Description
This Tender Balsamic Cranberry Beef Roast is a rich, flavorful dish featuring a fork-tender chuck roast slow-cooked in a sweet-tangy balsamic glaze with fresh cranberries, garlic, and thyme. Perfect for cozy dinners or special occasions, it’s hearty, elegant, and irresistibly savory.
Ingredients
3 to 4 pounds beef chuck roast (or top round roast)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large yellow onion, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup beef broth
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups whole cranberries (fresh or frozen)
3 to 4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Pat the beef roast dry with paper towels and season all sides with salt and pepper.
3. In a Dutch oven or heavy skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
4. Sear the roast on all sides until browned, about 3–4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
5. In the same pan, add sliced onions and sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened.
6. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
7. Pour in the balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits.
8. Stir in beef broth and brown sugar until combined.
9. Return the roast to the pot and add cranberries and fresh thyme.
10. Cover and transfer to the oven. Bake for 3 to 3.5 hours, or until the roast is fork-tender.
11. Remove from oven, discard thyme sprigs, and let the roast rest for 10 minutes.
12. Slice and serve with the cranberry balsamic sauce spooned over the top.
Notes
For extra flavor, add a splash of red wine with the broth before braising.
If using a leaner cut like top round, reduce oven time slightly to avoid dryness.
To thicken the sauce, simmer it uncovered on the stove after roasting until it reduces to your desired consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (based on 6 servings)
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: beef roast, cranberry beef, balsamic roast, slow-cooked dinner