Puerto Rican-Inspired Slow Cooker Beef with Sofrito

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender slow-cooked beef infused with traditional sofrito and island spices, delivering rich Caribbean flavors with minimal effort. This caribbean-inspired beef ready in about 435 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch cubes, olive oil, sofrito sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 420 min Serves 6 Caribbean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck roast cubes and brown on all sides for about 5-7 minutes, transferring browned beef to slow cooker.
  2. Step 2: To the slow cooker, add 1 cup traditional Puerto Rican sofrito sauce, 1 cup beef broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1/4 cup sliced green olives, and 2 bay leaves. Stir gently to combine.
  3. Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beef is fork-tender and flavors meld.
  4. Step 4: Remove bay leaves before serving. Serve over white rice or alongside tostones for an authentic island meal.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Puerto Rican-Inspired Slow Cooker Beef with Sofrito take to make?

Total time is about 435 minutes (15 min prep + 420 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Puerto Rican-Inspired Slow Cooker Beef with Sofrito?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Puerto Rican-Inspired Slow Cooker Beef with Sofrito?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Puerto Rican-Inspired Slow Cooker Beef with Sofrito for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Puerto Rican-Inspired Slow Cooker Beef with Sofrito?

Caribbean beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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