Low-Braised Balsamic Cranberry Beef: Your New Go-To Comfort Meal Recipe
This Low-Braised Balsamic Cranberry Beef recipe offers a rich and comforting meal perfect for slower cooking days. Tender beef roast is slow-braised in a flavorful mixture of balsamic vinegar, beef broth, and cranberry sauce, creating a tangy-sweet sauce punctuated with fresh cranberries and aromatic herbs. Carrots add a subtle sweetness and texture, while optional thickening with cornstarch ensures a luscious finish. Ideal for a cozy dinner, this dish pairs excellent with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (2-3 pound) beef roast (such as chuck, round, brisket)
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon thyme, chopped
- 1 teaspoon rosemary, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Liquids and Sauces
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (optional)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Produce
- 1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 pound carrots, peeled and sliced (or baby carrots)
Thickening Agent (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Sear Beef: Preheat your oven to 275°F (140°C). Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Sear the beef roast until browned on all sides to lock in the flavors, then remove and set aside.
- Sauté Onions and Aromatics: In the same pan, add the sliced onion and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, chopped garlic, thyme, rosemary, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Liquids and Combine: Pour in beef broth, balsamic vinegar, cranberry sauce, soy sauce, maple syrup, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Return Beef and Add Vegetables: Place the seared beef back into the pot. Add carrots and cranberries around the beef. Cover the pot tightly with a lid or foil to retain moisture.
- Braise the Beef: Transfer the covered pot to the oven and braise for 3-4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender. Alternatively, you may cook it on the stovetop by bringing it to a boil, then simmering covered for 3-4 hours, or use a slow cooker on LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 4-6 hours.
- Shred or Slice Beef: After cooking, remove the beef from the pot and shred or slice it according to preference.
- Optional Sauce Thickening: Skim any fat from the surface of the cooking liquid. Mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry, stir it into the pot, then simmer on the stove until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Serve: Serve the tender beef with carrots, cranberries, and the rich thickened sauce for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Notes
- This recipe works with various cuts of beef suitable for braising like chuck, brisket, or round roast.
- If fresh cranberries are unavailable, frozen can be used with the same results.
- For a sweeter sauce, increase the maple syrup or brown sugar slightly.
- To make this dish gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce and check Worcestershire sauce labels.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3-4 days and freeze nicely for up to 3 months.
- Serve over mashed potatoes, polenta, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Keywords: braised beef, balsamic beef, cranberry beef roast, comfort food, slow-cooked beef, holiday beef recipe
