Ropa Vieja (2024)

FAQs

What does ropa vieja literally mean? ›

Ropa Vieja, the national dish of Cuba, is a meal that is steeped in history. The recipe for ropa vieja (which literally means old clothes) is over 500 years old and originated with the Sephardic Jews in the Iberian peninsula of Spain.

A tough piece of meat, flank steak comes from the bottom hard-working muscle area of the cow and is very lean, with little fat. This means it has less flavor than other cuts of beef. Since it is tougher, stewing is required to soften the meat; it not only makes it more easily shreddable, but also easier to chew.

Ropa vieja is usually made with flank steak, a lean cut with long, thick strands of muscle fiber that can quickly dry out when overcooked. It's at its best when briefly seared, then sliced thinly across the grain to minimize the chewiness of those fibers.

However, ropa vieja is considered the national dish of Cuba, where residents hold a special affinity for it. The name ropa vieja translates to “old clothes,” likely because it's traditionally made with tough cuts of meat that break into long, thin fibers—resembling well-worn threads—when cooked.

The meat's fat content contributes to its flavor profile, making it juicy and tender. Slow cooking makes Ropa Vieja a flavor-filled dish. The cooking process involves the meat being cooked over low heat for an extended period. The slow cooking draws out the juices of the meat, mixing them with flavorful seasonings.

It sounds like "rope", but its meaning is actually "clothes". "

Originating in Spain, it is known today as one of the national dishes of Cuba. The name ropa vieja probably originates from the fact that it was often prepared using food left over from other meals.

Chuck meat is your best bet for beef stew, but it's also a pretty tough cut so it needs time to break down and become tender. Rush the cooking process and the beef will be tough and chewy. Follow this tip: For really tender meat, cook the stew low and slow, for approximately two hours.

The words ropa vieja mean "old clothes" in Spanish.

One of the most popular entrees in Cuban cuisine is ropa vieja. This stewed shredded beef dish is slow cooked in fresh tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic and wine to create a mouthwatering meal. And following its origins, the dish is accompanied by white rice, black beans and sweet plantains.

What is similar to ropa vieja? ›

Ropa vieja is a Cuban dish, resembling old clothes, braised shredded flank steak with a number of vegetables. Carne mechada is the Venezuelan equivalent.

1. Ropa Vieja. Perhaps one of the most popular dishes in Cuba, ropa vieja or “old clothes” (alluding to the meat), is a moreish mix of onions and bell peppers in a rich tomato sauce. The show stealer – shredded flank steak, stewed within the flavourful sauce.

A typical Cuba meal would consists of rice and beans, a meat and some sort of vianda (potato, yucca, or plantain). Ask the students what their Cuban Lunch consisted of (your Cuban-inspired lunch will contain beans, rice, vegetables, chicken and salad with avocado, cheese and plantains).

The famous ropa vieja is far more than just a dish, it's a cultural experience on a plate. The name, translating to “old clothes” in English, might not sound appetizing, but the flavors of this quintessential Cuban comfort food tell a different story.

The difference lies in the fact that the vaca frita cubana does not have any type of sauce and is fried so that the meat is dry and crispy, while the ropa vieja recipe includes tomato sauce and spicy sauce to achieve a juicy consistency.