Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja

Ropa vieja, a traditional Cuban pulled beef recipe, is made in the slow cooker for convenience. 

One of my favorite time savers in the kitchen is to cook up a large cut of beef, such as a chuck roast, at the start of the week to have on hand all week long for tacos, salads, soups and more. 

Most recently I decided to create a slow cooker version of ropa vieja, a traditional Cuban dish.

Typically made with flank steak, I prefer to use the chuck roast when preparing it in the slow cooker since it has 4-8 hours to stew and break down.

Beef is simmered with peppers, tomatoes, lime juice, cumin, garlic and other warm spices like cloves and allspice. When it’s done cooking I love to shred it and serve with warmed corn tortillas.

Versatile, delicious and great for feeding a crowd, I highly recommend you save leftovers for taco bowls, to serve with rice or for a giant salad later in the week.

Your fork is waiting.

Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja

Course: Main, Main Course, Main Dish

Cuisine: Cuban

Keyword: beef, slow cooker, tacos

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 351kcal

Author: Liz Della Croce

Ropa vieja, a traditional Cuban pulled beef recipe, is made in the slow cooker for convenience. 

Questions / Comments?

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 pound beef chuck roast
• 1 red bell pepper seeded and thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper seeded and thinly sliced
• 1 medium onion thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 teaspoons oregano
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 2 cups beef broth
• 14 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 1 lime juiced

Instructions

• Scatter the sliced peppers and onions all over the bottom of a slow cooker insert.
• In a small bowl, mix together spices (cumin through cloves). Rub spice mixture evenly all over all sides of the chuck roast then place chuck roast on top of the sliced veggies in the slow cooker.
• Add beef broth, crushed tomatoes and lime juice to the slow cooker and cover with lid. Heat on Low for 8 hours or High for 4 hours. Shred with a fork before serving with rice, in tortillas or on a salad. 

Nutrition Facts

Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja

Amount Per Serving (4 ounces)

Calories 351 Calories from Fat 180

% Daily Value*

Fat 20g31%

Saturated Fat 8g50%

Cholesterol 117mg39%

Sodium 1302mg57%

Potassium 871mg25%

Carbohydrates 9g3%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 35g70%

Vitamin A 915IU18%

Vitamin C 38.9mg47%

Calcium 72mg7%

Iron 5.3mg29%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Tag me @thelemonbowl using the hashtag #thelemonbowl to be featured!

Questions or Comments?Click Here to send me a note and rate the recipe!

WANT MORE RECIPES?Sign up for my FREE NEWSLETTER and never miss a post!