Easy Ropa Vieja Stew

Name: Easy Ropa Vieja Stew
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 25 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 1 boneless beef chuck roast (2 pounds), cut in half; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 large onions, coarsely chopped; 2 large green peppers, coarsely chopped; 4 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced; 1 habanero pepper, seeded and minced; 3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained; 1/2 cup water; 6 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro; 4 teaspoons beef bouillon granules; 2 teaspoons pepper; 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 cup pimiento-stuffed olives, coarsely chopped; Hot cooked rice, optional

Use your slow cooker for this meaty Cuban classic, which offers bold flavors without a lot of hands-on time. —Denise Nyland, Panama City, Florida

Ingredients

1 boneless beef chuck roast (2 pounds), cut in half
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large onions, coarsely chopped
2 large green peppers, coarsely chopped
4 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
1 habanero pepper, seeded and minced
3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup water
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
4 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
2 teaspoons pepper
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup pimiento-stuffed olives, coarsely chopped
Hot cooked rice, optional

Directions

In a large skillet, brown beef in oil on all sides. Transfer meat to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Add onions and peppers. Combine tomatoes, water, garlic, cilantro, beef bouillon, pepper, cumin and oregano; pour over vegetables.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until meat is tender. Remove beef; cool slightly. Skim fat from cooking juices; stir in olives. Shred beef with two forks and return to slow cooker; heat through. Serve with rice if desired. Freeze option: Transfer individual portions of stew to freezer containers and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little water if necessary.

Editor's Note

Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/3 cups (calculated without rice): 306 calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 821mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 25g protein.

Originally published as Easy Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja in Taste of Home November 2011

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Igraine32

Mar 12, 2015

This smelled amazing while cooking. I wish I could have added the habanero, but couldn't because of a child. I did add the jalape?os and it wasn't very spicy at all. The kid even liked it and I didn't have to fight with him to eat. Would definitely make this again. However, this was way more time consuming than 25 minutes, unless you have a food processor. But, I wouldn't say it was difficult by any means.
beadkitty330

Feb 17, 2014

16 ingredients in a recipe labeled "easy"? Really?
cliftonhanger

Oct 19, 2013

I'm a bit surprised that most reviews were 5 star. For me, it was somewhere between fair and good. I don't dislike this recipe but I would not make it again.
lolohiser

Sep 3, 2013

Awesome!!
caryneileen04

Feb 24, 2013

I left out the jalapenos and habanero, as we have little kids. I also left out the olives because we don't like them. Even without those, this recipe was excellent! I paired it with some cilantro lime rice and black beans. My husband grew up eating Mexican food, as his dad was born in Mexico. He (my husband) said that this tasted like something from a Mexican restaurant. He couldn't stop eating it!
brb4y

Oct 15, 2012

With my crew, will need to use 2 habaneros and keep the same # jalapenos. Will use the rice too. We like hot especially on a cold winter night. We are not Mexican, but our priest is and so is his helper. My husband and the priest can eat habaneros like apples....they love this stuff.
mlbillick

Jul 16, 2012

We adjusted the heat on this recipe, used one whole habanero, 2 green chiles, and 2 jalapenos. Would suggest NOT adding the water to the crock pot to make a bit thicker. Needs a little bit of salt added. Will tweak the recipe to suit my individual tastes. Also used 3 lb chuck roast!
DJ Wagner's kitchen

Dec 3, 2011

This is an excellent dish. I followed the recipe exactly, it is spiced perfectly. I have shared it with friendsand intend to prepare it for my family for years to come.
MissNye

Oct 23, 2011

The habanero was supposed to be optional. I wouldn't use a whole habanero. Too hot.