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Instant Pot Ropa Vieja (Tender Cuban-Style Shredded Beef)

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Melt-in-your-mouth Cuban-style shredded beef, pressure-cooked with peppers, olives, and a tangy tomato base. Big flavor, mostly hands-off, perfect over white rice.

  • Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Marinade

  • 1 cubanelle pepper, chopped (or ¼ green bell pepper or ½ jalapeño; mild heat)

  • 1 tsp fine salt (reduce if using salty bouillon/soy)

  • 2 tsp low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for GF)

  • ½ tsp black pepper, freshly ground

  • 2 tsp adobo seasoning (many blends contain salt—adjust)

  • 1 tsp Mexican oregano, rubbed between fingers

  • 1 tsp low-sodium beef bouillon or sazón (powder or paste)

  • 1 tsp ground cumin

  • 2 bay leaves (remove after pressure cooking)

  • 1 tsp minced garlic (about 1 clove)

  • 1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

  • ½ medium onion, diced

Beef & Sauce

  • 3 lb chuck roast, cut into large chunks (well-marbled)

  • ¼ cup avocado or olive oil (for searing)

  • 1 cup low-sodium beef broth (for deglazing)

  • 2 tsp minced garlic

  • ½ cup white onion, sliced

  • 3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

  • 3 Tbsp tomato paste

  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced

  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced

  • 1 cup Spanish manzanilla olives with juice (briny depth)

  • 1 Tbsp cilantro, minced (stir in at the end)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the beef
    Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl. Add beef chunks, toss to coat, cover, and refrigerate 1–24 hours.
  2. Bring to temp & preheat
    Remove beef from fridge 10 minutes before cooking. Reserve the marinade. Set Instant Pot to Sauté (High).
  3. 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.)
  4. Deglaze
    Return all beef to the pot. Pour in the reserved marinade and 1 cup broth. Scrape up browned bits with a wooden spoon.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

  8. Serve
    Serve over white rice. Add extra olives and cilantro; finish with a lemon/lime squeeze if you like brightness.

Notes

  • Adobo salt alert: Commercial adobo varies; start with less added salt and adjust at the end.

  • Gluten-free: Use tamari and a certified GF bouillon.

  • Make-ahead: Improves next day. Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat gently with a splash of broth.

  • Serving ideas: White rice, maduros (sweet plantains), tostones, Cuban black beans, or warm tortillas for tacos.

  • Thickness control: If too thin, reduce on Sauté; if too thick, add broth in small splashes.

  • Safety: Remove bay leaves before serving.

  • Author: Amber
  • 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