If you think braising is hard, think again. All it takes is a little effort – prep, sear, and add liquid – then you just need to let it simmer until it’s succulent. I promise everyone at your table will be praising your braising! The only catch is you might be stuck playing chef at EVERY family event. Thankfully, these fork-tender braising recipes are mostly hands-off, so you’ll still have plenty of time outside the kitchen. Enjoy!
1. Braised Beef
Braised beef is the perfect dish for a holiday meal – or any meal, really. Chunks of beef are sautéed until they form a lovely crust. Then you cook the veggies in the same pan for maximum flavor. Transfer it all to a Dutch oven, cover it with red wine, and cook. In 1.5 to 2 hours, you’ll have rich, fork-tender, exceptional beef. Serve with mashed potatoes and roasted veggies, and no one will go home hungry.
2. Braised Chicken with Potatoes and Chive Butter Sauce
No need to head West for gold… just head to your kitchen. In less than an hour, you’ll have golden, succulent, buttery chicken and potatoes. Everything is sautéed and braised in the same pot, meaning no flavor can escape. The acid from the lemon and the bite of chive balances every bite.
3. Wine Braised Beef with Mushrooms
Picture this: dark, rich, luscious beef with earthy, slightly-sweet, but completely savory mushrooms and a thick, intensely flavored gravy. All of that is in this dish, and it tastes even better than you can imagine. Are you drooling yet? I know I am.
4. Braised Marinated Artichokes
Inspired by Roman tradition, these braised artichokes are absolutely scrumptious. Earthy artichokes are braised in lemon, white wine, and fresh herbs. After cooking, they sit in their braising liquid to cool and soak up the goodness. Every bite is balanced and tender, and if you make extra (because you won’t have leftovers), it’s a fantastic addition to a spinach dip.
5. Carnitas
Aside from bacon, Mexican carnitas might be my favorite way to eat pork. The meat is tender, juicy, and chock full of flavor. You get a little sweet, a little salt, and a whole lotta savory. Plus, the edges of the meat tend to crisp and caramelize in the oven. It’s finger-licking good.
6. Beer Braised Chicken
Beer makes everything taste better, especially on a hot summer day. But I’m not talking about drinking an ice-cold ale with your dinner. No, I’m talking about adding beer right into your dinner. Think about it: beer cheese soup, beer bread, and now this beer-braised chicken. There’s just something about the wheaty notes that give this chicken food an extra oomph.
7. Rouladen
This tasty meat roll is so filling, you might have to be rolled out the door. It features beef, bacon, carrots, onions, and pickles. Rouladen is tangy, a little sweet, and super succulent (that’s becoming the word of the day!).
8. Braised Cranberry Beans with Chorizo
If you love baked beans, then you’ll love this Spanish dish. It’s like a combo of baked beans and chili, but way more indulgent and deeper in flavor. It’s smoky, sweet, spicy, and incredible for a barbecue side dish.
9. Braised Lamb Shanks
Lamb is one of my favorite meats. It’s fatty, flavorful, and just a little gamey. Braising lamb brings out the best flavors and guarantees succulent, fall-off-the-bone meat. As if all that isn’t yummy enough, all of the fat melts into the sauce in this recipe, flavoring everything else. It’s utterly delicious.
10. Eggplant Lamb Stew
This luscious Lebanese dish is comfort food at its finest. Lamb shank, eggplant, tomatoes, wine, spices, and aromatics blend together beautifully in this stew. Serve it with rice, and you have a delicious, hearty, and healthy meal.
11. Red Wine and Honey Braised Brisket
This brisket is one of those extraordinary dishes you’ll want to whip up for a birthday, anniversary, or holiday feast. It’s succulent (okay, last one), and its umami flavor is off the charts. Ginger, orange, cinnamon, chili, honey, wine, garlic, fennel… your taste buds are in for a treat. It takes a little time to make, but it’s worth every minute.
12. Braised Pork with Tomatillos
This braised pork dish is seriously yummy. Obviously, the pork is tender, juicy, and delicious. However, the shining star here is the tomatillo salsa. The acid from the salsa cuts straight through the fattiness of the pork, resulting in a beautiful balance that will make you sing.
13. Cantonese Instant Pot Braised Beef with Radish
By now, you’ve seen how easy braising can be. But what if I told you that it could be even easier? With the Instant Pot, it’s about as effortless as it gets, and this delicious Cantonese dish is the perfect example. Normally, this dish would take 4-6 hours of cooking. But in the Instant Pot, it takes less than 2! But, you don’t lose any flavor or texture. How great is that?
14. Gamja Jorim (Korean Braised Potatoes)
These little potatoes are 100% addictive. They’re like tiny flavor bombs – sweety, savory, and salty in every bite. They also have a fabulous texture. Everyone in your family will love them, and I have a feeling they’ll pop up at least once a week from now on.
15. Galbi Jjim (Korean Braised Short Ribs)
These Korean braised short ribs are so insanely good, you’ll crave them every day. Like the Korean potatoes above, these babies are sweet, savory, sticky, and delicious.
16. Weekend Braised Beef Ragu with Pappardelle
Regular meat sauce is good, maybe even great. But it’s not going to wow anyone. This recipe will. Ragu is made with veggies and minced meat sauteed in liquid, like bolognese. But the slow cook allows the flavors more time to marry, making it crazy-scrumptious.
17. Braised Pork in Sweet Soy Sauce
This Asian-inspired pork dinner comes together quickly but doesn’t skimp on flavor. It’s got sugar, spice, and everything nice, including ginger, garlic, chile, and more!
18. Chinese Braised Fish
Many people hate the thought of a whole fish on a platter – head, eyes, and all! But, this fish dish might be the one to change your mind. I dare say it’s pretty, and the flavor is out of this world! It has a beautiful mix of sour, sweet, and salty elements, and it’s wonderfully crispy on the outside and flaky inside.
19. Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder
As far as I’m concerned, this pork shoulder is the perfect fall dinner because it’s just so….succulent (okay, just one more). Plus, apples are in season, and they really are the stars of this dish. For some reason, apples and pork work well together. I think that’s because pork is naturally a bit sweet. Regardless, this combo of apple cider, fresh apples, wine, onions, herbs, and seasonings is magic. Throw some potatoes into the mix, and you’re in business.
20. Beer Braised Corned Beef with Whiskey Mustard Glaze
This dish is an elegant version of your favorite St. Patty’s day fare. Plus, it has more alcohol-infused elements, so you know it’s packing in the flavor.
21. Braised Tri-Tip with Red Wine Glaze
If you’re reading this list and are worried about the cost of meat, worry no more! This recipe uses an economical cut of beef. But budget-friendly does not mean this dish is a flavor-foe. It’s still extremely appetizing!
22. Milk Braised Whole Chicken with Mustard and Herbs
You have got to try this milk braising technique! While milk definitely isn’t my first thought for a braising liquid, it’s actually really great! It works because the lactic acid helps tenderize the meat while creating a delightfully creamy broth. The mustard and herbs add an extra zing, so don’t leave them out.
23. Roasted Braised Duck
Transport yourself to China with this delicious duck. Braised and then roasted, this recipe is so, so succulent (last time, I pinky-promise). It has so much flavor, with hints of orange, ginger, honey, and garlic. And since it’s braised and roasted, it stays moist but gets fantastically crispy skin. Click on a star to rate it!
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