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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Beef » Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja (Cuban Beef)

Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja (Cuban Beef)

by Sarah Olson on August 5, 2020 | Updated June 19, 2022 147 Comments

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Collage of ropa vieja images with text of what ingredients are needed.
collage of ropa vieja photos with text over lay that says Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja (Cuban Beef)

Are you wanting to try something new in your Slow Cooker? Look no further; this Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja is a unique but delicious meal to try!

Shredded beef is wonderful in the slow cooker! In addition to this recipe, also try Amish Pot Roast or Mexican Shredded Beef.

slow cooker filled with ropa vieja

The moment I saw this meal, I knew I must try it in the slow cooker. Shredded beef recipes in the slow cooker are where I shine, LOL.

Why is it called Ropa Vieja?

If you have never heard of Ropa Vieja, it’s a Cuban national dish that means old clothes; I’m guessing because the meat looks like really old shredded clothes?

Not a great name for a recipe, I know! Let’s move past that strange name and see what delicious ingredients create this beautiful dish.

flank steak, tomato paste, seasonings, bell peppers and green onions.

This recipe is not spicy, but still full of great flavors. The sauce has diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, apple cider vinegar, turmeric, cumin, oregano, garlic, bell pepper, onion and green olives.

I wasn’t sure if the green olives would overpower this dish, they did not at all. The olives added a bit more vinegar flavor which lends to the overall character of the sauce.

raw beef, onions, bell pepper, green olives and garlic in a slow cooker.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Beef flank steak
  • Beef broth
  • Canned tomato paste
  • Canned diced tomatoes
  • Salt and pepper
  • Oregano
  • Cumin
  • Tumeric
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Bell peppers
  • Spanish Olives
  • Garlic cloves
close up of ropa vieja with olives and sauce in the slow cooker.

Step-by-Step Directions

Step One – Add the beef broth, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, oregano, cumin, turmeric, and apple cider vinegar to the slow cooker and stir. Add the flank steak and flip it around in that sauce.

Step Two – Add on top of the meat the onion, bell peppers, olives, and garlic cloves.

Step Three – Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 9 hours or high for 5 hours.

white plate with ropa vieja and sauce and yellow rice.

What to serve with Ropa Vieja:

  • Yellow rice; homemade or store-bought
  • Green salad and dressing
  • Cuban black beans
Skillet of yellow rice, and a plate of ropa vieja and yellow rice.

I was on the hunt for yellow rice to serve with this, since I was in no mood to make it from scratch. Let me tell you that Yellow Rice from Mahatma below is impressive. It tastes like chicken, but the flavor is from saffron and turmeric. I highly recommend trying this and get two bags because they are tiny.

2 bags of Yellow Rice from Mahatma

Want pork instead of beef?

Try my Slow Cooker Cuban Pork recipe, it has a citrus-based sauce and is just as good as this Ropa Vieja.

Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

close up of ropa vieja in a slow cooker with plenty of green olives

Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja (Cuban Beef)

4.96 from 90 votes
Tender Shredded flank steak in a flavorful tomato based sauce.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Cuban
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 9 hours
Total Time: 9 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 308kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker Size: 4 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 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
  • 1 small white onion diced
  • 2 bell peppers (orange and green) diced
  • 1 cup Spanish olives
  • 3 whole garlic cloves peeled
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • Add the beef broth, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, oregano, cumin, turmeric and apple cider vinegar to the slow cooker. Stir.
  • Add the flank steak and flip it around in the sauce so it gets coated. Add the bell pepper, onion, olives and garlic cloves, mix those items together to combine on top of the meat.
  • Cover and cook on low for 9 hours on LOW or on HIGH for 5 hours, without opening the lid during the cooking time. Shred the meat with 2 forks right in the slow cooker.
  • Serve with yellow rice and enjoy!
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How to Video:

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 308kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 1065mg | Potassium: 1026mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1400IU | Vitamin C: 48.6mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 4.8mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

More comfort food recipes

  • Slow Cooker Beef Stew
  • Slow Cooker Beef Gyros
  • Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy
  • Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast

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    76400 shares
    • 42804

    Filed Under: Beef, Dinner

    Comments

    1. Kim Zesiger says

      June 23, 2022 at 8:43 pm

      5 stars
      I used a grass fed chuck roast instead of flank for several reasons. Mainly I couldn’t find a quality enough piece of flank, so I chose chuck for its fall apart texture and flavor. I added smoked paprika into the spice mixture, as well as a bay leaf. Into the vegetable olive mixture I added a couple of tablespoons of capers and a couple of thin stalks of celery chopped finally. It was amazing!!

      Reply
    2. Rachel says

      June 17, 2022 at 11:55 am

      Can you make this recipe in a Dutch oven

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        June 17, 2022 at 2:49 pm

        I’m sure you could, I don’t know the cooking times, I apologize.

        Reply
    3. Michelle says

      May 11, 2022 at 4:50 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! Left out the turmeric and cumin and used Sazon instead. Thank you for sharing this recipe! It was a complete success.

      Reply
    4. Mousey says

      February 19, 2022 at 12:39 am

      I made this but left out the turmeric. It was yummy and as close to what I grew up with back in Miami. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    5. Dan says

      January 3, 2022 at 11:45 am

      5 stars
      Awesome dish! Left out the olives (hate them), added a splash more vinegar.

      Reply
    6. Valerie says

      December 29, 2021 at 1:51 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for xmas dinner ate it for 3days it was sooo good the only thing was the price of flank steak $14.99 a pack so this will only be a holiday dish

      Reply
      • Chris says

        March 31, 2022 at 4:53 pm

        5 stars
        I served this with polenta. It was awesome!

        Reply
    7. Kate says

      December 7, 2021 at 10:47 am

      5 stars
      I made this. Very tasty. Easy to make.

      Reply
    8. Jim L. says

      November 4, 2021 at 6:29 pm

      5 stars
      I made it tonight and it came out great! I even forgot to put in the bell peppers. Some recipes call for searing the meat, but you really don’t need to.

      Reply
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