Slow-Cooked Beef Roast in a Rich Onion and Wine Sauce

Rosh Hashanah meals are known for their rich flavors, festive dishes, and touches of sweetness that symbolize our hopes for a good and blessed year. 

If you're looking for an impressive main course that can be prepared ahead of time and only gets better as it sits, this tender shoulder roast is an excellent choice. 

Slow-cooked until melt-in-your-mouth soft and finished in a savory-sweet onion and wine sauce, it's the kind of dish that earns a permanent place on the holiday table.

Ingredients

• 1 whole shoulder roast (No. 5)

• 4 large onions, sliced

• 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips

• 1/2 cup (100 ml) sweet red wine

• 4 tablespoons dark brown sugar

• 1/3 cup soy sauce

• Ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Place the beef in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and cook until the meat is almost completely tender, about 3 hours.

Reserve the cooking liquid, you'll use it later as a rich beef stock.

Allow the roast to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for several hours. This step isn't mandatory, but it makes the meat much easier to slice neatly.

In a wide sauté pan or shallow pot, cook the onions until deeply golden and caramelized.

Add the bell pepper strips and cook for another minute.

Pour in the wine, brown sugar, soy sauce, and black pepper. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Meanwhile, slice the chilled roast to your preferred thickness and arrange the slices in the sauce, slightly overlapping like a fan.

Pour the reserved beef stock into the pot until the meat is covered.

Cover the pot, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 1 hour, allowing the flavors to blend and the meat to become exceptionally tender.

Serving Tip

This roast is even better when prepared a day in advance, making it perfect for Rosh Hashanah and other holiday meals. Serve it alongside roasted potatoes, rice, or your favorite holiday side dishes, and spoon plenty of the rich onion sauce over the top.

The result is a beautifully tender roast with a delicate sweetness and deep flavor—just right for welcoming a sweet new year.