Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja (Cuban Beef)

User Reviews

5.0

39 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    15 mins

  • Cook Time

    5 hrs

  • Total Time

    5 hrs 15 mins

  • Servings

    12

  • Calories

    259 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    Cuban

Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja (Cuban Beef)

Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja Recipe: Cuba's National Dish is fabulous on sandwiches or served with traditional rice and plantains. As-is it's low carb, paleo, gluten free and keto! 

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 pounds flank steak
  • 1 large sweet onion, peeled and sliced
  • 5-7 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 whole bay leaves
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 28 ounce crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 1 cup sliced carrots
  • 3 whole bell peppers (three colors)
  • 7 ounce spanish green olives, pitted
  • salt and pepper
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Instructions

  1. Set a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil to the skillet. Cut the flank steaks in half so they fit in the skillet. Then salt and pepper them generously on both sides.
  2. Place the flank steaks in the skillet and brown on both sides. You may need to do this in batches if your skillet is not huge. Once the flank steaks are browned, move them to a large crockpot. 
  3. Add the sliced onions to the skillet. Stir and saute to soften the onions. Then add them to the crockpot as well. Turn off the burner.
  4. Add the garlic, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, and allspice to the slow cooker. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Then stir in the tomatoes, wine, and sliced carrots.
  5. Cover the crockpot. Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, or on HIGH for 4-6 hours. Once the meat can be easily shredded with a fork it's done cooking. Remove the bay leaves and shred the meat, leaving it in the sauce. 
  6. At some point before the meat is fully cooked, char the bell peppers. You can do this by placing them directly on a gas burner, turning them with tongs as the skin blackens. You can also do this on a hot grill or under the broiler. They just need to be blistered on all sides.
  7. Once the peppers are blistered, place them in a large zip bag and let them steam for 15 minutes. Then peel off the waxy skins, remove the stems and seeds, and slices them into thin slivers.
  8. Drain the olives and cut them in half. Then stir the olives and pepper strips into the beef. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Traditionally, Ropa Vieja is served with rice, beans, and fried plantains. However, it's great piled on subs rolls with cheese.
  • Yet this recipe on its own is Low Carb, Gluten Free, and Keto Friendly!
  • To make a true keto variation, you will need substitute broth for wine to cut down the carbs a little. Remember, lifting the meat out of the sauce also reduces the carbs. 

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 4oz Calories 259kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 10g (3%) Protein 26g (52%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 68mg (23%) Sodium 417mg (17%) Potassium 705mg (20%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 2305IU (46%) Vitamin C 8.7mg (10%) Calcium 85mg (9%) Iron 3.7mg (21%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 259 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 4oz
Calories 259kcal 13%
Carbohydrates 10g 3%
Protein 26g 52%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 68mg 23%
Sodium 417mg 17%
Potassium 705mg 15%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 2305IU 46%
Vitamin C 8.7mg 10%
Calcium 85mg 9%
Iron 3.7mg 21%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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5.0

39 reviews
Excellent

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