Description
Ropa Vieja Burgers bring the rich slow cooked essence of classic Cuban style flavors into a fast satisfying meal. Juicy seasoned beef patties are layered with sautéed peppers and onions a bright tomato sauce melty cheese and a crunchy fried onion topping for an elevated burger experience.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 large onions chopped
2 red bell peppers chopped
1 teaspoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon minced garlic
3 cups canned crushed tomatoes
1 tablespoon Texas Pete Original Hot Sauce
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons seafood boil seasoning such as Old Bay
2 pounds ground beef
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 slices Tillamook Provolone Cheese or Sargento Mozzarella
4 Nature’s Own Brioche Hamburger Buns or Arnold Hamburger Buns or Pepperidge Farm Hamburger Buns split
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 cup fried onions (canned is fine)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
Melt one tablespoon of unsalted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat then add the chopped onions and red bell peppers and cook until they soften.
Stir in the tomato paste allowing it to toast briefly then add the minced garlic and crushed tomatoes and combine thoroughly.
Add Texas Pete Original Hot Sauce fresh lemon juice and Old Bay seafood boil seasoning and simmer until the vegetables are tender then lift the peppers and onions out with a slotted spoon and keep them warm while the sauce cools.
Heat a large cast iron skillet over high heat and season the ground beef with salt and freshly ground black pepper then divide and form into four even patties.
Sear the patties in the hot skillet until they develop a brown crust add the remaining tablespoon of butter then flip the patties and top each with two slices of cheese.
Move the skillet to the oven and bake just until the cheese melts.
Heat a griddle over medium heat and toast the buns cut side down until lightly golden then set them aside.
Combine the mayonnaise with a small amount of the cooled tomato pepper sauce and spread this mixture on both cut sides of the buns.
Spoon the warm peppers and onions onto the bottom buns add a cheese topped patty and finish with a tablespoon of fried onions then close the burger and serve while hot.
Notes
Use crushed tomatoes for a smooth saucy texture that blends well with the peppers and onions.
To deepen flavor toast the tomato paste in the pan before adding the tomatoes.
Avoid pressing the patties while searing to keep them juicy and rest them briefly before assembling.
Store components separately to prevent buns from getting soggy and re-toast buns before serving leftovers.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pan sear and bake
- Cuisine: Cuban inspired