{"id":3785,"date":"2018-11-30T14:00:31","date_gmt":"2018-11-30T19:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.slimmingeats.com\/blog\/balsamic-braised-beef"},"modified":"2025-11-04T22:38:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T03:38:10","slug":"balsamic-braised-beef","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slimmingeats.com\/blog\/balsamic-braised-beef","title":{"rendered":"Balsamic Braised Beef (Stove Top, Slow Cooker and Instant Pot)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This delicious bowl of Balsamic Braised Beef is pure comfort food. Tender chunks of beef in a tangy rich tomato sauce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Balsamic Beef Stew<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is one of my favourite meals to make in the colder months. Totally effortless, it can be cooked on the stove, in a slow cooker or even an Instant Pot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simple ingredients that don't compromise on flavour. It's a perfect meal for the whole family to dig in and enjoy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Cut of Beef for Stews\/Casseroles<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For this you can either use lean stewing beef (diced beef) or buy a larger piece of beef like chuck or brisket works well. Any cut that is great for slow cooking, stews etc as you want the meet to be melt in the mouth tender. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Slow Cooker Versus Pressure Cooking<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pretty much any recipe you cook in a slow cooker can also be cooked in a pressure cooker. It's usually the same measurement of ingredients the only difference being the cooking time. Slow cookers involved cooking for several hours usually until the meats is incredibly tender and melts in your mouth, A pressure cooker achieves the same, but cuts the cooking time down incredibly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The beauty of a slow cooker is that you can add all the ingredients at the start of the day and then come dinner time it's cooked and ready - yummy!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perfect dish for a busy day as you can prep it all in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Never heard of a Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot)<\/strong><\/a>? - you are seriously missing out. It is the best kitchen gadget I have purchased. I love this thing so much, that I almost use it EVERY.SINGLE.DAY.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 7in1 cooker, and it slow cooks, pressure cooks, sautes, has settings for soup, chilli, rice, porridge and even makes yoghurt (I haven't tried that yet).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manual high pressure is my choice of setting the majority of the time, picking my own timings depending on what it is I am making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Best Balsamic Vinegar<\/strong> for cooking<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You want to use a good quality balsamic vinegar for this recipe, otherwise the taste will very overpowering. One that has been aged for several years and has Aceto BalsamicoTradizionale di Modena printed on the label. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also when added the brown sugar, ensure you are using accurate measuring spoons. Sugar should always be measured loose not packed and as a level tablespoon not heaped otherwise this may end up too sweet. The sugar just helps to balance the flavours and give a beautifully glossy sauce. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sides for Stews or Casseroles<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My favourite things to serve this with are some roasted Yukon Gold potatoes. These type of potatoes have an amazing buttery flavour and are perfect roasted like this Crushed Roasted Potatoes<\/strong><\/a> or if mash is more your thing, you might like one of these options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n