Northern Spice Braised Beef Shoulder
Slow-braised beef shoulder infused with warm northern spices and aromatic herbs, resulting in tender, flavorful meat perfect for cozy dinners. This mediterranean-inspired beef ready in about 230 minutes pairs beef shoulder roast, olive oil, large, sliced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs beef shoulder roast
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, sliced yellow onion
- 3 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds carrots
- 2, sliced celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Pat dry 3 lbs beef shoulder roast and season generously with 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering, then sear the beef roast on all sides for 4-5 minutes per side until deeply browned.
- Step 3: Remove the beef and set aside. Add 1 large sliced yellow onion, 3 sliced carrots, 2 sliced celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in 3 cups beef broth and 1 cup dry red wine, scraping the bottom to release browned bits.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp ground allspice, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and add 3 sprigs of fresh thyme.
- Step 6: Return the beef shoulder to the pot, cover tightly with a lid, and transfer to the preheated oven.
- Step 7: Braise for 3 to 3.5 hours until the meat is fork-tender.
- Step 8: Remove the beef from the pot and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with the braising liquid and vegetables.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Northern Spice Braised Beef Shoulder take to make?
Total time is about 230 minutes (20 min prep + 210 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Northern Spice Braised Beef Shoulder?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef shoulder roast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Northern Spice Braised Beef Shoulder?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Northern Spice Braised Beef Shoulder for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Northern Spice Braised Beef Shoulder?
Mediterranean beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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