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Tender Balsamic Beef Dish

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This comforting dish features melt-in-your-mouth beef coated in a tangy cranberry glaze. Cooked low and slow, it's a show-stopping holiday meal. Great for Christmas feasts or celebratory gatherings.
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Clare Recipes
Updated on Fri, 21 Mar 2025 03:09:32 GMT
A juicy roast with cranberries and fresh herbs in a dark, shiny sauce served in a pan. Pin it
A juicy roast with cranberries and fresh herbs in a dark, shiny sauce served in a pan. | lilicooks.com

I discovered this mouthwatering Cranberry Balsamic Roast Beef last December while hunting for something fresh instead of our traditional holiday roast. The juicy beef simply dissolves on your tongue as tangy cranberries and deep balsamic create an unbelievable gravy. My relatives actually quarreled over who got the extras and it's become our family's newest festive must-have.

An Impressive Holiday Centerpiece That's Surprisingly Simple

Believe me when I tell you this goes way beyond basic pot roast. The real wonder happens as balsamic and cranberries slowly transform into this remarkable sauce that'll have everyone thinking you slaved away forever. But really, you'll barely lift a finger while your Dutch oven handles everything.

What You'll Need For This

  • Chuck Beef Roast: Pick up a solid 2-3 pound cut with plenty of fat running through it for best results.
  • Fresh Herbs: Get some rosemary and thyme either from outside or your local store.
  • Beef Broth: This forms the foundation of our wonderful sauce.
  • Dark Brown Sugar: Just a bit to cut through the sour notes.
  • Cranberries: Go with fresh ones if you can but don't worry, frozen work great too.
  • Cornstarch: This helps our sauce reach the perfect consistency.
  • Garlic: Nothing beats the flavor of fresh cloves.
  • Olive Oil: We need this to get that gorgeous crust on the beef.
  • Optional Extras: Feel free to add carrots potatoes or a dash of red wine.

Cooking Steps

Get That Golden Crust:
Salt and pepper your beef well and sear it in hot oil until each side turns beautifully brown.
Layer In The Taste:
Cook onions till they turn soft and translucent then add the herbs and garlic.
Mix Everything Together:
Add all your liquids cranberries and vegetables then put that beef back in.
Walk Away:
Stick it in a 325°F oven and let it do its thing for around 3 hours.
Final Touches:
Remove your super tender beef and thicken up that incredible sauce.
A savory pot roast with cranberries and roasted tomatoes, garnished with fresh thyme, sits in a dark casserole dish on a light cloth. Pin it
A savory pot roast with cranberries and roasted tomatoes, garnished with fresh thyme, sits in a dark casserole dish on a light cloth. | lilicooks.com

Smart Cooking Tricks

Find beef that's got lots of white streaks running through it for the juiciest outcome. A splash of red wine works wonders if you've got some handy. Don't forget to let your beef sit before cutting it so all the goodness stays inside. You can make it more or less sweet by tweaking how much brown sugar you use.

Why Everyone Loves This

Whenever I bring this roast to the table guests always ask how I made it. The beef gets so soft you can pull it apart with a fork and that sauce is just mind-blowing. And since it all comes together in one pot there's hardly any cleanup after. It's my favorite thing to make when I want to dazzle company without any kitchen stress.

Try These Tasty Twists

  • Add Potatoes: Toss in some Yukon Golds they'll drink up all that fantastic flavor.
  • Spice It Up: I like adding red pepper flakes for some heat.
  • Switch the Veggies: Try using parsnips or classic carrots too.
  • Quick Fix: In a rush? Canned cranberry sauce works too.
  • Use Your Slow Cooker: Set it and forget it while you handle other things.

Foods That Go Well With It

We can't get enough of this with fluffy mashed potatoes and crispy Brussels sprouts. For special occasions I start everyone off with my cranberry orange cheese ball and wrap up with pumpkin pie cheesecake. The combo is just fantastic and nobody ever leaves hungry.

Dealing With Extras

Put any leftover beef in an airtight container and it'll keep nicely for 4 days in your fridge. You can also pop it in the freezer just wrap it properly and eat within 3 months. When you want to warm it up do it slowly with a bit of broth to keep everything nice and juicy.

A succulent piece of meat garnished with cranberries and thyme, surrounded by glazed onions in a rich sauce. Pin it
A succulent piece of meat garnished with cranberries and thyme, surrounded by glazed onions in a rich sauce. | lilicooks.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Is this good for prepping in advance?
Yep, make it the day before and heat gently in the oven. Store the meat and sauce separately to keep the beef from drying.
→ What kind of beef should I pick?
Chuck roast is ideal thanks to its marbling. It breaks down beautifully when cooked slowly, making it super tender.
→ How can I tell if it’s done?
Check for fork-tender meat that easily pulls apart. For accuracy, use a thermometer—it should hit 205°F for the perfect texture.
→ Can I swap fresh cranberries with frozen ones?
Sure can! Frozen cranberries work fine. No need to defrost—just toss them into the pot, and they'll cook down as they should.
→ Which sides go best with it?
Mash some potatoes, roast veggies, or cook up green beans. The rich sauce is amazing over anything starchy!

Holiday Balsamic Beef

Juicy beef simmered in a sweet cranberry balsamic sauce. Use a Dutch oven or slow cooker for a crowd-pleasing holiday option.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
255 Minutes
Total Time
265 Minutes
By: Lily Chen

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (2-3 lb beef roast)

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 A beef chuck roast weighing 2-3 pounds.
02 1 tbsp of olive oil.
03 Two yellow onions, quartered.
04 Four garlic cloves, smashed.
05 2 pieces of fresh thyme.
06 A few sprigs of rosemary (3).
07 Two cups of beef broth.
08 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, aged.
09 2 tbsp of soy sauce.
10 Three tbsp of dark brown sugar.
11 One tbsp Worcestershire sauce.
12 A cup of fresh cranberries.
13 Carrots (peeled and chopped), about 1 pound.
14 Two tablespoons of tomato paste.
15 Freshly cracked black pepper and salt to your liking.

Instructions

Step 01

Warm oil in your pot until it sizzles. Rub salt and pepper on the meat, then sear all over till brown and crisp. Put it on a plate for now.

Step 02

Cook onions until they soften. Stir in tomato paste, the mashed garlic, and throw in the fresh herbs. Let it all release its aroma.

Step 03

Pour in the broth, balsamic, soy sauce, sugar, and Worcestershire. Toss cranberries and carrot chunks into the mix while stirring.

Step 04

Put the beef back in the pot. Cover up and bake at 325°F for roughly 4 hours, or until it cuts like butter.

Step 05

Take out the beef. Combine cornstarch and water, then stir it in and simmer until the sauce gets thicker. Spoon it over meat slices before serving.

Notes

  1. Pick beef with good fat marbling for better taste.
  2. Let the meat sit for 15 minutes before slicing.
  3. A heavy, tight-lidded pot works best.

Tools You'll Need

  • A Dutch oven or a slow cooker.
  • A sharp cutting blade.
  • Cutting surface board.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains soy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 609
  • Total Fat: 30 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 39 g
  • Protein: 48 g