Cuban Ropa Vieja Recipe (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot)

Cuban Ropa Vieja Recipe (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot)

from lemonblossoms.com
340 min
6 servings

Cuban Ropa Vieja, the popular national dish of Cuba, is made with flank steak braised in a flavorful sauce made with bell peppers, onions and briny pimento stuffed olives. It is then shredded into long strands and served over rice.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds flank steak
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil (divided)
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 bell peppers, seeded and thinly sliced (I used red, green and yellow)
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 carrot, peeled and cut in half
  • 1 celery rib, halved crosswise
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 (14-ounces) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup pimento-stuffed olives, sliced into thirds
  • Chopped cilantro or parsley (I use about 1 - 2 tablespoons)

Directions

  1. 1

    Cut the flank steak into 2 or 3 large pieces that will fit comfortably in your slow cooker. Season the meat with salt and ground black pepper.

  2. 2

    Heat about 2 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Working in batches if needed, add the steak and sear the meat on both sides for about 5 -6 minutes or until browned. Transfer the meat to a plate.

  3. 3

    Add the remaining oil to the skillet, the sliced onions and bell peppers and cook for about 5 - 6 minutes or until the vegetables become tender. Lower the heat to medium low and add the garlic. Cook for an additional minute.

  4. 4

    Place the carrots and celery at the bottom of the slow cooker. Place half of the pepper and onions on top. Place the seared flank steak on top of the vegetables and pour the rest of the onion/pepper mixture on top.

  5. 5

    Stir in the wine, broth, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, oregano, cumin, all-spice, paprika, and bay leaves. Gently mix to combine.

  6. 6

    Cook on low for 8 hours hours or on high for 4.5 to 5 hours until the beef is tender and shreds easily with 2 forks.

  7. 7

    Remove the carrots, celery and bay leaves from the slow cooker. Remove the beef from the slow cooker and using 2 forks, pull apart into thin, long shreds.

  8. 8

    Return the shredded beef into the pot and mix to combine. Add the olives and chopped cilantro or parsley and mix well. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste and cook on low for an additional 20 minutes. Serve garnished with extra cilantro or parsley if desired.