By Vivian Fong, 1/25/18
Shredded beef is a preparation of beef that features in dishes from various Latin American cuisines.Shredded beef is sometimes prepared using beef brisket and chuck roast.Pot roast is also sometimes shredded.It is oftentimes called differently in different countries particularly where it is most popular, including Spain, Cuba, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Colombia, México, Costa Rica, Panamá, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.In some countries it is called “ropa vieja”, literally meaning old clothes, in some others it is called “carne desmechada”, literally meaning shredded beef; but a common denominator is that we all recognize it immediately as we see (and smell) it.
Below are some of the some of the ways this delicious dish is called across different Latin American countries:
Spain= Ropa Vieja
Cuba = Ropa Vieja
Venezuela = Carne Mechada or Desmechada
Puerto Rico = Ropa Vieja
Dominican Republic = Carne Mechada or Desmechada
Colombia = Carne Desmechada
México = Ropa Vieja or Carne Guisada or Carne Deshebrada
Costa Rica = Carne Mechada or Estofado
Panamá = Ropa Vieja
Chile = Carne Mechada
El Salvador = Carne Deshilada
Guatemala = Hilachas or Carne Deshilachada
Honduras = Carne Desmenuzada
I love making shredded beef for my family, and you can make this delicious dish too!Sometimes I like adding different things (like olives), and serve it with different sides, such as rice with pigeon peas (arroz con guandú o gandules), rice with beans, sweet plantain, etc.Some other times I prepare it like Venezuelans do, stuffing it inside a corn tortilla called “arepa”.
While there are many variations to this recipe, here is an easy one from allrecipes.com:
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 pounds beef flank steak
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
How to Make It
1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the flank steak on each side, about 4 minutes per side.
2. Transfer beef to a slow cooker. Pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce, then add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, tomato paste, cumin, cilantro, olive oil and vinegar. Stir until well blended. Cover, and cook on High for 4 hours, or on Low for up to 10 hours. When ready to serve, shred meat and serve with tortillas or rice.
Recipe Source: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/79301/cuban-ropa-vieja/
Photo Credit: Vivian Fong
FAQs
In some countries it is called “ropa vieja”, literally meaning old clothes, in some others it is called “carne desmechada”, literally meaning shredded beef; but a common denominator is that we all recognize it immediately as we see (and smell) it.
What is the Mexican word for shredded beef? ›
Machaca (Mexican Shredded Beef)
How do you say shredded beef? ›
Sound it Out: Break down the word 'shredded beef' into its individual sounds "shred" + "id beef". Say these sounds out loud, exaggerating them at first. Practice until you can consistently produce them clearly.
What do you call shredded meat? ›
Shredded beef, also known as pulled beef, is a preparation of beef that features in dishes from various cuisines. Shredded beef is sometimes prepared using beef brisket and chuck roast. Pot roast is also sometimes shredded.
How do you say "beef" in Spanish slang? ›
"Beef" in Spanish is usually translated as la carne de vacuno, but some Spanish speakers refer to it as la carne de res. The following bulleted list contains types of beef meat in Spanish, along with their English translations: beef (general) is la carne de vacuno (or de vaca, de res)
How to order shredded beef in Spanish? ›
In some countries it is called “ropa vieja”, literally meaning old clothes, in some others it is called “carne desmechada”, literally meaning shredded beef; but a common denominator is that we all recognize it immediately as we see (and smell) it.
What is Mexican beef called? ›
Carne Asada – Marinated, grilled, sliced beef, cooked so there is some charring to impact flavor.
What are beef tacos called in Spanish? ›
Carna Asada
Carne Asada is the most common taco meat.
What is shredded beef cut? ›
Chuck roast is arguably the best cut to use for pulled beef. Similar to the front shoulder of pork (or the pork “butt”) chuck roasts, being from the front shoulder of the steer, are chock full of fat, collagen, and marbling. This is the stuff we need to make delicious juicy pulled beef.
What is the name for shredded taco meat? ›
Carne Deshebrada or shredded beef tacos are a meal the whole family craves. This flavorful beef recipe is also a favorite for, gorditas, tostadas, and more! With stove top, slow cooker, and Instant Pot instructions included, there's no excuse not to make this delicious recipe.
I'm sure pork has several different names in Spanish, even if you're only talking about Mexican cuisine, but two of the most widely-used in Mexico are cerdo (as in Carne de cerdo en salsa verde) and puerco (as in Chicharrón de puerco).
Is Shredded Meat good for you? ›
Shredded beef is a rich source of several B vitamins, including B12, niacin, riboflavin, B6 and folic acid. These vitamins play crucial roles in our metabolism, helping the body to convert food into energy and keep the nervous system healthy.
Why is it called pulled beef? ›
Pulling or shredding meat involves cooking a meat slowly at a low to medium temperature, so the meat is tender and moist and soft enough to pull apart with a fork. The resulting “strands” of meat should be juicy and full of flavour.
What is shredded beef called in Spanish Mexico? ›
Common names are : "Carne desmechada", "Carne esmechada", "carne mechada" ,"ropa vieja", "carne desmenuzada, "pisillo"... Uh, I think that's about it.
How do Mexicans say beef steak? ›
beefsteak
- el bistec (M) Bobby asked the butcher for the biggest beefsteak in the case. Bobby le pidió al carnicero el bistec más grande del mostrador.
- el filete (M) May I have two beefsteaks and a whole chicken, please? ¿Me daría dos filetes y un pollo entero, por favor?
- c. el bife (M) (South America)
Is shredded beef the same as machaca? ›
"An authentic Mexican recipe from the book "Mexican Cookery" by Barbara Hansen. This delectable shredded beef is perfection! Wonderful served stuffed into a warm flour tortilla.
What is Mexican dried beef called? ›
Machaca is a Northern Mexican type of dried meat, often made from beef. This preservation technique is a boon when access to fresh beef is sporadic or otherwise difficult, but it also concentrates the beef's flavor, meaning you can do much more with less.
What's the difference between barbacoa and shredded beef? ›
The word “barbacoa” simply refers to meat that's been slowly cooked with Mexican spices and flavors until it's easily shredded.
What is the name of beef for shredding? ›
My favorite cut is a chuck roast, which may also be labeled as a shoulder roast, chuck eye roast, or arm chuck roast. Look for a roast that has good marbling (or white fat) running through it. Brisket is another great choice for shredded beef.