Description
Juicy cranberry balsamic roast beef promises a symphony of tangy and savory flavors that dance across your palate. Rich Mediterranean-inspired marinades and tender, slow-roasted meat create an elegant dinner centerpiece you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 3–4 lb (1.36–1.81 kg) beef roast (such as chuck or ribeye)
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary or 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Liquid and Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup (120 ml) beef broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole cranberry sauce (canned or homemade)
- 1 small onion, sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the cooking environment by warming the oven to 325F (165C), ensuring an ideal roasting temperature for the beef.
- Thoroughly dry the beef roast and generously coat with salt and pepper, creating a flavorful exterior seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet, searing the roast on all surfaces until a rich, caramelized brown develops, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
- Create a vibrant sauce by whisking together cranberry sauce, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl.
- Arrange a layer of sliced onions across the bottom of the pan, positioning the seared roast on top of the aromatic base.
- Drizzle the prepared cranberry balsamic mixture evenly over the roast, allowing the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Pour beef broth into the pan and nestle fresh rosemary sprigs around the roast to infuse additional herbal notes.
- Securely cover the pan and transfer to the preheated oven, roasting for 2.5-3 hours until the meat becomes exceptionally tender and easily pulls apart.
- Periodically baste the roast with accumulated pan juices to maintain moisture and enhance flavor intensity.
- After removing from the oven, let the roast rest for 10 minutes to redistribute internal juices.
- Slice or gently shred the meat, generously spooning the rich cranberry glaze over the top before serving warm.
Notes
- Trim excess fat from the roast to prevent greasy texture and ensure a cleaner, more refined flavor profile.
- Choose chuck roast or bottom round for maximum tenderness and deep meat flavor that absorbs the cranberry balsamic glaze beautifully.
- Customize the heat level by adjusting red pepper flakes – use less for mild palates or more for a spicy kick that complements the sweet-tangy sauce.
- Transform leftovers into delicious sandwiches, tacos, or salad toppers by shredding the meat and storing in its own cooking liquid to maintain moisture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg