What Happens if a Braise Boils? Plus, More Tips for Succulent Meat

The aroma of chuck roast, short ribs or whatever meat you fancy braising away for hours never fails to get your taste buds watering. Low and slow is the name of the game for braising, but you might wonder what happens if a braise boils or how to guarantee delicious results every time. Well, I’m going to share a few key tips to keep in mind when making your next braise. This way you’ll serve up a tender and flavor-packed main to your dinner crowd. Read on for more on how to braise meat like a pro!

What are the basic rules of braising?

At its core, braising involves simmering meat in liquid for a long period of time. This technique works for beef, pork and chicken—and you’ll find these three steps listed in many braised recipes.

1. Searing the meat.

After seasoning the cut of meat, it’s common to sear it in a pan with heated fat. Doing this creates a golden brown crust on the meat and helps develop the flavors in the dish. (Note: Some recipes skip this step to shorten the prep time.)

2. Adding in aromatics.

Onions, garlic, herbs, celery and carrots are staple aromatics in braised dishes as they add more depth of flavor to the braise. For extra deliciousness, braised recipes might call for cooking these ingredients in the pan with the seared meat drippings until they’re soft and caramelized.

3. Fully submerge the meat in liquid.

One of the key steps in braising meat is covering the meat in broth, water, stock or any liquid of your choice. It’s important that it’s completely covered in the liquid, otherwise the meat could dry out.

What happens if a braise boils?

If you’re braising meat on the stove, it’s best to occasionally check it to make sure the liquid doesn’t reach a boil. The reason: Boiling causes liquid to evaporate, which leaves you with less liquid to maintain the meat’s moisture. On the other hand, cooking the braise in your slow cooker or oven prevents this thanks to the even distribution of heat. The bottom line is, a steady simmer is a surefire way to create your best-ever braised meat.

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5 delicious and simple braised meat recipes

We all have our favorite braised dishes. But, if you need more mealtime inspiration, these five recipes come together without hassle and deliver on big flavor!

1. Teriyaki Short Ribs

This recipe uses store-bought teriyaki sauce and pomegranate juice to infuse these braised ribs with a sweet and savory essence. Serve these short ribs over steamed rice or noodles as they’ll perfectly soak up the sticky meat juices.

2. Dutch Oven Carnitas

Love ordering carnitas at your go-to Mexican restaurant? If so, it’s just as easy to make at home by braising the pork in a Dutch oven. They’re crispy, tender and flavorful—making them great to add to tacos or other dishes.

3. Apple Cider Braised Pork Roast

Looking for a centerpiece main course that will wow guests at your next dinner party? Give this Apple Cider Braised Pork Roast recipe a try as it cooks boneless pork butt in a sweet and herby liquid that turns into a yummy sauce.

4. Braised Chuck Roast

This simple braised chuck roast recipe yields meat that fall-apart tasty beef. Plus, find out the best ways to maximize the flavors of this braise.

5. Smoky Beer-Braised Corned Beef

You don’t need to wait until St. Patrick’s Day to enjoy corned beef. Simply whip up this beer-braised version, which uses stout beer to incorporate more richness into the meat. (Try these leftover corned beef recipes as well.)

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