Slow Cooker Venezuelan Pabellón Criollo with Shredded Beef and Black Beans

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-29 · Updated 2026-04-29

A comforting slow-cooked Venezuelan classic featuring tender shredded beef served with sweet fried plantains and black beans over white rice. This Latin American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 500 minutes, pairs beef chuck roast, onion, sliced, garlic cloves, minced 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.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef chuck roast
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups cooked black beans
• 2 large ripe plantains, sliced lengthwise
• 3 cups white rice, cooked
• 1 tbsp sugar

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season 2 lbs beef chuck roast with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp paprika, rubbing evenly over all sides.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef for 3-4 minutes per side until well browned and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Transfer the beef to the slow cooker. Add 1 sliced medium onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 cup beef broth. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until beef is tender and shreds easily.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp sugar and 1 tbsp olive oil, then add 2 large sliced ripe plantains. Fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and caramelized.
5. Step 5: Warm 2 cups cooked black beans in a saucepan over low heat.
6. Step 6: Once beef is done, shred it with two forks, mixing with cooking juices.
7. Step 7: To serve, plate 1/2 cup cooked white rice, top with 1/3 cup shredded beef, 1/3 cup black beans, and 3-4 slices of fried plantains. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.