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Whole30 Ropa Vieja Paleo Primal Gourmet Easy Cuban Recipe Shredded Beef
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5 from 1 vote

Whole30 Ropa Vieja - Instant Pot Version

This Whole30 Ropa Vieja is a super easy and delicious Cuban dish that is perfect for meal prep or a hearty weeknight dinner.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 55 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Cuban
Keyword: cuban cuisine, ropa vieja, shredded beef, whole30 ropa vieja
Servings: 5 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds flank steak
  • Kosher salt and freshly-cracked black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 medium onion - julienned
  • 1 green pepper - julienned
  • 1 red pepper - julienned
  • 1 yellow pepper - julienned
  • 5 cloves garlic - roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dry oregano
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes look for a BPA-free can
  • juice of 1 lime - plus extra lime wedges for serving
  • 1 cup compliant olives - sliced
  • ½ cup cilantro - roughly chopped (optional)
  • jalapeño and avocado - for serving (optional)

Instructions

  • Set Instant Pot to the sauté function and preheat 5 minutes. Add avocado oil and heat until shimmering.
  • Slice the beef in half so that it fits in the pot and season both sides with salt & pepper. Add the beef to pot and cook until browned, around 5 minutes. Flip and cook until browned on the second side, around 5 minutes. Transfer the browned beef to a plate and set aside.
  • Add onion and peppers to the pot and season with a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring and scraping any brown bits off the bottom of the pot, until softened, around 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, another 60 seconds.
  • Add garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika & cumin & toss everything to coat. Cook, stirring, for 60 seconds. Add crushed tomatoes, lime juice, & olives. Stir to combine and add the beef back to the pot. Push the beef down so that it's partially covered by the vegetables and some of the liquid. Close the lid, set the valve to the sealing position and cook under high pressure 45min.
  • Release pressure manually and shred the steak in the pot using two forks. Taste the ropa vieja for seasoning and adjust with salt & pepper as desired. Add cilantro, if using, and stir through.
  • Serve ropa vieja with cauliflower rice and/or plantains (see my blog for recipes) and garnish with jalapeño, avocado and cilantro