Classic Beef Pot Roast (Printable)

Tender beef slow-cooked with root vegetables in a rich, flavorful gravy made with red wine and aromatic herbs.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Beef and Seasoning

01 - 3.25 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

# How To Make It:

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 the roast with flour, dusting off any excess.
02 - Heat 2 tbsp 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 all edges. Transfer roast to a plate.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tbsp 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. Pour in red wine while scraping up browned bits from the pot bottom. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
05 - Add beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, stirring to combine. Add rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves. Return roast and any accumulated juices to the pot, nestling it so liquid comes halfway up the meat.
06 - 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 undisturbed.
07 - 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.
08 - Remove roast and vegetables to a platter and tent loosely with foil. Skim excess fat from the cooking liquid using a ladle or fat separator.
09 - 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. Discard herb stems and bay leaves.
10 - 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. Serve hot with crusty bread, buttered noodles, or mashed potatoes.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The beef becomes so tender it practically melts into the gravy without any fuss.
  • Everything cooks in one pot, so you get deep flavor without a pile of dishes.
  • Leftovers taste even richer the next day and turn into completely different meals.
02 -
  • Do not skip the searing step, that caramelized crust is where half the flavor comes from and you cannot get it back later.
  • If the liquid reduces too much during cooking, add a splash of broth or water to keep everything moist.
  • Let the roast rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute and do not run all over the cutting board.
03 -
  • Always bring the roast to room temperature for 30 minutes before searing so it cooks evenly and does not seize up in the pan.
  • If you want a richer sauce, add a tablespoon of cold butter at the very end and swirl it in off the heat.
  • Use a wide shallow pot instead of a tall narrow one, it gives you more surface area for browning and helps the liquid reduce evenly.
Go Back