Slow-Braised Cranberry Maple Beef Roast
A heartwarming dish that combines tender beef with a rich cranberry maple sauce, perfect for chilly evenings or family gatherings.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 450kcal
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2-3 pounds beef roast (such as chuck or brisket)
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cups beef broth
- ½ cup cranberry sauce (optional)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (gluten-free, if needed)
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free, if needed)
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 pound carrots, peeled and sliced (or use baby carrots)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch optional, for thickening
- 2 tablespoons water optional, for thickening
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Season the beef roast with salt and pepper, then sear it on all sides until it’s nicely browned, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Remove the roast from the pan and set it aside.
- In the same pot, add the sliced onions and sauté until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic, tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, and red pepper flakes, if using. Cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Cooking
- Pour in the beef broth, cranberry sauce, soy sauce, maple syrup, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Return the seared beef to the pot, then add the fresh or frozen cranberries and the sliced carrots. Make sure everything is well distributed in the pot.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let it cook slowly for about 4 to 5 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender.
- If you’d like to thicken the sauce, mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Gradually stir this mixture into the pot and continue cooking for another 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Serving
- Once the beef is done, remove it from the pot and slice it against the grain.
- Serve the beef with the rich sauce and vegetables spooned over the top.
Notes
This dish pairs well with creamy mashed potatoes or buttery bread to soak up the delicious sauce. A side of steamed green beans or a fresh salad adds a nice crunch and balances out the meal. Feel free to swap out the vegetables as you like!