Beef Pot Roast. A classic is a classic for a reason. It's comforting and delicious and something you go back to time and time again. Try my version of the most succulent, fall-apart roast beef and you'll never need another reason to do anything different. Promise.
Let's get started!
Jump to:
- Pull Up A Chair and Let's Chat!
- A Love Letter To Dutch Ovens
- Searing 101: A Quick Lesson
- How To Make It
- Serving Ideas
- Tips and Tricks
- Substitutions or Variations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Instant Pot Instructions
- Slow Cooker Instructions
- Beef Pot Roast Recipe
- Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Other Fantastic Recipes You'll Love
And, if you're in the mood for more classic comfort food, you've come to the right spot! Read here for a collection of my favorite 10 Comfort Food Recipes!
Pull Up A Chair and Let's Chat!
This recipe is truly a classic in comfort food. It's so easy to make and even easier to enjoy. And, what's not to like? It's succulent and tender and has a built in sauce for drizzling. You cannot go wrong.
Your kitchen will fill with the most amazing aroma - home cooked goodness at it's finest and I even have Slow Cooker and Instant Pot instructions.
A Love Letter To Dutch Ovens
You need a good dutch oven. That is all there is to it. It's a true workhorse in the kitchen and if you buy a good one, it'll last a lifetime. Everything from soups, to slow-braised pot roast to this Beef Pot Roast.
I own both the Staub brand and the Le Creuset brand dutch ovens. Expensive? Yes. Will last and they back up their warranty. Yes, they do. I've had a couple cheaper versions and they have all chips and/or cracked in a few years. I recommend saving your money and investing in quality.
Searing 101: A Quick Lesson
Searing beef adds a layer of flavor that you cannot duplicate. The caramelization that happens, also known as the Maillard reaction, is just incredible as a flavor enhancer. If you have time, please sear. It does make a difference.
After seasoning the beef with plenty of kosher salt and fresh pepper, sear all sides on high heat. The heat needs to be pretty high to accomplish a sear. Otherwise, you won't get the nice crusty bits.
Ideally, you want to develop a dark crust on all sides of the roast. Because of this, the bottom of your pot will have cute little roasty bits stuck to the bottom. This is called fond and is the entire reason we start this dish with searing. When we add the broth, the fond will help create the most amazing braising liquid you have ever tasted.
How To Make It
The nitty gritty of this beef pot roast recipe is super simple. I'll give you a brief rundown here, but the details will live in the recipe card below. All you have to do is:
- Season and sear the beef.
- Caramelize the tomato paste and deglaze.
- Add herbs, beef, and veggies to the dutch oven.
- Cook and reduce the cooking liquid.
- Enjoy!
Good food shouldn't be hard. This is a classic recipe that is straightforward, simple, and delicious!
Serving Ideas
While the beef pot roast is slowing braising in the oven, there is plenty of time to think about how to serve it. Personally, I serve mine piled high on top of a plate of mashed cauliflower. My kids and husband, however, like it a bit more traditional and prefer my creamy garlic mashed potatoes as the base. Buttered noodles would also be so good!
Tips and Tricks
- Remove the beef pot roast from the fridge about an hour before you begin the cooking process.
- The carrots, celery, and onion will be very, very soft at the end. Almost too soft to eat. They are necessary for flavor, so I mash them into the braising liquid at the end and they become part of the sauce.
Substitutions or Variations
- Use whatever cut of roast you prefer. Arm roasts or round roasts are great. However, because they are leaner, they won't get that unctuous, tender texture that a chuck roast will get.
- Herbs. Use whatever herbs your love. I love thyme and bay with beef, but rosemary, parsley, and even dill are delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this recipe gluten and/or dairy-free?
This beef pot roast recipe is both gluten and dairy-free! No need to worry!
Instant Pot Instructions
Sear beef pot roast using the high sauté function. Proceed with recipe as written. Cook 1 hour 15 minutes on high pressure, natural pressure release. Remove the roast and veggies after cooking and reduce the cooking liquid by turning the sauté function back on.
Slow Cooker Instructions
Sear the beef in a separate skillet or use the slow cooker sear function. Caramelize the tomato paste in the skillet and deglaze with the broth. Place the roast into the slow cooker with the cooking liquid from the skillet and remaining ingredients. Cook on low 6-8 hours or on high 4-6 until the roast in fall apart tender.
Beef Pot Roast Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 3-4 lb beef chuck roast (any beef roast will do, but I like the fat content of the chuck)
- avocado oil, for searing
- 1 large onion, rough chopped
- 2-3 carrots, rough chopped
- 2-3 stalks celery, rough chopped
- 3 tablespoon tomato paste
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 3 bay leaves
- kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Season both sides of roast liberally with salt and pepper. Sear both sides on high heat in a little avocado oil. Remove meat. Turn heat to low.
- Add tomato paste and cook for a few minutes to let flavor and a deep color develop, stirring often.
- Add beef broth to deglaze your pan. Scrape up any bits left on the bottom of the pot.
- Add bay leaves and thyme.
- Add roast back into pot along with carrot, onion, and celery.
- Into the oven at 250° for 6-8 hours or until the roast is fall-apart tender.
- Remove the roast from the pot and shred.
- Mash the carrot, celery, and onion into the sauce. Remove the bay leaves. Strain the cooking liquid. Cook on medium-high in a saucepan until liquid reduces a bit.
- Serve roast over mashed potatoes or cauliflower. Drizzle with the reduced jus. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- The beef pot roast will stay good in the fridge up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- To reheat, cover leftovers with a damp paper towel heat in small increments in the microwave until warmed through.
- If freezing, I recommend freezing only the meat - leave the veggies out. It will stay good in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
If you guys make this Beef Pot Roast Recipe, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I absolutely love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every one of your comments!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here and hope you try my Beef Pot Roast recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok!
-Rufus
Other Fantastic Recipes You'll Love
Instant Pot Pot Roast - This is a super simple, quickened version of pot roast. In the Instant Pot, you can have pot roast on the table in about an hour!
French Onion Pot Roast - The flavors of this beef pot roast are just incredible. It's a super savory version of the classic.
Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef - For an Asian-inspired spin, this pot roast recipe is a family favorite. Served over simple white rice and a side of sautéed veggies, it's a reall winner!
Carne Guisada aka Mexican Braised Beef - This is such a great recipe for beef pot roast when you're hungry for Mexican flair. I serve it with Homemade Flour Tortillas and my people become very, very happy!
French Dip Sliders - This is the perfect recipe for a fun family dinner or a super simple party food. The flavors are incredible, it's turned into a handheld delight, and the dipping sauce is out of this world!
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