How to Braise Meat: 12 Steps
Braising is a cooking technique that combines both wet and dry heat cooking methods. It involves searing the meat at high temperatures and then slow-cooking it in a liquid over low heat. The result is tender, flavorful meat that falls off the bone. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to braise meat.
1. Choose the right cut of meat: Tough cuts of meat with a lot of connective tissue are perfect for braising. Look for cuts such as beef chuck roast, pork shoulder, or lamb shanks.
2. Prepare your ingredients: Gather all your ingredients, including meat, seasoning, vegetables, and liquid (such as broth or wine).
3. Season the meat: Pat the meat dry and season it generously with salt and pepper or any other desired herbs and spices.
4. Preheat your oven or slow cooker: For oven braising, preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). If using a slow cooker, set it to low heat.
5. Sear the meat: In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, heat some oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned meat and sear it on all sides until it forms a brown crust. This will add depth of flavor to the final dish.
6. Remove the meat from the pot and set aside: Transfer the seared meat to a plate or platter.
7. Sauté your vegetables: In the same pot in which you seared the meat, add diced aromatic vegetables such as onions, carrots, and celery. Cook them until they’re softened and start to caramelize.
8. Deglaze the pot: Add a splash of liquid (such as broth or wine) to deglaze the pot by scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom with a wooden spoon.
9. Add back in your meat: Return the seared meat to the pot, along with any accumulated juices.
10. Add your braising liquid: Pour in enough braising liquid (such as stock or wine) to cover about two-thirds of the meat.
11. Braise the meat: If using an oven, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and place it in the preheated oven for about 2-3 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender. For a slow cooker, cook on low heat for 6-8 hours.
12. Serve the braised meat: Once the meat is tender, carefully remove it from the pot and serve it over rice, mashed potatoes, polenta, or alongside some freshly cooked vegetables. Enjoy your deliciously tender, flavorful braised meat!