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Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja

Updated Aug 24, 2021Published Jan 25, 2017 By Julia 10 CommentsThis post may contain affiliate links.

Summary:
Ropa vieja is a slow-cooked Cuban beef stew featuring juicy shredded meat, tender bell peppers, and flavorful spices in a tomato-based sauce. This dish is affectionately called "old clothes" in Spanish because the shreds of beef and bell peppers look like a mess of colorful rags.
ropa vieja served on steamed white rice

Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja

5 from 2 votes
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Prep: 15 minutes mins
Cook: 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Yield: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 1.5 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-2 inch chunks (Note 1)
  • 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 head garlic, peeled and minced
  • 28-ounce can unsalted crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon table salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Brown Beef: Heat oil on large skillet over medium heat. Add beef and sear until mostly brown, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to slow cooker. Sprinkle salt, cumin, oregano, paprika, and pepper over beef in slow cooker.
  • Sear Peppers: Add sliced bell peppers to now-empty skillet over medium-high heat. Sear until starting to soften, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to slow cooker on top of beef. Distribute minced garlic over bell peppers.
  • Slow Cook: Pour crushed tomatoes over contents of slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours.
  • Serve: Shred beef using two forks. Stir everything together until well-mixed, and serve (Note 2).

NUTRITION

Makes 4 Servings (Note 3)
Amount Per Serving:
Calories 520 (52% from fat)  
Total Fat 30g 46%
   Saturated Fat 11g 54%
Cholesterol 134mg 45%
Sodium 700mg 29%
Net Carb 10g  
Total Carb 15g 5%
   Dietary Fiber 5g 20%
   Sugars 7g  
Protein 48g  
Vitamin A 43% · Vitamin C 233% · Calcium 13% · Iron 26%

PHOTOS

ropa vieja served on steamed white rice
ropa vieja in slow cooker
overhead view of ropa vieja served in a white bowl
close up view of ropa vieja
ropa vieja mixed with white rice

NOTES & TIPS

(1) Beef. I use inexpensive beef stew meat, but other cuts of meat such as flank steak or chuck steak would also work well. Use the same amount and cut into 1 to 2 inch chunks.
(2) Serving. Serve this Cuban beef stew with sides like steamed white rice, black beans, and plantains.
(3) Nutrition. This calculation does not include rice.

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Filed Under: Mains: Beef, Per Serving: 5-10g Net Carbs Tagged With: beef stew meat, bell pepper, crushed tomatoes, cumin, garlic, more10ingredients, more60min, oregano, paprika, slow cooker

About Julia

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julia is a recipe developer and the founder of Savory Tooth, and lives in California. Since 2015, she has been sharing simple recipes for tasty dishes in a user-friendly format. She typically prefers savory foods over sweet, hence the name of the site.

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Sylvanna Cienfuegos

I love this recipe! Ive been on the hunt for Spanish style food. My family is hispanic but we dont truly cook Hispanic flavors. This is perfect. Even my picky mother loved it, lol. Im making it for the 2nd time today. Could i cook it on low for 8 Hrs instead? Because I’m gonna be out for a while. Thanks😃

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
4 years ago
Julia

I’m glad your family loved it, Sylvanna. I haven’t tried making this for 8 hours on low, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work out.

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
4 years ago
Sandy

Julia, have you converted this recipe for use in the Instant Pot?

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
5 years ago
Julia

Not yet 🙂 But I do have a similar beef stew with vegetables for the Instant Pot https://www.savorytooth.com/instant-pot-beef-stew/

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
5 years ago
Camille

Can you make this in a 4 quart slow cooker, or does the recipe need a bigger crockpot?

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
5 years ago
Julia

Hi Camille! I’ve only ever used a 6 quart slow cooker for this recipe, but I think a 4 quart will be able to fit everything. If you try it, let me know how it goes!

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
5 years ago
Sophia KB

How long would you cook this in the instant pot? Looks delicious!

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
5 years ago
Julia

Hi Sophia 🙂 I haven’t tried making this in the instant pot, but I would probably cook at high pressure for 40 minutes or so. Let me know if you give it a try!

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5 years ago
Lily

On an instant pot it takes about 40 minutes with just water. The only thing is that when you take it out you will need to shred it and season it and put some tomato sauce on it. It is delicious!!!

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
5 years ago
Julia

Yum! Thanks for your tips. I’ll have to try it sometime 🙂

Vote Up0Vote Down  Reply
5 years ago

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