Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja (Cuban Beef)
198 CommentsUpdated Jan 23, 2026
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The moment I saw this Ropa Vieja meal, I knew I must try it in the slow cooker. Shredded beef recipes in the slow cooker are where I shine and I have no doubts you’ll love this flavorful meal as well.
Shredded beef is wonderful in the slow cooker! In addition to this recipe, also try Amish Pot Roast, Slow Cooker Carne Asada, Slow Cooker London Broil, or Mexican Shredded Beef.
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 this is because the meat looks like really old shredded clothes. It’s 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.
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 lent to the overall character of the sauce. Other cuban recipes we love are Slow Cooker Cuban Sandwiches, or Slow Cooker Cuban Pork, and Slow Cooker Cuban Picadillo (similar to this recipe)
Recipe Ingredients
- Beef flank steak: I like to use a flank with lots of marbling for good flavor and texture. A chuck roast can be used as well. We also use this cut in our slow cooker flank steak recipe.
- Beef broth: Helps flavor the steak during cooking.
- Canned tomato paste: Creates a nice tomato flavor.
- Veggies: Canned diced tomatoes, one sweet onion, olives, and green and orange bell peppers add flavor and heartiness to the dish.
- Seasonings: Fresh garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, oregano, cumin, apple cider vinegar, and turmeric adds a flavor combo that’s out of this world. (Find the full recipe in the recipe card below the photos).
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.
Step Two – Add the flank steak.
Step Three – Flip the steak around in the sauce.
Step Four – Add on top of the meat the onion, bell peppers, olives, and garlic cloves.
Step Five – Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 9 hours or HIGH for 5 hours.
Step Six – Shred the beef right in the crockpot with two forks, softly stir to combine, and serve. Enjoy!
How to Serve Ropa Vieja
- Yellow rice, either homemade or store-bought, pair well with this recipe. Yellow Rice from Mahatma (pictured 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.
- Green salad and dressing and/or cuban black beans are tasty and complimentary side dish options.
- This delicious recipe can be turned into tacos by serving the shredded beef in warm tortillas with your favorite taco toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, and salsa.
- You can also use the shredded beef as a filling for bell peppers. Simply stuff the peppers, top with cheese, and bake until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted.
Recipe FAQs
Try my Slow Cooker Cuban Pork recipe, it has a citrus-based sauce and is just as good as this Ropa Vieja.
Pour any remaining ropa vieja in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Feel free to add other vegetables, such as carrots, celery, or peas, to enhance the flavor. You can also add some spice with chili powder, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce.
More comfort food recipes
Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja (Cuban Beef)
How to Video
Equipment
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
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!
Sarah’s Notes
- Pork shoulder can be used instead of flank steak.
- Pour any remaining ropa vieja in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Feel free to add other vegetables, such as carrots, celery, or peas, to enhance the flavor. You can also add some spice with chili powder, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Rich deep flavor
It was amazing!! I skipped on the olives bc hubby doesn’t like them but it was REALLY GOOD!!
The olives add the tart flavor that makes this dish…next time try it with sliced green olives instead of while ones and see how he likes it
Yum
What is the serving size you mention for it to serve 8?? I have to make the dish for a 10th grade Spanish class of 30 kids but all they need is a “taste” in a small bowl with rice, so not sure how to increase the recipe.
Thank you!
I do not have measurements. I apologize. I would add a little more meat or double it my self.
How much more time would need to be added if steak is frozen?
Some studies suggest that cooking meat from frozen isn’t safe, I’m unsure I apologize.
Hi! Love this! How long should it cook for 1.5 pounds of meat?
My daughter uses this recipe, with a few minor changes. We are a Mexican/American family that enjoys spicy food, so we add a little more heat ( Jalapenos) to this recipe. We also use chuck roast as it is more cost effective and does not hurt the final outcome. So yummy! Thank you for sharing
So, not really ropa vieja at all…
Actually…many recipes say chuck is awesome sub and a little heat doesn’t make it non ropa vieja
I followed the recipe exactly and it was phenomenal. My family and dinner guests loved it and asked for more. My family isn’t a huge fan of olives, but I still cooked it with them and scooped them out prior to serving. Thank you for sharing!
This was excellent-and was so easy!
Literally one of the best dishes I’ve ever made! Such a great recipe!!!!! I grew up eating Cuban food made by family friends and this is 1,000% authentic!