Beef Pot Roast (Printer-friendly)

Slow-braised beef chuck with root vegetables in red wine and herb gravy for a hearty, comforting meal.

# 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

# How to Make It:

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. Lightly coat with flour, dusting off any excess.
03 - 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 edges. Transfer the roast to a plate.
04 - 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. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until darkened.
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. Add rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves. Return the roast and any accumulated juices to the pot, nestling it into the liquid until it comes halfway up the meat.
07 - Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cover tightly and reduce heat to low, or transfer to the preheated oven. Cook for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
08 - After 1 hour and 30 minutes, turn the roast over. Add carrots, celery, and potatoes around the roast, submerging them in the liquid. Re-cover and continue cooking for 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, until the beef is very tender and vegetables are soft but intact.
09 - Remove the roast and vegetables to a platter and tent with foil. Skim excess fat from the braising liquid.
10 - For a 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.
11 - Discard herb stems and bay leaves. Shred beef into large chunks or slice against the grain. Return beef to the pot or arrange over vegetables and spoon sauce on top. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread, buttered noodles, or mashed potatoes.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The beef becomes so tender it practically falls apart with a fork, and the vegetables taste like theyve been simmering in liquid gold.
  • Its one of those rare dishes that tastes even better the next day, which means leftovers are a gift instead of a chore.
  • You can walk away for hours while it cooks, and it never punishes you for it.
02 -
  • Dont skip the searing step even if it feels like extra work, because thats where all the deep flavor comes from and it makes the gravy taste like it simmered for days.
  • If you add the vegetables at the beginning theyll turn to mush, so wait until the beef has had time to braise halfway before tucking them in.
  • Let the roast rest for at least 10 minutes after cooking so the juices redistribute and every slice stays moist.
03 -
  • If the gravy tastes flat at the end, a small splash of red wine vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice will wake it up without making it sour.
  • For an even richer sauce, stir in a tablespoon of cold butter at the very end and swirl it until it melts into a glossy finish.
  • If youre using a slow cooker, sear the beef and cook the aromatics in a skillet first, then transfer everything so you still get that deep caramelized flavor.
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