Versailles-Style Ropa Vieja

This clean-eating version of Versailles-Style Ropa Vieja uses whole-food, organic ingredients to bring you a healthier twist on the classic Cuban dish.

↓ Jump to Recipe 0 cooked this Pin

Ingredients

  • 1 cup organic chopped tomatoes
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil
  • 2 lb organic, grass-fed beef flank steak, cut into 3-4 large pieces
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 cup pitted green olives
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Clean swaps

How we upgrade the restaurant version with better ingredients.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links are affiliate links — if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Shop the clean pantry

Reorder the shelf-stable staples for this recipe.

What you'll need

Instructions

  1. In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, warm the avocado oil. Add the beef pieces in batches, cooking until browned on all sides. Remove from the pot and set aside.
  2. In the same pot, add the chopped tomatoes, onion, garlic, and bell pepper strips. Cook until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 10 minutes.
  3. Return the beef to the pot with the vegetables. Stir in the beef broth, tomato paste, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, honey, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
  4. Cover and simmer on low heat for 1 1/2 to 2 hours on the stovetop (or transfer to a slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours), until the beef shreds easily with a fork.
  5. Remove the bay leaf. Use two forks to shred the beef into strands, mixing it back into the sauce along with the green olives. Simmer uncovered 5 more minutes to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  6. Garnish with chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice before serving.

FAQ

Is this Versailles-Style Ropa Vieja gluten-free?

Yes, this version is naturally gluten-free as it does not contain any gluten-containing ingredients.

Can I use beef broth instead of vegetable broth?

Certainly! Using beef broth would maintain the flavor consistency and is a good option if you prefer or require animal-based broths.

More from Versailles

Also try

Cooked it?

Tap to add it to the count of cooks who made this.