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Pork ropa vieja shown in a blue casserole dish.
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5 from 2 votes

Cuban Pork Ropa Vieja

A classic Cuban dish made with pork. A pork roast is browned, and then slowly baked until it's falling apart in a stew of tomatoes, peppers, onions and olives. Serve with rice and black beans for a classic Cuban meal, or go low carb with cauliflower rice.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Cuban
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 199kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • 2 pounds pork shoulder roast or pork sirloin roast
  • 2 onions thinly sliced
  • 2 bell peppers thinly sliced
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 28 ounces whole tomatoes canned
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3/4 cup green olives with pimento, halved
  • 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
  • cilantro chopped, to serve

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a large pot over high heat. Add pork roast, and brown on both sides, about 5-7 minutes per side.
  • Transfer the roast to a baking dish.
  • In the same skillet, add onions, peppers, and garlic. Saute until softened, and then add salt and spices. 
  • Continue to saute, and add broth and canned tomatoes. Use a spatula to begin breaking up tomatoes, and allow to simmer about 10 minutes.
  • Add the tomato stew into the baking dish around the pork roast.
  • Bake on 250º F for 1 hour 45 minutes in the Sharp Superheated Steam Countertop Oven.
  • If baking in a traditional oven, cover the baking dish with foil or a lid, and bake on 250º F for 2 - 2 1/2 hours, until the pork shreds very easily.
  • Remove baking dish from oven, and stir in vinegar and chopped olives. Garnish with cilantro, if desired.

Video

Notes

*Ropa Vieja is traditionally made with Flank Steak. This recipe can be made with beef, if preferred, with the same cooking times.
Traditionally, Ropa Vieja is served with rice, beans, and fried plantains, called maduros.

Nutrition

Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 893mg | Potassium: 628mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2245IU | Vitamin C: 55.9mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 2.1mg