Meat main dishes

Beef braised in Barolo wine

⏱ 20 min🍳 120 min👤 3 pp★★★☆☆

The Christmas holidays are a perfect time to spend time together, at home, savouring the magical atmosphere of Christmas, and they are always a good excuse to spend time in the kitchen cooking up something wonderful, even better if it is a traditional feast rich in flavour. For example, this dish originally from Piedmont: beef braised in Barolo, an all-time classic which is perfect to serve at Christmas time, especially if made carefully following a detailed recipe, step-by-step, to get a flawless result – it will be an incredible success. Thanks to long, slow cooking the braised beef will become very tender, enhanced by a noble Barolo wine, giving your guests a uniquely pleasurable experience. Are you ready to go to work in the kitchen?

Ingredients

Nutritional values 420 kcal / serving

Protein
48g
Carbohydrates
8g
Fat
18g
Fiber
1g

* approximate values per serving

Information
20 minutes Preparation time
120 minutes Cooking time
Serves 3 persons
★★★☆☆ Challenging

Preparation

Salt the meat and put it in a large bowl together with the herbs and diced vegetables. Then cover everything with the Barolo wine and leave the resulting marinade to rest for 12 hours. Once ready, transfer the meat to a pan with a little olive oil and brown it on all sides for a few minutes. When it is well browned, add the rest of the marinade: the vegetables, herbs and wine. Lower the heat and cover the pan. Leave it to braise slowly for two hours. When ready, remove the meat from the pan, eliminate all the herbs, and with an electric hand blender blitz the remaining sauce. Finally, slice up the braised meat and serve with a little of the blended sauce.

Tips
The best accompaniment to a perfect beef braised in Barolo is a lovely portion of polenta.
Trivia
To make a proper braised beef in this style, it is necessary to use Barolo or, alternatively, a Nebbiolo red wine: if you have other red wines at home you could certainly use them, although the result will not be the same.

Step by step

Beef braised in Barolo
Beef braised in Barolo
**Click on the photos to access full step by step!

Additional information

Barolo Braised Beef with Vegetable Side Dishes

The Barolo Braised Beef with Vegetable Side Dishes is a preparation that enriches the main dish with a variety of flavors and textures. To make the dish even more appetizing, you can accompany the braised beef with mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, or a simple green salad. These side dishes not only balance the intense flavor of the meat but also offer a touch of freshness. The vegetables can be cooked in the braising liquid, absorbing all the juices and aromas, creating a well-balanced and inviting dish. Don't forget to serve the braised beef with a good glass of Barolo, the wine that gave its name to this recipe, to further enhance the flavors at the table.

Piedmontese Barolo Braised Beef

The Piedmontese Barolo Braised Beef is a traditional recipe that best represents the cuisine of Piedmont. This preparation involves the use of Barolo red wine, known for its intense aroma and robust flavor. The slow cooking technique allows the meat to become tender and flavorful, while aromatic herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf give the dish an unmistakable fragrance. During cooking, it is essential to maintain a low temperature to allow the meat to absorb all the flavors of the wine and vegetables. Served with a side of polenta or mashed potatoes, the braised beef becomes a perfect dish for special occasions and family dinners, bringing a piece of Piedmontese tradition to the table.

Light Barolo Braised Beef without Added Fats

For those who desire a lighter version of the classic Barolo Braised Beef, it can be prepared without added fats, using a marinade based on wine and spices. In this variant, you can opt for pressure cooking, which reduces cooking times and keeps the meat tender without the addition of oil. Additionally, lean cuts of meat, such as the round, can be used, which offers a delicious flavor while maintaining a lower caloric intake. Accompanied by steamed vegetables or salad, the light braised beef is an excellent choice for those looking to maintain a balanced diet without sacrificing taste.

Benefits of Beef in Barolo Braised Beef and Calories

The beef used in Barolo Braised Beef is an important source of high-quality protein, iron, and B vitamins, essential for our body. Iron is crucial for the production of hemoglobin, while B vitamins support energy metabolism. A serving of Barolo braised beef (about 150g) provides approximately 300-350 calories, depending on the cut of meat and preparation. Furthermore, the Barolo wine used in the marinade contains antioxidants that can contribute to good cardiovascular health. However, it is advisable to consume this dish in moderation, especially due to its caloric content and sodium level, resulting from the use of coarse sea salt.

Can Barolo Braised Beef be Frozen?

Yes, Barolo Braised Beef can be frozen, making it a practical solution for preparing meals in advance. After cooking the braised beef, it is important to let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container or freezer-safe food bags. It is advisable to separate the meat from the sauce for better preservation. This way, the braised beef will maintain its texture and flavor even after thawing. When you wish to consume it, you can thaw it in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight and then slowly reheat it in a pot or oven, adding a bit of broth or water to prevent it from drying out. This way, you can enjoy a delicious dish even long after its preparation.