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Do you love Cuban food? Here is one of my all-time favorite Cuban dishes and you can make this in the slow cooker. You will love this tender, juicy Cuban ropa vieja beef roast. You have to serve this with a side of black beans and fried plantain too! This is a very easy dish to make and has some great flavors plus it freezes well so make a big batch! | ethnicspoon.com

Ropa Vieja Recipe – Authentic Cuban Shredded Beef Stew (Slow Cooker / Stovetop / Instant Pot Options)

Analida Braeger
Authentic Ropa Vieja, the national dish of Cuba — slow-cooked shredded beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce with peppers, onions, and spices. Easy, flavorful, and perfect with rice or plantains.
5 from 18 votes
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 30 minutes
Course Main dish
Cuisine Cuban, Latin American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 392 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 lbs. beef flank steak or chuck roast
  • 3 tomatoes diced
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 jalapenos seeded, diced and cored
  • ½ cup celery chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt paleo diet: sea salt
  • 2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 onion medium, cut into small pieces
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 4 tablespoon recaito

Instructions
 

  • Place the meat in the slow cooker and add water.  Place all vegetables and the spices in the slow cooker and stir.
  •  Cover and let it cook for about 6 hours.  Flip the beef over half way through.
  • Also make sure to poke meat with a fork to check for tenderness. 
  • When the meat falls apart and it is fork tender, it is done.   Add salt to taste, serve with rice and a side of tostones. Enjoy!!!

Video

Notes

Beef:  Use flank steak for nice, long strands of beef when shredded.  You can also use a chuck roast.
Cooking tips:
Oven: Use a Dutch oven or roasting pan. You can use a roasting pan (covered) and make ropa vieja in the oven. You'll want to keep the heat low at 300°F, and it will take about 3 to 5 hours. Follow the recipe for when the meat is fork-tender, then shred.
Stove top: Place the ingredients in a Dutch oven, then cover and cook on low for 3 to 5 hours until the meat is fall-apart tender, then shred.
Instant Pot: Cook on high for 90 minutes.  Keep the pressure valve in the seal position to release pressure naturally.
FAQ's about Ropa Vieja
  • Is ropa vieja keto? Yes. A serving of ropa vieja has only one gram of carbohydrates. Enjoy it on a keto eating plan.
  • When is ropa vieja eaten? You can eat it at all times of the day, really! Add it to rice for lunch or dinner. There is also recalentada (in scrambled eggs), a Latin American way of eating leftovers. It translates literally to "reheated".
  • How long can I save this ropa vieja? You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Be sure to allow it to completely cool before refrigerating.
  • Can I freeze ropa vieja? Yes, you must completely cool the ropa vieja before freezing. Store in airtight containers for up to 4-6 months. For single servings, freeze portions in a muffin tin and pop out the frozen rounds and store in freezer bags. Vacuum packing and freezing will extend the shelf life for 1-2 years. 
  • What cut of beef is best?  Flank steak is a classic, but chuck or brisket also work as alternatives.

Nutrition

Calories: 392kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 26gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 299mgPotassium: 452mgVitamin A: 150IUVitamin C: 3.9mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 3.3mg
Keyword beef, crock pot, flank steak, shredded beef, slow cook, stew, tender
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