Braised Chuck Steak

3h 20m
Serves 1
facebook.com

Directions

  1. 1Season both sides of the chuck steak liberally with kosher salt and black pepper.
  2. 2In a dry pan over medium heat, ensure the pan is hot enough to sizzle, then sear the chuck steak for 5 to 6 minutes until a nice crusty sear forms.
  3. 3Flip the steak and sear the other side until it has a similar crust.
  4. 4Set the seared steak aside to rest.
  5. 5If there's too much fat in the pan, blot out a little with a paper towel, but do not remove the brown fond.
  6. 6Turn the heat to low.
  7. 7Add one rough chopped onion, 8 to 10 sliced garlic cloves, some thyme leaves, and some rosemary leaves to the pan.
  8. 8Cook these vegetables, using them to scrub off the fond stuck to the bottom of the pan, until they soften.
  9. 9Add a quarter of a cup of balsamic vinegar (or wine) to the pan.
  10. 10Reduce the balsamic vinegar until it changes from smelling like hot vinegar to a sweet syrup.
  11. 11Add about a cup of chicken stock or beef stock.
  12. 12Add one large can of San Marzano tomatoes, crushed with your hands, remembering to rinse the can.
  13. 13Reduce this whole mixture by about half its volume.
  14. 14Return the chuck steak to the pan, along with all its resting juices.
  15. 15Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil or a lid.
  16. 16Braise in a 325°F oven for about 3 hours.
  17. 17When first removed from the oven, ensure the steak shreds apart easily with two forks.
  18. 18Cover the steak back up and let it rest for about 20 to 30 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1 ea chuck steak
  • kosher salt
  • black pepper
  • 1 ea rough chopped onion
  • 8 to 10 sliced garlic cloves
  • thyme leaves
  • rosemary leaves
  • 0.25 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 cup chicken stock or beef stock
  • 1 ea large can of San Marzano tomatoes, crushed

Equipment

panaluminum foilovenpaper toweltwo forks

Tips

  • If the pan doesn't sizzle when you put the steak in, take it out and start over when it does.
  • If the steak sticks, don't worry, it will release when ready if the pan is hot enough.
  • Reduce balsamic vinegar until it smells like a sweet syrup.
  • Rinse the can of tomatoes.