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You will love this festive pot roast! If you’re looking for a rich, robust and festive beef recipe, this cranberry balsamic roast beef recipe might be perfect. It’s a flavor-packed combination of juicy beef, garlic, herbs, brown sugar, cranberries, and more, making it ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas or a special occasion. It’s got that perfect mix of tangy and sweet, and it’s absolutely delicious! This delicious holiday roast beef is ideal for serving a crowd!
You can make this beef roast with balsamic cranberry sauce in a Dutch oven or you can make it in a slow cooker. The flavor is seriously amazing.
Do you enjoy meaty dishes? You might also like cream cheese and cranberry stuffed flank steak, pineapple glazed ham, or lemon pork chops.
Why You’ll Love It
A fun twist on your usual pot roast: The cranberry and balsamic flavors are deliciously different. This recipe is so flavorful.
A one-pot recipe: Everything is cooked in one Dutch oven or large pot.
Easy to get great results: This recipe is simple to make and is pull-apart tender when done.
Christmas Roast Beef Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Chuck beef roast: You’ll need a roast weighing between 2 and 3 pounds.
Thyme and rosemary: Fresh herbs are wonderful with beef.
Beef broth: The basis of the sauce.
Dark brown sugar: Adds a rich sweetness.
Cranberries: Their tart/sweet flavor is so good.
Cornstarch: To thicken the sauce.
Garlic: You can use extra if you want.
Olive oil: To sauté and brown the meat.
How to Make Cranberry Balsamic Roast Beef
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Brown the beef: Season the beef and brown it all over in olive oil in a Dutch oven over a medium to high heat. Remove the beef from the pot.
Sauté the onions: Add the onions to the Dutch oven and cook, then add the tomato paste, garlic, thyme, and rosemary.
Make the sauce: Add the broth, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, cranberries, and carrots. Add the beef roast back in.
Braise: Cover the pot and put it in the oven. Braise it for several hours.
Thicken the sauce: Remove the meat from the Dutch oven. Combine the cornstarch and water and add this to the Dutch oven. Cook until thickened and then serve the beef roast in the gravy with your favorite side dishes.
Substitutions and Variations
Fresh cranberries: You can also use frozen or a can of cranberry sauce.
Olive oil: Use vegetable oil, canola oil or any oil you prefer to cook with.
Add potatoes: You can add 1 pound of quartered Yukon Gold or baby potatoes to the roast instead of serving the dish with mashed potatoes on the side.
A touch of spice: Add red pepper flakes.
Carrots: Substitute whole carrots with baby carrots.
Add red wine: Add ½ cup of red wine (perhaps Zinfandel, Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon) for added depth of flavor. If you add red wine to the Dutch oven (instead of a crock pot) then add only 1 ½ cups of beef broth (instead of 2 cups) to go with it.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: Kick off your festive meal with a cranberry orange cheese ball.
Side dishes: Serve your roast beef with roasted Brussels sprouts, garlic butter fondant potatoes and bacon-wrapped green beans.
Desserts: Finish your meal with a pumpkin pie cheesecake.
How to Store Cranberry Roast Beef
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 4 days.
Freeze: Cool the roast completely and then add it to an airtight gallon Ziploc bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: Reheat leftovers in the oven at 325°F for 10 to 15 minutes, in the microwave for 2 or 3 minutes, or on the stove until warmed through. Add a splash of beef broth if needed to thin the sauce.
Top Tips
Cooking Pot: You are going to need a large Dutch oven or braiser with lid. Ensure yours is large enough to hold all the ingredients.
Good quality ingredients: Take your time selecting a well-marbled piece of meat and use fresh ingredients (garlic, herbs and vegetables) to make the recipe.
Let it rest: Let the beef roast rest for 10 to 15 minutes before carving and serving to help ensure it’s juicy throughout.
Christmas Cranberry Roast Recipe FAQs
Try to pick a chuck roast with lots of marbling throughout; it will add lots of flavor. Chuck roast, round roast or rump roast are all great choices for this dish.
Use a meat thermometer. When the beef is 195°F in the thickest part and tender, it’s ready.
Cranberry Balsamic Roast Beef Recipe
Christmas Cranberry Balsamic Roast
Equipment
- Dutch Oven or Braiser with Lid
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 Teaspoon salt
- 1 Teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked
- 1 chuck beef roast, 2 to 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
- ¼ 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
For the Thickening Slurry (Optional):
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 Tablespoons water
Instructions
Oven Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
Brown the Beef:
- Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over a medium-high heat.
- Season the beef on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Add the beef to the hot pan and brown on all sides.
- Transfer the beef to a plate and set aside.
Cook the Onions and Aromatics:
- Add the onions to the pan and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste, garlic, thyme, and rosemary sprigs. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Make the Sauce:
- Add the broth, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, cranberries, and carrots. Stir until combined.
- Carefully add the beef back to the pot.
Braise the Roast:
- Cover and transfer to the oven. Braise for 3 to 4 hours, or 1 hour per pound.
- Remove the roast to a plate and put the pot back on the stove.
- Bring the broth to a simmer.
Make the Thickening Slurry:
- Combine cornstarch and water in a small bowl until the cornstarch has dissolved. Pour the slurry into the pot.
- Cook until the gravy has thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Slather in gravy and serve with your preferred sides.
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Season the roast on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Add the beef to the hot pan and brown on all sides.
- Remove beef and put it in a slow cooker.
- Add the rest of the ingredients, except for the cornstarch and water, to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 6 hours.
- Transfer the beef to a plate and pour the liquid into a large saucepan or rimmed skillet. Bring this liquid to a simmer.
- Now combine the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until the cornstarch has dissolved. Pour the slurry into the pan and cook until the gravy has thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Slather in gravy and serve with your preferred sides.
Notes
Good quality ingredients: Take your time selecting a well-marbled piece of meat and use fresh ingredients (garlic, herbs and vegetables) to make the recipe.
Let it rest: Let the beef roast rest for 10 to 15 minutes before carving and serving to help ensure it’s juicy throughout.
Nutrition
Cranberry balsamic roast beef is a hearty and delicious dish that’s perfect for a special occasion. It’s not a difficult dish to prepare and you can choose from braising it in the oven or using a slow cooker. Either way, you can expect juicy, moist and tender results. The garlic, fresh herbs, cranberries, and aromatic ingredients add so much incredible flavor to this winter pot roast.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
The tangy cranberry sauce made this roast unforgettable. Great for a cozy holiday meal!