Christmas Cranberry Balsamic Roast Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 Teaspoon salt
• 1 Teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked
• 1 chuck beef roast, 3 Pounds
• 2 yellow onions, quartered
• 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 Cloves garlic, smashed
• 2 Sprigs fresh thyme
• 3 Sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2 Cups beef broth
• 1/4 Cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 Tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Cup cranberries, fresh
• 1 Pound carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 Tablespoons water

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F to prepare for braising the roast.

2. 2

   Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, season the beef with salt and pepper, then brown it on all sides. Remove and set aside.

3. 3

   Cook Onions and Aromatics: Add quartered onions to the pan and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, smashed garlic, fresh thyme, and rosemary, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute.

4. 4

   Make the Sauce: Pour in beef broth, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, dark brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, cranberries, and sliced carrots. Stir to combine. Return the beef to the pot carefully.

5. 5

   Braise the Roast: Cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Braise for 3 hours (1 hour per pound for a 3-pound roast) until the beef is tender.

6. 6

   Rest and Remove Roast: Remove the beef roast to a plate and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before carving to keep it juicy.

7. 7

   Thicken the Gravy: Place the pot back on the stove over medium heat. Bring the cooking liquid to a simmer. Mix cornstarch and water to form a slurry, then stir into the pot and cook for about 2 minutes until the gravy thickens.

8. 8

   Serve: Slather the sliced roast with thickened gravy and serve alongside your favorite holiday sides.