Cuban Ropa Vieja is tender beef that’s slow cooked in a savory broth with wine, tomato sauce and Latin spices, then shredded to look like rags, hence the name. This recipe can be made in a slow cooker or instant pot (instructions below)!
I’m a HUGE slow cooking fan, and this recipe for Cuban Ropa Vieja was one of the first recipes I made when I got my first slow cooker. Cuban food is one of my favorite types of cuisine. It’s similar in many ways to Puerto Rican food, but there is also a uniqueness that I just love. Ropa vieja also happens to be on my husband’s favorite recipes, so I set my sights on making this a weeknight friendly dish. Since this dish has to summer for hours to become tender, I knew I wanted to use a slow cooker to make the process as easy as possible.Â
What Is Ropa Vieja?
Ropa vieja is Spanish for “old clothes”.  The name for this dish comes from the shredded beef, which looks like colorful strands of tattered clothing.  This classic Cuban dish is traditionally braised for hours on the stove top, until the meat is tender enough to shred. Ropa vieja is one of Cuba’s most popular and beloved dishes.  It’s so popular in fact that it’s one of the country’s designated national dishes. This dish cooks for several hours. That makes it the kind of dish that needs a bit of planning if you’re making it on a whim.
What Is The Best Cut of Meat To Use For Ropa Vieja
Traditionally Ropa Vieja is made with flank steak. I also have made it with skirt steak, and chuck roast, and both cuts work well, but they are higher in fat, so you may have to skim some fat off the top of the recipe once it’s cooked. Believe it or not, you can also make a version of ropa vieja with chicken!
How To Make Ropa Vieja In The Slow Cooker
My slow cooker Cuban ropa vieja captures all the deliciousness of this traditional dish, and makes it weeknight friendly!  You need about 10-15 minutes to prep the slow cooker, and then you just set it and go about your day. To start, season and brown the beef on all sides, then add the rest of the ingredients (recipe below) into the slow cooker. You can even do all this prep the night before and just pop the ceramic insert into the fridge (covered).  In the morning, pop the insert into the slow cooker, turn it on, and you’re done! Come home to a fully cooked roast that’s ready for shredding and serving in 15 minutes or less.
How To Make Ropa Vieja In An Instant Pot
You absolutely can make this recipe in an instant pot. I like using the saute function first, to get the sofrito going, and then to brown the meat before setting it to cook on manual. Cook the ropa vieja for 35 minutes on manual/high pressure setting, then let it release naturally for 15-20 minutes. Shred the beef, and toss it back into the sauce. The great thing about Cuban ropa vieja is it tastes even more amazing after sitting in the fridge overnight. I love making a big batch and then dividing it into freezer bags, because the dish reheats beautifully. I also love using leftovers to make ropa vieja sliders, or Colombian empanadas.
More Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Recipes from Delish D’Lites
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork Hash
- Slow Cooker Carnitas (Mexican Style Shredded Pork)
- Instant Pot Vegan Pumpkin Rice Pudding
- Slow Cooker Creamy Jalapeno Corn Dip
- Slow Cooker Pernil (Puerto Rican Roasted Pork Shoulder)
- Shredded Pork Tacos Al Pastor
Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja (Cuban Shredded Beef Stew)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 1/2 – 3 lb flank steak or skirt steak
- 1 tsp Adobo seasoning
- 2 tbsp sofrito
- 1 tsp Sazon seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup dry red wine optional
- 1 cup low sodium beef broth or stock
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1 cube beef bouillon
- 2 tablespoons pimento-stuffed olives
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped optional
- 1/3 cup jarred roasted red peppers, sliced
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Slow Cooker Instructions
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Season the beef with 1 teaspoon of adobo seasoning.
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Heat up a pan on medium-high heat and drizzle in the olive oil. Sear the beef on both sides for 2-3 minutes, until it is browned. Take the beef out of the pan and set it aside.
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Place the roast into the liquid.
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Cook the roast on low for 8 hours or high for 4. When the roast is done, pull it out of the sauce and shred with a 2 forks.
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Remove the bay leaves. Add the sliced roasted red peppers and cilantro into the sauce.
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Add the shredded beef back into the sauce. Taste for final seasoning, and add salt if needed. Serve hot.
Instant Pot Instructions
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Season the beef with 1 teaspoon of adobo seasoning.
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Set the Instant Pot on the "Saute" setting, and drizzle in the olive oil. Sear the beef on both sides for 2-3 minutes, until it is browned.
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Add the red wine, beef broth, bay leaves, beef bouillon and olives into the IP, and stir.
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Put the lid on the instant pot and lock into place. Set the timer on manual/high for 35 minutes.
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Once the timer goes off, let the instant pot pressure release naturally for 15-20 minutes.
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Remove the lid, and shred the beef with 2 forks. Add the shredded beef back into the sauce, and toss in the sliced red peppers and cilantro. Taste for seasoning, and adjust as needed. Serve hot.
37 Responses
How long does this last when frozen?
3 months
I made this in the crock pot today today, and OMG! This is the most flavorful recipe that I’ve ever made in the slow cooker. It is definitely a meal that I will be making over and over. Thank you so much! Next time, I’m going to make some maduros and black beans, on the side, to go with it.
I have made this and absolutely love it! Is there any way of making the shredded chicken without the sauce as I have loads of leftovers?
Not sure what you’re asking, can you clarify?
It says 2 tablespoons of olives…that would only be a few though wouldn’t it?
You can add your preferred amount of olives to taste. 2 tbsp would be like 4-5 olives.
Can I add black beans to this
I would make the beans separately.
Hi, I tried making this but it burned in the IP. I added 1/2 cups of beef broth and 8 Oz of tomato sauce including the other seasoning. Is there anything that I could’ve done differently? Thank you!
Hi it’s hard to know but it could be caused by mixing the tomato sauce with the broth or using a leaner cut of meat. Some pressure cookers recommend that you do not mix in thick, saucy ingredients such as tomato paste or tomato sauce with other ingredients. Simply layer the thick sauce on top of the other ingredients. You can also try adding another 1/2 cup of liquid.
Thank you Janese! I added in one more cup of beef broth and it turned out amazing by itself and with your guide on empanadas.
I love your recipe so much! I’d like to make it for a group of 10 in a pressure cooker. Should i adjust the cooking time for it, if so by how much? Do you think an 8 qt pressure cooker will suffice for 5 lbs of flank?
Hi Madelin, I’m not sure if the cooking time would change, but check out this blog post, it may help with your question! https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/how-to-double-instant-pot-recipes/
So good!!!Best cuban ropa vieja I have ever eaten. I love your latin recipes.
Can I add potatos to this
Absolutely!
And carrots? Or should I just do the potatoes? Carrots might change the flavor?
Definitely can add carrots as well! Check out my recipe for Carne Guisada, it features both potatoes and carrots! Carne Guisada (Puerto Rican Beef Stew)
I’ve got almost 10 lbs of flank steak to cook for 25-30 people. Can this be slow cooked in the oven? Hope you can help.
Definitely, cook at 325F, low and slow until the meat is tender.
Thanks! I’m using flank steak, any idea how long or to what temperature I should cook it so it’s tender enough.\? I’ve never cooked flank steak before.
I’d say 325F for 3-4 hours.
Which Jared red peppers do you use? Is it the Goya ones in a small jar? What cuts of meats are best to use for this in a crock pot for a family of 4? Thank you
Any brand of roasted jarred peppers will do, including Goya. In the recipe write up, I have a selection of meats that you can choose from for this recipe.
can I make your recipe slow cooker Ropa Vieja with a 2lb brisket ?
Definitely!
This looks delish!
Cheers!
Hi:
How many people will this serve? I plan on serving with Spanish rice, cuban style black beans, and plantains. I will have 10 adults and 2 kids.
Thanks
Hi Paul, a 3 lb roast will feed about 4-5 people so you can adjust the recipe by cooking a larger roast.
Made this recipe tonight and it’s amazing!! I’ve always been intimidated to make ropa vieja but not anymore!! Thanks!
That’s awesome Judi, glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Third time making this and still a hit. Eyes pop out at the first taste!
That’s awesome Jessica! So glad to hear it!
This turned out great! I’ve made a few ropa vieja recipes, but this is the best I’ve found. Thanks!
That’s great Kristen! So glad you enjoyed it!