Tuesday, 16 December 2025

Braised beef with red wine and cranberry ... a seasonal dish

When using cranberries it means it's Christmas! I'm sharing this lovely seasonal dish which can be left to bubble away, filling the kitchen with some wonderful and comforting aromas.


Ingredients
Serves 4
1kg braising steak
3 onions ( I usually use red ones)
300ml red wine
300ml stock
3 rounded tbsp cranberry sauce (check sugar/carb content if using shop bought)

Method
1. Cut the meat into large slices, about 8cm square. Tip 2 tbsp flour with some salt and pepper into a large food bag, add the beef and shake to coat the pieces. Thinly slice the onions.
2. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-based pan. Add the beef and fry on all sides until evenly browned. You may need to do this in two batches. Remove to a plate.
3. Heat 1tbsp oil in the pan if you need it, then add the onions and fry quickly for 5 minutes until tinged brown. Return the beef to the pan and add the wine and stock. Bring to the boil, stirring to scrape up the juices. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4. Reduce the heat, cover tightly with a lid and cook at a gentle simmer for 1hr 30mins until the beef is tender. Stir in the cranberry sauce, taste and add more seasoning if necessary. Simmer for a further 5 minutes and serve with vegetables of your choice. Some may choose mashed potato, others may choose mashed swede which is a lower carb alternative... fine green beans are also nice.
Original recipe idea from here

For readers who may prefer a vegetarian dish
How about Somerset Stew here or Vegetable Stew here


wishing you happy days ~ enjoy the season

You will find a variety of recipe ideas within this blog, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e., use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan

33 comments:

  1. ...this wood be a treat, we don't eat beef often these days.

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  2. Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing, Jan. :)

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  3. I've never thought of cooking beef with cranberries. What a fabulous sounding idea. This looks great Jan.

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  4. Cranberries are a wonderful holiday food, aren't they, Jan?

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  5. This would be a wonderful Christmas dinner.

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  6. Gracias por la receta. Te mando un beso.

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  7. For those who eat cow this would be great I bet with a side of cauli mash!

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  8. This looks so good! Thanks for sharing it.

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  9. Looks heavenly - I have never heard of using cranberries!

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  10. This sounds delicious - but I´ve never seen cranberry sauce here in Germany? Will have a look!

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  11. Looks so delicious and I can almost smell the aroma.

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  12. Isn't that delicious? Oh yes, that would be a great recipe!
    Have a lovely day!hugs Elke

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  13. This Blog always makes me hungry. Do you deliver samples of foods?

    God bless.

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  14. Hello,
    It looks delicious Jan! Thanks for sharing!
    Take care, have a wonderful day!

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  15. I always look forward to cranberry season and when I have adequate freezer space, I buy extra to stash away for other times of the year.

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  16. The wine and cranberry make it rich and warming.

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  17. Hello Jan,
    What a lovely meal. That looks so delicious.
    I can almost smell it.

    Have a nice day,
    Marco

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  18. The Vegetable Stew recipe looks like a good one!

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  19. We just got home from Eugene and I'm hungry. This looks so darn good.

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  20. Thank you so much for the veggie stew options!

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  21. that would make a great dish for this season :)

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  22. Me encanta la ternera estofada, voy a hacerla un día de estos. Podría ponerme ciruelas negras, crees que quedaría bien?. Feliz Navidad.

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  23. GOOGLE TRANSLATE AND REPLY TO
    Teresa who said ...
    Me encanta la ternera estofada, voy a hacerla un día de estos. Podría ponerme ciruelas negras, crees que quedaría bien?. Feliz Navidad.

    I love beef stew, I'm going to make it one of these days. I could add black plums, do you think that would be good? Merry Christmas.

    Hello Teresa
    Thank you for your comment and question.
    I am assuming you are referring to Black plums the small fruit that is dark purple and not black plum tomato variety!
    I am sure the black plums would work well in this recipe, in fact I have seen black plum jam used too.
    If you do make this dish please enjoy it.
    Merry Christmas Wishes.

    All the best Jan

    Hola Teresa
    Gracias por tu comentario y pregunta.
    Supongo que te refieres a las ciruelas negras, esas pequeñas frutas de color morado oscuro, y no a la variedad de tomate ciruela negra.
    Estoy segura de que las ciruelas negras quedarían bien en esta receta; de hecho, también he visto mermelada de ciruela negra.
    Si preparas este plato, disfrútalo.
    Feliz Navidad.

    ¡Mucha suerte, Jan!

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  24. Sí me refiero a la fruta ciruela, yo hago la mermelada. Muchas gracias. Abrazos y Feliz Navidad.

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  25. GOOGLE TRANSLATE AND REPLY TO
    Teresa who said ...
    Sí me refiero a la fruta ciruela, yo hago la mermelada. Muchas gracias. Abrazos y Feliz Navidad.

    Yes, I mean plums; I make jam with them. Thank you so much. Hugs and Merry Christmas.

    Hello Teresa
    That's great you were referring to black plums.
    Enjoy this tasty, warming dish with the added addition of your plums.
    I'm sure it will taste lovely.
    Merry Christmas Wishes.

    All the best Jan

    Hola Teresa.
    Qué bien que te refirieras a las ciruelas negras.
    Disfruta de este plato delicioso y reconfortante con el añadido de tus ciruelas.
    Seguro que te quedará delicioso.
    ¡Feliz Navidad!

    ¡Te deseo lo mejor, Jan!

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