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Ultimate Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja

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A comforting and easy slow cooker recipe featuring shredded beef simmered with peppers, tomatoes, and spices, delivering authentic Cuban flavors with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds flank steak or chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat
  • 1 large green bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth or stock
  • 1/4 cup dry red wine or extra broth (optional)
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Juice of half a lime

Instructions

  1. Trim excess fat from the beef and cut into large 2-inch chunks.
  2. Season beef chunks with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, cumin, and oregano.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown beef chunks 3-4 minutes per side in batches. Transfer to slow cooker.
  4. In the same skillet, sauté onions, bell peppers, and garlic for 5-7 minutes until softened.
  5. Add sautéed veggies, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, red wine (if using), bay leaves, and crushed red pepper flakes to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours until beef is fork-tender.
  7. Remove bay leaves and shred beef with two forks in the slow cooker. If sauce is thin, cook uncovered on high for 15-20 minutes to thicken.
  8. Stir in fresh cilantro or parsley and lime juice. Adjust salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Notes

Browning the beef adds richness and depth but can be skipped if short on time. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Avoid overcrowding the slow cooker for even cooking. Adjust salt at the end to prevent over-seasoning. For a faster option, cook in an Instant Pot on high pressure for 45 minutes with natural release.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, ropa vieja, shredded beef, Cuban recipe, comfort food, easy dinner, slow cooker beef

Find it online: https://bouncybowl.com/ultimate-slow-cooker-ropa-vieja-recipe-easy-and-comforting-meal-guide/