Beef Pot Roast (Printable Version)

Slow-braised beef chuck roast in red wine and herb broth with tender vegetables for a hearty, comforting meal.

# What You 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 pounds 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 version
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. Pat beef roast dry with paper towels and season all sides evenly with kosher salt and black pepper. Lightly coat roast with flour, dusting off any excess.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons oil and butter in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear roast for 4 to 5 minutes per side until deeply browned, including the edges. Transfer roast to a plate.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Add 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.
04 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until darkened and caramelized.
05 - Pour in red wine, scraping up browned bits from the pot bottom. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
06 - Add beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, stirring to combine thoroughly.
07 - Add rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves to the pot. Return roast and any accumulated juices, nestling it into the liquid so it comes halfway up the meat.
08 - Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cover tightly and reduce heat to low, or transfer to preheated oven. Cook for 1.5 hours.
09 - After 1.5 hours, turn roast over. Add carrots, celery, and potatoes around the roast, submerging them in the liquid. Re-cover and continue cooking for another 1.5 to 2 hours until beef is very tender and vegetables are soft but intact.
10 - Remove roast and vegetables to a serving platter and tent with foil. Skim excess fat from the braising liquid.
11 - For thicker gravy, bring liquid to a simmer. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until sauce thickens. Thin with additional broth if needed.
12 - Discard herb stems and bay leaves. Shred beef into large chunks or slice against the grain. Return beef to pot or arrange over vegetables and spoon sauce on top. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
13 - Serve hot with crusty bread, buttered noodles, or mashed potatoes.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The house fills with this incredible aroma that makes everyone drift toward the kitchen
  • Leftovers somehow taste even better tucked into sandwiches the next day
02 -
  • Pat that beef completely dry before searing, any moisture will steam the meat instead of creating that beautiful crust
  • Do not rush the caramelization of the tomato paste, those 2 minutes make a huge difference in the final flavor
03 -
  • Let the roast rest at least 10 minutes before serving, the juices need time to redistribute
  • Making this a day ahead actually improves it, the flavors meld together beautifully
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