Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja ~ Diane's Vintage Zest!

Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja

For this week's original posts, I wanted to do something different!  I wanted to share some of the creations from my friends and family who have been my creative inspiration.  :)

For today's recipe, I am sharing one that my sister began making some time ago.  We love trying different restaurants, and one of our favorites is a Cuban restaurant that is a bit far away.  So when the craving hits for Ropa Vieja, we were out of luck, until we stumbled upon this recipe!  I love how easy this recipe is, and it is great year round!  Also, I will be sharing my favorite way to serve the Ropa Vieja next week, so stay tuned for that!





P.S. - I Instagram-ed this picture a while back, from another time I made this.  Oh yes, it is so, so delicious.  :)


Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja on Diane's Vintage Zest!  #recipe #cuban #beef #slowcooker


Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja
Slightly Adapted from Food & Wine


Ingredients
One 2-pound flank steak, halved lengthwise and cut crosswise into 4 pieces
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
One 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup water
2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced
2 green bell peppers, thinly sliced
2 medium onions, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 jalapeño, seeded and thinly sliced
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 bay leaf
3 Tbsp. coarsely chopped cilantro

For serving, steamed white rice or warm tortillas


Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja on Diane's Vintage Zest!  #recipe #cuban #beef #slowcooker


Directions

1.  Season the flank steak with salt and pepper.

2.  In a slow cooker, combine the diced tomatoes and their juices with the water, bell peppers, onion, garlic, jalapeño, oregano, cumin and bay leaf.


Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja on Diane's Vintage Zest!  #recipe #cuban #beef #slowcooker


3.  Add the flank steak, cover and cook on high for 5 hours, until the meat is very tender.



Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja on Diane's Vintage Zest!  #recipe #cuban #beef #slowcooker


4.  Transfer the meat to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes.  Discard the bay leaf.


Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja on Diane's Vintage Zest!  #recipe #cuban #beef #slowcooker


5.  Stir in 1 tablespoon of the cilantro into the sauce.

6.  Using 2 forks, shred the meat.


Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja on Diane's Vintage Zest!  #recipe #cuban #beef #slowcooker


7.  Return the meat to the sauce to warm through. Season the sauce with salt and pepper.

8.  Spoon the meat and sauce into bowls, sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of cilantro and serve with steamed white rice, warm tortillas, slices of avocado, or fried plantains.


Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja on Diane's Vintage Zest!  #recipe #cuban #beef #slowcooker


Delicious!  You can see why it is one of my favorite dishes, right?  The majority of my changes was to healthify it a bit.  I add more veggies because I really think they are so tasty after all that time in the slow cooker!  One of my quirks is to separate the veggies from the meat when storing it, because I know exactly what I am dishing out when serving the ropa vieja.  The other change I made was to cut the salt by completely removing the capers and olives.  I typically think that most food is oversalted, but if you miss some salt, feel free to add it back in or salt the meat a bit more.  At any rate, it is a crowd pleaser and super easy!  Thanks to my sister for finding this great recipe!

Bueno provecho!



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14 comments:

  1. Yum! I love ropa vieja. I make it for my special arepa recipe. I will definitely try this recipe!

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  2. Ooh! I'd love to see the arepas when you make them. :)

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  3. Oh Yes Diane!
    This Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja is FABULOUS! Thank you so much for sharing this delicious dish with Full Plate Thursday!
    Miz Helen

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  4. This sounds and looks delicious. I love salty meat, so I will probably leave it in. I need more crock pot recipes. Our readers do too!

    We would love to have you join us at our weekly Super Saturday Link Party. It goes live tonight at 7 MST at www.madefrompinterest.net. It would be our honor to have you share your great work with us!

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  5. I love it too! Super easy and delicious. :)

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  6. This sounds really delicious! Yummy!

    Thanks again for joining the Link Up this week!

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  7. This sounds delish!

    My slow cooker is my best friend :-)

    Thanks for sharing the recipe.

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  8. My husband is from Miami and adores anything Cuban. I think I need to make this. Thanks for sharing such an interesting recipe. You got me thinking, Cuba would be a great place to make recipes from for my Food of the World Linky. Would you want to join?

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  9. that looks like something my husband would love

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  10. Looks delicious (and it's 4am!). Thanks
    for sharing at Inspire Us Thursday on Organized 31.

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  11. Ha! It's delicious any time of night! :)

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  12. I wish I had some of this! Pinned - Thanks for linking up to Freedom Fridays!

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  13. That sounds great! It would be such a good country for your Food of the World Linky. I might make some plantains soon! :)

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I love to hear your comments! And putting in your two cents is always free. :)

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