Brasato al Barolo — Ad-Free Recipe, Ingredients First

Marinate the beef in the wine overnight, then reduce that same marinade wine before braising. Raw wine stays harsh; reduced wine turns deep and round.

The Ingredients — and where to get them

Cook for 6 servings

Beef chuck

A well-marbled chuck or brisket-adjacent cut, tied. Lean cuts dry out.

3 lb

Source it →

Barolo wine

A real Nebbiolo Barolo or a Nebbiolo d'Alba. A cheap generic red changes the dish.

1 bottle

Local / market

Yellow onion

Two, plus carrot and celery for the braise base.

Source it →

Carrot

Two, chopped.

Local / market

Celery

Two stalks, chopped.

2 stalks

Local / market

Rosemary and bay

A sprig of rosemary, two bay leaves, a few cloves, tied in a bundle.

1 bundle

Local / market

Whole cloves

Three or four, pressed into the onion. Piedmont warmth.

Local / market

Butter

For the initial sear alongside oil.

2 tbsp

Source it →

Olive oil

For searing.

2 tbsp

Source it →

The Rundown

Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat

A reasonable little indulgence. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time

EffortA project

Cook it with

Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot

The Method

Marinate overnightSubmerge the beef with the vegetables, herbs, and cloves in the whole bottle of Barolo. Cover and refrigerate 12 hours.
Sear the beefLift out the beef and pat dry. Sear it hard on all sides in butter and oil in a heavy pot.
Reduce the wineStrain the marinade and simmer it in a separate pan to reduce by a third while the vegetables soften in the pot.
Braise lowReturn the beef, pour over the reduced wine and vegetables, cover, and braise at a low simmer 3 hours until fork-tender.
Sauce and sliceRest the beef, blend the braising vegetables into a sauce, and slice the meat across the grain to serve under the sauce.

The Toolkit

Dutch oven · Saucepan · Blender

Straight Answers

Can you make Brasato al Barolo in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert

Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.

Can you freeze Brasato al Barolo? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Brasato al Barolo ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is Brasato al Barolo gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Brasato al Barolo vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.

Loading notes…

More Italian recipes

Risotto al Nero di Seppia Baccala Mantecato Tortellini in Brodo Coda alla Vaccinara Culurgiones Ossobuco alla Milanese

All Italian recipes → · Browse all 1285 →

Some ingredient and tool links are affiliate links — if you buy through one, 5best2buy may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never costs the maker anything, and it never decides who we recommend. The list is the list.
© 2026 5best2buy · Worth The Hunt · Recipe No.1117

Brasato al Barolo, and where to source it