Ah, pot roast 🥩🍲 — classic comfort food! Tender, falling-apart beef with rich, savory gravy and vegetables. Here’s a classic, foolproof recipe.
🥘 Classic Pot Roast
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
- 3–4 lb (1.4–1.8 kg) chuck roast
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 2–3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 carrots, cut into chunks
- 4 celery stalks, cut into chunks
- 3–4 medium potatoes, quartered
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine (optional, can use extra broth)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Sear the roast
- Pat the beef dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Sear roast 4–5 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics
- In the same pot, sauté onions and garlic 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute.
- Deglaze & add liquid
- Pour in wine (if using) and scrape up browned bits from the bottom.
- Add beef broth, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.
- Cook the roast
- Return the roast to the pot.
- Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 3–4 hours until the meat is tender.
- Alternatively, cook in a 350°F / 175°C oven for 3–4 hours.
- Add vegetables
- About 1 hour before finishing, add carrots, celery, and potatoes.
- Continue cooking until vegetables and meat are tender.
- Serve
- Remove roast and vegetables.
- Optional: Thicken the liquid with 1–2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with water for gravy.
- Slice or shred meat and serve with vegetables and gravy.
Pro Tips
- Best cut: Chuck roast or brisket — well-marbled and flavorful.
- Make ahead: Cook a day in advance — flavors deepen overnight.
- Extra flavor: Add fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary tied together in a bundle (bouquet garni).
- Slow cooker option: Brown meat first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker on low 8 hours.
I can also give you:
- 🥔 Instant Pot pot roast (super fast, tender)
- 🍷 Red wine-braised pot roast
- 🍲 French-style pot roast with mushrooms and pearl onions
- 🥕 Classic comfort pot roast with root vegetables
Do you want the Instant Pot version for a quicker meal?
