Print

Cranberry Balsamic Roast Beef Recipe

4.6 from 89 reviews

A tender and flavorful holiday-style roast beef infused with sweet cranberry sauce and rich balsamic vinegar. This comforting roast is perfect for a special dinner and can be prepared using a slow cooker or oven, making it easy to achieve a melt-in-your-mouth texture with a luscious sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef Roast

  • 34 lb beef chuck roast

Sauce and Seasoning

  • 1 cup canned whole-berry cranberry sauce
  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary

Instructions

  1. Season the Roast: Generously season the beef chuck roast on all sides with salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and dried rosemary to enhance the flavor of the meat.
  2. Sear the Beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Sear the roast until it is browned on all sides, which helps to lock in the juices and adds a rich, caramelized flavor.
  3. Prepare Cooking Base: Place the sliced onions and minced garlic at the bottom of your slow cooker or Dutch oven. This will create a flavorful base under the roast.
  4. Assemble and Add Sauce: Set the seared beef roast on top of the onions and garlic. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cranberry sauce, balsamic vinegar, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce, then pour this mixture over the roast.
  5. Cook the Roast: Cover and cook the roast until it becomes tender. For slow cooker use, cook for 8 hours on LOW or 4–5 hours on HIGH. If using an oven, bake at 325°F (163°C) for 3 to 3.5 hours.
  6. Thicken the Sauce: Once cooked, remove the roast from the cooker or oven. If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer the cooking juices on the stovetop until reduced to your desired consistency.
  7. Serve: Slice or shred the roast beef and serve it warm with the rich cranberry-balsamic sauce spooned over the top for a delicious and festive meal.

Notes

  • For best flavor, let the roast rest for 10 minutes after cooking before slicing to retain juices.
  • You can substitute beef chuck roast with a rump roast if preferred.
  • Leftover roast beef can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more salt or herbs as desired.
  • The sauce can be thickened with a cornstarch slurry if a thicker consistency is desired quickly.

Keywords: cranberry roast beef, balsamic roast beef, slow cooker roast, holiday roast beef, beef chuck roast recipe