The holidays are right around the corner, and if you’re searching for the ultimate Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner recipe, this roasted beef in red wine with pears deserves a spot on your table. It’s elegant, deeply flavorful, and brings that cozy, comforting aroma that fills the house during the holidays.
The secret to this dish lies in its slow roast and rich marinade. If you’ve ever wondered how to make the perfect roasted beef in red wine with pears, it starts with patience and good ingredients. This recipe isn’t rushed — it’s about letting the flavors mingle, giving the beef time to absorb all the goodness from the wine, herbs, and fruit.
I personally love using pears during the holidays — they add a gentle sweetness that beautifully balances the richness of the beef. Whether you’re serving this for a small Thanksgiving dinner or a big Christmas feast, it’s a showstopper dish that pairs well with rice, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or even fruit sides.
The Secret to the Perfect Holiday Roast Beef
To make the most tender and flavorful roast beef, start with the marinade. Mix red wine, olive oil, garlic, thyme, rosemary, black pepper, and a touch of cinnamon — yes, cinnamon! It adds that subtle warmth perfect for Christmas recipes.
Marinate your meat overnight if possible. The longer it sits, the more deeply the flavors penetrate. When you’re ready to roast, preheat your oven to 300–325°F (150–160°C) and let the magic happen slowly. Depending on the cut and size of your beef, you’ll want to roast for at least one hour or until your meat is tender, juicy, and easy to slice.
A Red Wine and Pear Combination Made for the Holidays
Red wine gives this roast a luxurious, velvety richness, while the pears add a festive sweetness that feels right at home on a Thanksgiving or Christmas menu. You can even toss in a few apple slices for a more rustic flavor.
If you want to try something different, lamb is a delicious alternative to beef. Its slightly gamier flavor pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the pears and the depth of the red wine. Brands like Superior Farms offer quality lamb that can elevate your holiday roast recipe into something truly memorable.
What Fruits and Vegetables Go Well With Roasted Beef
To complete your festive meal, consider adding seasonal produce that complements the richness of the roast. Here are some great options:
- Apples and pears for a fruity, sweet contrast
- Carrots and parsnips for color and texture
- Brussels sprouts and turnips for earthy balance
- Beets for a touch of natural sweetness and gorgeous color
Remember that each fruit or vegetable cooks at a different pace, so add them to your roasting pan accordingly. Softer fruits like pears may need less time, while root vegetables can roast alongside the meat from the beginning.
Serving Suggestions for Your Holiday Table
Serve this red wine and pear roasted beef with mashed sweet potatoes, creamy polenta, or a wild rice pilaf. Add a simple green salad or roasted asparagus for freshness. A drizzle of the reduced wine sauce over the beef takes it to another level — rich, glossy, and absolutely divine.
Pair it with a full-bodied red wine (like Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec) and light a few candles. You’ll have a holiday dinner recipe that looks like it came straight from a magazine but feels like home.
More Holiday Recipes to Try
Sweet potatoes and cranberries stuffing recipe
Pumpkin soup with butternut squash and ginger
How to make a quick and easy apple crumble
Originally posted on December 17, 2020.
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Roasted beef in red wine with pears recipe
- Prep Time: 4 hours
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: dinner, lunch
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: World
Description
The perfect roasted beef recipe for the holidays!
Ingredients
1 medium roast beef
3 pears (cut in quarters)
2 shallots
1 garlic
2 bay leaves
1 cup of medium size carrots
1 bottle of wine
1 cup of wine vinegar
2 Tbsp of maple syrup
1 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
4 strings of thyme
4 cloves
½ tsp nutmeg
Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
1. In a small sauce pan, bring all the ingredients to a simmer except the roast beef and pears.
2. While it is simmering, stir the liquid well once in a while so that the honey doesn’t rest at the bottom.
3. Bring the liquid to a boil, turn off the heat and let it cool down completely.
4. Once cooled, place your meat in a bowl and pour all the liquid on it.
5. Let it chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours.
6. Preheat oven at 320 F.
7. In sauce pan on medium high heat with a little bit of olive oil, sear your meat all around. Put it in a baking dish.
8. In a bowl, add maple syrup, nutmeg to your pears. Make sure that your pears are coated with the syrup and spices.
9. Place your pears with the carrots, onions, bay leaves, thyme around the seared meat.
10. You can rub your meat with maple syrup and add a two ladders of liquid.
11. Cover the dish with foil paper.
12. Roast the beef for 2 hours.
13. After the 2 hours, let the meat rest for 20 min before slicing it.
14. Reduce the rest of the liquid on the stove until your get a thick sauce. You can add ½ tsp of corn starch to thicken it.
A really nice dinner idea!
I love the richness of this dish – it’s amazing!
thank you!
Made this over the weekend (my anniversary) and it was amazing!!! Thanks so much for posting!
Yes! I am glad you like it!
Always looking for new roast beef ideas, loving the addition of pear. What size beef joint should I use?
When are you adding the cloves? Are you leaving them whole?
Yes, I am adding them in the beginning while making the marinade for the meat.