23 Braised Dishes That Turn Humble Cuts Of Meat Into Fancy Feasts

Braising transforms tough, inexpensive cuts of meat into tender, flavorful dishes with minimal effort. Slow cooking meat in a rich liquid like wine or broth creates incredible depth and melt-in-your-mouth textures. These recipes turn basic ingredients into meals that feel fancy without being complicated. If you want hearty, impressive dishes that require simple techniques and a bit of patience, this list has you covered. Grab a pot and get started.

Braised Beef Cheeks in a Red Wine Sauce

Slow-cooked beef cheeks in red wine deliver incredible richness and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. This dish is great when you want something hearty that feels fancy but doesn’t require much effort.
Get the Recipe: Braised Beef Cheeks in a Red Wine Sauce

Apple Cider Braised Lamb Shanks

Braising lamb shanks in apple cider creates tender, flavorful meat with crispy edges. It’s a great way to use simple ingredients for an impressive dinner.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Braised Lamb Shanks

Easiest Braised Leg of Lamb

A slow braise transforms a leg of lamb into tender, juicy meat that practically falls apart. Perfect for holidays or anytime you want a no-stress showstopper.
Get the Recipe: Easiest Braised Leg of Lamb

Citrus Braised Lamb Shanks

Braised with tangy citrus and served with spicy green harissa, these lamb shanks are packed with bold flavor and tender enough to fall off the bone.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Braised Lamb Shanks

BBQ Beef Cornbread Casserole

Tender BBQ beef topped with golden cornbread in the slow cooker makes this an easy, crowd-pleasing one-dish dinner. Perfect for busy nights when you want minimal cleanup.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Beef Cornbread Casserole

Brown Stew Chicken

Jamaican brown stew chicken is loaded with bold spices and fall-apart tenderness. Marinated and braised to perfection, it’s a fantastic choice for any night you want big flavor without a lot of work.
Get the Recipe: Brown Stew Chicken

Spicy Beef Stew

This slow-cooker beef stew combines tender meat with customizable heat levels and your favorite veggies. It’s a versatile, no-fuss dinner option with great depth of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Beef Stew

Beef Curry

This beef curry brings tender chunks of slow-cooked beef and rich curry sauce together for a meal that’s as comforting as it is easy to make. It’s a great choice when you want a hearty dish with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Beef Curry

Italian Beef Sandwiches with Giardiniera

Shredded Italian beef piled on hoagie buns with provolone and giardiniera makes for a sandwich experience worth the extra napkins. Great for feeding a crowd or enjoying on game day.
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef Sandwiches with Giardiniera

Shredded Beef

Slow-cooked shredded beef is perfect for tacos, sandwiches, or rice bowls. Its tender, juicy texture makes it a versatile recipe for meal prep or easy dinners.
Get the Recipe: Shredded Beef

Braised Steak and Caramelized Onions

Classic braised steak in onion gravy gets a flavor upgrade with Worcestershire sauce and Marmite. It’s a timeless dish that brings comfort and simplicity to the table.
Get the Recipe: Braised Steak and Caramelized Onions

Braised Liver and Onions in Gravy

This traditional recipe combines liver, bacon, and onions in rich gravy. It’s an old-school dish that’s perfect for fans of bold flavors and comforting classics.
Get the Recipe: Braised Liver and Onions in Gravy

Dutch Oven Pot Roast

Chuck roast surrounded by carrots, potatoes, and onions in beef broth transforms into tender perfection in the oven. With just 10 minutes of prep, it’s a hands-off way to make a meal everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Pot Roast

Whiskey Pot Roast

Whiskey brings a new depth of flavor to this tender pot roast. Great for weeknights or serving company, it’s easy to prepare and packed with richness.
Get the Recipe: Whiskey Pot Roast

Beer Braised Short Ribs

Short ribs braised in beer turn into fall-off-the-bone goodness. Perfect over mashed potatoes, polenta, or even rice, this recipe is a must-try for fans of hearty dishes.
Get the Recipe: Beer Braised Short Ribs

Red Wine Slow Braised Italian Beef Ragù

This slow-cooked ragù brings rich red wine and tender beef together for a dish that’s great over pasta or polenta. It’s a go-to for cozy fall and winter meals.
Get the Recipe: Red Wine Slow Braised Italian Beef Ragù

Mississippi Pot Roast

This oven-braised version of Mississippi pot roast skips the packet shortcuts for a flavor-packed roast. It’s perfect for transforming a simple cut of beef into a memorable dinner.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Pot Roast

Carnitas

These crispy, juicy pork carnitas are so good you’ll find yourself making them weekly. Whether in tacos, bowls, or on their own, they’re a guaranteed hit.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas

Kedjenou

A flavorful chicken stew from Côte d’Ivoire, kedjenou combines slow-braised chicken, fresh veggies, and aromatic spices. It’s a great one-pot recipe for hearty dinners.
Get the Recipe: Kedjenou

Braised Beef Cheeks

Slow braised in red wine, these beef cheeks deliver rich, tender, and flavorful results. Whether for a dinner party or midweek treat, it’s an excellent choice for those who love a good braise.
Get the Recipe: Braised Beef Cheeks

Chuck Roast in Oven

Slow-cooked chuck roast in the oven turns a simple cut into fall-apart tender meat with rich flavor. Great for easy, hands-off cooking that impresses every time.
Get the Recipe: Chuck Roast in Oven

Garlic Braised Georgian Chicken

This Georgian recipe, also known as “Shkmeruli,” features chicken braised in a garlic-forward sauce. It’s a unique and flavorful addition to your dinner rotation.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Braised Georgian Chicken

Pork Ragu

This pork ragu has all the richness of a traditional Sunday sauce but cooks quickly in an Instant Pot. It’s great over pasta, polenta, or risotto for a meal that feels fancy with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Ragù