Best 5 Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant streets of Havana with Ropa Vieja, a traditional Cuban dish that captures the essence of the island's rich history and culture. This delectable shredded beef stew is a symphony of flavors, where tender beef simmers in a savory broth infused with aromatic spices, tangy citrus, and the vibrant flavors of peppers and tomatoes. As the beef slowly cooks, it transforms into tender, flavorful strands, reminiscent of the "old clothes" (ropa vieja) that gave this dish its name. Served with fluffy white rice, black beans, and sweet plantains, Ropa Vieja is a hearty and comforting meal that showcases the culinary heritage of Cuba. This article presents a collection of authentic Ropa Vieja recipes, each with its unique twist on this classic dish. From the traditional Cuban-style Ropa Vieja to variations that incorporate different cooking methods and ingredients, these recipes offer a diverse range of options to suit every palate. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary adventure, let these recipes guide you in creating an unforgettable Ropa Vieja experience that will transport your taste buds to the heart of Havana.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SLOW COOKER ROPA VIEJA (CUBAN SHREDDED BEEF)



Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja (Cuban Shredded Beef) image

Make and share this Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja (Cuban Shredded Beef) recipe from Food.com.

Provided by PanNan

Categories     Cuban

Time 8h10m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 lbs flank steaks (or chuck)
1 tablespoon adobo seasoning (or can substitute 1.5 tsp salt and 1/5 tsp garlic powder)
1 green bell pepper
1 red bell pepper
1 large yellow onion
6 large garlic cloves
1/2 cup green Spanish olives
1 cup white wine
28 ounces tomato puree
6 ounces tomato paste
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Rub each side of the steak with Adobo seasoning. Place in slow cooker.
  • Slice peppers, onion and garlic and add to the slow cooker along with the olives.
  • Mix the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and add to the slow cooker.
  • Cook on low for 8 hours.
  • When cooked, remove the meat from the slow cooker and finely shred with 2 forks. Return the shredded beef to the sauce in the slow cooker and stir.
  • Cook the shredded beef on low in the slow cooker another 20 minutes.
  • Serve over rice.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 394.5, Fat 15.9, SaturatedFat 6.1, Cholesterol 115.7, Sodium 714.5, Carbohydrate 18.9, Fiber 4, Sugar 10.1, Protein 39.5

ROPA VIEJA IN A SLOW COOKER



Ropa Vieja in a Slow Cooker image

This is a delicious pot roast with peppers and onions. Just like at the Cuban restaurants in the malls!

Provided by NC baking girl

Categories     100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes

Time 7h45m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 (2 pound) beef chuck pot roast
3 cloves garlic
2 red bell peppers, cut into large wedges
2 green bell peppers, cut into large wedges
1 yellow onion, cut into wedges
1 sweet onion, cut into wedges
½ (6 ounce) can tomato paste, or to taste
¼ cup red wine vinegar
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder, or to taste
⅛ teaspoon seasoned salt, or to taste
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Pierce the beef roast to tenderize it and let the flavors in, and place it into a slow cooker with the garlic, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, yellow onions and sweet onions. Stir in the tomato paste and red wine vinegar. Sprinkle with the garlic powder, seasoned salt, salt, and ground black pepper.
  • Cover, and cook on Low until the beef is tender, 7 to 8 hours. Remove beef, and shred into long strands using two forks. Return the meat to the slow cooker and combine with the vegetables.
  • Cook on Low until the meat and vegetables are very tender, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 290.6 calories, Carbohydrate 14.1 g, Cholesterol 68.8 mg, Fat 17.3 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 19.7 g, SaturatedFat 6.8 g, Sodium 178.9 mg, Sugar 7 g

SLOW-COOKER ROPA VIEJA



Slow-Cooker Ropa Vieja image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 8h15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
3 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced (with seeds)
Kosher salt
1 1/2 pounds skirt steak or flank steak
2 bell peppers (1 red, 1 green), sliced 1/2 inch thick
1 small onion, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons chopped pimento-stuffed green olives, plus 1 tablespoon brine from the jar
Cooked white rice, for serving

Steps:

  • Combine the tomatoes, ketchup, vinegar, garlic, cumin, jalapeno and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a 5-to-6-quart slow cooker. Add the steak, bell peppers and onion and toss to coat. Cover and cook on low, undisturbed, 8 hours.
  • Uncover and skim off any excess fat. Coarsely shred the meat with 2 forks, then stir in the olives and olive brine. Serve over rice.

SLOW COOKER ROPA VIEJA



Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja image

For anyone following a low-carb or grain-free diet, this pairs well with lime-cilantro cauliflower 'rice.'

Provided by abussone

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Caribbean

Time 10h30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 tablespoon avocado oil
2 pounds beef sirloin tip roast
1 (28 ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup beef broth
2 onions, sliced
3 bell peppers, seeded and sliced into strips
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Steps:

  • Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook beef roast in the hot oil until browned, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer roast to a slow cooker. Pour tomatoes and beef broth over roast; add onions and bell peppers.
  • Mix tomato paste, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, cumin, and salt together in a bowl; pour over onions and bell peppers.
  • Cook on High for 1 hour. Decrease heat to Low and cook until beef is tender enough to shred, about 8 hours.
  • Remove beef from slow cooker and shred on a work surface using 2 forks. Return shredded beef to slow cooker; add cilantro and stir.
  • Cook on Low for 1 hour more.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 326.7 calories, Carbohydrate 20.3 g, Cholesterol 65.3 mg, Fat 13.7 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 30.2 g, SaturatedFat 4.1 g, Sodium 1153.3 mg, Sugar 9.7 g

EASY SLOW COOKER ROPA VIEJA



Easy Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja image

A quick and easy version of the classic Cuban dish. Traditionally served with a side dish of black beans and yellow rice but it is also great served over white rice.

Provided by BandMom

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Caribbean

Time 8h20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 large onion, cut into rings
2 pounds flank steak, cut into thirds
2 (14 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with jalapeno peppers
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 (14 ounce) can beef broth
1 bay leaf

Steps:

  • Spread a layer of onions in the bottom of a slow cooker, top with 1/2 of the steak. Spread another layer of onions over steak and pour 1 can of diced tomatoes over onions; top with 1/2 of the garlic. Repeat layers with remaining onion, steak, tomatoes, and garlic.
  • Gently pour beef broth over steak mixture and add bay leaf.
  • Cook on Low for 8 to 10 hours.
  • Shred beef and return to slow cooker; stir mixture together until meat absorbs some of the broth, 5 to 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 212.8 calories, Carbohydrate 8.1 g, Cholesterol 47.6 mg, Fat 11.2 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 20 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 795 mg, Sugar 1.1 g

Tips:

  • Simmer time: Ensure the beef is simmered until fork-tender, which may take longer than the suggested cooking time. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C).
  • Seasoning: Taste the ropa vieja towards the end of cooking and adjust the seasoning accordingly, adding more salt, pepper, or spices as needed.
  • Shredding the beef: Shred the beef using two forks, pulling the meat apart into tender, bite-sized pieces. Avoid using a food processor, as it can over-shred the beef.
  • Vegetables: Feel free to customize the vegetables used in the recipe. Common variations include bell peppers, corn, or black beans.
  • Serving: Ropa vieja is traditionally served with white rice, but it can also be enjoyed with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or your favorite side dish.

Conclusion:

This slow-cooker ropa vieja recipe results in tender, flavorful, and authentic Cuban dish that is sure to impress. With its rich tomato sauce, aromatic spices, and fall-apart beef, this dish is a perfect comfort food for any occasion. Whether serving it for a family dinner, a potluck, or a special event, this ropa vieja recipe is guaranteed to be a hit. Remember to adjust the cooking time based on the toughness of the beef cut used and your desired level of tenderness. You can also experiment with different vegetables and spices to create your unique version of this classic Cuban dish. ¡Buen provecho!

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