This Slow Cooker Cuban Ropa Vieja has flank steak that is slow cooked with tomatoes, peppers and onions. Rich and flavorful, this will become a new slow cooker favorite!
Slow Cooker Cuban Ropa Vieja
If you are looking for easy slow cooker recipes, look no further. I’ll admit that I’m not always a fan of the dump and cook-type slow cooker meals. A lot of times, I find them bland or they end up with weird textures.
This Slow Cooker Cuban Ropa Vieja does not fall into that category, though. This recipe is so, so easy, yet the final product has tons of flavor and the beef is cooked perfectly. My husband is actually not a fan of rice, so when he saw what was for dinner, he almost didn’t eat. But he ended up trying it and cleaning his plate. It’s definitely a winner!
What is Ropa Vieja
Ropa Vieja is actually the national dish of Cuba. I read that it translates to “Old Clothes” because of the way that the flank steak shreds. It typically has flank steak (although other cuts of beef are sometimes used) that is stewed in a tomato sauce with vegetables. This version is made easy in the slow cooker.
How to Make Slow Cooker Cuban Ropa Vieja
This ropa vieja recipe is really so simple!
- Start by combining canned, diced tomatoes, sliced red bell peppers, onion, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper in your slow cooker. Add the flank steak and cook it all in your slow cooker. You can cook it on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 7-8 hours.
- When the beef is done, remove it from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred the beef.
- Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker and stir it into the vegetables.
- Serve the ropa vieja over rice. I love to top mine with sliced avocado and cilantro.
More Slow Cooker Beef Recipes
Slow Cooker Beef Noodle Soup
Slow Cooker Beef with Salsa
Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches
Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
Slow Cooker Mexican Meatballs
Tools Used to Make this Slow Cooker Cuban Ropa Vieja
- I have a slow cooker similar to this one that I love because it has a medium heat along with low and high.
- You could easily make the rice on the stove, but I love love love my rice cooker.
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Slow Cooker Cuban Ropa Vieja
Ingredients
- 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes drained
- 2 red bell peppers sliced
- 1 medium onion cut into 8 wedges
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 pound flank steak cut into thirds
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 avocado sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions
- In the bottom of a 6 quart slow cooker, combine the tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper. Nestle the steak down into the vegetables. Place the cover on the slow cooker and cook until the meat is tender and easily shreds, 4-5 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low.
- About 30 minutes before the meat is done, cook the rice according to the package directions.
- When the meat is done, remove it from the slow cooker and shred the beef using two forks. Place the shredded beef back into the slow cooker and stir into the juices and vegetables.
- Serve the beef over the rice with sliced avocado and topped with cilantro.
jackie says
Making this with chicken instead of beef- think it will turn out pretty good
czeckcoqui says
thanks!! i understand perfectly now that you explain this way
CZECKCOQUI says
so…. cross wise means on the broader side, right? i’m confused…
Deborah says
@CZECKCOQUI, you want it in 3 pieces to fit in the slow cooker easier. For me, it was to cut it into 3 pieces, not so that I had 3 long pieces, but 3 short pieces. You can just cut it however you need to to make it fit your slow cooker the easiest.
Kathy Todd says
What the hell is cutting cross wise into thirds? Yeah, I’m crabby this morning!
Deborah says
@Kathy Todd, you’ll want to cut the steak into thirds – not lengthwise – so that it will fit in the slow cooker better.
junecutie says
This sounds so good! Whenever I don’t want to eat what I’ve already prepared for dinner, I tell myself that overnite in the fridge will marry the flavors; and it will taste much better tomorrow. Then, I eat what I’m craving when I’m craving it. I know, I know. I treat myself very well! By the way, I really love your blog and recipes. Could you add a “printer friendly” button to make things easier? Thank you.
Deborah says
@junecutie, thanks so much! My newer recipes have a printer friendly option, and I’m working on working back through the archives to update the format. I need to do this one next!