Cuban Turkey Ropa Vieja with Mojo Sweet Potato and Bay Leaf White Rice

Name: Cuban Turkey Ropa Vieja with Mojo Sweet Potato and Bay Leaf White Rice
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 95 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Cubana
Ingredients: 1.75 lb boneless turkey thigh; 1 cup long-grain white rice; 1.5 lb sweet potato; 2 cups white onion; 1 cup red bell pepper; 6 cloves garlic; 1 cup crushed tomato; 1/2 cup dry cooking wine; 3 cups chicken broth; 1/3 cup green olives; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1/3 cup sour orange juice; 3 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp dried oregano; 2 leaves bay leaves; 1 3/4 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp fresh cilantro

An original Cuban-inspired version that turns shredded turkey into a juicy ropa vieja-style stew with sofrito, tomato, dry wine, olives, and a touch of cumin. It is served with roasted sweet potato finished with garlic mojo and bay-scented white rice.

25 minPrep

70 minCook

95 minTotal

4Servings

Dairy-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

800 g boneless turkey thigh (skinless, en 2 or 3 pieces large)
200 g long-grain white rice (enjuagado)
700 g sweet potato (pelado and cut in wedges gruesos)
250 g white onion (en plumas finas, divided)
150 g red bell pepper (in strips finas)
25 g garlic (chopped, divided)
240 ml crushed tomato (or puree rústico of tomato)
120 ml dry cooking wine (estilo dry)
720 ml chicken broth (divided)
60 g green olives (slices)
30 g tomato paste
80 ml sour orange juice (divided)
45 ml olive oil (divided)
2 g ground cumin
2 g dried oregano
2 g bay leaves (divided)
10 g salt (or to taste, divided)
2 g black pepper (divided)
10 g fresh cilantro (chopped for terminar)

Nutrition facts

per serving

545 kcal

Calories

39 g

Protein

49 g

Carbs

20 g

Fat

5 g

Fiber

44 g

Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

Sulfites

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 425°F / 220°C. Toss the sweet potato with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Arrange on a tray and roast for 30 to 35 minutes at 425°F / 220°C, turning halfway through, until golden and tender.
2
While the sweet potato roasts, season the turkey with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, cumin, and oregano. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a wide pot over medium-high heat and brown the turkey for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
3
In the same pot, add half of the onion, the red bell pepper, and half of the garlic. Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat until the sofrito softens. Stir in the tomato paste and cook 1 more minute.
4
Add the crushed tomato, dry wine, 2 cups chicken broth, 2 tablespoons sour orange juice, and 1 bay leaf. Return the turkey to the pot. When it reaches a gentle simmer, cover and cook over low heat for 40 minutes, until the turkey is very tender.
5
Remove the turkey from the pot and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded meat to the sauce and add the green olives. Cook uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes over medium-low heat until the sauce thickens and the ropa vieja is juicy. Remove the bay leaf.
6
For the rice, place the rice in a saucepan with 1 cup chicken broth, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 bay leaf. Bring to a boil, cover, and cook over very low heat for 15 to 18 minutes until the liquid is absorbed. Turn off the heat and let rest for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
7
Make the sweet potato mojo by warming the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a small skillet over low heat. Add the remaining garlic and remaining onion; cook for 2 to 3 minutes without letting it brown too much. Stir in the remaining sour orange juice and a pinch of salt, and cook 1 minute more.
8
Transfer the roasted sweet potato to a serving platter, spoon the hot mojo over it, and sprinkle with fresh cilantro. Serve the turkey ropa vieja with the bay leaf white rice and mojo sweet potato.

Chef tips

If you want an even silkier texture, cook the meat 10 more minutes before shredding. The sweet potato roasts best if the pieces are not crowded on the tray so they caramelize properly.

Substitutions

You can substitute the turkey thigh with chicken thigh using the same method, adjusting the braising time to 30 to 35 minutes. If sour orange is unavailable, use half orange juice and half lime juice.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

Illustrative image
Ninja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
View on Amazon
Illustrative image
Cosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
View on Amazon
Illustrative image
TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
View on Amazon