Beef Pot Roast (Printable)

Succulent slow-cooked beef with root vegetables in a rich red wine and tomato gravy

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef and Seasoning

01 - 3.5 lb beef chuck roast or blade roast, well-marbled
02 - 1.5 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
03 - 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
04 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour

→ For Searing

05 - 3 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil, divided
06 - 1 tbsp 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 tbsp 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 tsp Worcestershire sauce
16 - 2 sprigs fresh rosemary or 1 tsp dried rosemary
17 - 3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
18 - 2 bay leaves

→ Optional

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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 300°F if using the oven method.
02 - Pat beef roast dry and season all sides generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
03 - Lightly coat the roast with flour, dusting off any excess.
04 - Heat 2 tbsp oil and butter in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the roast for 4-5 minutes per side until deeply browned, including the edges. Transfer to a plate.
05 - Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tbsp oil if needed. Add onion wedges and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and golden. Add garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
06 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes until darkened.
07 - Pour in red wine, scraping up browned bits from the pot bottom. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
08 - Add beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, stirring to combine thoroughly.
09 - Add rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves. Return the roast and any accumulated juices to the pot, nestling it into the liquid so it comes halfway up the meat.
10 - Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cover tightly and reduce heat to low, or transfer to the preheated oven. Cook for 1.5 hours.
11 - Turn the roast over. Add carrots, celery, and potatoes around the roast, submerging them in the liquid. Re-cover and cook for another 1.5-2 hours until 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 cornstarch slurry and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened. 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. Serve hot with crusty bread, buttered noodles, or mashed potatoes.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The beef becomes so tender you can pull it apart with a spoon, and the vegetables soak up every bit of that rich, winey gravy.
  • It fills your house with a smell that makes everyone wander into the kitchen asking when dinner will be ready.
  • You can walk away for hours while it cooks, and it somehow tastes even better the next day.
02 -
  • Don't skip the searing step, that browned crust is where most of the flavor in the gravy comes from, and it only takes a few extra minutes.
  • If the liquid level drops too low during cooking, add a splash of broth or water to keep the roast from drying out.
  • Let the roast rest for 10 minutes before slicing or shredding so the juices redistribute and every bite stays moist.
03 -
  • Use a Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid to trap moisture and keep the roast from drying out during the long braise.
  • If you're short on time, you can sear the roast the night before, refrigerate it, and finish the braise the next day without losing any flavor.
  • Taste the gravy before serving and adjust the salt and pepper, sometimes it needs a little extra seasoning to really shine.
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