Slow-Cooked Venezuelan Pabellón Criollo with Shredded Beef

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A traditional Venezuelan dish featuring tender slow-cooked shredded beef served with black beans, white rice, and fried ripe plantains. This latin american-inspired beef ready in about 500 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, medium onion, diced, medium green bell pepper, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a slow cooker, combine 2 lbs beef chuck roast, 1 medium diced onion, 1 medium diced green bell pepper, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 cups beef broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
  2. Step 2: Cook on low heat for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until the beef is very tender and easily shredded with forks.
  3. Step 3: While beef cooks, peel and slice 2 large ripe plantains into 1/2-inch thick diagonal pieces.
  4. Step 4: Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry plantain slices for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and caramelized. Drain on paper towels.
  5. Step 5: Remove beef from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return shredded beef to the slow cooker, stir well to coat with sauce.
  6. Step 6: To serve, plate 1/2 cup cooked white rice, 1/2 cup cooked black beans, 1/2 cup shredded beef, and 4-5 pieces of fried plantains. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Venezuelan Pabellón Criollo with Shredded Beef take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Slow-Cooked Venezuelan Pabellón Criollo with Shredded Beef?

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 beef chuck roast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Venezuelan Pabellón Criollo with Shredded Beef?

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 Slow-Cooked Venezuelan Pabellón Criollo with Shredded Beef 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 Slow-Cooked Venezuelan Pabellón Criollo with Shredded Beef?

Latin American 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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