Ingredients
Marinade
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1 cubanelle pepper, chopped (or ¼ green bell pepper or ½ jalapeño; mild heat)
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1 tsp fine salt (reduce if using salty bouillon/soy)
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2 tsp low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for GF)
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½ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
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2 tsp adobo seasoning (many blends contain salt—adjust)
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1 tsp Mexican oregano, rubbed between fingers
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1 tsp low-sodium beef bouillon or sazón (powder or paste)
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1 tsp ground cumin
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2 bay leaves (remove after pressure cooking)
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1 tsp minced garlic (about 1 clove)
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1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
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½ medium onion, diced
Beef & Sauce
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3 lb chuck roast, cut into large chunks (well-marbled)
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¼ cup avocado or olive oil (for searing)
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1 cup low-sodium beef broth (for deglazing)
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2 tsp minced garlic
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½ cup white onion, sliced
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3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
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3 Tbsp tomato paste
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1 green bell pepper, sliced
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1 red bell pepper, sliced
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1 cup Spanish manzanilla olives with juice (briny depth)
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1 Tbsp cilantro, minced (stir in at the end)
Instructions
- Marinate the beef
Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl. Add beef chunks, toss to coat, cover, and refrigerate 1–24 hours. - Bring to temp & preheat
Remove beef from fridge 10 minutes before cooking. Reserve the marinade. Set Instant Pot to Sauté (High). - Sear in batches
Add oil; when shimmering, brown 4–5 pieces at a time on all sides. Transfer to a plate and repeat. (Don’t crowd. If fond starts to scorch, splash in a little broth.) - Deglaze
Return all beef to the pot. Pour in the reserved marinade and 1 cup broth. Scrape up browned bits with a wooden spoon. - Pressure cook
Lock lid, set valve to Sealing, choose Meat/Stew (High) for 45 minutes. Quick-release carefully (or 10-minute natural release, then quick-release). Transfer beef to a tray. - Build the pepper-tomato base
With pot on Sauté, stir in minced garlic, sliced onion, vinegar, tomato paste, green & red peppers, and olives with their brine. Simmer ~30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and peppers are tender. -
Shred & finish
Shred beef into long strands; return to pot. Simmer 10–30 minutes more until the sauce clings to the meat. Adjust salt/pepper to taste. Stir in cilantro off heat. -
Serve
Serve over white rice. Add extra olives and cilantro; finish with a lemon/lime squeeze if you like brightness.
Notes
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Adobo salt alert: Commercial adobo varies; start with less added salt and adjust at the end.
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Gluten-free: Use tamari and a certified GF bouillon.
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Make-ahead: Improves next day. Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat gently with a splash of broth.
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Serving ideas: White rice, maduros (sweet plantains), tostones, Cuban black beans, or warm tortillas for tacos.
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Thickness control: If too thin, reduce on Sauté; if too thick, add broth in small splashes.
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Safety: Remove bay leaves before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)
- Cuisine: Cuban
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8
- Calories: 415 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg