Juicy Slow-Cooked Beef Roast with Cranberry Balsamic Sauce Recipe

Succulent slow-cooked beef roast with cranberry balsamic sauce promises a mouthwatering journey through rich, complex flavors.

Weekend dinners demand something special that feels both comforting and elegant.

This recipe blends tender meat with a tangy, sweet sauce that melts in your mouth.

balsamic vinegar and cranberries create a stunning glaze that caramelizes beautifully during cooking.

Each bite delivers depth and intensity that transforms an ordinary meal into a restaurant-worthy experience.

Herbs and spices complement the robust beef, creating a harmonious balance of taste and texture.

You’ll want to savor every single morsel of this delectable dish that’s sure to impress even the most discerning palate.

How to Cook Slow-Cooked Beef Roast with Cranberry Balsamic Sauce

• Meat Preparation

Select a high-quality beef roast and pat it dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper across all surfaces.

• Sizzling Start

Heat a heavy pan with olive oil until it shimmers. Carefully place the beef in the pan, creating a beautiful golden-brown crust on each side. The goal is rich color and incredible flavor development.

• Aromatic Foundation

Gently sauté onions until they become soft and translucent. Add garlic and herbs, allowing their fragrant essence to bloom and fill your kitchen with warmth.

• Liquid Transformation

Pour in a combination of broth, balsamic vinegar, cranberry sauce, and a touch of maple syrup. These ingredients will create a luscious, complex sauce that transforms the ordinary roast into something extraordinary.

• Slow Cooking Journey

Cover the pan and transfer to a low oven. Let the roast slowly tenderize for several hours, allowing the meat to become incredibly soft and infused with deep, rich flavors.

• Final Touches

Remove the roast and let it rest. Reduce the remaining sauce until it reaches a silky, luxurious consistency. Slice or shred the meat and drizzle with the vibrant cranberry balsamic sauce.

Flavor Tweaks for Slow-Cooked Cranberry Balsamic Roast

• Swap beef roast with chuck roast, brisket, or bottom round for different textures and flavor profiles without changing cooking technique.
• Add red wine or port instead of some balsamic vinegar to deepen the sauce's richness and introduce subtle fruity undertones.
• Adjust red pepper flakes quantity based on personal heat preference, from mild warmth to zesty kick.
• Replace beef with hearty portobello mushrooms or firm tofu, maintaining identical braising method and seasonings for a plant-based version.
• Incorporate additional root vegetables like parsnips or sweet potatoes during braising to increase nutritional value and create more robust side dish.

How to Serve This Beef Roast

• Pair with Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Spread a luxurious bed of smooth, buttery mashed potatoes on the plate and nestle the tender beef roast right on top, allowing the rich cranberry balsamic sauce to cascade over both.
• Create Rustic Sandwich Sliders: Slice the beef thinly, pile it onto soft mini rolls or brioche buns, and drizzle with extra sauce for a mouth-watering handheld meal that's perfect for casual gatherings.
• Serve with Roasted Winter Vegetables: Complement the beef with a colorful medley of roasted root vegetables like parsnips, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts, which will soak up the delicious sauce and add nutritious variety to the plate.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives over the dish for a bright pop of color and a subtle, fresh flavor that cuts through the richness of the slow-cooked beef.

Slow-Cooked Roast: Save and Reheat Tips

• Batch Prepare Like a Pro: Cook this roast in large quantities during weekend meal prep to enjoy delicious dinners throughout the busy work week without daily cooking stress.
• Refrigerate Smart: Store leftover beef in an airtight container with some sauce, which keeps meat moist and flavorful for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer cooled roast and sauce into freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months, perfect for quick future meals that taste freshly made.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated or thawed beef gently in a covered skillet with a splash of additional broth or sauce, stirring occasionally to prevent drying out and maintain tender texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients for Slow-Cooked Beef Roast with Cranberry Balsamic Sauce

• Beef Roast: Rich, marbled cut that promises melt-in-your-mouth tenderness with slow cooking, choose chuck or bottom round for best results.
• Soy Sauce: Adds deep umami complexity and helps tenderize the meat with its subtle saltiness.

• Onion, Garlic: Foundational flavor builders that create a robust, savory base for the entire dish.
• Thyme, Rosemary: Herbaceous companions that infuse earthy, woodsy notes into the meat's profile.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spice booster that introduces gentle warmth and subtle heat.

• Beef Broth: Provides moisture and intensifies the meat's natural richness.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Contributes tangy depth and helps break down meat fibers.
• Cranberry Sauce: Introduces sweet-tart dimension that complements the savory elements.
• Maple Syrup: Adds subtle sweetness and caramelization potential.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Delivers complex, fermented undertones that amplify overall savoriness.
• Cranberries: Fresh bursts of tartness that brighten the sauce's flavor profile.
• Carrots: Adds natural sweetness and nutritional boost to the braising liquid.
• Olive Oil: Creates perfect searing environment for developing deep, caramelized exterior.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated flavor enhancer that adds rich, slightly sweet undertone.
• Cornstarch, Water: Thickening agents for creating luxurious, clingy sauce texture.

Tools for Slow-Cooked Beef Roast Success

• Large Oven-Safe Pan or Dutch Oven: Your main cooking vessel for searing, braising, and creating a rich, flavorful sauce.
• Sharp Knife: Essential for slicing onions, chopping garlic, and prepping ingredients with precision.
• Cutting Board: A sturdy surface for all your ingredient preparation needs.
• Wooden Spoon or Tongs: Perfect for stirring ingredients and moving the beef around while cooking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helpful for accurately portioning out liquids and seasonings.
• Cornstarch Slurry Bowl: Small bowl for mixing cornstarch and water to thicken the sauce.
• Meat Fork or Shredding Utensil: Great for checking tenderness and shredding the cooked beef.

Tender Beef Roast With Cranberry Balsamic Sauce Recipe

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4.9 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty slow-cooked beef roast with cranberry balsamic sauce delivers rich, complex flavors perfect for winter dining. Tender meat draped in tangy sauce promises comfort and satisfaction for hungry diners.

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Ingredients

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• 1 beef roast (2–3 lbs/907–1361 g, chuck, round, or brisket)
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 lbs/454 g carrots, peeled and sliced or baby carrots
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 cup cranberry sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• 4 tbsps maple syrup or brown sugar
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 2 tbsps soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
• 2 tbsps cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsps water
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free if needed)
• 1 tsp chopped thyme
• 1 tsp chopped rosemary
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Pat beef dry and generously season with salt and black pepper across all surfaces.
2. Searing Stage: Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium-high heat until nearly smoking, then meticulously sear beef on each side for 4-5 minutes to develop a deep golden-brown caramelized crust.
3. Aromatics Development: Reduce heat and sauté sliced onions until translucent, then introduce tomato paste, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, and red pepper flakes, stirring continuously to unlock intense flavors.
4. Liquid Integration: Deglaze pan with beef broth, balsamic vinegar, cranberry sauce, soy sauce, maple syrup, and Worcestershire sauce, thoroughly scraping accumulated browned bits from pan bottom.
5. Braising Process: Return seared roast to pan, surround with whole cranberries and chopped carrots, cover with lid, and slow-roast in a 275°F (140°C) oven for 3.5-4 hours until meat becomes fork-tenderly succulent.
6. Finishing Touches: Remove roast, allow brief resting period, optional sauce thickening using cornstarch slurry, then slice or shred meat and lavishly drench with cranberry balsamic sauce before serving.

Notes

• Meat Selection Matters: Choose a well-marbled chuck roast or beef brisket for maximum tenderness and rich flavor.
• Searing Secrets: Patting meat dry before searing ensures a perfect golden-brown crust that locks in juices and develops deep caramelized notes.
• Temperature Precision: Low and slow cooking at 275°F guarantees melt-in-your-mouth texture, breaking down tough connective tissues gradually.
• Sauce Thickness Trick: Cornstarch slurry helps achieve a glossy, restaurant-quality sauce consistency without compromising the robust flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg