Beef Pot Roast (Printable version)

Tender beef chuck slow-cooked with vegetables in aromatic red wine broth for ultimate comfort dining.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Beef and Seasoning

01 - 3.5 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 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 if using oven braising method.
02 - Pat the beef roast dry with paper towels and season all sides generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
03 - Lightly dust the roast with flour on all sides, tapping off any excess flour.
04 - Heat 2 tablespoons oil and butter in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear the roast for 4 to 5 minutes per side until deeply browned on all surfaces including edges. Transfer to a plate.
05 - 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 smashed garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
06 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until darkened and caramelized.
07 - Pour in red wine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
08 - Add beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, stirring well 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 liquid to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cover the pot tightly and reduce heat to low, or transfer to preheated oven at 300°F. Cook for 1.5 hours.
11 - After 1.5 hours, turn the roast over using tongs. Arrange carrots, celery, and potatoes around the roast in the liquid, submerging them. Re-cover and cook for another 1.5 to 2 hours until beef is very tender and vegetables are soft but intact.
12 - Remove the roast and vegetables to a platter and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Skim excess fat from the braising liquid using a ladle or fat separator.
13 - Bring the braising liquid to a gentle simmer. Stir in cornstarch slurry if using and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until sauce reaches desired thickness. Thin with additional broth if needed.
14 - Remove and discard herb stems and bay leaves. Shred beef into large chunks or slice against the grain using a sharp knife.
15 - Return beef to the pot or arrange over vegetables and spoon sauce generously on top. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
16 - Serve hot, ideally with crusty bread, buttered noodles, or mashed potatoes.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's almost impossible to mess up once you get a good sear on the beef.
  • The vegetables turn into something entirely different, soaking up all that winey, beefy goodness.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day, which means less work and more flavor.
  • You can walk away for hours while it cooks, no babysitting required.
02 -
  • Don't rush the searing, a deep brown crust is where most of the flavor comes from.
  • If your liquid is boiling instead of simmering, the meat will turn tough instead of tender.
  • Add the vegetables halfway through so they don't turn to mush.
  • Let the beef rest for 10 minutes before slicing, it makes all the difference in how juicy it stays.
03 -
  • If you have time, let the beef come to room temperature before searing, it'll brown more evenly.
  • Use a Dutch oven if you have one, the heavy lid traps moisture and keeps everything tender.
  • Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the salt, it might need a pinch more after all that cooking.
  • For an even richer gravy, stir in a tablespoon of cold butter at the end and swirl until melted.
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