Best 7 Easy Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Cuban cuisine with our ultimate guide to creating the perfect "easy slow cooker ropa vieja." This classic Cuban dish, "old clothes" in Spanish, is a testament to the art of transforming humble ingredients into a flavorful fiesta. With our meticulously curated recipe and step-by-step instructions, you'll learn how to effortlessly conjure up this delectable beef stew in your trusty slow cooker. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with the aromatic fusion of tender shredded beef, vibrant vegetables, and a savory sauce that will transport you to the vibrant streets of Havana.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

SLOW-COOKER ROPA VIEJA



Slow-Cooker Ropa Vieja image

Martha's take on the classic Cuban beef stew relies on affordable flank steak. Browning the beef before adding it to the slow cooker makes the meat and the cooking liquid even more delicious. This recipe appears in our cookbook "Martha Stewart's Slow Cooker" (Clarkson Potter).

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Beef Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 1/2 pounds flank steak
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 medium onions, cut into thick slices
1 large red bell pepper, cut into thick slices
3 large cloves garlic, cut into thin slices
1 jalapeno (ribs and seeds removed for less heat, if desired), cut into thin slices
1 tablespoon whole cumin seeds
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes
1/2 cup small Spanish olives
1 tablespoon capers, drained, plus 1 tablespoon brine
Fresh cilantro leaves, for serving
Cooked white rice and plantain chips, for serving
Cooked white rice and plantain chips, for serving

Steps:

  • Preheat a 5-to-6-quart slow cooker. Season steak generously with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over high. Add steak and cook until browned on both sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer to slow cooker.
  • Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to skillet. Add onions, bell pepper, garlic, jalapeno, and cumin seeds; season with salt and pepper and cook until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste; cook 2 minutes more. Add tomatoes and bring to a boil. Pour mixture over steak in slow cooker; cover and cook on high until very tender, 5 hours (or on low 10 hours).
  • Transfer steak to a platter; cut in half crosswise. Using two forks, shred meat. Transfer sauce to skillet; cook over high heat until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir in shredded meat, olives, and capers with brine; cook just until heated through, 2 minutes more. Top with cilantro and serve, with rice and plantain chips.

SLOW COOKER ROPA VIEJA



Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja image

For anyone following a low-carb or grain-free diet, this pairs well with lime-cilantro cauliflower 'rice.'

Provided by abussone

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Caribbean

Time 10h30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 tablespoon avocado oil
2 pounds beef sirloin tip roast
1 (28 ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup beef broth
2 onions, sliced
3 bell peppers, seeded and sliced into strips
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Steps:

  • Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook beef roast in the hot oil until browned, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer roast to a slow cooker. Pour tomatoes and beef broth over roast; add onions and bell peppers.
  • Mix tomato paste, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, cumin, and salt together in a bowl; pour over onions and bell peppers.
  • Cook on High for 1 hour. Decrease heat to Low and cook until beef is tender enough to shred, about 8 hours.
  • Remove beef from slow cooker and shred on a work surface using 2 forks. Return shredded beef to slow cooker; add cilantro and stir.
  • Cook on Low for 1 hour more.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 326.7 calories, Carbohydrate 20.3 g, Cholesterol 65.3 mg, Fat 13.7 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 30.2 g, SaturatedFat 4.1 g, Sodium 1153.3 mg, Sugar 9.7 g

ROPA VIEJA IN A SLOW COOKER



Ropa Vieja in a Slow Cooker image

This is a delicious pot roast with peppers and onions. Just like at the Cuban restaurants in the malls!

Provided by NC baking girl

Categories     100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes

Time 7h45m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 (2 pound) beef chuck pot roast
3 cloves garlic
2 red bell peppers, cut into large wedges
2 green bell peppers, cut into large wedges
1 yellow onion, cut into wedges
1 sweet onion, cut into wedges
½ (6 ounce) can tomato paste, or to taste
¼ cup red wine vinegar
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder, or to taste
⅛ teaspoon seasoned salt, or to taste
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Pierce the beef roast to tenderize it and let the flavors in, and place it into a slow cooker with the garlic, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, yellow onions and sweet onions. Stir in the tomato paste and red wine vinegar. Sprinkle with the garlic powder, seasoned salt, salt, and ground black pepper.
  • Cover, and cook on Low until the beef is tender, 7 to 8 hours. Remove beef, and shred into long strands using two forks. Return the meat to the slow cooker and combine with the vegetables.
  • Cook on Low until the meat and vegetables are very tender, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 290.6 calories, Carbohydrate 14.1 g, Cholesterol 68.8 mg, Fat 17.3 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 19.7 g, SaturatedFat 6.8 g, Sodium 178.9 mg, Sugar 7 g

SLOW-COOKER ROPA VIEJA



Slow-Cooker Ropa Vieja image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 8h15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
3 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced (with seeds)
Kosher salt
1 1/2 pounds skirt steak or flank steak
2 bell peppers (1 red, 1 green), sliced 1/2 inch thick
1 small onion, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons chopped pimento-stuffed green olives, plus 1 tablespoon brine from the jar
Cooked white rice, for serving

Steps:

  • Combine the tomatoes, ketchup, vinegar, garlic, cumin, jalapeno and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a 5-to-6-quart slow cooker. Add the steak, bell peppers and onion and toss to coat. Cover and cook on low, undisturbed, 8 hours.
  • Uncover and skim off any excess fat. Coarsely shred the meat with 2 forks, then stir in the olives and olive brine. Serve over rice.

EASY SLOW-COOKER CHICKEN ROPA VIEJA



Easy Slow-Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja image

When discussing various methods of cooking ropas, a friend of mine told me her sister adds apple juice. I thought a Granny Smith apple might give the dish an extra kick-and it does. The ropas may also be served with hominy or tortillas, but I think the plantains add a special touch. -Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 5h20m

Yield 6 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 medium sweet red peppers, sliced
1 medium Granny Smith apple, peeled and chopped
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1 cup chunky salsa
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
5 teaspoons adobo seasoning, divided
1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
3 to 6 teaspoons lime juice
1/4 cup butter
3 ripe plantains, peeled and thinly sliced into thin rounds
Optional: Hot cooked rice, lime wedges and additional fresh cilantro leaves

Steps:

  • Place the first 7 ingredients and 1 teaspoon adobo in a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker. Rub the remaining adobo seasoning over chicken; add to slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low until chicken is tender, 5-6 hours. Using 2 forks, shred chicken. Stir in lime juice to taste; heat through., Meanwhile, heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook plantains in batches until tender and golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels., Serve chicken with plantains using a slotted spoon. If desired, serve with rice, lime wedges and cilantro.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 387 calories, Fat 16g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 96mg cholesterol, Sodium 1428mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (20g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 23g protein.

SLOW-COOKED ROPA VIEJA



Slow-Cooked Ropa Vieja image

I traveled to Cuba a few years ago and had some of the best food imaginable. This dish stuck out, and when I returned home, I began to experiment with making ropa vieja in the slow cooker. I hope you enjoy the flavors of Cuba as much as I do. -Joshua Boyer, Traverse City, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 8h35m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 beef flank steak (2 pounds)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups beef broth
1/2 cup dry vermouth
1/2 cup dry red wine or additional beef broth
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 large carrot, sliced
1 small sweet red pepper, thinly sliced
1 Cubanelle or mild banana pepper, thinly sliced
3 springs fresh oregano
Hot cooked rice
Optional: Additional fresh oregano, lime wedges and sliced green olives with pimientos

Steps:

  • Cut steak into 6 pieces; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; brown meat in batches. Transfer meat to a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker. Add broth, vermouth, wine and tomato paste to pan. Cook 2-3 minutes, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Pour over meat., Top with onion, carrot, red pepper, Cubanelle pepper and oregano. Cook, covered, on low until meat is tender, 8-10 hours. Remove oregano sprigs; discard. Remove meat; shred with 2 forks. Return to slow cooker; heat through. Serve with rice and, if desired, additional oregano, lime wedges and green olives.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 278 calories, Fat 11g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 72mg cholesterol, Sodium 611mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

ROPA VIEJA (SLOW COOKER)



Ropa Vieja (Slow Cooker) image

Make and share this Ropa Vieja (Slow Cooker) recipe from Food.com.

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Categories     Meat

Time 10h30m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 lbs beef (get what's on sale, stew meat, chuck roast) or 3 lbs pork (get what's on sale, stew meat, chuck roast)
1 large red onion, chopped
2 red bell peppers, chopped
3 celery ribs, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 yellow apples, peeled and grated
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

Steps:

  • Use a 6-quart slow cooker.
  • Combine the cumin, paprika, salt, and peppers in a bowl.
  • Rub the spice mixture all over the piece (or pieces) of meat you are using.
  • Put the meat into the stoneware.
  • Dump any extra spice left in the bowl on top.
  • Add the vegetables, garlic, cilantro, grated apples, chicken broth., and vinegar.
  • Cover and cook on low for 10 hours, or until meat shreds easily with a fork.
  • The meat and vegetables should be shredded and fully intertwined.
  • Serve over brown rice or white rice, with a ladle full of broth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1200.3, Fat 121.2, SaturatedFat 50.2, Cholesterol 168.6, Sodium 325.9, Carbohydrate 11.4, Fiber 2.6, Sugar 7.2, Protein 15.3

Tips:

  • Choose the right cut of beef: Flank steak, skirt steak, or chuck roast are all good choices for ropa vieja.
  • Brown the beef before cooking: This will help to develop flavor and prevent the meat from becoming dry.
  • Use a flavorful cooking liquid: Beef broth, chicken broth, or even tomato sauce can be used to add flavor to the ropa vieja.
  • Add vegetables to the pot: Onions, peppers, and carrots are all good additions to ropa vieja.
  • Simmer the ropa vieja for at least 2 hours: This will allow the meat to become tender and the flavors to develop.
  • Serve the ropa vieja over rice, beans, or tortillas: It can also be used as a filling for tacos or burritos.

Conclusion:

Ropa vieja is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a flavorful and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give ropa vieja a try. You won't be disappointed!

Related Topics