Carne Desmechada is also known as Ropa Vieja in Colombia. This shredded beef dish is also popular in Latin America and every country has its own way to make it.
What is Carne Desmecheda?
It's also known as Ropa Vieja (old clothes) and every country has a different name for this dish in Venezuela is known as Carne Mechada and in Dominican Republic as Carne Ripiada, but it's basically shredded steak cook in a rich sauce with spices and vegetables.
This beef dish is rich, tender, juicy and full of flavor. It's very easy to make and perfect for a weeknight meal or for a party.
How To Serve Carne Desmechada
Every cook and family has it own variation and ways to serve it. This is my Colombian version and I like to serve it over white rice with ripe plantain and avocado on the side.
This classic beef dish is also great on top of patacones and arepas. It can also be used as a filling for tacos or empanadas.
How to Store
This is a great meal prep recipe because you can make the meat in advance and use all week to make different dishes. Store in a sealed container in the fridge up to 5 days. Reheat in a pan on the stove over medium-low heat or in the microwave.
If you want to freeze it, when the meat is cool, transfer to a freezer container or bag and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat when ready to serve.
Ingredients to Make this Dish
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe with measurements and instructions.
Beef: I recommend using flank steak to make carne desmechada, but skirt steak will work.
Water: Use beef broth if you want more flavor.
Spices: Salt, cumin and ground pepper.
Tomato paste: It gives the dish a rich flavor.
Vegetables: Tomato, scallions and garlic.
Oil: Canola or vegetable oil
How to Make Carne Desmechada
In a pot, place the flank steak, water, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for about 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the meat is cooked.
Meanwhile make the hogao sauce:
- Heat the oil in a saucepan, add the tomatoes, scallions, garlic, ground cumin and cook gently for 10 minutes, stirring until softened.
- Reduce the heat to low, add the salt and , cook for 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally until the sauce has thickened. Check and adjust the seasoning and set aside.
Measure 1 cup of the liquid used to cook the meat. Set aside.
Remove the beef from the pot, let it cool and shred with a fork or your hands.
In a saucepan, place the shredded beef, hogao, tomato paste and 1 cup of beef liquid. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
More Colombian Recipes to Try:
Pan de Queso Colombiano (Colombian Cheese Bread)
Arroz con Leche Colombiano (Rice Pudding)
Arroz con Pollo (Colombian Style Rice with Chicken)
Carne Desmechada o Ropa Vieja Recipe (Shredded Beef)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds flank steak
- 9 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
Hogao
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup chopped scallions
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 cups diced tomato
Instructions
- In a pot, place the flank steak, water, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for about 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the meat is cooked.
- Mean while to make the hogao: Heat the oil in a saucepan, add the tomatoes, scallions, garlic, ground cumin and cook gently for 10 minutes, stirring until softened.
- Reduce the heat to low, add the salt and , cook for 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally until the sauce has thickened. Check and adjust the seasoning.
- Measure 1 cup of the liquid used to cook the meat. Set aside.
- Remove the beef from the pot, let it cool and shred with a fork or your hands.
- In a saucepan, place the shredded beef, hogao, tomato paste and 1 cup of beef liquid. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve hot over white rice or arepa.
Mayito Castillo
Uuummm!!! Que delicia!! La conbinacion perfecta, patacon con carne mechada.
Christina
Hi- I wanted to know if I should cut the steak prior to boiling it?
Thank you!
Erica
No.
Rocio
Thank you so much for your recipes. They take me back to my childhood, and now I can make them for my own family. I made the carne desmechada last night and it was a big hit. I can't wait to keep trying more. Im grateful for your website. And I just love how you add the pictures of each dish. AMAZING!!!
Laura
Question, can you use Sofrito instead of making Hogao? What are other alternatives to the Hogao?
Erica
Laura, You can use sofrito.
Laura
Hi Erica, Another question, can the meat be cooked in a slow cooker instead of a regular pot? If so, how long do you think the meat should cook for? Love all of your recipes!!
Erica
Laura- Using the slow cooker.....Cook it for about 4 to 5 hours.
Nora
4-5 hrs on high?
Erica Dinho
No! Read the first step:Cook over medium heat for about 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the meat is cooked.
Anna
I just made this tonight, and my family loved it!!! thanks so much for sharing your recipes i am making a list to make more! My hubby is colombian and im italian, but i love colombian food!! Some of his family have taught me some stuff but i wanna try new things! i luv the flavors! You dont know how much i appreciate you sharing this, he loved dinner tonight! thanks again! tomorrow i will try the beans and beef stew. I love this website!!
Paula
Hola!! Me pregunto si en lugar de sobrebarriga se puede usar carne de falda o solomo abierto...si es asi, cual es el nombre de esos cortes en inglespara pedirlos en la carniceria?
GRACIAS!!
Erycka
Hola Erica,
me encanta tu blog. Cada vez que vengo aca se antojo hacer todo a la vez. Quería pedir un favor, es posible poner el nombre de la carne en español. Ahorita estoy en Bogota , y bueno no se como traducir el nombre de las carnes.
Keep up the good work! Think my next meal will be las lentejas. Por más que me gusta la arepa con queso, el calentao y el pan de bono...necesito variar o si no llego a casa (Nueva York) hecha una ballena.
-Erycka
Josie
En Colombia lo llaman Sobre barriga
Bajar Barriga
No sé bien cómo llegué a tu blog y todo el contenido me pareció genial. Ya llevo un rato navegando por aquí. Tu dirección ya está en mi Google Reader. Si estás aburrido, comenta en mi sitio. Abrazo!
Anonymous
I made this carne desmechada or ropa vieja and it was fantastic. I served over white rice.
Kimberly
I'm not big on beef, but the recipe looked so good and easy, I decided to go ahead with it. It was delicious! Thank you! Excellent with white rice AND arepa (I was really hungry)!
recipes ca
Hi, I applaud your blog for informing people, very interesting article, keep up it coming 🙂
stephanie
my husband can't wait for me to cook this dish for him tonight! thanks for the great recipe!
Allison Lemons
I'm so happy I found your blog - and my Colombian husband will be too once I start trying out your recipes! He'll be excited about this one especially - I don't cook red meat that often but when I do he always requests flank steak. Thanks for the recipe - I can't wait for future posts!
ash
Am I able to cook the meat from frozen?
Erica Dinho
yes, but you to cook it longer.
Sapuche
This looks great, especially with the flavorful red juices at the bottom of the pot. It reminds me of the pulled pork here in Hawaii, and I love how simple it is to make!
ericriveracooks
Everytime I come to your blog it takes me back to being a little kid. I love it.
Eric
5 Star Foodie
Shredded flank steak sounds excellent - this is a meal that everyone in a family would enjoy!