Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja

This slow cooked Cuban-style braised beef will make your house smell insanely good!

Ropa vieja is Cuban braised beef - I'm not sure why all of a sudden I put so many Cuban foods (hopefully authentic) on my meal plan, but I really enjoyed trying a new cuisine.  This beef was so tender and packed full of flavor. It was served up as recommended with white rice and black beans - definitely suited to pair with the braised beef. The house smelled insanely good while this slow cooked in the crockpot!

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What you need:

• 2 Tbsp. canola oil, divided
• 2 lb. boneless chuck roast
• Salt and pepper
• 1 carrot, peeled and sliced in half lengthwise
• 1 Cubanelle pepper or green bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 10 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 2 cups canned tomato puree
• 1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 cup sliced green olives
• 1 Tbsp. white vinegar

For serving:

• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
• 2 limes, cut into wedges

Directions:

1. Season meat with salt and pepper. Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a heavy skillet and brown meat over high heat for 3 minutes on each side.
2. Transfer meat to a slow cooker and add carrot.
3. In the same skillet, add 1 Tbsp. oil and add peppers, onion, and garlic. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes over medium heat, stirring often.
4. Add wine and simmer for 1 minute, scraping the bottom of the pan. Pour into slow cooker.
5. In a medium bowl, mix together tomato puree, tomato paste, chicken broth, cumin, oregano, bay leaf, and 2 tsp. salt. Pour into crockpot.
6. Cook on HIGH for 6 hours. Shred and return to slow cooker.
7. Stir in olives and vinegar and cook for another 30 minutes.
8. Serve with cilantro and lime wedges. Traditionally, ropa vieja is served with white rice and black beans.

Recipe from Panning the Globe

The first Cuban recipe I tried was this Cuban Chicken & Black Bean Quinoa Bowls that has bananas and mango in it. This one pot Classic Cuban-Style Arroz con Pollo from The Sassy Spoon looks incredible.