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Home » Beef » Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja (Cuban Beef)

Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja (Cuban Beef)

by Sarah Olson on August 5, 2020 121 Comments

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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.

How to make:

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.

Directions:

  • 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.
  • Add on top of the meat the onion, bell peppers, olives, and garlic cloves.
  • 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)

4.98 from 44 votes
Tender Shredded flank steak in a flavorful tomato based sauce.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Cuban
Keyword: Ropa Vieja
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!

How to Video:

Nutrition:

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
Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker
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    Filed Under: Beef, Dinner Tagged With: Crock pot, crockpot, dinner, green olives, ropa vieja, slow cooker, yellow rice

    Comments

    1. Elizabeth says

      January 9, 2021 at 5:55 pm

      5 stars
      Just made this tonight, with a few variations for family preferences and food issues (no onions, light on the garlic). Delicious! And my house smells so good! I just might survive the closing of my favorite Cuban restaurant.

      Reply
    2. Julie says

      December 9, 2020 at 10:21 am

      5 stars
      Minus the rice is this recipe freezer friendly? All your recipes have been great.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        December 9, 2020 at 12:54 pm

        Yes, this would be a good freezer meal.

        Reply
        • Julie says

          December 10, 2020 at 7:40 pm

          5 stars
          Thank you so much for responding back to me. It’s amazing. I’m grateful to have a delicious meal that you can freeze especially now with this pandemic.

          Reply
    3. Tom says

      November 23, 2020 at 4:20 pm

      5 stars
      I lived in the Miami area for 25 years, and Ropa Vieja is my favorite Cuban dish. Made your recipe today, and it turned out as good as anything I have eaten in the restaurants. You nailed it!

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        November 23, 2020 at 8:21 pm

        Thanks, Tom. I’ve had many comments that this isn’t authentic from people who haven’t tried it. I think it’s DARN good!

        Reply
    4. John Supel Sr says

      November 15, 2020 at 2:18 pm

      can you substatute another cut of beef

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        November 15, 2020 at 2:22 pm

        Yes, really any roast will do fine.

        Reply
    5. Bob M says

      October 19, 2020 at 7:03 pm

      5 stars
      Big hit. Paired it with a turmeric yellow cauliflower rice for a low carb diabetic friendly meal that everyone enjoyed. Will make again

      Reply
    6. Gerri Nevlida says

      September 28, 2020 at 1:06 pm

      Can you use pork roast instead of beef

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        September 28, 2020 at 1:19 pm

        I think that will work fine. You will definitely want to degrease the sauce before serving.

        Reply
    7. Amber Matovich says

      September 2, 2020 at 9:41 am

      Can you use 1 1/2 pounds instead of 3? If so how long do I cook it for

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        September 2, 2020 at 3:42 pm

        Yes that should be fine, the timing I wouldn’t be able to say without testing. You can’t over cook this, it will only get more tender.

        Reply
    8. JimmyB says

      July 27, 2020 at 4:13 pm

      5 stars
      I made this tonight and it was delicious! I had never made this before because I was always hooked on Roast Pork Mojo. I followed the recipe closely with only a few minor variations. Bottom round was on sale so I used a 2 lb. roast. My slow cooker is a metal one so I cut the roast into 2 pieces and browned it for more flavor. I did the first part of the recipe exactly as directed and then cooked it on low for 8 hours. I opened it up and shredded the meat and added red peppers from a jar and then cooked it for one more hour on low. I made a big pot of yellow rice and served the ropa vieja on top of the yellow rice. It was a real hit with everyone, even my picky eater. Thanks for such a great recipe!

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        July 27, 2020 at 4:54 pm

        I will have to try roast pork mojo! Glad you enjoyed this recipe.

        Reply
    9. Elizabeth Lorenzen says

      July 1, 2020 at 12:55 pm

      Can you substitute the steak with a roast?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        July 1, 2020 at 12:56 pm

        yes, that will work fine!

        Reply
      • Amanda says

        January 9, 2021 at 12:57 pm

        Accidentally grabbed skirt steak instead of flank. Should still be fine, right? I’ve made this recipe quite a few times and I love it!

        Reply
        • Sarah Olson says

          January 9, 2021 at 2:26 pm

          Yes, I think it will be fine, and who knows you may like it better!

          Reply
    10. MEGAN says

      June 25, 2020 at 4:30 pm

      5 stars
      We love this recipe!! I have a question though, have you ever made it in the oven? I have my Cuban family coming in 3 weeks and we need more than my slow-cooker can accommodate! I was wanting to do it in a roasting pan, obviously low heat, but have you ever experimented with oven cooking?

      Reply
    11. Ron Harsley says

      June 4, 2020 at 9:17 am

      Haven,t made it yet but can,t wait to try it. Looks great!

      Reply
    12. Maria says

      May 20, 2020 at 1:10 pm

      4 stars
      My family calls it Ropa Vieja because the day before my mom would boil the beef to make soup stock then the meat would make Ropa Vieja the next day. We also put the cooked meat in a large baggie and carefully smash it to shred it.

      One of my most requested dishes.

      Reply
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