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Home » Main Dishes » Meats » Cuban Braised Beef

Cuban Braised Beef

Posted by: Diabetic Foodie / Meats / March 26, 2021

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This Cuban braised beef is slow cooked with delicious tomatoes, peppers, and onions for a dish that’s packed with flavor and only takes minutes to prep!

Bowl of Cuban braised beef with avocado and cilantro seen from above

Slow cookers are one of the best ways to cook easy, hearty meals. And this Cuban braised beef may be one of the most flavorful I’ve tried!

In fact, the hardest part is smelling it all day as it cooks. The aroma of beef, veggies, and spices is so alluring, but it’s all worth it once you get to sit down to this delicious plate!

This dish is called Ropa Vieja in Cuba, meaning “old clothes,” because the shredded beef and vegetables look like a heap of colorful rags. Sounds tasty, right?

But trust me: after one bite, you will be ready to dive into this messy pile again and again. There’s the reason it’s the national dish of Cuba!

How to make Cuban braised beef

Slow cookers are amazing at infusing flavor into dishes with very little effort on your part. The only work you have to do is chop, stir, and shred!

All the ingredients laid out on a marble surface

Step 1: Combine the tomatoes, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper in the slow cooker. Mix everything together.

Step 2: Add the bell peppers and onion, then stir again.

Step 3: Nestle the pieces of beef in the vegetables.

Ingredients in the slow cooker, ready to cook

Step 4: Cook, covered, until the meat is tender, about 7-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high.

Cooked braised beef in the slow cooker

Step 5: Without taking the beef out of the pot, shred using two forks.

Step 6: Stir to mix the shredded beef with the liquid and vegetables.

Shredded beef in the slow cooker

Step 7: Garnish with sliced avocado and chopped cilantro to serve.

How easy is that? Your messy pile of tasty veggies and shredded beef is ready to enjoy!

How to serve braised beef

Traditionally, this dish is served with white rice, black beans, and sometimes maduros.

I like to serve it over brown rice, which has better nutritional value than white rice and is great for soaking up all the extra sauce!

Also, don’t skip the avocado. It really adds a nice pop of flavor and texture to the dish. Plus, it’s a great source of healthy fat!

Bowl of braised beef with a spoon on a marble surface

Storage

If you think this Cuban beef is tasty right out of the slow cooker, wait until you try the leftovers! The flavors will deepen in the refrigerator, making it even more hearty and delicious.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If possible, don’t add the avocado to each serving until you’re ready to eat.

Once sliced, avocado will oxidize and turn black. It’s much more appetizing if it’s sliced right before eating.

Close-up of the finished dish with avocado and cilantro in the background

Other delicious slow cooker recipes

Looking for more easy and flavorful dishes you can throw together in the slow cooker? Here are a few of my favorites that I know you’ll love:

  • Teriyaki Pork with Peanut Sauce
  • Pulled Pork Tenderloin
  • Vegetarian Chipotle Chili

When you’ve tried this dish, please don’t forget to let me know how you liked it and rate the recipe in the comments below!

Recipe Card
Bowl of Cuban braised beef
4.50 from 2 votes

Cuban Braised Beef

This Cuban braised beef is slow cooked with delicious tomatoes, peppers, and onions for a dish that’s packed with flavor and only takes minutes to prep!
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:5 hours
Total Time:5 hours 5 minutes
Author:Diabetic Foodie
Servings:6
Review Print

Ingredients

  • 2 cans diced tomatoes with garlic and onions (drained)
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1½ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon "Hot Shot" pepper (blend of black and cayenne peppers)
  • 2 red bell peppers (cut into ½ inch thick slices)
  • 1 sweet onion (cut into 8 wedges)
  • 1½ lbs London broil or flank steak (cut crosswise into 3 pieces)
  • 1 avocado (sliced)
  • 1 handful fresh cilantro (chopped)
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Combine the tomatoes, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper in the slow cooker. Mix everything together.
  • Add the bell peppers and onion, then stir again.
  • Nestle the pieces of beef in the vegetables.
  • Cook, covered, until the meat is tender, about 7-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high.
  • Without taking the beef out of the pot, shred using two forks.
  • Stir to mix the shredded beef with the liquid and vegetables.
  • Garnish with sliced avocado and chopped cilantro to serve.

Recipe Notes

This recipe is for 6 servings of Cuban slow cooked beef and vegetables.
I recommend serving with brown rice to soak up the extra sauce.
Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Nutrition Info Per Serving

Nutrition Facts
Cuban Braised Beef
Amount Per Serving
Calories 302 Calories from Fat 53
% Daily Value*
Fat 5.9g9%
Saturated Fat 2.6g16%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Monounsaturated Fat 3.7g
Cholesterol 86mg29%
Sodium 683.7mg30%
Potassium 279.5mg8%
Carbohydrates 12.1g4%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 6.9g8%
Protein 37.9g76%
Net carbs 8.1g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Cuban
Diet: Diabetic
Keyword: braised beef, cuban braised beef
Did you make this recipe?Click here to leave a comment & star rating!

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