Braise
verb /breɪz/ — Slow cooking in a small amount of liquid in a covered pot.
Definition
A cooking method in which food is first browned, then cooked slowly and covered in a small amount of liquid at low heat. Time and low temperature convert tough collagen to silky gelatin.
Beyond the definition
Braising teaches that what seems insurmountable with direct force becomes tender with time. You cannot rush a braise. This is also true of grief, and of trust.
Origin & history
From French 'braiser' (to braise); from 'braise' (live coals) — originally food was cooked over live coals with coals on the lid too.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She braised the short ribs for four hours — the cheapest cut becoming the most luxurious dish.
No amount of high heat can do what three hours of braising will: the fat melts, the collagen turns, the whole thing gives up.
Winter cooking is braising season: the slow heat, the smells filling the house, the patience required and rewarded.
How to use it
This entry uses a verb. Follow the examples for tense and any objects or prepositions it needs.
Choose “Braise” when the meaning fits your context: A cooking method in which food is first browned, then cooked slowly and covered in a small amount of liquid at low heat. Time and low temperature convert tough collagen to silky gelatin.
Synonyms
stew, pot-roast, slow-cook
Antonyms
roast, sear, grill
Related words
Braise vs stewing
Braise involves larger cuts of meat partially submerged in liquid. Stewing involves smaller, bite-sized pieces completely covered in liquid for longer cooking.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Satisfying Moment With Rich Sauce
An adult holds bread dipped into a dark, rich, simmering sauce, demonstrating a deep sense of satisfaction and sensory pleasure.
Braising involves browning followed by slow, covered cooking in liquid. This method converts collagen into silky gelatin, creating the depth of flavor reflected in the person's expression of sensory satisfaction.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Braise" mean?
Braise is verb meaning: Slow cooking in a small amount of liquid in a covered pot.. A cooking method in which food is first browned, then cooked slowly and covered in a small amount of liquid at low heat. Time and low temperature convert tough collagen to silky gelatin.
Where does the word "Braise" come from?
From French 'braiser' (to braise); from 'braise' (live coals) — originally food was cooked over live coals with coals on the lid too.