Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja (Cuban Beef) (2024)

The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Beef » Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja (Cuban Beef)

by Sarah Olson on August 5, 2020 | Updated October 30, 2023 178 Comments

Are you wanting to try something new in your Slow Cooker? Look no further; this Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja is a unique but delicious meal to try!

Shredded beef is wonderful in the slow cooker! In addition to this recipe, also try Amish Pot Roast, Carne Asada or Mexican Shredded Beef.

The moment I saw this meal, I knew I must try it in the slow cooker. Shredded beef recipes in the slow cooker are where I shine, LOL.

Why is it called Ropa Vieja?

If you have never heard of Ropa Vieja, it’s a Cuban national dish that means old clothes; I’m guessing because the meat looks like really old shredded clothes?

Not a great name for a recipe, I know! Let’s move past that strange name and see what delicious ingredients create this beautiful dish.

This recipe is not spicy, but still full of great flavors. The sauce has diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, apple cider vinegar, turmeric, cumin, oregano, garlic, bell pepper, onion and green olives.

I wasn’t sure if the green olives would overpower this dish, they did not at all. The olives added a bit more vinegar flavor which lends to the overall character of the sauce.

Recipe Ingredients

• Beef flank steak
• Beef broth
• Canned tomato paste
• Canned diced tomatoes
• Salt and pepper
• Oregano
• Cumin
• Tumeric
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Bell peppers
• Spanish Olives
• Garlic cloves

Step-by-Step Directions

Step One – Add the beef broth, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, oregano, cumin, turmeric, and apple cider vinegar to the slow cooker and stir. Add the flank steak and flip it around in that sauce.

Step Two – Add on top of the meat the onion, bell peppers, olives, and garlic cloves.

Step Three – Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 9 hours or high for 5 hours.

What to serve with Ropa Vieja:

• Yellow rice; homemade or store-bought
• Green salad and dressing
• Cuban black beans

I was on the hunt for yellow rice to serve with this, since I was in no mood to make it from scratch. Let me tell you that Yellow Rice from Mahatma below is impressive. It tastes like chicken, but the flavor is from saffron and turmeric. I highly recommend trying this and get two bags because they are tiny.

Want pork instead of beef?

Try my Slow Cooker Cuban Pork recipe, it has a citrus-based sauce and is just as good as this Ropa Vieja.

Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

More comfort food recipes

• Slow Cooker Beef Stew
• Slow Cooker BBQ Beef
• Slow Cooker Beef Gyros
• Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy
• Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
• Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast