Classic Beef Pot Roast (Printable Version)

Tender beef slow-braised with root vegetables in a savory red wine and herb-infused gravy.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef and Seasoning

01 - 3.25 lb beef chuck roast or blade roast, well-marbled
02 - 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
03 - 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour

→ For Searing

05 - 3 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil, divided
06 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

07 - 1 large yellow onion, sliced into thick wedges
08 - 4 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
09 - 4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
10 - 3 ribs celery, cut into 2-inch chunks
11 - 1.5 lb baby potatoes or small waxy potatoes, whole or halved if large

→ Braising Liquid and Herbs

12 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
13 - 1 cup dry red wine or extra beef broth for non-alcoholic option
14 - 2.5 cups low-sodium beef broth
15 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
16 - 2 sprigs fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
17 - 3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
18 - 2 bay leaves

→ Optional

19 - 1.5 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water for thickening
20 - Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 300°F if using the oven method.
02 - Pat the beef roast dry and season all sides with kosher salt and black pepper.
03 - Lightly coat the roast with flour, dusting off any excess.
04 - Heat 2 tablespoons oil and butter in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the roast for 4 to 5 minutes per side until deeply browned, including the edges. Transfer the roast to a plate.
05 - Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil if needed. Add onion wedges and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and golden. Add garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
06 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until darkened.
07 - Pour in red wine, scraping up browned bits from the pot bottom. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
08 - Add beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, stirring to combine.
09 - Add rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves. Return the roast and any accumulated juices to the pot, nestling it into the liquid until it reaches halfway up the meat.
10 - Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cover tightly and reduce heat to low, or transfer to the oven. Cook for 1 hour 30 minutes.
11 - Turn the roast over. Add carrots, celery, and potatoes around the roast, submerging them in the liquid. Re-cover and cook for another 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, until the beef is very tender and vegetables are soft but intact.
12 - Remove the roast and vegetables to a platter and tent with foil. Skim excess fat from the cooking liquid.
13 - For thicker gravy, bring the liquid to a simmer. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens. Thin with additional broth if needed.
14 - Discard herb stems and bay leaves. Shred beef into large chunks or slice against the grain.
15 - Return beef to the pot or arrange over vegetables and spoon sauce on top. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
16 - Serve hot, ideally with crusty bread, buttered noodles, or mashed potatoes.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The meat becomes so tender it practically falls apart with a fork, no knife needed.
  • Everything cooks in one pot, so cleanup is shockingly easy for such an impressive meal.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day, and they turn into incredible sandwiches or quick weeknight dinners.
  • It fills your home with the kind of smell that makes people ask if they can stay for dinner.
02 -
  • Don't skip the searing step, that crust is where most of the flavor lives and it makes all the difference in the final dish.
  • If your liquid evaporates too quickly, add a splash more broth and lower the heat, you want a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil.
  • Let the roast rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing, it helps the juices redistribute so every bite stays moist.
03 -
  • Invest in a good heavy-bottomed Dutch oven, it distributes heat evenly and makes all the difference in a long braise like this.
  • Resist the urge to check on the roast too often, every time you lift the lid you lose heat and add cooking time.
  • Taste the gravy at the end and adjust with salt, pepper, or a tiny splash of vinegar to brighten it up if needed.
  • Save any leftover gravy in a jar, it's liquid gold for drizzling over rice, noodles, or even scrambled eggs the next morning.
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