Eleven recipes for succulent braised beef. Learn how to transform the most humble and inexpensive beef cuts into fork tender delicacies.
Each recipe presented below can be recreated with a number of different beef cuts in addition to the one used as demonstration.
What is Braised Beef?
Braised beef is a cut of beef first seared and then slow cooked with moist heat in a small amount of flavorful liquid.
You can brush up on the basics of the braising cooking method in our Art of Braising post.
Top 3 Reasons to Braise Beef
The braising technique can transform tough and lean cuts into delightfully tender and juicy beef.
During the process the following happens:
- connective tissue is gently broken down
- collagen is liquified into gelatin
- the beef absorbs flavor from the ingredients composing the braising liquid
Culinary magic!
11 Braised Beef Recipes to Try
Braised Beef Chuck Roast Recipe
One of the easiest to find cuts - center cut boneless beef chuck roast, cooks to perfection and once pulled apart or shredded can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.
Use the braised beef to prepare tacos, quesadillas, nachos etc. or to make Asian inspired beef and broccoli, noodle bowls or rice bowls.
Beer Braised Beef Short Ribs Recipe
This recipe for Beer Braised Beef Short Ribs is a must try! While demonstrated with bone-in English cut short ribs it is perfectly suitable for boneless chuck short ribs. The shiny sauce is prepared from the braising liquid.
Mock Tender Steak is so inexpensive and yet can taste as if it were a premium beef cut. Prepared entirely on the stove top!
Follow (and trust) the recipe as written in order to turn the beef from chewy to nearly melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Time is of the essence but in the non-traditional way... Here longer yields better results...
Braised Beef Stew with Mushrooms Recipe
Braised Beef Stew with Mushrooms
This classic German beef stew known as Bierfleisch is a true feast.
Often prepared with brisket it can be made with chuck, rump and other tough cuts cubed for stew.
Braised in a slow cooker or a Dutch oven this classic style pot roast transforms the inexpensive, supremely lean beef eye of round into a comforting, flavor loaded dish.
This braised beef brisket recipe works best with the flat.
Leveraging flavors from balsamic vinegar, porter ale and aromatics the braising liquid can be converted into a delicious barbecue style sauce.
The chuck tender is a cut so tough that its name (owing to a visual resemblence to beef tenderloin) is completely misleading.
Cook it properly (hint: braise it) and you will be rewarded with supremely tender, flavorful beef.
Beef Osso Bucco Recipe (Braised Beef Shanks)
These are cross-cut beef shanks (each disc is just over an inch thick) with part of the bone in the center.
Commonly called beef osso bucco the initially tough meat acquires a soft texture and the onions and Guinness in the braising liquid infuse it with flavors.
Talk about fall-off-the-bone beef...
This a braised beef cut to remember. Even though naturally tender the tri tip benefits from the quality time spent bathing in a tasty braising liquid. Juicy beyond perfection!
Once you prepare the tough and lean sirloin tip using this recipe you will be able to effortlessly break the meat apart with a couple of forks and serve it in a number of different ways.
The cut also goes by the names of knuckle, sirloin butt, bottom sirloin, round tip and ball tip.
Braised Bottom Round (aka Rump Roast Recipe)
Braised Bottom Round (aka Rump Roast)
Executed as a classic beer pot roast this approach works with numerous beef cuts (duly noted) and is ridiculously easy work.
Leave a Comment