Ropa Vieja

Cuba · Latin America

Short description: This slow-cooked shredded beef dish is built from a sofrito-style base and often served with rice, beans, and fried plantain.
Ingredients: Shredded beef simmers with tomato, onion, peppers, garlic, cumin, oregano, and sometimes olives, then pairs with rice or plantain.
Cultural note: Its name points to the ragged look of the shredded meat. The dish became especially tied to home-style meals, where stewed meat, beans, rice, and plantain often share the plate.
Common misconception: The name does not mean the dish contains cloth; it refers to the loose, torn look of the cooked beef.

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