Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja Recipe
This Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja is a classic Cuban dish featuring tender shredded beef simmered with tomatoes, peppers, garlic, and a blend of aromatic spices. Slow-cooked to perfection, this hearty and flavorful meal is perfect served over yellow rice for a taste of authentic Cuban comfort food.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 hours (low) or 5 hours (high)
- Total Time: 9 hours 15 minutes (low) or 5 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Cuban
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Sauce
- 3 lbs. beef flank steak
- 1 cup beef broth
- 6 oz. can tomato paste
- 14 oz. can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. oregano
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1/2 tsp. turmeric
- 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small white onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers (orange and green), diced
- 1 cup Spanish olives
- 3 whole garlic cloves, peeled
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In the slow cooker, combine beef broth, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, oregano, cumin, turmeric, and apple cider vinegar. Stir well to create a flavorful sauce base.
- Add the beef and vegetables: Place the beef flank steak into the sauce, turning it to coat thoroughly. Then, top with diced bell peppers, onion, Spanish olives, and whole garlic cloves, mixing gently to combine them over the meat.
- Slow cook the beef: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW heat for 9 hours or on HIGH for 5 hours. Do not open the lid during this process to ensure the beef becomes tender and absorbs the rich flavors.
- Shred the meat: Once cooking is complete, shred the beef directly in the slow cooker using two forks, mixing it into the sauce for even flavor distribution.
- Serve: Serve the ropa vieja hot with yellow rice, allowing the savory beef and vegetable mixture to complement the rice perfectly.
Notes
- For best results, do not open the slow cooker lid during cooking to maintain heat and moisture.
- You can substitute flank steak with brisket or chuck roast if needed.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of chili flakes or hot sauce to the sauce mixture.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- This dish pairs well with black beans and fried plantains for a complete Cuban meal experience.
Keywords: Ropa Vieja, Cuban Beef Stew, Slow Cooker Recipes, Shredded Beef, Cuban Cuisine, Comfort Food
Find it online: https://delishfamilyrecipe.com/slow-cooker-ropa-vieja-recipe/
