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Home » Recipes » Jewish Recipes

Slow Cooker Cuban Inspired Brisket with Sazon and Chiles

Published: Apr 6, 2020 · Modified: Mar 25, 2023 by Samantha Ferraro · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Inspired by the Cuban dish, ropa vieja, this recipe for slow cooker Cuban brisket is seasoned with bold flavors of sazon spice and slow cooked with fresh sofrito and poblano peppers.

Inspired by the Cuban dish, ropa vieja, this recipe for slow cooker Cuban brisket is seasoned with bold flavors of sazon spice and slow cooked with fresh sofrito and poblano peppers.

Slow Cooker Cuban Inspired Brisket

This slow cooker brisket was inspired by the popular dish called ropa vieja. Which is a fantastically delicious Latin braised beef flavored with tomatoes, oregano and peppers.

Start any meal with my Goat cheese stuffed phyllo cups it's simple and impressive.

My flavor addition includes one of my favorite spice blends called sazon. I have a recipe to make your own homemade sazon seasoning (which is insanely delicious on chicken with black beans and salmon tacos, if I do say so myself), or you can buy the Goya brand which i love as well.

Inspired by the Cuban dish, ropa vieja, this recipe for slow cooker Cuban brisket is seasoned with bold flavors of sazon spice and slow cooked with fresh sofrito and poblano peppers.

Ingredients in Cuban Flavored Braised Beef

As a preface, this recipe is no way a traditional version of ropa vieja, but is certainly an inspiration of it.

Sazon: mentioned above, is a Latin spice blend used in a lot of Puerto Rican cooking. The blend includes achiote, cumin, garlic and other herbs.

Chiles: I used poblano chiles in this recipe, but both Anaheim and green bell peppers would work very well too.

Sofrito: I often make a large batch and place in an ice cube tray, then store the cubes in a resealable bag for recipes like this. Sofrito is a blend of fresh herbs, onion, garlic and peppers. Save leftover sofrito for chicken with black beans or sancocho.

Spices: Cumin, oregano and paprika round out the warm vibrant flavors of the hearty meat dish.

Tomato Puree and Stock or Water: which keeps the meat tender and provide a delicious sauce to spoon over.

Inspired by the Cuban dish, ropa vieja, this recipe for slow cooker Cuban brisket is seasoned with bold flavors of sazon spice and slow cooked with fresh sofrito and poblano peppers.

How to Cook Slow Cooker Brisket with Sazon and Chiles

I start most braises and slow cooks the same way, by searing the meat first.

Start by mixing together the sazon, salt, cumin, oregano and paprika and generously season the meat on all sides, pressing the spices into the meat so it adheres.

Heat a large cast iron skillet on high heat (my preference, but use what you have) and drizzle with oil. Once hot, sear brisket on all sides until caramelized and deep golden brown. Once done, remove and set aside.

Next, add the sliced onion and peppers to the bottom of the slow cooker, then add the seared brisket, fat side up, along with the stock, tomato paste and sofrito.

Cook on low for 6-8 hours, until the meat is incredibly tender.

Once done, remove meat from the slow cooker and let rest before cutting into it. If there is a fat cap, carefully cup excess fat off and discard

When ready to cut, slice brisket against the grain. Meaning, slice the meat the opposite direction of the muscle fibers, which will make the meat tender and easier to enjoy.

Place brisket on platter and spoon peppers, onions and any residual sauce on top.

Substitutions, Additions and Suggestions

I find this recipe to be incredibly forgiving and again, use what you have.

If sazon is hard to find, generously season the meat with paprika, cumin and oregano and a bit of chipotle if you have it.

Capers and olives would be a great briny addition to the sauce. Add about ½ cup, roughly chopped towards the end of cooking.

For the perfect pairing try my Celery Root Latkes or go classic with Mom's Crispy Potato Latkes.

Try one of my Way Too Easy Guava Mojitos, should you feel inspired.

Serve alongside rice, black beans and fried plantains.

Inspired by the Cuban dish, ropa vieja, this recipe for slow cooker Cuban brisket is seasoned with bold flavors of sazon spice and slow cooked with fresh sofrito and poblano peppers.

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Slow Cooker Cuban Inspired Brisket with Sazon and Chiles

Samantha Ferraro

LittleFerraroKitchen.com

Inspired by the Cuban dish, ropa vieja, this recipe for slow cooker Cuban brisket is seasoned with bold flavors of sazon spice and slow cooked with fresh sofrito and Poblano peppers.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 6 hours hrs
Resting Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 6 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Cuban, Jewish, Latin, South American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 591 kcal

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 tablespoon sazon
  • 2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 3-4 lb Brisket
  • Olive oil for drizzling
  • 1 white or yellow onion sliced thin
  • 2 Poblano peppers seeds removed and sliced
  • 1 cup chicken stock or water
  • 1 cup pureed tomatoes
  • ¼ cup sofrito recipe follows
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish
  • Optional additions: capers and chopped green olives

Sofrito Ingredients

  • Small bunch of cilantro and parsley
  • ½ onion roughly chopped any variety
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1 jalapeno seeded and roughly chopped
  • 1 bell pepper seeded and roughly chopped any color pepper

Instructions
 

  • To make the sofrito, add all ingredients to a blender or food profcessor and pulse until very finely chopped and there are no large pieces or leaves left. Reserve ¼ cup for this recipe and save the rest in ice cube trays for later use.
  • For the brisket, start by mixing together the sazon, salt, cumin, oregano and paprika and generously season the meat on all sides, pressing the spices into the meat so it adheres.
  • Heat a large cast iron skillet on high heat (my preference, but use what you have) and drizzle with oil. Once hot, sear brisket on all sides until caramelized and deep golden brown. Once done, remove and set aside.
  • Next, add the sliced onion and peppers to the bottom of the slow cooker, then add the seared brisket, fat side up, along with the stock, tomato paste and sofrito.
  • Cook on low for 6-8 hours, until the meat is incredibly tender.
  • Once done, remove meat from the slow cooker and let rest before cutting into it. If there is a fat cap, carefully cut excess fat off and discard
  • When ready to cut, slice brisket against the grain. Meaning, slice the meat the opposite direction of the muscle fibers, which will make the meat tender and easier to enjoy.
  • Place brisket on platter and spoon peppers, onions and any residual sauce on top.

Notes

This recipe can be made in both the slow cooker and on the stove top. it cooking on the stove top, do everything the same up to step 4, then bring to a boil and then down to a simmer and cook for 3-4 hours until tender.
If you have, garnish with chopped green olives and/or capers.

Nutrition

Calories: 591kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 73gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 211mgSodium: 1700mgPotassium: 1545mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 656IUVitamin C: 93mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 8mg
Did you make this recipe?Let us know by leaving a comment and 5 star rating!

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