This slow cooker Venezuelan-inspired Balsamic Beef Roast is super easy to make and flavorful enough for company
Slow Cooker Balsamic Beef Roast ( Asado Negro)
In Venezuela, Asado Negro is a classic dish. Every family has its version and uses different ingredients, but the technique stays the same. This Slow Cooker Balsamic Beef Roast is braised with a balsamic and coke sauce that makes the meat tender and full of flavor.
Believe it or not, I didn’t grow up with a crockpot. My mom still doesn’t know what it is. When I came to the States and discovered this contraption, I instantly fell in love.
A set-it-and-forget-it machine is perfect for busy days and comforting foods. Now I’ve adapted my favorite braising recipes to the slow cooker technique like this yummy Slow Cooker Balsamic Beef Roast.
An important tip when using a slow cooker to cook beef is to ALWAYS brown your meats before inserting them in the pot. Browning sears the beef and also caramelizes the outside giving you a juicier and tastier product.
One tiny step can make a big difference. In Spanish, Asado Negro means “Black Roasted” because of the browning of the beef before adding in the liquids. Usually, they add brown sugar to the oil making the outside of the meat look “black”. I omit the sugar because it doesn’t add anything flavor-wise.
When I make these hearty dishes, it takes me back to my childhood. Growing up, my parents used to have dinner together with us every night.
Rain or shine at 8 o’clock all five of us were sitting at the table having dinner and talking about our day. I miss that tradition and hope to instill it here when my girls are a bit older.
Although the original Asado Negro doesn’t have balsamic or coke in its ingredient list, this is my creation and I hope you can make it for your family. I promise you that they are going to love it and be very generous with the onions! yum.
If you make this Slow Cooker Balsamic Beef Roast at home please tag me on Instagram @livingsweetmoments and/or use the hashtag #LivingSweet – I promise to Repost it.
Slow Cooker Balsamic Beef Roast ( Asado Negro)
Ingredients
- 3-4 Lbs Eye Round Beef
- 12 oz Coca Cola not diet or zero
- 1/2 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 Leaves Bay
- 1 1/2 Cups Beef Stock
- 2 Onions sliced
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- Salt + Pepper to taste
- 2 Teaspoons Cornstarch
- Parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Clean your eye round and remove excess grease. Pat dry with a paper towel and sprinkle salt and pepper all over
- In a heavy bottomed skillet, add the olive oil on medium high heat
- Add the beef and sear on every side including the ends. Make sure the meat is almost black when searing. About 8-10 minutes
- Remove beef from heat and insert in the crockpot
- Meanwhile using the same skillet, add the onions and cook until softened. Use a wooden spoon to lift away any meat particles at the bottom of the pan
- When onions are soft, add the stock, vinegar and coke. Bring to a boil
- Pour the sauce on top of the beef and throw in the bay leaves
- Cook covered in the crock pot on high for 4 hours of low for 8 hours
- Remove beef and cut into slices
- Place the sauce in a saucepan. In a small bowl add 1/4 cup of the sauce with the cornstarch. Mix them and add it to the remaining sauce
- Bring the sauce to a boil
- Pour sauce on top of beef
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
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This was incredibly delicious. I made mine in the oven (300 degrees for 2 3/4 hours) instead of the crockpot, and I thickened it with flour after I cooked the onions instead of cornstarch at the end. It was awesome.
Glad you liked it!!