongside Oldies And Youngies Salad for a refreshing contrast. You can also use it as a filling for tacos or burritos. For a complete meal, offer some crusty bread or plantain chips on the side.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover Ropa Vieja can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture. Alternatively, you can microwave it in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Bret'S Favorite Spanish Shredded Beef Stew(Ropa Vieja - Old Clothes) contains roughly 1900 calories, with 10g protein, 74g carbohydrates, and 185g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (85% of the Daily Value), iron (51% of the Daily Value), and calcium (34% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C. It also contributes 24g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Yes, while boneless chuck is ideal for its tenderness and flavor, you can use flank steak or brisket as alternatives. Just ensure they are cooked until tender, which may require adjusting the cooking time.
Can I make this stew in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! To adapt this recipe for a slow cooker, follow the initial steps of browning the beef, then add all ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours until the beef is tender.
What can I do if the stew is too spicy?
If your Ropa Vieja turns out too spicy, try adding a teaspoon of sugar or honey to balance the heat. You can also add more beef broth or tomatoes to dilute the spice level without compromising the flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).