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Low Braised Balsamic Cranberry

Balsamic Cranberry Roast: 3-Hour Comfort


  • Author: basmer1517
  • Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Low Fat

Description

This Low-Braised Balsamic Cranberry Beef is a tender, flavorful comfort meal perfect for family dinners. Slow-braised to perfection with a savory-sweet blend of balsamic vinegar, cranberry sauce, and aromatic herbs, it offers a delightful balance of rich beef flavor and seasonal freshness. Serve with carrots and a thickened sauce for a heartwarming dish that’s easy to prepare and impressively delicious.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 (2-3 pound) beef roast (such as chuck, round, brisket, etc.)
  • 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)
  • 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
  • 1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 pound carrots, peeled and sliced (or baby carrots)
  • For Thickening Mixture (Optional):
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 275°F (140°C) to prepare for slow braising.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown the beef roast on all sides until well-seared, then remove and set aside.
  3. In the same pan, add sliced onions and sauté until they become tender, about 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in tomato paste, chopped garlic, thyme, rosemary, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook until fragrant, roughly 1 minute.
  5. Pour in beef broth, balsamic vinegar, optional cranberry sauce, soy sauce, maple syrup (or brown sugar), and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to combine all flavors.
  6. Return the seared beef roast to the pot. Add the carrots and cranberries around the meat. Cover the pot tightly with a lid or foil.
  7. Transfer the pot to the preheated oven and braise for 3 to 4 hours, or until the beef is tender enough to shred with a fork. Alternatively, this can be done on the stovetop over low heat or in a slow cooker.
  8. Once cooked, carefully remove the beef from the pot and shred or slice it as preferred.
  9. If desired, skim any fat from the cooking liquid. Mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir it into the pot. Simmer on the stove until the sauce thickens to your liking.
  10. Plate the shredded beef with the carrots, cranberries, and rich braising sauce for a comforting, flavorful meal.

Notes

  • If you do not have an oven-safe pot, you can cook this on the stovetop over low heat, covered, for 3-4 hours.
  • The slow cooker method works well: cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 4-6 hours for similar tenderness.
  • Braising at low temperature ensures the beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender.
  • Adjust sweetness and tartness by varying the amount of maple syrup and balsamic vinegar.
  • Using fresh cranberries adds a fresh tart pop, while canned cranberry sauce gives sweetness and depth.
  • The optional cornstarch slurry is key to thickening the sauce for a more luxurious finish.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours 0 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Braising
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: Approximately 450-550 (estimated, will vary based on exact ingredients and portion)
  • Sugar: Varies based on maple syrup and cranberry sauce amount
  • Sodium: Varies based on soy sauce and broth
  • Fat: Varies based on beef cut and added oil
  • Saturated Fat: Varies based on beef cut
  • Unsaturated Fat: Varies based on beef cut and olive oil
  • Trans Fat: Minimal
  • Carbohydrates: Varies based on carrots, cranberries, and sweetener
  • Fiber: Varies based on carrots and cranberries
  • Protein: Varies based on beef portion
  • Cholesterol: Varies based on beef cut

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