Lazy braised beef easy beef recipe

Sometimes you don’t want to spend half a day cooking — but your family still needs a warm, satisfying dinner. This recipe was born on a busy day: beef on sale, 10 minutes of prep, and an hour later we had tender, flavorful meat on the table.

My secret is simple: fresh garlic, a fierce sear, and a splash of vinegar. Minimal ingredients, maximum taste. My son was obsessed — and yes, this is for busy, tired humans like me.

“Tender braised beef sliced on a black plate with garlicky juices.”

Lazy Braised Beef (10-Minute Prep)

Ingredients lazy braised beef easy beef recipe

• 3 beef steaks/cuts (~500 g each; cross-rib/chuck/blade—any stewing cut)

• 1–2 tbsp neutral oil (sunflower works great)

• 5–6 garlic cloves, finely chopped

• ~100 ml water (about ½ cup)

• 2 tbsp wine or pomegranate vinegar (1 tbsp if using regular white vinegar)

• 2 tbsp soy sauce (add more later if you like it saltier)

• Garlic salt (or regular salt), black pepper, smoked paprika

  

  Ingredients

  «Directions»lazy braised beef easy beef recipe

  Directions

  1. Prep. Season the beef with garlic salt (or salt), black pepper, and smoked paprika. Chop the garlic. In a cup, mix water + vinegar + soy sauce.

  2. Sear (your key move). Heat a pan on very high heat 🔥. Add a little oil. Sear the beef 1–1½ minutes per sideuntil well-browned. You can stack pieces on top of each other — that’s my lazy way.

  3. Garlic. Push the meat to one side, add the chopped garlic to the open spot with a touch of oil, and stir for ~5 seconds only.

  4. Sauce. Immediately pour in the water–vinegar–soy mix.

  5. Simmer. Cover with a lid and simmer on medium heat for 40–60 minutes, flipping once or twice, until as tender as you like. (I usually cook 1 hour for very soft meat.)

     

     Beef, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, spices — ingredient lineup.

     

     Minced garlic sizzling next to seared beef.

     

     Beef simmering on medium heat in vinegar–soy broth.

     
     

     Ksyusha’s Lazy Tips

     • Lightly rub the meat with oil before searing — this guarantees it won’t stick.

     • Don’t stress about spices: use your favorites. The real magic is fresh garlic + very high heat + vinegar.

     • If the meat is gone but the broth is left — don’t throw it out! Braise potato chunks in it for an easy side 🥔.

       
       

       🗣️ Real Speak to Me

       It doesn’t matter how your beef is cut or which spices you love — choose your favorites. What matters is fresh garlic, a strong high heat to sear, and any vinegar you have.All the prep before simmering takes just 10 minutes.Simple, fast, and delicious — perfect for busy people.