Beef Braciole is a classic southern Italian dish. It is a piece of thin meat that is filled with cheese, herbs, & optional hard boiled egg. It is then slowly cooked in a rich tomato sauce. Braciole typically takes hours to make on the stove top or in a slow cooker. However, for our Keto Italian Beef Braciole, we like to cook ours in the Instant Pot. It provides the same tender meat but only takes 30-35 minutes to cook! We’ve also included the stovetop cooking method in the recipe below.
Braciole is typically found in Sicilian cuisine or Italian-American cuisine. Because of it’s long cooking method, it is usually served for special occasions or holidays. This is a great meal to serve during Christmas or a family Sunday dinner!
How to Prepare the Braciole:
Start by thinly slicing your beef (this is easier when the meat is still a bit frozen) and gently tenderize the meat until it is 1/8-1/4″ thick. Pat dry with paper towel and season with salt and pepper on both sides. I keep my braciole large in order to fit more filling. For serving, I slice the Braciole into smaller pieces.
Next add minced garlic on to the braciole, evenly distributed. Followed by the chopped parsley and finely grated parmesan cheese. I usually use about 1 garlic clove per braciola. Next add the sliced prosciutto on top of the braciola. You can stop here or you can add hard boiled egg and provolone cheese to the braciole. This is definitely my favorite way to eat this dish! The hard boiled egg adds some nice texture and mild flavor to the beef.
Once the braciole has it’s filling, gently and tightly roll the braciole. You can secure it in place with butchers twine (recommended) or with toothpicks.
Cooking Method:
For our Keto Italian Beef Braciole I like to use homemade tomato sauce for the best flavor. This can be made the day before, or you can use leftover tomato sauce that is canned or frozen. Try our Homemade Garden Tomato Sauce! If you must, you can use your favorite store bought tomato sauce. Another option is to add Italian canned crushed tomatoes with with seasoning (garlic, salt, optional red pepper flakes, and optional wine) to the pot and cook the sauce when the Braciole is simmering. I only recommend this if you are using the stovetop cooking method. If using the instant pot, your sauce won’t have time to thicken.
Instant Pot: For the instant pot method you’ll want to first start by selecting the SAUTÈ function on the instant pot and add the olive oil. Starting with the seam side, sear each side of the braciole and set aside (5-7 minutes). Add the sauce into the instant pot and deglaze the pan (scrape up the brown bits). Place the braciole back into the pot, close the lid, and select MEAT/STEW on high pressure for 30 minutes. Once the braciole is done cooking, carefully turn the valve for quick release.
Stovetop: For the stovetop method heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Brown all sides of the braciole starting with the seam side to seal it. Once browned, add the sauce into the pot, cover and simmer on low heat for 90 minutes.
Keto Italian Beef Braciole
Equipment
- Instant Pot, Dutch Oven or Large Pot
Ingredients
Original
- 2 lbs Top Round or Flank Steak Thinly Sliced, About 4 Large Pieces.
- 1/4 tsp Salt Or to taste.
- 1/4 tsp Pepper Or to taste.
- 4 Cloves Garlic Minced.
- 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Finely Grated.
- 1/2 cup Freshly Chopped Parsley
- 6 Slices of Prosciutto
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- 3.5 cups Tomato Sauce Equivalent to 28 fl oz.
With Egg and Provolone
- 2 lbs Top Round or Flank Steak Thinly Sliced, About 4 Large Pieces.
- 1/4 tsp Salt Or to taste.
- 1/4 tsp Pepper Or to taste.
- 4 Cloves Garlic Minced.
- 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Finely Grated.
- 1/2 cup Freshly Chopped Parsley
- 8 Slices of Provolone Equivalent to 176g.
- 6 Slices of Prosciutto
- 4 Hard Boiled Eggs Diced
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- 3.5 cups Tomato Sauce Equivalent to 28 fl oz.
Instructions
- Thinly slice steak and gently pound to 1/4 to 1/8-inch thickness.
- Pat steak dry with paper towel; season with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Place minced garlic, followed by grated Parmigiano Reggiano and chopped parsley on top of tinley sliced beef.
- Add sliced Prosciutto on top of beef, evenly distributed.
- Optional: Add sliced provolone cheese and diced egg on top of beef.
- Tightly roll the beef, tucking in the sides, and secure with toothpicks or kitchen twine (recommended).
Instant Pot
- In the instant pot, heat 1/4 cup of olive oil with the SAUTÈ setting.
- Add steak and brown all sides. About 5-7 minutes. NOTE: Start browning the meat with the seam side down to seal it.
- Once browned, remove from pot and set aside.
- Add tomato sauce to the instant pot and deglaze the pan (scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan).
- Place the braciole back into the pot.
- Lock the lid in place and select MEAT/STEW on high pressure for 30 minutes.
- Once the Braciole is finished cooking, carefully turn to value to a quick release.
Stovetop
- Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat.
- Brown all sides of the braciole starting with the seam side to seal it.
- Once browned, add the sauce into the pot, cover and simmer on low heat for 90 minutes.
- Remove the rolls with tongs to a cutting board and slice the Braciole for serving. About 1/2 inch thick.
- Add sauce on top of the sliced Braciole and serve with some fresh parsley.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- 401 Calories
- 4.2g Carbohydrates
- 1g Fiber
- 26.8g Fat
- 33.7g Protein
- 507 Calories
- 4.4g Carbohydrates
- 1g Fiber
- 34.2g Fat
- 42.8g Protein
This Keto Italian Beef Braciole is the perfect holiday meal! It can be served as a side dish or main course. Let us know in the comments below if you’ve tried this Classic Italian American dish!
