Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja

By Food & Wine

To help seal in the juices, let the meat rest on a cutting board for a few minutes before shredding and serving. More Slow Cooker Recipes

© Fredrika Stjärne Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja
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
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 jalapeño, seeded and thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup pitted green olives
2 tablespoons capers, drained
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped cilantro
Steamed white rice or warm tortillas, for serving

DIRECTIONS
1. Season the flank steak with salt and pepper. In a slow cooker, combine the diced tomatoes and their juices with the water, bell peppers, onion, garlic, jalapeño, oregano, cumin and bay leaf. Add the flank steak, cover and cook on high for 5 hours, until the meat is very tender.
2. Transfer the meat to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes. Discard the bay leaf. Stir the olives, capers and 1 tablespoon of the cilantro into the sauce.
3. Using 2 forks, shred the meat. Return the meat to the sauce to warm through. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Spoon the meat and sauce into bowls, sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of cilantro and serve with steamed white rice or warm tortillas.

Make Ahead The ropa vieja can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

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