🇵🇦 Panamanian Cuisine

Ropa Vieja Panameña

Shredded Beef in Tomato Sauce

Prep Time 15 min
Servings 6
Difficulty Medium
Calories 374 kcal

Tender, slow-cooked shredded beef simmered in a rich tomato and pepper sauce — Panama's version of the beloved Latin American braised beef classic.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1 Boil beef in salted water for 1.5 hours until very tender. Reserve 1 cup cooking liquid. Shred beef with two forks.
  2. 2 Sauté onions, garlic, and bell peppers in oil until softened.
  3. 3 Add tomato paste, diced tomatoes, cumin, and oregano. Cook 5 min.
  4. 4 Add shredded beef and broth. Simmer 20 min until sauce thickens and coats the meat.
  5. 5 Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with cilantro.
  6. 6 Serve over white rice with patacones.

Did You Know?

The name "ropa vieja" means "old clothes" because the shredded beef resembles tattered fabric — but the taste is anything but worn out.