Whiskey-Infused Braised Beef with Roasted Root Vegetables
Tender beef braised slowly in a rich whiskey-spiked sauce served alongside caramelized roasted root vegetables. This american-inspired beef ready in about 210 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, whiskey, large, quartered red 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
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast
- 1 cup whiskey
- 3 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces carrots
- 2 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces parsnips
- 1 large, quartered red onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp, freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Season 2 lbs beef chuck roast with 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper and 1 tsp salt. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and sear the beef on all sides until deeply browned, about 3 minutes per side. Remove beef and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 large quartered red onion sautéing over medium heat for 2 minutes until fragrant and softened. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Step 3: Pour in 1 cup whiskey carefully to deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits, and simmer for 3 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Step 4: Return the beef to the pot and add 2 cups beef broth and 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme. Cover and transfer the pot to the oven to braise for 2 1/2 hours until beef is tender.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, toss 3 peeled and cut carrots and 2 peeled and cut parsnips with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and roast on a baking sheet at 400°F for 30-35 minutes until caramelized and tender.
- Step 6: Remove beef and vegetables from oven. Slice beef against the grain and serve alongside the roasted root vegetables, spooning the braising liquid over the top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Whiskey-Infused Braised Beef with Roasted Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 210 minutes (30 min prep + 180 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 Whiskey-Infused Braised Beef with Roasted Root Vegetables?
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 chuck roast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Whiskey-Infused Braised Beef with Roasted Root Vegetables?
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 Whiskey-Infused Braised Beef with Roasted Root Vegetables 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 Whiskey-Infused Braised Beef with Roasted Root Vegetables?
American 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.