Crockpot Ropa Vieja
Ropa Vieja is a traditional Cuban dish featuring tender shredded beef simmered with bell peppers, tomatoes, and spices. This slow cooker version is simple and delicious.
Servings: 6 | Cook Time: 480 minutes
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 500 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef flank steak
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup green olives, sliced
Instructions
- Sear the Beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the flank steak on both sides until browned.
- Prepare the Vegetables: Place the sliced onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and minced garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the seared beef on top of the vegetables, then pour the crushed tomatoes over the beef.
- Season the Dish: Sprinkle cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper over the ingredients in the slow cooker.
- Cook Slowly: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours until the beef is tender and can be easily shredded.
- Finish and Serve: Shred the beef using two forks, stir in the sliced green olives, and serve hot.
Tips
- Searing the beef adds depth of flavor, but it's optional if short on time.
- For a spicier dish, add a chopped jalapeño pepper to the slow cooker.
- Serve with rice or warm tortillas to complete the meal.
Try a Different Way to Cook It
If you enjoyed this Crockpot Ropa Vieja recipe, you might also love this Air fryer beef recipe: Air Fryer Crispy Beef Taquitos!